Music by Tom & Mary Kay Aufrance
Welcome to the musical home of Tom and Mary Kay Aufrance, a place where our melodies, shared creativity and performances come together. This website is the gathering site for all of our musical adventures, from the Celtic roots that first shaped our sound to the American folk traditions, contemporary pieces, and even the occasional touch of fantasy that have joined us along the way.
Our Youtube playlist of new releases starts with Mary Kay's song "Again." It's a jazzy-swing original about deciding to try love again. Enjoy our new music...
Can't see or hear it? Click here...
Stream Our Newest Songs
Exciting News: Our Music is on Pandora!
Enjoy Our Song Books
Musicians enjoy sheet music companions to our albums "Musical Dreams" and "Ramblin' Irishman." Sing and play along.
We Are Also Known as Gáirín
We have performed under different names, each one reflecting different interests in our musical life. Sometimes we are simply Tom and Mary Kay, sharing songs as ourselves. At other times we step into the world of Gairin Celtic Music, when our harmonies carry the spirit of Ireland and Scotland. And sometimes we become Slim and Minnie, wandering into the dusty trails and campfire tales of the American West. Every persona has its own story, and every story has its own music.
Whether it's recreating the fun of being in an Irish pub - leading familiar singalongs - or on the festival trail, we bring the many facets of musical entertainment to audiences. After all, our band name Gáirín comes from the Gaelic words for a little bit o' laughter, kinda like a chuckle!
A.K.A Slim & Minnie
As Slim and Minnie, we bring beautiful harmonies and homespun humor to the stage. The charming couple perform an eclectic mix of acoustic music that includes favorite cowboy and Americana songs, popular and folk music covers and dance tunes, plus a few originals. Folks of all musical preferences and all ages find themselves joyfully transported into a timeless musical groove whenever Slim and Minnie perform!
"Such a beautiful song sung by an equally beautiful voice!" -- Espie Estrella, About.com
Musical Projects
- Gairin Celtic Music: This is where our love for traditional Celtic music truly comes alive. With vocal harmonies and acoustic instruments such as the Irish bouzouki, 6 and 12 string guitars, and accordion, we explore the timeless melodies and rhythms that first inspired us to make music together. Gairin albums include Ramblin Irishman and Musical Dreams.
- Slim and Minnie: When we slip into these characters, we step into another era entirely. Slim and Minnie let us tell stories of cowboys, pioneers, and 19th century American folk traditions, complete with humor, heart, and a touch of old time charm. Our albums include Shamrocks, Thistles & Silver Spurs and Cowboy Boots & Golden Slippers.
- Special Projects: Not every song needs a costume or a persona. For contemporary pieces, collaborations with musician friends, or music that does not fit neatly into a theme, we simply perform as ourselves, two musicians sharing the joy of creating something new. Our albums include In the Moon of Wintertime: Christmas Music and many singles.
Music and Resources
- Albums and Downloads: Our albums each tell their own story. From the Celtic spirit of Ramblin Irishman to the warm, reflective tones of In the Moon of Wintertime, you will find videos, digital downloads, and a growing collection of singles that span our musical journey.
- Sheet Music and Books: For musicians and music lovers who want to explore our songs more deeply, we offer the Ramblin Irishman Music Book, the Musical Dreams Music Book and a selection of sheet music. Each music score includes lyrics, melodies, and chords, a written invitation to play along with us.
- Videos: Our photo galleries and YouTube channel capture moments from live performances, virtual sessions, and creative projects. You will find playlists, shorts, and full length videos on our YouTube channel - Music by Tom and Mary Kay Aufrance, where the music continues long after the stage lights dim.
- News and Blog: Our Weblog is where we share updates, behind the scenes stories, new releases, and articles about the history and folklore behind the songs we love. It is part newsletter, part journal, a storytelling corner and part musicology.
External Profiles and Streaming
Our music does not live only on this website, it travels. You can find our songs, albums, and updates across all major streaming and download platforms, as well as sync licensing libraries. Links to these profiles and playlists appear throughout the site and on our sitemap, guiding you to wherever our music is playing next.