CBS presents RINGO & FRIENDS AT THE RYMAN, a two-hour special celebrating the music and legacy of Ringo Starr through the lens of country music, airing this spring on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs)*.
Taping on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15 at the historic Ryman Auditorium – the “Mother Church of Country Music” – this once-in-a-lifetime event will feature exclusive performances of Ringo’s solo hits, Beatles classics and tracks from his recently released country album Look Up, produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett.
Proceeds from a one-time, all-star performance at The Ryman of “With a Little Help from My Friends” will support the American Red Cross and those impacted by the California wildfires.
An all-star lineup of some of music’s hottest names will join Ringo onstage, including Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, Mickey Guyton, Emmylou Harris, Sarah Jarosz, Jamey Johnson, Brenda Lee, Larkin Poe, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, The War And Treaty, Jack White and more. Together, they will reimagine some of music’s most iconic songs, such as “Boys,” “Act Naturally,” “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Don’t Pass Me By” and “It Don’t Come Easy,” blending classic rock with a country twist. Additional guest artists will be announced at a later date.
“It is always a thrill to play the Ryman and this time we are going country!” said Ringo. “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.”
“There is not a single person in the world who has generated more goodwill than Ringo Starr, and I write this without hyperbole,” said Burnett. “This Jan. 14 and 15, an extraordinary group of artists is coming together to help demonstrate that at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. 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. 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.”
“Ringo and his bandmates introduced me and countless others to timeless American rockabilly classics, reimagined with their unique Liverpudlian twist on Carl Perkins and many more,” said Toffler. “It’s an honor to produce this special with Ringo and T Bone, bringing together some of music’s finest who will undoubtedly play the hell out of Ringo’s songs, including some Beatles classics. I’m pumped for an unforgettable night at the Mother Church of Country Music, and it feels especially poetic to be airing on the same network that introduced the Beatles to America 61 years ago.”
In addition to the performances, the special will feature Ringo reflecting on country music’s influence on his life, The Beatles and his solo career. Guest artists will share their personal stories of Ringo’s impact on their music, offering fans a unique look at his legacy. Inspired by T Bone Burnett to explore a new musical chapter, Ringo showcases his extraordinary journey through a country music lens.
RINGO & FRIENDS AT THE RYMAN is produced by T Bone Burnett in collaboration with Van Toffler of Gunpowder & Sky. Michael Lohmann (“Nashville,” “Boston Legal” and “Patsy & Loretta”) will direct.
Throughout his career he has received nine GRAMMY Awards and has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – first as a Beatle and then as solo artist. Between 1970 and 2023, Ringo has released 20 solo studio records and 4 consecutive EP’s in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He has acted in over 15 films, received an Academy Award, and has been nominated as an actor for an Emmy. Ringo has published 8 books; had a stint as a male fashion model, and that same year went behind the lens as the photographer for some Foo Fighters PR photos. Ringo is also a visual artist and has had numerous exhibitions of his work and his “Peace Sculpture” is on permanent display in the Beverly Hills Park. In 2008 Ringo began dedicating his July 7 birthday to promoting Peace and Love and the movement has grown to include events all over the planet and into the stars with support from NASA. In 2018, Ringo was knighted and in 2019 he celebrated 35 years of touring with his All Starr Bands. In 2022 Ringo received an honorary degree as a Doctor of Music from Berklee College of Music and earlier he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame with the Joe Chambers Musicians Legacy Award.
Throughout more than 50 years in music and entertainment, T Bone Burnett has earned an unparalleled reputation as an innovative artist, songwriter, producer, performer, film and concert producer, record company owner and artists’ advocate. He’s worked and collaborated with musicians spanning many genres, such as the aforementioned Bob Dylan, Elton John, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Ringo Starr, B.B. King, Tony Bennett, k.d. lang, Elvis Costello, Taylor Swift, Ryan Bingham, Steve Earle and Leon Russell. Burnett’s highly successful and acclaimed work in film throughout the past 30 years includes his collaborations with the Coen Brothers on The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Cold Mountain, The Hunger Games, Walk The Line, Inside Llewyn Davis and Crazy Heart, for which he also served as one of the film’s producers. He has won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and 13 Grammy Awards.
