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The concert, which will be staged in the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport, on Sunday night 15 September, is being billed as the Last Date Show. The night is in support of Western Alzheimers which provides a care and support service to families affected by Alzheimers and/or dementia in the west of Ireland.
During the 1970s, The Hillbillies were often described as the best country band this side of Nashville. A generation marvelled at the classic country style of Ray Lynam, complemented by the outstanding band which featured John Ryan, Kevin Sheerin, Billy Condon, Mick Lube, Billy Burgoyne and Ray’s brother Johnny, now sadly deceased.
Ray and The Hillbillies were the ambassadors for Irish country music all through the decade, with their appearances at the annual Wembley International Country Festival.
In the mid-1970s, Ray made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry as a special guest of the legendary Wilburn Brothers (Teddy and Doyle) from Arkansas. He also recorded his acclaimed album, Someone Special, in Nashville in 1973.
George Jones, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard were among the singers who had the most influence on Ray back in those times. But it was a Dolly Parton song, Gypsy, Joe and Me, that provided him with his biggest hit. It remains his most requested song to this day.
In 2009, the band came together for a special date in Castlebar and for another nostalgic show in Moate in 2013. A few standing ovations from the capacity audience told its own story. In 2015, they played a series of 11 concerts and also performed 10 dates around Ireland in 2016.
The idea for this last reunion show was pioneered by Caragh Ryan from Kilmeena, Westport, daughter of band member John Ryan.
“Caragh mentioned it to me one evening that it would be brilliant if we could get The Hillbillies together again for one special night in support of Western Alzheimers. Her granny in Co Down, who she fondly refers to as Nana, has been coping with Alzheimers for some time.
“I spoke to the lads and they all agreed to do this one-off show. It will be a truly special night for all of us as it will mark the golden jubilee of the debut of The Hillbillies back in 1969. There was a great honesty about our commitment to country music and we have remained the best of friends all through the years,” says John.
Tickets for Ray Lynam and The Hillbillies Last Date concert in The Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, on Sunday, 15 September at 8pm (with a guest appearance by Frank McCaffrey) are €25 and are now available from The Plaza Hotel reception, Westport Town Hall Theatre (in-house and online), and the Western Alzheimers offices in Ballindine, Galway, Roscommon and Castlebar.
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