THE UK’s best-selling country artists have selected Weymouth to kick off their new tour.

The Shires have announced a date at Weymouth Pavilion on Monday, April 27.

Duo Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle have experienced both UK and US success and were the first UK artists to win Best International Act at the prestigious Country Music Awards.

The Shires were the first English country act to be signed to a major Nashville label and the first UK country act to have a top 10 album.

They are soon to release Good Years, their fourth album recorded in Nashville and have just released New Year, a taster single from the new album.

The title of the group’s newest record couldn’t ring truer for Ben and Crissie as the release follows two gold-certified albums and three top 10 singles, firmly cementing their status as two of country music’s most prominent voices.

As well as Weymouth, duo will take their tour to the likes of the London Palladium, Bristol Academy, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and Brighton’s Dome.

As with all their albums Good Years was recorded in the home of country music, Nashville. It is a poignant project for Crissie and Ben now having made huge waves both on home soil and across the pond as the first UK artists to win Best International Act at the prestigious CMAs.

Crissie and Ben said: “We are so excited to be releasing Good Years, our fourth album recorded in Nashville and also announce our next UK tour! "Honesty and storytelling has always been such an important part of our songwriting. We’ve poured some of the incredible experiences and life we’ve lived into these songs. We can’t wait to hit the road next year and play these live across the country.

"The songs mean so much to us personally, but there really is nothing like looking out at our fans in the crowd and seeing how much of an impact they can have in someone else’s life. It’s truly a very special thing."

*The Shires, Weymouth Pavilion, Monday, April 27, 7.30pm. Tickets go on sale on Friday, November 29.