Although it’s difficult to imagine that there is anything in the music industry that the Beatles haven’t done, none of the iconic quartet has ever performed at the Grand Ole Opry. But Ringo Starr is going to change that next month.
Grand Ole Opry member Emmylou Harris surprised him onstage to extend the formal invitation as Starr, who recently released his country album Look Up, was performing the first of two headlining Ryman gigs on Tuesday night (Jan. 14).
“When is that, July?” Jokingly considering whether he could make it or not, Starr said.
“I wish I could. It’s a joy and an honor. I’m grateful,” he remarked.
On February 21, Starr will make his Opry debut. Throughout 2025, the institution will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and the night will be a component of that commemoration.
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The Beatles have always had some country ties, even though they are better recognized as rock and pop industry titans. In the decades after releasing his debut country album, Beaucoups of Blues, in 1970, Starr has remained a supporter of the genre and its musicians.
T. Bone Burnett, who created or co-wrote the majority of the songs on Starr’s most recent album, was the inspiration behind Look Up. Their collaboration began in 2022 when Starr asked Burnett to create some songs for an EP after the two men met at an event. As a result, Look Up’s core consists of a collection of country songs.
