Ringo & Friends at the Ryman Special Coming to CBS and Paramount+
CBS will present Ringo & Friends at the Ryman, a two-hour special celebrating the music and legacy of Ringo Starr through the lens of country music, airing Monday, March 10 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.
Taped on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15 at the historic Ryman Auditorium – the “Mother Church of Country Music” – this once-in-a-lifetime event features 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 joins 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 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.
“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. It was 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. “On Jan. 14 and 15, an extraordinary group of artists came 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 accompanied 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 played the hell out of Ringo’s songs, including some Beatles classics. 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 features Ringo reflecting on country music’s influence on his life, The Beatles and his solo career. Guest artists 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.
Coming to CBS and Paramount+, 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) directs.
