John Reilly is a name used by more than one artist. One is John Reilly (1926–1969), an Irish traditional singer. The other is John C. Reilly, the actor and musician, who also records and performs as a singer.

John C. Reilly

John C. Reilly appears in music and film as a vocalist, songwriter and performer. He takes part in the 1998 video for Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s “Talk About the Blues”, appearing alongside Giovanni Ribisi and Winona Ryder. In 2002 he plays Amos Hart, Roxie Hart’s husband, in the film Chicago.

His music work includes two songs on the 2006 compilation Rogue’s Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys: “Fathom the Bowl” and “My Son John”. In 2007 he stars in the parody biopic Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and also performs as a vocalist and songwriter on the soundtrack. That soundtrack brings a Grammy nomination. He also tours in character as Dewey Cox on the US Cox Across America 2007 Tour.

Recordings and collaborations

In 2011 Reilly records songs produced by Jack White and issues them as two singles on White’s Third Man Records. One single includes two Delmore Brothers songs, “Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar” and “Lonesome Yodel Blues #2”, both performed with Tom Brosseau. The other features Ray Price’s “I’ll Be There If You Ever Want” and the country standard “I’m Making Plans”, performed with Becky Stark.

He also appears as “future Mike D” in the Beastie Boys video “Make Some Noise”. In 2014 he appears in the video for Mr. Oizo’s “HAM”, playing Father. The video is directed by Eric Wareheim and is an excerpt from the television comedy Rubberhead.

John Reilly & Friends

Reilly’s band John Reilly & Friends is described as his current group. In 2012 it is slated to perform on the Railroad Revival Tour with Willie Nelson & Family, Band of Horses and Jamey Johnson, although the tour is cancelled. In February 2015, the group performs on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert series.