I Saw Ringo Starr’s Country Comeback Live—Here’s an Exclusive Look at What to Watch for Tonight
Tonight’s TV special: Ringo Starr debuts new album alongside Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris & more
Ringo Starr’s gone country. Again. The iconic Beatles drummer has long woven country music into his work throughout the decades—both with the Fab Four and his solo career. One of Starr’s most notable country music moments in The Beatles was his lead vocal performance on Buck Owens’ classic “Act Naturally.” Then in 1970, Starr ventured to Nashville where he recorded his solo country album Beacoups of Blues. Now, more than fifty years later, the 84-year-old musician returned to his love of country on the newly released album Look Up.
He created the 11-song country album alongside revered producer T Bone Burnett, a former Bob Dylan band member beloved for his work with a range of musical artists from Elton John to Robert Plant, as well as his acclaimed production on film soundtracks like Walk The Line and Crazy Heart.
And Starr recently returned to Nashville to celebrate the release of Look Up with two concerts at the city’s famed Ryman Auditorium—and Woman’s World attended the star-studded event! The concert was hosted by Burnett and featured performances by Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Jack White, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Mickey Guyton, The War and Treaty, Rodney Crowell, among others.
Keep scrolling to hear more details about the show, including what fellow music stars like Crow and Harris had to say about the Beatles drummer.
Wish you could see the concert yourself? Now you can! The show—Ringo & Friends at the Ryman—premieres tonight at 8PM EST on CBS and Paramount+. Additionally, check out a just-released clip of Starr performing “It Don’t Come Easy” on the Ryman stage, below!
Ringo kicks off the evening with an all-star band
Walking into the Ryman Auditorium is like stepping into history. Between the color-soaked stained glass windows, the sea of wooden pews and the wall collage featuring hundreds of legendary past performers’ names from Johnny Cash to Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and more, the “Mother Church of Country Music” is a sight to behold.
It’s also a fitting venue for a certain world-famous drummer to celebrate a new album and honor his decades-long love for country music. Starr’s magical show began with a warm welcome from emcee T Bone Burnett, who expressed his enthusiasm for Ringo’s latest album Look Up.
“We are joined tonight by some of the finest musicians in country music—or anywhere,” Burnett told the audience. Burnett continued to introduce artists throughout the night, some of whom performed right alongside Starr, while other performances featured the musical guests doing solo numbers. Starr opened the show with “Matchbox” (a Carl Perkins cover), bringing out White Stripes’ frontman—and self-proclaimed Beatlemaniac—Jack White on guitar. Then, the Ryman’s at-capacity crowd cheered loudly as Ringo performed “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Time On My Hands.” Starr appeared thrilled when he took the stage—as did the entire fleet of musicians. He sang energetically, danced freely—with his signature side-to-side sways—and smiled brightly for the sold-out house.
Starr’s larger-than-life presence radiated excitement as he spoke to the crowd. “I feel blessed tonight with all these great players coming out,” Starr told the audience. During the evening, he reflected on his deep love for country music while his musical guests reflected, with awe, on how Starr impacted their lives and careers.
Behind the artists was an all-star back-up band of top-tier Nashville and Los Angeles musicians, including Dennis Crouch on bass, David Mansfield and Daniel Tashian on guitar, Mike Rojas on piano, Jim Keltner on drums (who Burnett introduced as “Ringo’s favorite drummer”) and Paul Franklin on steel guitar.
Sparkling on-stage moments from Sheryl Crow and more
As the night continued, illustrious musical talents stepped onto the famed stage one after another. Renowned Grammy-award-winning singer-songwriter Molly Tuttle performed a beautiful rendition of The Beatles’ “Octopus’ Garden.” This marked a surreal moment in Tuttle’s life, who shared with the crowd in amazement, “This was actually the first Beatles song I ever heard.” Starr then returned to the stage to perform Look Up’s “Thankful” with Grammy-winning roots-rock sister duo Larkin Poe.
Later in the evening, music superstar Sheryl Crow graced the stage and performed “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party” with Molly Tuttle. Crow looked radiant as she sang and shared her appreciation for Starr with the crowd: “I can’t think of anybody who emanates peace and love like Ringo. It’s not a brand—he really does believe in it.”
Crow, along with Larkin Poe and Molly Tuttle, then segued into a cover of The Shirelles’ song “Boys,” with Starr shimmering on lead vocals and drums. Other striking moments included husband-wife duo The War and Treaty’s haunting rendition of Harry Nilsson’s “Without Her” (itself a cover of the Badfinger song) and Billy Strings’ commanding performances of “Honey Don’t” and “Photograph,” the latter featuring Starr on drums and vocals.
The encore and where you can watch the show
The two-hour concert event wrapped up with even more fabled musician friends joining the on-stage fun. Legendary American singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris stepped onto stage to vouch for Starr’s long-standing love of country. “You know Ringo has been playing American country music for more than 60 years,” Harris said to the audience. “First in Rory Storm and the Hurricanes and then in a little band called…The Beatles.” The sold-out crowd responded with a roar of laughter and admiration. The evening closed with a spectacular sing-along of two Beatles’ classics “Yellow Submarine” and “With A Little Help From My Friends” featuring Starr along with Harris, Crow and most of the aforementioned musical guests—plus, a surprise appearance from 80-year-old “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” singer Brenda Lee.
Where to watch ‘Ringo & Friends At The Ryman’
“It is always a thrill to play the Ryman—and this time we are going country!” Ringo said in a statement ahead of the Ryman shows. “T Bone has put together a great show. It was two nights of peace, love and country music.”
Pick up Starr’s new album Look Up here. And don’t miss your chance to watch the two-hour premiere of this unforgettable all-star concert tonight. Catch a sneak preview, below!
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