The Shires have once again rewritten the rulebook for UK country music, as their latest single ‘Getaway Car' climbs to No. 1 on the Official UK Country Radio Airplay Chart — marking a historic first for a British act.
The achievement is a landmark moment not only for Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, but for the wider UK country scene. Until now, no homegrown artist had even broken into the chart’s Top Ten, making this milestone all the more significant.
Reacting to the news, the duo shared their disbelief and gratitude: “We honestly can’t believe we are No. 1. Thank you so much to everyone for all the love for ‘Getaway Car’. The fact that we are the first ever UK country act to do this is unbelievable. We are genuinely a bit lost for words.”
The track serves as the lead single from their upcoming album ‘Bonfire,' set for release on July 3 via Blue Highway Records. Their first album in four years, the project is described as a celebration of togetherness, escapism, and positivity — themes that feel perfectly aligned with the uplifting energy of “Getaway Car.” Pre-order here.
As country music continues its surge in popularity across the UK, The Shires remain firmly at the forefront — not just participants in the genre’s growth, but architects of it. The momentum will carry into the autumn, when the duo embark on a full-band UK headline tour, bringing their new music — and chart-topping single — to stages across the country.
UK Tour Dates
November 3 – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
November 5 – Gateshead Glasshouse
November 6 – York Barbican
November 8 – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
November 9 – Birmingham Symphony Hall
November 11 – London Palladium
November 12 – Brighton Dome
November 14 – Ipswich Regent Theatre
November 15 – Poole Lighthouse
November 16 – Swansea Building Society Arena
November 18 – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
November 19 – Bedford Corn Exchange
November 20 – Bristol Beacon
With ‘Getaway Car,' The Shires aren’t just celebrating a hit — they’re marking a defining moment for British country music as a whole, proving that the genre’s global story now firmly includes a UK chapter.
