Watch Ringo Starr Perform ‘Matchbox’ With Jack White Ahead of ‘Ryman’ Special on CBS
‘Ringo & Friends at the Ryman’ premieres on CBS and Paramount+ tonight.
By Melinda Newman
Ringo Starr has long loved country music as evidenced on his most recent album, Look Up, released in January.
The Beatles drummer brought that love to life with two concerts taped at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium Jan. 14-15 that CBS and Paramount+ will air tonight (March 10) as Ringo & Friends at the Ryman.
In this exclusive clip, Starr, with a little help from friends like Jack White, performs the Carl Perkins rockabilly classic “Matchbox,” which the Beatles covered on their 1964 EP, “Long Tall Sally.”
Other “friends” in the special include Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Mickey Guyton, Jamey Johnson, Rodney Crowell, the War and Treaty, and Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle, both of whom appear on the album with Starr. The artists join the drummer for selections from the new album, Starr’s solo hits and Beatles classics.
“I did love country music before I was in [the Beatles],” Starr told Billboard earlier this year. “We got plenty of it in Liverpool, because the lads who were in the merchant navy would bring not only rock and roll over, but country — and when country bands went on tour in England, they always played Liverpool.”
In addition to the performances, luminaries including Dolly Parton and fellow Beatle Paul McCartney share stories on Starr’s impact on their music.
Gunpowder & Sky’s Van Toffler produced the special with Starr and T Bone Burnett, who also produced Look Up.
“Producing Ringo & Friends at the Ryman with T Bone has been another wild ride — some of music’s finest playing the hell out of Ringo’s songs, including a few Beatles classics,” Toffler tells Billboard. “We handpicked a lineup of artists who not only have deep respect for Ringo’s legacy but could also bring their own unique spin to these songs, highlighting the great stories and messages behind them. Watching them reinterpret his music — whether through full-throttle rock energy or a stripped-down, soulful take — was a testament to just how timeless his songs are. And having Dolly, Lainey Wilson, and his fellow Beatle, Paul, talk about his love of country artists brought it all full circle, making the night even more meaningful.”
Working with Burnett enhanced the production, Toffler says. “T Bone is one of the greats: His encyclopedic knowledge of music and deep roots in so many legendary projects helped shape this into something truly special.”
Other Gunpower & Sky productions include its documentary on Crow, Sheryl (Showtime); the history of soft rock Sometimes When We Touch (Paramount+) and Lil Peep: Everybody’s Everything. Its Words + Music audio series features Beck, Eddie Vedder, Smokey Robinson and others, while new audio series Lighters in the Sky highlights the stories behind the greatest live performances from artists including Amy Winehouse, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin.
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Ringo & Friends at The Ryman: Your Guide to CBS’s Country Music Event
Posted in: CBS, Paramount+, TV | Tagged: ringo starr
With CBS’s Country Music celebration of Ringo Starr set for 8 pm ET, here’s your preview/viewing guide for Ringo & Friends at The Ryman.
Tonight, CBS and a whole lot of his talented friends are getting together for a two-hour celebration of the music and legacy of Ringo Starr – but with a musical twist. Taped earlier this year at the historic Ryman Auditorium – known as the “Mother Church of Country Music” – CBS’s Ringo & Friends at The Ryman is a once-in-a-lifetime event that features exclusive performances of Ringo’s solo hits and Beatles classics – infused with a Country Music vibe. In addition, viewers will get a chance to hear some tracks from Ringo’s recently released country album Look Up, produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett. Here’s a look at everything you need to know to check it out – when and where to watch, who’s performing and what songs you can expect, an image gallery and sneak peeks, and more – including Ringo discussing embracing his Country Music with CBS Mornings (above).
When & Where Is CBS’s “Ringo & Friends at The Ryman”? The two-hour special airs on the CBS Television Network and streams on Paramount+* on Monday, March 10 (8-10 pm, ET/PT), originally filmed on January 14 and 15 at the historic Ryman Auditorium, aka the “Mother Church of Country Music.”
Who’s Set to Appear During CBS’s “Ringo & Friends at The Ryman”? An all-star lineup of some of music’s hottest names will join 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.
What Music Can We Expect to Hear During CBS’s “Ringo & Friends at The Ryman”? Expect some reimagined takes on 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,” with a blend of classic rock and country.
Any Images From CBS’s “Ringo & Friends at The Ryman”? Yup – here’s a look at the image gallery that was released:
What Else Can We Expect During CBS’s “Ringo & Friends at The Ryman”? 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.
How Is CBS’s “Ringo & Friends at The Ryman” Doing Some Good? 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.
Any Sneak Peeks at CBS’s “Ringo & Friends at The Ryman”? Yup – here you go!
CBS’s 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. *Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service and on demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
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Ringo Starr TV concert special airing tonight, March 10, mixes The Beatles and country
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Ringo Starr is still rocking out, and music fans are in for a special treat as the former Beatle and legendary musician has a brand new TV concert special, Ringo & Friends at The Ryman, that is airing tonight, March 10, at 8 pm ET/PT on CBS.
Taped back in January at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Ringo & Friends at The Ryman sees Starr performing songs from his catalog, including classics from The Beatles all the way up through his most recent album, Look Up, blending classic rock with country music, something he explains on the special has been an influence on him his entire life.
In addition to T Bone Burnett helping Starr give some of his classics like “With a Little Help From My Friends,” “Yellow Submarine” and “Don’t Pass Me By” a country flare, a number of other big-name musicians are taking part in the concert. Joining Starr on stage are 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.
Proceeds from the concert are being donated to the American Red Cross and those impacted by the California wildfires.
To watch Ringo & Friends at The Ryman when it airs on CBS tonight, you must have access to your local CBS station, whether that’s through a traditional pay-TV provider, a TV antenna, a live TV streaming service like Fubo, Hulu with Live TV or YouTube TV or a Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription that gives you access to live CBS broadcasts. You can watch the concert on-demand starting March 11 if you have any kind of Paramount Plus subscription.
“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,” said Burnett in a press release. “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.”
In case you’re wondering, this is replacing CBS’s usual Monday night primetime lineup of The Neighborhood season 7, Poppa’s House, NCIS season 22 and NCIS: Origins (the latter is airing a rerun at its usual 10 pm ET/PT time slot).
Tune in to watch the two-hour Ringo & Friends at The Ryman special at 8 pm ET/PT on CBS.
