ABOUT REILLY & MALONEY
Reilly & Maloney, a highly regarded folk music duo whose partnership spanned five decades, delightied folk music lovers across the country and beyond. Their sound, marked by the melding of Ginny Reilly's crystal soprano with David Maloney's rich baritone and accompanied by their skilful acoustic guitar playing, charmed audiences whose support continued to sustain them as performers for five decades. Their style was marked by their impressive harmonies and by the mix of their original songwriting and covers of other artists of many genres.
Ginny Reilly and David Maloney first met in 1969 in San Francisco. They began performing together the following year, initially playing in bars, restaurants and small folk clubs in the Bay Area, gathering an increasingly loyal fan base. They began regular touring in Seattle in 1971, where they would become a cornerstone of the Northwest music scene for two decades. They released their debut album, At Last, in 1976, which received airplay at independent music stations across the country. This lead to more extensive touring, where they performed at music venues across the United States and Canada. Their ability to engage audiences and create a shared intimate experience was a hallmark of their shows.
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, Reilly & Maloney released several more albums that showcased their growth as musicians and songwriters. These albums contained a mix of original compositions of personal heartfelt themes, as well as covers of contemporary and traditional folk songs.
Their songs were also featured on various folk music compilations and radio stations, further spreading their popularity. Reilly & Maloney were frequently mentioned in folk music magazines and were celebrated for their contribution to the genre, which was particularly notable during a time when folk music was undergoing a resurgence.
Though Reilly & Maloney never achieved mainstream commercial success, they were highly respected within the folk music community. Their music, often understated but deeply meaningful, earned them a place as beloved figures in the American folk scene. They remained active performers into the 1990s and early 2000s, continuing to tour and to release new material.
Over time, both Ginny and David also pursued solo careers and other musical projects, but their collaboration as Reilly & Maloney remained one of the defining moments of their careers. They continued to be rooted in the folk tradition but also forward-thinking.They are remembered as one of the most talented and genuine folk duos of their era, celebrated for their ability to craft songs that were both personal and universal. Even today, their loyal fans continue to appreciate their music's timelessness, intimacy and storytelling power. Reilly & Maloney's partnership remains a quintessential example of what folk music stands for— honest, evocative, and intimate musical expression that connects with listeners on a deep emotional level.
Our Story
David & Ginny In Their Own WOrds
DAVID
“On my wife's and my first night in San Francisco we went to a local folk club called the Drinking Gourd and on-stage was a young singer with long, flaming red hair, a magical voice, and a passionate delivery. As it turned out that singer was Ginny Reilly, who was performing her first full night there. When I approached her between sets about the local folk scene, she quickly dismissed me with a clipped comment about the time and effort it takes to get ahead not being worth it, her reply was simply, “Don’t even bother.” We still laugh about that first meeting which I remember vividly. Ginny does not!
Three months later, on January 11, 1970, Ginny came to our small apartment on Sacramento St. for a trial rehearsal. This rendezvous was arranged by Jay Kellum, a veteran San Francisco bass player with a reputation for putting groups together. He told us that solo singers were a dime a dozen and by working together we might find more opportunities to perform and possibly make a living doing what we loved. He urged us to leave our part-time jobs and fully commit to the music. We took his advice, continuing to rehearse everyday under his direction. After about three weeks we performed a short, three-song guest set at the Drinking Gourd. The audience that night loved us and we were hired on the spot to go to Lake Tahoe and perform in the lounge of a new steakhouse there. We were paid $100 apiece for four nights with a place to sleep (in a room with 6 other employees) and a free steak dinner each day.
As it turned out we were an instant hit with the tourists as well as the locals. That very first weekend in Tahoe City, we were asked to play the rest of the week at a steakhouse in Palo Alto. And so we played over forty nights straight that winter, driving up and then down from the mountains twice each week. Our crowds grew quickly and soon there was a buzz brewing about this new act with a great sound called "Dave & Ginny." At that point we were a working partnership and today as Reilly & Maloney, we're still making sweet music together".
~David
GINNY
"We were always 'making progress' in those early days, gathering new fans, even though most shows were in restaurant bars. Sometimes we would get to know our "fans" personally. We would have 20-minute breaks between sets, and often sit down with them and chat. Things got so informal that one night, the audience in Palo Alto took out kazoos and played along with David when he did his instrumental break!
There we were, singing in Tahoe City, Palo Alto, and eventually in San Francisco. This was at the Drinking Gourd, which was a step up. The "Gourd" only featured beer, wine, and music, and such music! Some of the best singers and songwriters performed there, and we would learn songs we heard, like Jim Post's "In The Mountains", and Kendall Kardt's "Dance, Gypsey Dance", both of which were on our first album. (I also remember a night that Shel Silverstein performed there.)
Then we were asked to sing in Seattle by the company that owned the Tahoe restaurant. We would sing 5 nights a week, for 4 weeks, twice a year, and, as in the Bay Area, audiences seemed to take a shine to us. Of course, the restaurant, a steak house, was not large, and its bar in particular was cozy. There was a long, narrow entryway for people who just wanted to hear the music, rather than have dinner. One night, there was a line of people waiting to get in, and we had to use it ourselves, being careful not to bump them with our guitars. (I remember a famous Seattle mountain climber in that line one night, Jim, do you remember?).
ORIGIN BIOS
