Ringo Starr Performs Beatles Tunes and a Few Country Numbers at the Grand Ole Opry
Hang on, mate! Ringo Starr rocked the Grand Ole Opry stage last Friday night, isn't that swell? This legendary drummer, who's been in the music scene for over half a century, stepped into the spotlight at the venue that made country music famous.
It wasn't just any old appearance, mind you. Ringo was kickstarting a country-roots revival in his career. Earlier this year, he released an LP titled Look Up, filled with country tunes, collaborating with Americana wizard T Bone Burnett.
Inside Nashville's iconic Grand Ole Opry House, Ringo opened his debut set with "Time On My Hands," a thoughtful new single from Look Up. He followed it up with a heartfelt tribute to his country roots by performing "Act Naturally." The song was originally made famous by Buck Owens in '63, and later, The Beatles covered it.
Ringo expressed his joy and gratitude about the opportunity, calling it an "incredible moment" and a "dream come true." The evening also featured performances from country-pop wonder Lauren Alaina, powerful vocalist Mickey Guyton, and more. Artists paid tribute to Ringo with covers and nods, like Riders in the Sky performing "Ringo," a '60s murder ballad.
Before his closing set, Ringo was joined on stage by a stellar lineup. Grammy-winning bluegrass player Molly Tuttle and Old Crow Medicine Show frontman Ketch Secor played alongside him. The night ended with an ensemble of Opry singers joining Ringo for a rousing rendition of "With A Little Help From My Friends," infused with the sound of the fiddle and mandolin.
Ringo's Opry debut comes during a milestone year for the stage. They're celebrating their 100th year of broadcasting performances from country stars and introducing new talents. Ringo adds to the list of non-mainstream country music artists, including Pharrell Williams, Post Malone, and John Fogerty.
If you missed Ringo at the Opry, don’t worry! He'll be performing "With A Little Help From My Friends" on a network special, featuring a cast of Nashville musicians. They filmed this special last month at the Ryman Auditorium, so keep your eyes peeled for that!
Sources:1. Emmylou Harris Invites Ringo Starr to Perform at the Grand Ole Opry (unverified source)
Ringo's collaboration with T Bone Burnett on his country-roots LP, titled 'Look Up', was a significant part of his country-roots revival. Molly Tuttle and Ketch Secor joined Ringo on stage during his Grand Ole Opry debut, adding a twangy touch to his set. The Grand Ole Opry is currently celebrating its 100th year of broadcasting performances, honoring both country stars and introducing new talents like Ringo. If you missed Ringo's Opry performance, you can catch him performing 'With A Little Help From My Friends' on a network special, filmed at the Ryman Auditorium.
