Former Beatle Ringo Starr will collaborate with Nashville songwriters on album 'Y Not'

Ringo Starr, Former member of The Beatles

Some people ask: Why? Others ask Y Not?

It has just been announced that former Beatle Ringo Starr will release a new solo album titled Y Not, on January 12, 2010. Among the extensive list of collaborators are Nashville songwriters Gary Burr and Gary Nicholson. Both have played with Starr on previous albums as part of his band, the Roundheads. In addition, the album will feature fellow Beatle Paul McCartney, who will sing with Starr on “Walk With You” and play bass on “Peace Dream.” The latter was co-written with Nicholson.

For the first time in one of popular music’s most enduring and illustrious careers, Ringo Starr decided to take charge and produce this album himself. The result is perhaps the most personal and impressive album of this rock legend’s entire solo career. How did Starr locate the absolutely perfect producer to work with him? “Well, I looked in the mirror,” Ringo says with a smile. “And I was looking real groovy that day.” He continues by adding that he will be producing anything he makes from now on. He says it’s a confidence thing. And Y Not is really another way of saying, “Yes, I can.”

Y Not features a groovy and deeply felt song cycle with Ringo leading a smaller core group of old and new friends including longtime pal and recent brother-in-law Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart and longtime Roundheads member Steve Dudas on guitar, Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on keyboards, Don Was and Mike Bradford on bass. The album also features Starr’s engineer and co-producer Bruce Sugar on keyboards, as well as some special guests like Joss Stone, Ben Harper and Richard Marx on vocals, Ann Marie Calhoun on violin and Tina Sugandh – aka Tina The Tabla Girl – on tabla and chanting. Starr’s songwriting collaborators on Y Not also include familiar and new names like Joe Walsh, Dave Stewart, Joss Stone, Glen Ballard, Richard Marx, Van Dyke Parks, Gary Nicholson plus Gary Wright and his former Roundhead band member, Gary Burr. 

Starr was particularly thrilled with one early review for the first album he produced that came from someone he helped produce, too. “I just played it for my son Zak,” Starr explains. “And Zak was so great. He said, ‘Dad, it’s great. This rocks! You should have been doing this forever.’ It’s nice coming from your boy, especially since he’s a really good drummer.”

This is a great year for Ringo Starr, who will be honored with a star in 2010 on the Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. When hearing about this award, Ringo said, "A star for a Starr - what an honor and a privilege it is to be walked on! Peace & Love."

For more information about Ringo Starr’s new album, Y Not and his touring schedule, see www.RingoStarr.com.