The Shires announce indefinite break after 13 years as final tour approaches

British country duo The Shires have announced they are stepping away from performing together after 13 years and six albums, with Crissie Rhodes choosing to spend more time with her young family. Ben Earle has confirmed he will continue making music and working in radio, while the announcement has prompted tributes from Shania Twain, Kezia Gill and fellow artists across the country music community.

The Shires, one of the most influential names in British country music, have announced they will be taking an indefinite break following their forthcoming tour, bringing an emotional pause to a partnership that has helped transform the genre’s fortunes in the UK.

Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes shared the news in a video posted to their social media channels, with Crissie explaining that she had made the difficult decision to step away from the duo to spend more time at home with her two young daughters.

“It’s a decision that I made,” Crissie told fans. “It was quite a hard decision to make because obviously The Shires have been our life for 13 years. We’ve recorded and released six albums. It’s literally been our every day for all those years.”

She explained that the demands of a career spent recording and touring had led her to reassess her priorities, adding: “It’s not been made lightly, but I want to take some time with my family and be at home for a little while.”

Ben, himself a parent, was quick to express his support for the decision, acknowledging the challenges of balancing family life with the demands of the music industry.

“I totally get it. I totally support it. Being on the road is so tough,” he said.

The pair were also keen to reassure fans that the decision was entirely amicable, with Ben making a point of addressing any suggestion that the partnership had ended on difficult terms.

“We haven’t fallen out. We’re still friends. We’re still very good friends,” he said, before confirming that he intends to continue his own career in music and radio.

Although the announcement means their forthcoming concerts will be their last together for the foreseeable future, neither has ruled out a reunion.

“Who knows, one day we might come back and make some music together,” Ben added.

CRISSIE RHODES

“The Shires have been our life for 13 years. We’ve recorded and released six albums. It’s literally been our every day for all those years.”

The duo who helped change British country music

When Ben and Crissie formed The Shires in 2013, the British country music landscape looked very different. Although the genre had a loyal following, opportunities for homegrown artists to achieve mainstream commercial success were relatively limited, and country music was still largely associated with American performers.

The Shires helped challenge that perception, combining Nashville-inspired songwriting and production with a distinctly British identity. Their breakthrough came with the release of their debut album, Brave, in 2015, which made history as the first album by a UK country act to enter the Top 10 of the Official UK Albums Chart.

It was an important milestone, not simply for the duo but for a developing British country scene that was beginning to attract wider attention. Their subsequent albums, including My Universe, Accidentally on Purpose and Good Years, further established their commercial success, while headline tours and festival appearances introduced their music to increasingly large audiences.

Across six albums and more than a decade on the road, The Shires have become one of the most recognisable names in UK country music, building a catalogue of songs that has accompanied fans through relationships, heartbreak, celebrations and personal milestones.

Yet their contribution extends well beyond chart positions and record sales. By demonstrating that British country artists could attract substantial audiences with original material, they helped create opportunities for others to follow, something reflected in the extraordinary response to their announcement.

Shania Twain leads tributes from the country music community

The news has prompted an outpouring of affection from fellow musicians, with artists on both sides of the Atlantic acknowledging The Shires’ achievements and the influence they have had on British country music.

Among those responding was country superstar Shania Twain, who offered her congratulations, writing: “Sending congratulations for everything you have achieved and all the best for what’s to come guys.”

For British country singer Kezia Gill, the announcement carried particular significance. Having previously supported The Shires on tour, she credited Ben and Crissie with providing opportunities that helped her develop her own career.

“Hands down, I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the opportunities you guys gave me to support you on your tours,” she wrote. “I adore you both and thank you for the incredible impact you’ve made for UK Country Music.”

American singer-songwriter Alyssa Bonagura, who co-wrote The Shires’ song Getaway Car, reflected on both their musical legacy and the friendships formed along the way.

“Grateful to have spent time on the road with you legends and blessed to be your friends. What an amazing legacy you have built! It’s so inspiring,” she wrote, adding that she felt fortunate to have played a small part in their story.

Fellow British country artist Twinnie congratulated the duo on their achievements, writing: “What an Incredible career you guys have built together. Best of luck to both of you.”

British country duo Outpost Drive offered one of the most emotional responses, describing how deeply the announcement had affected them.

“This video took the air out of our lungs and I can’t imagine how hard this decision was!” they wrote. “You are both the lifeblood of the country music scene in the UK and should be so proud of everything you’ve created.”

They also expressed their gratitude for the friendship they share with Ben and Crissie, sending their love and best wishes for whatever comes next.

Taken together, the tributes illustrate the unusual position The Shires occupy within British country music. For many artists, their success has been more than an inspiration; it has translated into practical opportunities to perform before new audiences, develop their careers and establish themselves within a genre that has grown considerably over the past decade.

KEZIA GILL

“Hands down, I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the opportunities you guys gave me to support you on your tours.”

What comes next for Ben and Crissie?

While Crissie plans to take a break from the demands of the music industry to focus on family life, Ben has confirmed that he intends to remain active.

“I’ll still be doing music, doing radio as well,” he told fans, offering some reassurance that his own musical career will continue beyond the duo’s final concerts.

The announcement comes at a time when Ben has been developing his broadcasting career alongside his work with The Shires, including his new role presenting BBC Radio 2’s country music programme.

For Crissie, the decision reflects a desire to enjoy more of the everyday moments of family life after spending much of the past 13 years recording and touring. The duo’s accompanying statement explains that she wants to spend more time with her two daughters as they grow up, while Ben fully understands and supports her choice.

Although there is no indication of when, or even whether, The Shires might return, both have been careful to leave the possibility open.

“We’ll both be cheering each other on for whatever our next chapters hold and who knows, maybe one day we’ll be making music and touring again,” they wrote in their joint statement.

One final tour filled with memories

For fans who already have tickets to The Shires’ upcoming tour, the announcement has given the concerts an added emotional significance. What had been another opportunity to enjoy the duo’s music will now become a chance to celebrate their 13-year journey together, with no certainty about when they might next share a stage.

Despite the sadness surrounding the news, Ben and Crissie were determined to end their video on an upbeat note, with Crissie promising that the forthcoming shows would be a celebration.

“This tour’s gonna be great,” she said enthusiastically, revealing that the band already has its glittery outfits ready for the occasion.

Ben encouraged fans to join them, describing the concerts as the last chance to see The Shires together “in a very long time”.

In their accompanying statement, the duo made clear how much they are looking forward to sharing those final performances with their audience.

“We can’t wait to sing, dance and make some beautiful memories together on this tour, as we celebrate the amazing journey we’ve all been on together.”

There is an understandable sadness surrounding the announcement, particularly for fans who have followed The Shires since their earliest performances. At the same time, the decision reflects the realities of balancing a demanding touring career with family life, something the duo have spoken about with warmth and mutual understanding.

Although the future of The Shires remains open, their place in the history of British country music is already assured. From breaking chart records to helping emerging artists find their audiences, Ben and Crissie have played a significant role in shaping a scene that is now stronger and more diverse than when they first began.

Perhaps the most telling measure of their success is not simply the six albums or the thousands of fans who have attended their concerts, but the number of fellow musicians who now credit them with helping make their own careers possible.

As the video drew to a close, Ben thanked fans for their support throughout the duo’s journey.

“We couldn’t have done any of this without you guys,” he said.

It was a fitting sentiment from two artists whose music has helped define a generation of British country music, and whose influence will continue to be felt long after their final encore.