The Shires: How the country music duo achieved worldwide fame
They've done so much!
Last updated 7th Jul 2021
British country singer-songwriter duo Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, better known as The Shires, have been making waves since they formed in 2013.
With five albums under their belt so far and a tour planned for 2024, we've decided to take a look at how the country music duo achieved worldwide fame. Here's everything you need to know about the UK's talented country music stars - The Shires!
Where are The Shires from?
The duo, composed of Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, come from respective and neighbouring counties Hertfordshire, where Ben was based in St. Albans, and Bedfordshire, where Crissie grew up in Shefford. The Shires are proudly British and honour their roots in their name, 'shires', the traditional word for a county in the UK.
Are The Shires a couple?
No, despite many people thinking they are an item, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes are not a couple. Ben has a longterm partner called Vicki, with whom he has three children. Crissie and her partner Ryan welcomed twin girls, Evelyn and Ada, in September 2022.
In an interview, Ben once described themselves as, "the Torvill and Dean of country."
How did The Shires become famous?
Both unsuccessful solo contestants on earlier seasons of The X Factor, The Shires miraculously met through social media with a shared love of country music. After Crissie Rhodes posted a message seeking another country singer to form a duo, Ben Earle responded and the rest is history.
The Shires weren't hit with a stroke of luck to get them where they are now, but instead have worked non-stop over the years, earning their place as the most successful UK country music act.
How many albums have The Shires released?
The Shires have dropped five albums to date, with debut 'Brave' released back in 2015. It peaked at Number 10 on the UK Albums Chart, making The Shires the first UK country act to have an album in the Top 10. But their success didn't stop there! Their following album 'My Universe' was released 30th September 2016, and it debuted even higher at Number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. It was also the fastest selling UK country album of all time, making The Shires the most successful UK country act ever.
Third album 'Accidentally On Purpose' dropped on 20th April 2018 and also peaked at Number 3, as the duo went from strength to strength. Their fourth album 'Good Years' was released in March 2020, and also hit the Number 1 spot on the UK Country chart.
The Shires' fifth album ’10 Year Plan’ was released in March 2022, topping the UK Country chart and reaching Number 5 on the UK Albums Chart.
What are The Shires' most popular songs?
The Shires have millions of online streams for their songs, with 'I Just Wanna Love You' from first album 'Brave' racking up over 10.5 million listens. 'Daddy's Little Girl' from second album 'My Universe' has also gained a lot of attention. It's an emotional track, written about Crissie's late father. There's also 'Guilty' from their release 'Accidentally On Purpose' that has gathered millions of listens, and rightly so. They're all brilliant country tunes!
Ben Earle on Absolute Radio Country
Ben has his very own show on Absolute Radio Country! You can tune in every Sunday from 9am until 12pm.
Are The Shires going on tour?
Yes they are! In 2024, The Shires are heading on their ‘Two Of Us’ acoustic tour in 2024, performing at a variety of venues across the country from April to September. Tickets for the shows are on sale now, although several dates have sold out.
Ben Earle will also host a Songwriters Round at the 2024 Highways Festival in May.
The Shires 'Two of Us' tour dates 2024
April
Frome, Cheese and Grain - Saturday 20th
Chelmsford, Chelmsford Theatre - Sunday 21st
Brighton, St George's Church - Saturday 27th
Hayes, Beck Theatre - Sunday 28th
May
Norwich, Nick Rayns LCR UEA - Saturday 4th
Southend, Palace Theatre - Sunday 5th
Manchester, RNCM Theatre - Saturday 11th
Stroud, Sub Rooms - Sunday 12th
Birmingham, Birmingham Town Hall - Thursday 16th
Warwick, Warwick Arts Centre Theatre - Friday 17th
Newark, Palace Newark - Sunday 19th
Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre - Saturday 25th
Milton Keynes, The Stables - Sunday 26th
London, Union Chapel - Friday 31st
June
London, Union Chapel - Saturday 1st
Bromley, Churchill Theatre - Monday 10th
Tunbridge Wells, Black Deer Festival - Friday 14th
Sunderland, The Fire Station - Sunday 16th
Edinburgh, Queens Hall Edinburgh - Saturday 22nd
Glasgow, Oran Mor - Sunday 23rd
Glasgow, Oran Mor - Monday 24th
July
Inverness, Belladrum Festival - Thursday 25th
August
Suffolk, Historic Lavenham Theatre - Saturday 17th
Cottingham, Cottingham Folk Festival - Saturday 24th
September
Newtown, The Hafren - Friday 6th
Swansea, Swansea Grand Theatre - Sunday 7th
Rhyl, Pavilion Theatre - Sunday 8th
Milton Keynes, The Stables - Sunday 29th
Are The Shires on social media?
Yes, The Shires are on all types of social media! You can follow them on X, Instagram, and Facebook to see all their latest news.
You can listen to The Shires and many other great country music acts on Absolute Radio Country.
Take a look at some of the country tours to look forward to:
Morgan Wallen
Record-breaking country star Morgan Wallen will be returning to the UK for another incredible show, performing as one of the headline acts at BST Hyde Park 2024. The famous London festival show will be taking place on Thursday 4th July, and on top of that, you can also catch the singer in Glasgow on his 'One Night At A Time 2024 Tour' - with Morgan performing on 5th September.
Buy tickets here!
Noah Kahan
The incredible Noah Kahan is gifting us with two runs of tour dates this year, in both February AND August 2024! The 'Stick Season' star began his first string of shows at Glasgow's OVO Hydro on Saturday 10th February, playing in Leeds, Cardiff and two shows in London, and is now set to return for another series of shows in August, which begin on Tuesday 13th in Manchester. The August shows will see him play shows in other cities including Newcastle and Birmingham, before returning to London for another two-night stint playing his incredible songs.
Buy tickets here!
Taylor Swift
Global superstar Taylor Swift is bringing her 'Eras Tour' back to the UK! If the tour name wasn't a big enough clue, the phenomenal shows will see Taylor play songs from all different 'eras' from her incredible career so far - including her country roots! Following her first stint of UK dates, which took place throughout June, the global superstar will be returning for a three-night stint at London's Wembley Stadium from 15th-17th August.
Buy tickets here!
The Red Clay Strays
Fresh from the release of their third album 'Made by These Moments', The Red Clay Strays will be heading to the UK for a string of dates in August - including performing at the incredible Long Road Festival! The string of UK dates will kick off in Glasgow on 21st August, with them then heading to Manchester on 22nd, before playing at The Long Road Festival on 23rd, before performing their final UK date that same day, in the evening, in London.
Buy tickets here!
Russell Dickerson
'Love You Like I Used To' country superstar Russell Dickerson will be hitting the UK road on his 'Good Day To Have A Great Tour', this August 2024. With dates running from August 23rd - 30th, he'll be performing in Belfast, Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol, and London.
Buy tickets here!
The Long Road Festival 2024
August Bank Holiday 2024 will see the return of the three-day The Long Road Festival - celebrating the music, lifestyle and influences of Country! From Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th August 2024, the festival returns to Stanford Hall estate in Leicestershire with over 60 artists across five stages.
Buy tickets here!
Tenille Arts
Fresh from the release of her fourth album 'To Be Honest', the wonderful Tenille Arts will be bringing tour dates to the UK in September 2024! The singer will begin the string of dates on 4th September in Glasgow, then performing in Manchester and London before concluding in Birmingham on 9th.
Buy tickets here!
Megan Moroney
The incredible Megan Moroney delighted country fans when she announced her UK & Europe tour dates! The 'I'm Not Pretty' singer will be heading to the UK in September 2024, beginning her string of dates in Cardiff on 4th, performing in Manchester, Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham and Cambridge - before finishing the run in London on 13th September!
Buy tickets here!
Little Big Town
September 2024 will also see country legends Little Big Town perform UK tour dates! Heading across the pond, the UK will see dates from their 'Friends of Mine' tour, with the 'Take Me Home' singers performing in Manchester, Bristol, Cambridge, Newcastle and London from 10th - 16th September 2024.
Buy tickets here!
Chris Stapleton
October 2024 will see 'Tennessee Whiskey' legend Chris Stapleton head to the UK on his 'All-American Road Show' tour, in support of his latest album 'Higher'! The Country singer, famed for songs such as 'Daddy Doesn't Pray Anymore', 'Either Way' and 'Traveller' will be playing a series of headline arena shows around the UK and Ireland, starting from 16th October 2024, including stops at Manchester's AO Arena, Glasgow's OVO Hydro, Dublin's 3Arena, Birmingham's Utilita Arena and London's The O2 - featuring special guest Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives. Due to phenomenal demand, Chris added an extra date to the tour, serving as his final European show on the trek - with him now set to end the run at London's O2 on 24th October 2024.
Buy tickets here!
Brothers Osborne - 2025
Kicking off 2025 strong will be country rock duo Brothers Osborne, who are lined up to be heading to the UK & Ireland in January. The duo will be bringing us nine dates as part of their 'Might As Well Be Us World Tour', with John and TJ Osborne playing shows in Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and London in January 2025, from Friday 17th - Thursday 30th January, with support coming from Tyler Braden.
Buy tickets here!
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