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The Shires | |
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&sq=&lang=&file=File:The_Shires,_Towersey_2018.jpg) Performing at Towersey Festival, 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, England, UK |
| Genres | Country, country pop |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Labels | Decca, Universal Music Group Nashville, Dot, BMG Rights Management |
| Members | Ben Earle Crissie Rhodes |
| Website | www |
The Shires are a British country music duo composed of singer-songwriters Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes. Earle sings harmony vocals, plays piano and guitar, and Rhodes is lead singer. The duo formed in 2013 and released their debut album Brave in 2015, becoming the first UK country act to chart in the Top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.[1] The group's second album, My Universe, became the fastest-selling UK country album in history when it was released in October 2016.[2]
They hail from the neighbouring counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire in England. "Shire" is the original term for what is usually known as a county in the United Kingdom. The duo took the band name to maintain a British identity and take a small part of Britain to the United States. After playing hardly half a dozen shows together, The Shires caught the attention of Decca Records, who signed them in the United Kingdom, and they secured a contract with American record label Universal Music Group Nashville, thus becoming the first English country act to be signed to a major Nashville label.[3][4][5] They were also the first UK country act to have a top ten album and the first to receive an award from the American Country Music Association.
Earle and Rhodes were awarded Honorary Doctorates of the Arts by the University of Bedfordshire for their services and contributions to music on 25 July 2019.
- ^ Stassen, Murray (9 March 2015). "The Shires become first UK country act to reach Albums Chart Top 10". Music Week. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "The Shires sign US record deal with man who discovered Taylor Swift". Bbc.co.uk. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
- ^ The Sunday Times: That British twang, Country is being reborn in Bedford, not Nashville Archived 13 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine. The Sunday Times, Retrieved 12 May 2014, published by Paul Sexton, 4 May 2014
- ^ Sounds Like Nashville Artist Profile Page Archived 13 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 12 May 2014
- ^ Bob Harris BBC Radio 2 Live Session Archived 28 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Bbc.co.uk, Retrieved 12 May 2014