'Queen of Country' Philomena Begley to get lifetime achievement award from Northern Ireland music industry
Co Tyrone’s very own ‘Queen of Country’, Philomena Begley, is to be recognised with a lifetime achievement award from Northern Ireland’s music industry next month.
Over the course over a storied life the “Blanket On The Ground” hitmaker, who this week celebrated her 84th birthday, went from working in a Cookstown hat factory to the top of the charts, knocking their socks off in Nashville and bringing down the house at Carnegie Hall along the way.
In November her astonishing six-decade career is to be marked at the Northern Ireland Music Prize, an annual bash marking the best of the province’s scenes from the latest dance sounds to hip indie rock bands.
Philomena gets the gong at the Ulster Hall, paying tribute to one of the most loved and influential voices in Irish Country music.
From the dance halls and showbands of the 1960s to the Grand Ole Opry, stat the prize’s organisers, she’s entertained generations of audiences and helped establish country music as a hugely popular and enduring part of our musical culture.
And Philomena continues to be recognised by much younger artists, from references to her work in the lyrics of the Pogues in the 1980s to acclaimed indie-pop singer CMAT describing her as an idol.
Next month’s event is run by Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Centre, whose chief executive Charlotte Dryden described the counbtry queen as an important part of Northern Ireland’s musical heritage who “helped pave the way for generations of performers, particularly women, in what was often a male-dominated industry”.
She stated: “For more than sixty years, Philomena Begley has entertained fans of country music on this island. Her contribution is far reaching, not just in terms of her success and longevity, but in the genuine affection people have for her.
"What I particularly love is how her influence reaches across generations and genres. Philomena has earned the admiration of artists who might seem worlds apart musically, but who recognise something special in her music and her authenticity.
“We are absolutely delighted to honour Philomena with this year's lifetime award and look forward to giving her the celebration she deserves at the Ulster Hall.”
Born in Pomeroy in 1942, the future Queen of Country first got on stage as a dare, singing with the Old Cross Céilí Band, but wound up sticking with the group. After some unsuccessful LPs and a couple of name changes, they made the Irish charts as Country Flavour, scoring two hit singles in the early 1970s.
In 1974 Philomena formed the Ramblin’ Men, while also establishing herself as a solo artist and performing a series of hugely popular duets with Ray Lynam that became firm favourites with country music audiences.
Blending an unmistakable voice and down-to-earth personality, she racked up evergreen classics including ‘Here Today, Gone Tomorrow’ and ‘The Way Old Friends Do’,
Beyond these shores, she performed at the legendary Grand Ole Opry and shared stages with UScountry stars including Tammy Wynette, Billie Jo Spears, Don Williams and Charley Pride.
Touring extensively, Philomena already has a European Gold Star award and a gong for top female vocalist from the British Country Music Association in her trophy cabinet.
The Northern Ireland Music Prize takes place on November 11 at the Ulster Hall as part of the Sound of Belfast festival.