Ray Lynam and The Hillbillies were a class act in their heyday and their recent reunion tour added further to the appreciation of these special ambassadors of country music.

A new album, Ray Lynam Then and Now, has just been released by Rosette Records. It features 14 tracks including a number of re-recordings of some of their popular songs from the early days. Among them are Second Handed Flowers, The Door Is Always Open, Busted, Wolverton Mountain, Brand New Mister Me, Borrowed Angel, and The Selfishness in Man.

“During our reunion tour, we met people who were looking for several of the older songs that were not included on The Essential double cd because the master tapes had got lost over time. So, we thought we would re-record some of the songs they were looking for as well as ones that the lads used to sing at the dances in the early days.

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“Kevin Sheerin’s version of Fool’s Castle was always popular in our programme and so was Mick Lube’s rendition of Saginaw Michigan. Both of these are now included on the new album. Kevin also features on a duet with me, Mocking Bird Hill,” says Ray Lynam.

Less familiar to fans of The Hillbillies is the Jimmy MacCarthy song Lorraine, as well as People Are Crazy and The Cost of Living. Back On The Road Again was penned specially by Kevin Sheerin to celebrate the reunion of the band.

Tom Gilmore, the well-known Galway broadcaster, says the new album from Ray and the band is top shelf standard.

“The Hillbillies were regarded by many as the best country act to emerge in Ireland in the 1970s. This new album breathes new life into songs that were old hits, while it has some interesting new twists too.”

The album is produced and arranged by John Ryan and Ray Lynam, with major input from Daire Winston and Kevin Sheerin throughout the project. Fans will love it.