Ringo Starr is swapping his drumsticks for a steel guitar, at least for one special night. CBS is set to air “Ringo & Friends at the Ryman,” a two-hour musical love letter to the Beatles drummer’s career, reimagined through the twangy lens of country music. The special airs Monday, March 10, bringing with it a unique blend of rock royalty and Nashville’s finest.
Taped over two nights in January at the Ryman Auditorium, the undisputed “Mother Church of Country Music,” the concert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Expect to hear Starr’s solo hits and Beatles classics, alongside tunes from his new country album “Look Up,” produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett. In a heartwarming gesture, proceeds from an all-star rendition of “With a Little Help from My Friends” will benefit the American Red Cross, supporting those impacted by the devastating California wildfires.
The lineup is nothing short of a Nashville who’s who: Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, Mickey Guyton, Emmylou Harris, Sarah Jarosz, Jamey Johnson, Brenda Lee, Larkin Poe, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, The War And Treaty, and Jack White. Together, they’ll put a country spin on iconic tracks like “Boys,” “Act Naturally,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Don’t Pass Me By,” and “It Don’t Come Easy.”
“It is always a thrill to play the Ryman and this time we are going country!” exclaims Ringo Starr. “T Bone has put together a great show. It was two nights of peace, love and country music.”
T Bone Burnett is equally effusive about the project, declaring, “There is not a single person in the world who has generated more goodwill than Ringo Starr, and I write this without hyperbole. Ringo has been singing and playing country music since before he joined The Beatles.” Burnett even playfully argues that many Beatles songs, including “Octopus’s Garden,” have hidden country roots.
The special will also feature Starr reflecting on country music’s influence, adding a personal touch. Guest artists will share anecdotes about Starr’s lasting effect on their own music, allowing fans a rare glimpse into the man behind the legend.
