Country Music Takes Center Stage at the 2025 Inauguration: Unforgettable Performances and Historic Moments

Country music played a prominent role in the 2025 Inauguration, with top artists taking the stage and leaving a lasting impact on the day’s festivities.

Carrie Underwood Overcomes Challenges to Deliver an Iconic A Cappella Rendition of 'America the Beautiful.'

Carrie Underwood kicked off the country music setlist at the Inauguration with an unforgettable a cappella performance of "America the Beautiful. 

Although her performance didn’t go as planned, Underwood handled the unexpected challenges with grace, turning the moment into a historic highlight. She was originally scheduled to sing "America the Beautiful" just before Trump took his Presidential Oath. However, due to a scheduling adjustment, she didn’t take the stage until after Trump’s inaugural address.

As Underwood began her performance, technical difficulties struck as the audio failed and the music cut out. After a silent two-minute pause, Underwood, the class act that she is, decided to press on without accompaniment 

Video footage captured her mouthing, “I can just sing it,” before she smiled, nodded, and raised her microphone. Addressing the audience, she invited them to join her.

“If you know the words, help me out here,” Underwood requested before she began singing. 

Without fail, Underwood turned what could have been a chaotic moment into an iconic performance by delivering a perfectly executed a cappella rendition of "America the Beautiful," with the crowd singing along.

Jason Aldean Energizes the Liberty Ball with High-Energy Hits and Memorable Moments.

Jason Aldean took the stage at the Liberty Ball to deliver a high-energy 14-song set. His performance lasted an hour and featured several of his biggest hits, including “Burnin’ It Down,” “Big Green Tractor,” and “Dirt Road Anthem.”

“What’s happening, everybody? Man, I gotta tell you, it’s so good to be here,” Aldean said, addressing the crowd. “Thank you guys so much. I can’t tell you how honored I am to be here and be part of these inauguration festivities. Thank you for allowing us to get up here and play a few songs tonight. We’re going to try and have as much fun as we can.”

Aldean also performed his controversial song “Try That in a Small Town,” which he noted was a favorite of Donald Trump.

“Well, this next song kind of stirred up a little bit of some shit,” Aldean said as he introduced it. “But I’ve always said I stand by the song, I stand by the video, and I stand by what it says. I think President Trump does too because he called me when this thing came out and told me he liked the song and what a great song it was. You guys ended up making this one a big hit for us.”

Building up to a memorable close, Aldean kept the energy high, engaging the audience with seamless transitions between songs, while sharing a few introductions and stories along the way.

During his final song, “She’s Country,” Aldean paused mid-performance after noticing someone in the crowd needing assistance. He called for medical personnel to check on the individual before resuming and finishing the song.

As the night came to a close, Aldean expressed his gratitude once again.

“Thank you guys so much for having us out tonight. We appreciate it! God bless President Trump and God Bless America. Thank you so much!

The following morning, Aldean appeared on Fox & Friends to reflect on his performance and share his thoughts about the Inauguration.

“I’ve done a lot of different things and I’ve seen a lot of things, but this was a whole different ball game for me,” Aldean said. “It was just a huge honor to be here and be a part of that night.

“It just kind of feels electric. Everybody’s just excited for this new chapter of where we’re headed.”

Technical Glitches Disrupt Billy Ray Cyrus's Inaugural Performance.

Technical difficulties seemed to be a recurring theme throughout the day. Billy Ray Cyrus entered the spotlight at the Liberty Ball during Trump’s Inauguration, ready to perform, but his delivery wasn’t quite as seamless as Carrie Underwood’s earlier performance. As he took the stage, sound issues arose, causing brief delays that interrupted the flow of his set.

Attempting to recover, Cyrus began singing an a cappella version of "Achy Breaky Heart," but the issues continued. Fans were left confused as the technical problems persisted, and despite his efforts, the performance did not go as planned. With the situation worsening, Cyrus was gently escorted off stage.

Rascal Flatts Reunites for an Emotional Performance at the Commander-in-Chief Ball.

Reuniting for their first performance since 2021, Rascal Flatts performed their heartfelt hit-song ‘Bless the Broken Road’ at the Commander-in-Chief Ball during the 2025 Inauguration.

Lead vocalist Gary LeVox expressed gratitude for the opportunity, sharing a video of their performance on social media. 

"God blessed the broken road that led @realdonaldtrump back to us! USA. What an absolute honor getting to sing for America & the next POTUS last night with my @rascalflatts brothas. Definitely one for the books. May God bless President Trump & America in every aspect for the next 4 years."

Parker McCollum Honors Military Service at the Commander-in-Chief Ball.

In the final hours of Inauguration day, Parker McCollum took the stage at the Commander-in-Chief Ball. Recognizing the importance of the event, which honors military service members, McCollum paid tribute to their dedication by delivering a patriotic rendition of Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue." This performance also created a full-circle moment, as Toby Keith had performed at Trump’s 2017 inauguration, further connecting McCollum's tribute to the legacy of inaugural performances.

Before delivering his tribute, McCollum engaged the audience with several of his own signature hits, including "Pretty Heart," "To Be Loved By You," and his current single, "What Kinda Man." His powerful performance resonated with the crowd, blending personal favorites with a moment of tribute, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.

Lee Greenwood’s Powerful ‘God Bless the USA’ Performance Marks Third Inauguration Appearance.

Charting his third inauguration appearance, Lee Greenwood took part in Inauguration Day with a performance of his patriotic anthem "God Bless the USA" at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

 Known for delivering this iconic song with deep emotion and pride, Greenwood's performance captured the spirit of the occasion. His repeated appearances at presidential inaugurations show how significant his anthem has become as a symbol of American unity and patriotism.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Inauguration was a night to remember, filled with unforgettable performances by country music's biggest stars. From Carrie Underwood’s impromptu a cappella rendition of "America the Beautiful" to Jason Aldean’s high-energy set, Parker McCollum’s tribute and Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem, these artists brought their heart and soul to the stage. Each performance added a unique touch to this historic day.

What was your favorite performance of the night? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts!