Ringo Starr is more than a little bit country, as he shows on Look Up, his UMG Nashville debut, which dropped today (1/10).

The album, produced and largely co-written by T-Bone Burnett, features guest spots by Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Larkin Poe and Alison Krauss, who adds vocals to “Thankful,” the sole Ringo co-write. Ringo also dropped a video for the album’s title track, the sort of sunny evocation of peace and love that fans have come to expect from him.

It’s not the first country rodeo for the rock legend, who brought tracks such as “Don’t Pass Me By" to The Beatles when he joined the band in August 1962 and handled vocals on the Fab Four’s cover of Buck Owens’ “Act Naturally.” He went back to the well for his second solo album, 1970’s Beaucoups of Blues, which was recorded during a three-day session in Nashville.

Ringo will saddle up to perform the new material, and maybe a few older hits, at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on 1/14-15.

RECORDS Nashville popped a lot of corks on New Year’s Eve after closing out 2024 with back-to-back #1 radio hits from country singer-songwriter George Birge and country/rock singer-songwriter Koe Wetzel, featuring powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Jessie Murph.

Austin native Birge topped the Country Aircheck/Mediabase Country charts with his latest single “Cowboy Songs” off his April EP release of the same name. The RECORDS Nashville team was also the promotion machine behind Columbia Records artist Wetzel and Murph’s “High Road” helping both artists each make their first appearance at #1 on those charts.

Looking to the new year, RECORDS Nashville/Columbia will release 17-year-old singer/songwriter Ty Myers’ debut album THE SELECT on 1/24. The young Texan will support that release with a headlining tour that begins at Haute Spot in Cedar Park, Texas on 1/16.

Josh Easler, EVP of promotion and commercial strategy at RECORDS Nashville, said, “We are so excited for George Birge, Koe Wetzel and Jessie Murph as they all earn major career milestones. Each have spent the past year delivering incredible music and are truly deserving of their #1 spots, and the RECORDS Nashville team were proud to help bolster these artists on their journey.”

Women in Music will mark its 40th anniversary next month with a three-day virtual summit keynoted by Nashville power manager Martha Earls, who reps Kane Brown, Restless Road and Dylan Schneider under her Neon Coast management shingle.

The summit, which is slated for 1/15-17, will consist of workshops, panels and breakout sessions and will concentrate on a different goal each day. Day one is dubbed “educate,” day two, “empower" and day three, “advance.” Earls will deliver her keynote on the last day, which will spotlight recruiting, networking and job search.

WIM members can attend for free, while non-members can purchase tickets for $100, with a special rate of $10 for students.

Nicole Barsalona, President of Women in Music, said “We are delighted to kick off our 40th year in service to the music industry with our fourth annual WIM Summit. Our goal is to create a transformative experience where attendees make meaningful connections, build their network and safety net, feel empowered in their leadership, and equipped to navigate and shape the future of our industry.”

Brad and Kimberly Williams-Paisley spread Christmas cheer in Nashville from 12/14-15 at their annual holiday charity pop-up, The Store.

More than 800 children were given 4,000 toys donated by the First Responders Children’s Foundation and the local community. Additional sponsors helped with countless rolls of wrapping paper, tape, bows, décor, food and other supplies. The UMG Nashville star and his wife issued thanks to Edward Jones, American Paint, Belmont University, Esa, Family Wellbeing Project, Flashing Stars Photobooth, Gibson Gives, NCL, Playdate Restaurant & Funbar, Project Redesign and TriStar Centennial Medical Center for their help in making the season bright.

The store’s efforts will continue with outreach in distributing food to families in need this holiday season. The Store is currently scouting out a second location for that project.

Nashville’s Women’s Music Business Association marked it 25th Anniversary of uniting and celebrating Music City’s women on 12/2 at its 2024 Wonder Woman Awards ceremony.

The gala, held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, bestowed honors on a wide array of Nashville’s finest, including Rachel Rodriguez, performer/songwriter and CEO at RR Productions, who earned the 2024 Wonder Woman Award.

The evening’s other honorees included Katie Sundra, Lisa Smoot, Nikki Deaton, Rachel Mangan, Kelsey Roche and Aimee Graham.

"This year's WMBA Wonder Woman Awards was an extraordinary event acknowledging not only our members and their accomplishments, but also celebrating our 25th year of doing so," said Amery Fridenstine, chairwoman of the board. "Recognizing the influence of these incredible women in the industry alongside our current members and alumni in such an iconic space as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum made our 25th that much more special!”

Pictured: Rachel Rodriguez