American English

The Shires and Ward Thomas play Bristol Americana fest

Both The Shires and Ward Thomas have been proving that you don’t need to be American to play Americana. The British duos share the stage at Bristol’s River Town Americana weekend on 14 July. It’s a reunion because the two acts have shared stages before – even covering Fleetwood Mac’s

Everywhere together at BBC Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park two years ago.

The Shires’ (guitarist/ vocalist Ben Earle and vocalist Crissie Rhodes) growing repertoire and profile means Earle’s guitar collection has grown, with a Martin HD-28E Retro and OOO-18E proving live favourites. “I have the dread in DADGAD and the OOO in standard and it makes them so different to use,” he says.

Meanwhile, twins Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas rely on a Gibson J-45 and J-185 EC live that were loaned to them a while ago. “We don’t know if they’re actually ours, but nobody has asked for them back yet,” laughs Lizzy.