Shades Of Ray

Ray Lynam, from the RTÉ Athlone studio, presents his choice of music for a Friday night. Ray was born in Born in Moate, Co. Westmeath and is a successful 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 when he was lead singer with his first band, The Merrymen, while still attending the local Carmelite College Secondary School in Moate.....but then in 1969 he 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 include. 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. 

Ray Lynam is hugely well-regarded, and many experienced critics are of the view that he is the finest (and purest), real country singer ever to come out of Ireland.

The Radio 1 Music Collection.
Part of The Radio 1 Music Collection Series.
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