IN 1935 Decca Records launched their country music label Decca Nashville which paved the way for a host of country stars, including Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline, and latterly in the late nineties, Dolly Parton.

The label has now been revived and one of the first signings is a duo called The Shires.

You may think there is nothing special in that, however, in this case it is more special than ever, as this signing is for a UK country duo comprising Chrissie Rhodes and Ben Earle.

It is not easy to take on the emporium of country music unless you have a really special talent, and to that end Chrissie and Ben prove their worth a thousand-fold on their new release called Brave, which will be released on March 2.

The Shires formed after Ben, from Hertfordshire, appealed on Facebook for a female country singer, and Chrissie from Bedfordshire, replied, met up the following day and discovered instant chemistry.

Their music takes on a very modern contemporary feel which, although it could be classed as similar to Sugarland and Lady Antebellum, they place their own individual style and stamp on each of the 11 tracks featured.

The voices bring a new dimension to their music with blended harmonies as a duo, but also as class soloists on many of the tracks.

This is one of the best British offerings I've heard in a long time. Had I not been aware of the fact they were home grown, I would have thought they were a Nashville product.

To that end I'm playing three tracks from them on this weekend's American Connection Country Show. You can hear them as a taster by logging on to americanconnection.euvue.co.uk.

It is a brilliant first offering and only goes to emphasise the fact that here in the UK we have musical talents that can come up to the standards and levels of many American counterparts.

The single from the album, Friday Night, will be released on February 23, just after a three-day tour as the opening act for Little Big Town when they play London Shepherds Bush Empire (Feb 10), Manchester Ritz (Feb 11), and Glasgow ABC on February 12.

  • The Shires play the Sage Gateshead on April 9 and tickets are on sale from the box office by calling 0191-443-4666.