Ray Lynam
Ray Lynam is an Irish country music singer, born on 29 November 1951 in Moate, Co. Westmeath.[1]
Ray Lynam | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 November 1951 Moate, Westmeath, Ireland |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | vocals |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Associated acts | Philomena Begley Ray Lynam and the Hillbillies |
Career
Ray was born in Moate, County Westmeath to Patrick, a baker, and Nora, a shopkeeper. He was one of three sons, his brothers being Padraic and John. His first venture into the music scene was when he played saxophone for a local group "the Merrymen" while still attending the local Carmelite College Secondary School. By 1969 he had joined and was lead singer for the group Ray Lynam and the Hillbillies and had their first Irish Charts success with a cover of the Buck Owens song "Sweet Rosie Jones".[2]
During the Wembley Country Music Festival of 1974, he teamed up with one of Irelands leading female country singers, Philomena Begley and went on to record many hit duets with her,[1] including My Elusive Dreams in 1975.[3]
Style
Lynams singing voice is closely modeled on those American country singers that influenced his early career, such as George Jones and Merle Haggard, rather than the more popular (in Ireland at that time) Country and Irish style. He has had hits on the Irish charts during the 1970s and 1980s with cover versions of some of their well-known tracks including He Stopped Loving Her Today and If We're Not Back in Love by Monday.[1]
Selected discography
Singles
- Busted / Heartaches by the Number 1970
- Sweet Rosie Jones 1970
- Gypsy Joe and Me 1971
- Will You Visit Me on Sunday? 1971
- Santa Looks A Lot Like Daddy 1971
- The Selfishness of Man – Number 14 Irish Charts 1972
- Brand New Mister Me – Number 6 Irish Charts 1972
- I Can't Believe That You've Stopped Loving Me – Number 12 Irish Charts 1973
- Borrowed Angel – Number 8 Irish Charts 1973
- Second Hand Flowers – Number 2 Irish Charts 1974
- My Elusive Dreams (with Philomena Begley) – Number 3 Irish Charts 1974
- The Door Is Always Open – Number 9 Irish Charts 1975
- I've Loved You All Over The World – Number 11 Irish Charts 1975
- You're The One I Sing My Love Songs To – Number 5 Irish Charts 1976
- Wolverton Mountain 1977
- Sweet Music Man – Number 15 Irish Charts 1978
- I Don't Want To See Another Town – Number 13 Irish Charts 1979
- He Stopped Loving Her Today – Number 17 Irish Charts 1983
- If We're Not Back in Love by Monday – 1984
- Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile – Number 10 Irish Charts 1985[4]
- Too Late / Wintertime – Paul Cleary & Ray Lynam 1986
References