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:
Darius Rucker
'Wagon Wheel' Country legend Darius Rucker revealed last year that he would be adding UK dates to his epic 'Starting Fires' tour in 2024! The singer kicked off his stream of UK shows in Manchester on Saturday 27th April 2024, with Darius then performing in Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, London, Leeds, Glasgow and Dublin, before wrapping in Belfast on Saturday 11th May.
Buy tickets here!
Bailey Zimmerman
Another tour for the calendar in 2024 is none other than 'Never Comin' Home' legend Bailey Zimmerman, with his 'Religiously. The. Tour'. Fresh from the news that his debut 'Religiously. The Album.' broke the record for most streamed debut country album of all time, Bailey revealed that he will be taking the album on tour in 2024, playing a stream of UK dates from Thursday 9th May - Sunday 19th May, travelling through London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast.
Buy tickets here!
Kacey Musgraves
'High Horse' superstar Kacey Musgraves is heading on her 'Deeper Well World Tour' in 2024, bringing dates to the UK from May! Starting the string of dates in Glasgow on 9th May 2024, she'll perform in Manchester and Wolverhampton, then performing a date in London on 14th May!
Buy tickets here!
Brett Young
The one and only Brett Young will be heading across the pond in May 2024 on his EU/UK tour, performing in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds and Belfast - not to mention his headline appearance at Highways Festival! Dates span from 15th-24th May 2024, with his headline Highways show taking place on Saturday 18th May.
Buy tickets here!
Highways Festival
Highways Festival is back in 2024! Exciting fans across the country, the news of the headline acts dropped on 4th December 2023 - revealing we can expect to see The Cadillac Three, Brett Young, The War And Treaty and many more take to the stage - with shows taking place at Royal Albert Hall, London, on Friday 17th & Saturday 18th May 2024! Other acts include Shane Smith & The Saints, Josh Ross and Tanner Usrey, and more!
Buy tickets here (from Friday 8th December)!
Taylor Swift
Global superstar Taylor Swift is bringing her 'Eras Tour' 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! Her string of UK dates begin on Friday 7th June 2024, with her playing shows throughout the whole month, before returning for a three-night stint at London's Wembley Stadium from 15th-17th August.
Buy tickets here!
Sheryl Crow
Grammy Award winning Sheryl Crow will be heading to the UK in 2024, performing four huge shows in June! Playing a headline show at The Piece Hall in Halifax on 13th June 2024, Sheryl will then play dates at Black Deer Festival in Kent (15th June), Nocturne Live in Oxfordshire (16th June) and a further headline show at Hampton Court Palace (18th June). The shows will follow the release of her highly-anticipated 11th studio album, titled 'Evolution'.
Buy tickets here!
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.
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 will 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!
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!
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!
Chris Stapleton
October 2024 will see 'Tennessee Whiskey' legend Chris Stapleton head to the UK on his 'All-American Road Show' tour! The Country singer, famed for songs such as 'Daddy Doesn't Pray Anymore', 'Either Way' and 'Traveller' will 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. The tour is in celebration of the singer's latest album, 'Higher'.
Buy tickets here!
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