Ringo Starr will be making his Grande Ole Opry debut on February 21, thanks to Emmylou Harris, who invited him during a performance at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The Beatles star is celebrating the release of his country album Look Up, on which he featured the likes of Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Larkin Poe, and Alison Kraus.
There will also be a showing of Ryman concerts, Ringo Starr & Friends, on CBS and Paramount + later this year. Meanwhile, the Grande Ole Opry will celebrate its 100th year since its establishment in November 1925, making it a significant debut for Ringo.
Grand Ole Opry execs look forward to finally hosting Ringo Starr
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The Opry executive producer Dan Rogers said it is an honor to have Ringo Starr make his debut in their 100th year and promised that the night will be one like no other. He acknowledged Ringo’s historical achievements and musical relevance so far.
Ringo has been twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Berklee College of Music awarded him an honorary degree in 2022, which he described as a strange fairy tale come true. He also holds multiple Grammys as a solo artist and during his days as one of the Fab Four.
What is Ringo Starr up to now?
As Ringo’s new album makes waves, he recently admitted that he prefers to perform with a band rather than stay solo. The 84-year-old acknowledged his former bandmates Paul McCartney, the late John Lennon and George Harrison, for their songwriting talents, which inspired him back in the day.
Speaking of songwriting, Ringo owes much of the recently released country album to producer and guitarist T Bone Burnett, who co-wrote 9 out of the 11 tracks in Look Up. Ringo clearly has no plans to retire anytime soon, noting that he will continue to perform for as long as he can drum.