Ray Lynam
Perhaps Ireland's most successful country singer in the 1970's
(b Moate, Co. Westmeath, Ireland) Country singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer.
One of the most distinctive 'real' country singers to emerge from the
Irish club and showband scene; started out in '60s singing covers of
Rolling Stones' hits but joined the Hillbillies singing modern country and made Irish

charts with "Sweet Rosie Jones'. With Philomena Begley a successful duet team,
appearing regularly at Wembley both solo and duo. Albums included.
We Go Together Again '84 on Sonus, Country Stars '84 on Homespun,
Simply Divine '85 on Ritz, all with Begley; his solos incl. Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile '86,
Back In Love By Monday '88 and Very Best '91 on Ritz.

Noted songwriter Shane McGowan pays tribute to Ray Lynam and Philomena Begley
in the Pogues song, "A Pair of Brown Eyes" ("...when Ray and Philomena sang of
my elusive dream..."
Ray Lynam and The Hillbillies became a fixture on the Irish record charts
in the late 1960s and one of the leading country  music artists in Ireland.
During the 1980s Lynam had a weekly gig at Dublin's Harcourt Hotel.
As far as I know, he is still singing and touring throughout Ireland. Philomena Begley
is also an active country artist in Ireland. Indeed, in January 2000
she was awarded the 'Millennium Inspirational Award' from
Country Music Ireland at its inaugural awards ceremony

From the files of John Bairds collection
  bairdart@iol.ie
 

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