Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes made U.K. chart history in March (15) when they became the first British country act to score a top 10 album as their debut Brave entered at 10.

Now The Shires are preparing to head to the country music Mecca of Nashville to make their mark on the fabled Grand Ole Opry stage.

Earle tells WENN, "We have our first performance at The Grand Ole Opry, the home of country music, which is such an honour, especially being British. That will be a really special moment for us."

The show, which will also be broadcast on local and satellite radio, will take place on 6 June (15), a year after the duo watched its first concert at the Opry while recording its album in the city.

Earle adds to Independent.co.uk, "Entering the Opry is like going to church. It's almost a sacred experience and you have the whole history of country music lining the walls.

"It's the pinnacle of country and the longest running radio show in the world. We never imagined we would be on the stage a year later."