Ringo Starr Taps Nashville Favorites Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle and More On First Country LP Since 1970's 'Beaucoups of Blues,' Listen: "Time On My Hands"

Ringo Starr Taps Nashville Favorites Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle and More On First Country LP Since 1970’s ‘Beaucoups of Blues,’ Listen: “Time On My Hands”

October 18, 2024

Ringo Starr is pulling on a pair of boots with spurs and complimenting the getup with the promise of a new country album, his first full-length set since 2019’s What’s My Name, the T Bone Burnett produced and co-written Look Up, due on Jan. 10, 2024. Stirring together 11 original tracks with brazen guest slots featuring some of Nashville’s finest. As a preview of what’s to come, Starr has delivered “Time On My Hands.” Listen below.

Breaking down the impending tracking list, which features nine numbers written or co-written by Burnett, Starr tapped additional help, culling songwriter Billy Swan’s talents on one LP feature while another functions as a co-write from Starr and Bruce Sugar. All songs feature Starr applying his signature backbeat and vocals, including the closer, Alison Krauss-featured “Thankful.”

Starr’s country roots extend back to his Beatles contributions; “Act Naturally,” “What Goes On,” “Don’t Pass Me By,” and solo LP, his sophomore set, Beaucoups of Blues, which permeated influences of country and western, a far cry from his 1970 debut, the pop-informed Sentimental Journey.

“I’ve always loved country music. And when I asked T Bone to write me a song, I didn’t even think at the time that it would be a country song – but of course it was, and it was so beautiful.” Ringo recalls. “I had been making EPs at the time and so I thought we would do a country EP -but when he brought me nine songs I knew we had to make an album! And I am so glad we did. I want to thank, and send Peace & Love, to T Bone and all the great musicians who helped make this record. It was a joy making it and I hope it is a joy to listen to.”

“I have loved Ringo Starr and his playing and his singing and his aesthetic for as long as I can (or care to) remember,” says Burnett. “He changed the way every drummer after him played, with his inventive approach to the instrument. And, he has always sung killer rockabilly, as well as being a heartbreaking ballad singer. To get to make this music with him was something like the realization of a 60-year dream I’ve been living. None of the work that I have done through a long life in music would have happened if not for him and his band. Among other things, this album is a way I can say thank you for all he has given me and us.”

Starr is set to perform new numbers in Nashville when he headlines the famed Ryman Auditorium on January 14 and 15, 2025. Tickets will be on sale on Oct. 25 at ryman.com.

Moreover, Starr and Burnett will also be featured on an episode of TalkShopLive, the leading live streaming, social selling online network, on October 22 at 7 pm E.T.

Pre-order Look Up.