Philomena Begley

Irish country music singer, born October 20, 1942 in Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Her first job on leaving school was in a shirt factory before answering a dare from her mates on a night to sing with a ceilidh band led to getting the offer to join them. After a change of name for the band to Country Flavour her 50 year musical career was underway. After her previous three records, Philomena was in the studio again in 1970 to record Here Today Gone Tomorrow which peaked at number seven on the Irish chart. In 1974 she left Country Flavour and formed The Rambling Men and 1975 saw the start of the duet period with Ray Lynam, their song, My Elusive Dreams getting a mention for them in the Pogues’ hit, A Pair Of Brown Eyes. The same year Philomena covered Blanket On The Ground which peaked at number five, ahead of Billie Jo Spears in Ireland. They later became very close friends and toured together. Her first tour in the USA was in 1977 and the following year she joined Porter Wagoner on the Grand Ole Opry. Her music has taken her to be guest on the St Patrick’s Day parade in New York City and singing in the Carnegie Hall with appearances at the Wembley, Peterborough and other major festivals. With over 20 albums in her back catalogue, her current best seller is How I Love To Sing The Old Songs on H&H Music. The opening track, I Ain’t Over The Hill says it all for this Queen of Irish Country.