Spry for a man in his mid-80s, Starr strolled onto the stage wearing head-to-toe black except for a large, silver Western belt buckle and a substantial white cowboy hat that he promptly bumped against the microphone by accident. He removed it almost immediately. Starr received a standing ovation as soon as he walked on stage.

Emmylou Harris surprised Ringo Starr onstage during his concert at the Ryman and asked if he would come play at the Opry.