Ringo Starr is playing two previously reported star-studded shows at the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville this week, on January 14 and 15, in celebration of his new country album, Look Up. The Beatles drummer revealed in a recent interview that the concerts were being recorded for an upcoming TV special, and now full details about the presentation have been unveiled.
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The special, titled Ringo & Friends at the Ryman, will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ sometime this spring. The two-hour program will feature Starr and a cast of special guests performing tunes from Look Up, as well as Beatles songs and some of his solo hits. Among the artists confirmed to be joining Ringo at the concerts are Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Jack White, Jamey Johnson, Brenda Lee, Rodney Crowell, Mickey Guyton, The War and Treaty, Sarah Jarosz, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle and Larkin Poe. Strings, Tuttle, and Larkin Poe all are featured on Look Up.
The shows will include an all-star rendition of the Beatles classic “With a Little Help from My Friends.” The performance will be released to raise funds in support of the American Red Cross’ efforts to aid those affected by the California wildfires.
In addition to highlights from the concerts, the special will feature Starr discussing how country music has influenced on his life, as well as The Beatles’ music and his own solo work. Various guest artists also will be featured talking about the impact Ringo and The Beatles have had on their music.
[RELATED: Ringo Starr Set to Make His Grand Ole Opry Debut]
Ringo & Friends at the Ryman was produced by T Bone Burnett, who produced Look Up and wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on the album.
Starr and Burnett’s Comments About the Shows and the Special
In a press statement, Starr shared his excitement about playing the concerts at the historic venue.
“It is always a thrill to play the Ryman and this time we are going country!” he said. “T Bone has put together a great show. I’m excited to hear my songs done in a country vein and to play with this incredible group of musicians. It will be two nights of peace, love and country music.”
Burnett added in his own statement, “There is not a single person in the world who has generated more goodwill than Ringo Starr, and I write this without hyperbole. This Jan. 14 and 15, an extraordinary group of artists is coming together to help demonstrate that at the Ryman Auditorium. … Nashville is a town full of extraordinary musicians, and a killer band of some of Nashville’s most extraordinary musicians will accompany Ringo and the rest of the artists.”
Burnett also noted, “Ringo has been singing and playing country music since before he joined The Beatles, and many, if not most, of his recordings with that band were country songs … ‘Matchbox,’ ‘Honey Don’t,’ ‘Act Naturally,’ ‘What Goes On?,’ ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ and even ‘Octopus’s Garden’ is a country song. We don’t know which country, but a country song, nevertheless.”
Highlights from the January 14 Concert Have Been Posted Online
A number of media outlets have posted recaps of the January 14 concert, including Jambase. That website also shared links to a variety of fan-shot video clips from the show.
A list of songs and performers was posted at Setlist.fm. You can check that out below.
Ringo Starr & Friends, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 1/15/2025, Set List:
Set 1:
- “Matchbox” (with Jack White)
- “It Don’t Come Easy”
- “Time on My Hands”
- “Octopus’ Garden” (with Molly Tuttle)
- “Don’t Pass Me By” (with Jack White)
- “Thankful”
- “Honey Don’t” (with Billy Strings)
- “Without Her” (with The War and Treaty)
- “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party” (with Sheryl Crow and Molly Tuttle)
- “Boys”
Set 2:
- “Have You Seen My Baby” (with Jamey Johnson)
- “You Don’t Know Me at All” (with Mickey Guyton)
- “Act Naturally” (with Rodney Crowell and Sarah Jarosz)
- “I Wanna Be Your Man” (with Larkin Poe)
- “What Goes On” (with Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle)
- “Look Up” (with Molly Tuttle)
- “Photograph”
- “Yellow Submarine” (with Jack White)
- “With a Little Help from My Friends” (with Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, Brenda Lee, Billy Strings, and Jack White)
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