Peter Mann catches up with arguably Britain’s biggest modern-day country acts, The Shires

THEY are the first British act to ever win a prestigious Country Music award in Nashville, they have two Gold certified albums (and who’d bet against number three), nine play-listed songs across both Brave and My Universe, Brave was the first ever British Country album to enter the UK Top Ten, and My Universe is the fastest selling British Country album, for a second album, of all-time – The Shires are heading back to Gateshead…

“Our new album 'Accidentally on Purpose' is full of personal songs that really sums up the whirlwind journey we’ve been on together. From the day we met, we’ve been crazy dreamers with big plans, who really believed that Country could break into the UK mainstream. For all those dreams, we never imagined it would all happen so quickly and we’re so proud and excited to be releasing our third album.”

Adored by millions across the globe Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle, better known as The Shires, followed up their mass acclaimed second album, ‘My Universe,’ with a stunning third ‘Accidentally on Purpose’.

The new album, which has taken the music scene by storm, achieved adoration from across the globe, and created a media-frenzy of epic proportions.

From BBC Breakfast to ITV with Zoe Ball, Sky News Sunrise to the One Show, radio appearances around the UK, a mock arrest as they arrived at HMV London in style, and a new-born baby with the arrival of Tennessee, the past few months have been crazy enough.

Now, throughout May and June, they head on tour, stopping off at venues around the country, including Sage Gateshead on May 28, as well as a cheeky appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 18, promoting their album.

“We love this new album, we can’t wait to get out there and perform it to our fans,” said Ben.

“Our tour is getting bigger and better, we have an amazing lighting director on board which will make the stage look stunning.

“The Royal Albert Hall is going to be so special, it’s one of the most iconic venues and we’re going to be on stage doing all our new tracks - we can’t wait.”

“The album is full of personal songs that really sums up the whirlwind journey we’ve been on together,” added Crissie.

The signature track, Guilty, was recorded around the duo’s trip to Nashville, Tennessee last October, a trip which would see them get up to all kinds of public mischief (as portrayed via their very active social media).

“The song encapsulates our writing trip to Nashville back in October,” added Ben.

“Nashville really is a party town and there were parties almost every night, it was hard to turn down the invites.

“We were certainly Guilty of having a good time out there!! As soon as we received the demo back from our co-writer & producer Lindsay, Crissie played it as her warm up track while she got ready to go out!”

Never ones for stopping there’s also plenty in the pipeline, after they’ve completed the Accidentally on Purpose tour that is and, having performed at Sage Gateshead on numerous occasions before, the duo are looking forward to their return.

“We love Gateshead!” added Crissie.

“It’s always such a good crowd and the Summertyne Americana Festival (last July) was such a special gig for us.

“We’ve played every room in the Sage, so it’s really exciting to be headlining our own show.”