Ray Lynam and The Hillbillies will roll out their magic sounds at seven venues around the country in the coming days. 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 an 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 County Festival. In the mid-1970s, Ray made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry as a special guest of the legendary Wilburn Brothers from Arkansas. He also recorded his acclaimed album, Someone Special, in Nashville.

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.

Three years ago, the band came together for two special dates in Castlebar and Moate. The show in Moate was a hometown concert and it might as well have been the old Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, such was the atmosphere on the night. A few standing ovations from the capacity audience told its own story.

Local man TR Dallas, who was a guest on the show, said: “Ray and the band put on an absolutely super show. They were always an exceptional band and we were able to appreciate that more fully with the passing of time.”

The guys start the tour with a concert show at the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport on 1 October. They will then play a dance date at The Well in Moate on 2 October, and this should prove hugely popular on home ground. They head north to the Allingham Arms Hotel in Bundoran on 3 October for another dance show.

The final four dates are all concerts and these will be staged in the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, on 7 October; the Salthill Hotel, Galway, on 8 October; the Riverside Hotel, Enniscorthy, on 14 October; and The Helix, Dublin, on 22 October.