Ringo Starr, the 85-year-old Beatles drummer, has announced a series of Nashville recording sessions set to begin this week, capitalising on a wave of renewed media attention around his enduring love of classic country music. The announcement follows a profile published over the weekend highlighting how Starr's childhood affection for artists like Buck Owens and Hank Williams continues to shape his solo output.

Starr's team confirmed that sessions at RCA Studio B in Nashville — one of the most historically significant recording venues in country music — are scheduled for late April and early May. The drummer is expected to collaborate with a roster of established Nashville artists, with sources close to the project suggesting names including Lainey Wilson and Vince Gill are in early discussions.

The project represents a meaningful late-career pivot for Starr, who has long spoken about country music as his first musical love, predating even his years with The Beatles. His 2023 album 'Rewind Forward' drew on Americana influences, but this new effort is described by insiders as a more committed and unambiguous country record, recorded with live musicians on the famous studio floor.

Fans and music journalists have responded warmly to the news, with social media lighting up with supportive commentary following weekend coverage. The Country Music Association confirmed it is aware of Starr's Nashville plans and called his engagement with the genre 'a wonderful moment for country music's global profile.'

Industry observers note that at 85, Starr remains an active touring and recording presence, and a credible Nashville album could attract significant crossover attention. A release is tentatively expected before the end of 2026, with a possible lead single timed to coincide with the CMA Fest in June.