RINGO STARR AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY

ByBeatles Magazine

Feb 21, 2025 #Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr played a new stage Friday night.

After a career spanning over six decades, Ringo finally took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. This iconic venue, known as “the show that made country music famous,” marked a significant first for Ringo. The performance comes as Ringo explores his country roots, highlighted by his recent album “Look Up,” a collection of country songs recorded with T Bone Burnett, released earlier this year.

At Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, Ringo Starr kicked off his debut performance with “Time On My Hands,” a thoughtful new single from his album Look Up. He then honored his connection to country music with a rendition of “Act Naturally,” the 1963 hit made famous by Buck Owens and later covered by The Beatles two years later.

“This is a great honor and an incredible moment for me,” Ringo said to open his three-song performance. He continued, “I loved country music when I was growing up. I still love it now. … This would just be a dream, to end up here. It’s far out.”

Prior to Ringo’s show-closing set, the Friday night Opry lineup included country-pop singer Lauren Alaina, powerhouse vocalist Mickey Guyton, “The Gambler” songwriter Don Schlitz, and classic crooner Mandy Barnett, among others. Throughout the show, artists paid tribute to Ringo with cover tunes – such as Guyton’s take on 1976 solo song “You Don’t Know Me At All”, country-western group Riders in the Sky covering “Ringo,” a murder ballad from the 1960s.

Grammy Award-winning bluegrass player Molly Tuttle and Old Crow Medicine Show frontman Ketch Secor accompanied Ringo on stage during “Time On My Hands,” “Act Naturally” and the night’s closing number, “With A Little Help From My Friends.” An ensemble of Opry singers joined Ringo on stage for “With A Little Help my Friends” with fiddle and mandolin.

Those who missed Ringo at the Opry can catch a similar rendition of “With A Little Help …” when CBS airs a network special featuring Ringo Starr and a cast of Nashville musicians performing his new songs, as well as twangy takes on solo hits and Beatles favorites. Ringo and company filmed the special last month at the Ryman Auditorium.