Beatles Legend Ringo Starr Announces Country Album, ‘Look Up,’ Featuring Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle & More

Another artist is going country. This year, we have seen a shift as mainstream artists see that country music is having a moment and want a piece of the pie. From Lana Del Rey to Beyonce (although she explicitly said it WASN'T a country album) and Post Malone, quite a few artists have made a crossover into the genre. But let's face it... Post Malone's crossover is the only one fans feel was done with the most appreciation for the genre. Get ready to add another artist to the list of those embracing country music. Today, Ringo Starr announced his forthcoming country record, Look Up. Yes, folks, you read that right. Drummer of the legendary rock band, The Beatles, is trading in his "Yellow Submarine" and getting a pick-up as he has gone full country. He says the new record started out as just a song, and then a country EP concept, and now, has materialized into a full-fledged album produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett. “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. 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.” https://www.instagram.com/p/DBRFbePJizn/ Billy Strings shared that Ringo Starr approached him to play on some of the tracks for the record. Strings is a perfect musician for Starr to loop in on this project and add legitimacy to it being a country album. "I was stunned when I got the call to play guitar and sing on a few tracks. It’s such a beautiful album. Thank you, Ringo." The project will also feature Larkin Poe, Lucius, Molly Tuttle and the great Alison Krauss. Alongside the news for the forthcoming project, Starr released the lead single for the album "Time On My Hands." The steel guitar-soaked single is the real deal, highlighting that Starr is all in on embracing country music while still ensuring some of his rock and roll roots shine through. The heartbreak ballad details a man who is occupied taking care of his woman, but since she's ending the relationship, he now finds himself with a lot of "Time On His Hands." "I turned my collar up Kept my eyes turned down I walked the empty streets The blue side of town When she was my baby I was a busy man But she slipped through my fingers And I've got time on my hands..." The song is beautifully done, and Starr's vocals are silky and smooth, making it an easy and enjoyable listen. I know I have returned to this track quite a few times as I work this morning. I am very excited to see what is in store for this record. January 10th needs to get here soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj-HcFbT71o

Look Up Tracklist:

Breathless (featuring Billy Strings) (T Bone Burnett) Look Up (featuring Molly Tuttle) (Daniel Tashian, T Bone Burnett) Time On My Hands (Paul Kennerly, Daniel Tashian, T Bone Burnett) Never Let Me Go (featuring Billy Strings) (T Bone Burnett) I Live For Your Love (featuring Molly Tuttle) (Billy Swan, T Bone Burnett) Come Back (featuring Lucius) (T Bone Burnett) Can You Hear Me Call (featuring Molly Tuttle) (T Bone Burnett) Rosetta (featuring Billy Strings and Larkin Poe) (T Bone Burnett) You Want Some (Billy Swan) String Theory (featuring Molly Tuttle) (Daniel Tashian, T Bone Burnett) Thankful (featuring Alison Krauss) (Richard Starkey, Bruce Sugar)* Produced by T Bone Burnett Co-Produced by Daniel Tashian and Bruce Sugar * “Thankful” Produced by Ringo Starr and Bruce Sugar with T Bone Burnett