This time last year I was invited to a reception at the BBC. A stage was set as I was eager to see who we were going to see. It was a UK Country Duo that were quite new to me…
They were called The Shires……
Roll on 12 months a successful tour with Ward Thomas, a full album, Making UK History with A Top 10 Album , performing at The o2, A headlining tour coming up ….
I started the conversation the only way that seemed right Congratulations Congratulations and Congratulations.
This last month has been great for you, how would you sum it up
It has been amazing, such a whirlwind, it’s crazy looking back at the amount of things we have done in 12 months
I bet you haven’t had a day off!
Not many, but when you are doing something you love you don’t mind, it doesn’t feel like a job.
Did you ever, in your wildest dreams believe you could have achieved so much in your first year?
We had no idea! We loved what we were doing, but were told “Country is not that big in the UK, let’s give it a year and see”
How was your Country 2 Country experience this year?
It was so good, it has grown so much. It was big last year, but this year was crazy. It’s so good to see the amount of people interested in country music and the passion they have.
There was so much talent on the pop up stages this year.
How was the satellite stage?
OMG it was so nerve racking! When we were on the stage it was pitch black everywhere, we could only see the people who were right in front of us and it was great that we saw faces we recognised.
You also played the Brooklyn Bowl
That was so much fun, we then had champagne to celebrate the Top 10, it was amazing day, which we wont forget.
With the UK Country Music scene being so good at the moment, do you feel any pressure in leading the way?
We don’t feel under any pressure, there really are no expectations set. We are so happy that country is finally getting listened to.
We just love to write songs and sing them. It’s great to let people hear your music.
Charles Kelly (Lady Antebellum) said he is a little envious of where we are in our musical career, no expectations from people, just get to play our music!
What’s next for you?
We only finished the album in December, as we shuffled a few songs around and then added “Islands in the Stream” because it went down so well at our shows, but we are already writing again.
We have the tour coming up which we are so excited about (with John & Jacob as support), we also are writing a lot, we have been so inspired recently (Kip Moore was there writing with them whilst I was on the phone) we are shooting a video for the next single, playing lots of festivals and then are off to Nashville (Playing the Global Stage)
Ben and Chrissie are so busy, but they are always happy to take a minute out of there busy day for a quick chat. Thanks Guys
You can find links to buy brave from The Shires Store
