Country legend secretly pens tracks with Ella Henderson and hopes to take her Stateside

COUNTRY music star Breland has worked with Shania Twain and Keith Urban, but he is now helping someone far closer to home.

The US singer-songwriter has revealed he has written a series of songs with Ella Henderson during sessions on either side of the Atlantic.

In an exclusive chat, Breland, whose new EP, Project 2024, came out on Friday, said: “I’ve written with Ella Henderson, who’s a great artist, and we may have something coming that kind of exists in between our two worlds.

“I went out to her house and she also took a trip out to Nashville last spring.

“I was able to catch her in the middle of my tour on one of the days that I was back in town.

“We’ve written a few songs at this point, and I just think she’s great.

“I’m looking forward to more collabs with UK artists because London is my favourite city in the world, and I definitely am planning to spend more time out there.”

His new EP, featuring ridiculously catchy songs including What You’ve Been Through, was inspired by a trip to Selma, Alabama, where much of his family is from.

And although it’s a poor area, he was inspired by the citizens’ resilience.

He added of the music: “You might think that it’s gonna be super heavy.

“It’s just more real than what I’ve put out before.

“The lyrics go a little deeper, and the stories that I’m telling are all rooted in real experiences.”

Brit’s fourth time lucky

She has been married three times before, but this time might just work out for Britney Spears.

The Toxic singer wore this wedding garb as she revealed she has tied the knot with . . . herself.

She made the announcement in a video posted on Instagram, five months after settling her divorce with ex Sam Asghari.

And she wrote: “The day I married myself . . . 

“Bringing it back because it might seem embarrassing or stupid, but I think it’s the most brilliant thing I’ve ever done!!!”

It’s Hall to play for, Keith

Keith Richards was rocking out again, aged 80, at a Country Music Hall of Fame knees-up.

I brought you all the goss yesterday as Cher and Ozzy Osbourne were among those celebrated in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the following evening it was time for country music to have its moment.

The Rolling Stones legend performed at the event in Nashville, as American musicians Toby Keith, John Anderson, and James Burton were honoured.

Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Elvis Costello, and Emmylou Harris were among other guests.

Greg see-saws something in Liz

Rising star Lizzie Esau has found a big fan in Radio 1 DJ Greg James.

The Newcastle-raised singer, who headlined the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury this year, was introduced to Greg by North East DJ Shakk, who has championed her music.

After playing Lizzie’s track Bleak Sublime on his radio show this weekend, Greg and his listeners showered it with praise and also christened Lizzie with a memorable nickname.

Greg said: “Oh I really, really love this, really love it. That is absolutely up my street, that is.

“It’s not just me who likes this, we have got a huge reaction to it. I’ll definitely be giving that another play.

“Lizzie Esau will forever be known as ‘Lizzie Esau – like ‘see-saw’.”

“You’ve got to be memorable, you’ve got to have a thing.”

I’ve had a listen to the track, and I’m a fan.

Check out Lizzie’s new EP, Spilling Out the Truth, for more.

James a sucker for stage dives

James Blunt’s music doesn’t scream rock’n’roll – but he reckons he has the best stage dive in the game.

The You’re Beautiful singer said he has become a pro at jumping into the crowd and does it at every show, despite breaking his finger attempting it in 2008.

Speaking to The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with The National Lottery, James said: “That’s actually a highlight of my concert. I do a song called OK and the audience just actually go mad.

“The first time I did it was in Barcelona. I ran towards the audience, I jumped, and the first six rows of girls just parted like Moses and the Red Sea. I impaled on the floor and all my friends thought, ‘What an idiot’. So I’ve really had to learn.

“I’ve broken my finger doing it, and I’ve had to work out how to summon the audience together so they don’t drop me.”

Richard to open for Oasis

Richard Ashcroft has been confirmed as support for Oasis on the UK and Ireland leg of their tour next summer.

The Verve frontman has had years of hits, and given that one of Oasis’ first tours was as the support act for Richard’s band in 1993, it will be a nice full-circle moment.

Richard said: “As a fan from day one, I was buzzing for many reasons when the news of Oasis’ return was announced.

“The songwriting talent of Noel, and Liam Gallagher’s pure spirit as a lead singer, helped to inspire me to create some of my best work.

“It was the perfection of Live Forever that forced me to write my own. They dared to be great, made the dreams we had real.

“Now it’s time to create more memories and I’m ready to bring it. See you next summer. Music is power.”

ELO and goodbye for Jeff

Jeff Lynne’s ELO have announced their final ever show, headlining BST Hyde Park on July 13 next summer.

They have decided to use the event to end on a high, following the passing of keyboardist Richard Tandy in May.

Jeff said: “My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014. It seems like the perfect place to do our final show. We couldn’t be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans. As the song goes, ‘We’re gonna do it One More Time!’.”

In other exciting news for music fans, Michael Bublé has confirmed a show at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on August 17 as his only show in England for next summer.

Ciara’s mighty fine day

American pop stars Ciara and Kesha will headline the two-day Mighty Hoopla Festival when it returns to London next spring.

The event, on May 31 and June 1, will take place at South London’s Brockwell Park.

Other acts on the line-up include JoJo, Daniel Bedingfield, Loreen, Kate Nash, Lemar, and Pixie Lott.

To warm up for her set, Kesha will play shows in Glasgow and Manchester in the week leading up to the pop extravaganza.

Kylie Minogue is set to score her tenth No1 album this Friday with Tension II.

She is outselling her nearest competition, Rag’n’Bone Man’s What Do You Believe In?, by a ratio of two to one. Meanwhile, One Direction have five albums heading for the Top 40 this week following Liam Payne’s tragic passing.

These include Take Me Home, Midnight Memories, Made In The A.M., Four, as well as their debut record Up All Night.