I have two weeks before my Father's Day show and Free Beginner Autoharp Tips. I don't know what to expect. But I need a plan. I need a program. Something to "teach" people who are just learning about autoharps. I guess it is time to do a wee bit o'research and maybe buy a few autoharp books.

This will be interesting.

I still remember when I started playing the autoharp in 1997. I had not even heard an autoharp before. All of sudden I was strumming it regularly.

The autoharp is indeed a beautiful instrument.

It's a cloudy day in Central Texas today. It makes you think it might rain. And it may. Ah. Yes, weather.com predicts a Thunderstorm. I love Texas thunderstorms. So powerful and frightening... Well, to some I guess. To me, they are energizing. They make me think of the gross, uncontrolled power of Earth. It's a beautiful thing. You never know what will happen.

For instance, I never know what the most-popular websites will be at my website. But today, I made a list for April.

1. Marc Gunn's Celtic Songs & Folk Music Downloads
2. Photography and Italy Pictures
3. Cat Lover Gifts
4. Finding Lord of the Rings MP3 Downloads
5. Free Irish MP3s
6. The Cat Came Back... The Cat's Perspective
7. The Ballad of Jayne Lyrics
8. Ren Faire Pub Sing Lyrics
9. Train Travel to Italy from Frankfurt
10. What Is Filk Music?
11. Free Texas Thunderstorm & Rain MP3
12. Lord of the Pounce (Parody of Lord of the Dance)
13. Auto Glass Repair in Austin
14. Cat Hair Removal from the Carpet
15. Friends of Irish Music
16. Celtic Irish Music News and Reviews

Read up on some of these. You may enjoy them too.

I love Things Celtic... the store that is. Not only do some of the nicest people in Austin work there, but they are kind enough to host independent musicians like me. I also play with the Brobdingnagian Bards quite regularly. Things Celtic gives me a great opportunity to share songs I don't get to play.

Consequently, the shows are always different. Whether it's the Valentine's Day Show with a bunch of Irish love songs that I don't play regularly, or it's an abundance of Cat songs, the show is always loads of fun.

My next solo show is the day before Father's Day. So this is an extra challenge. I don't think I know that many father songs...

Whether I can think of some good Irish Father's Day type songs, have to write one or just find some other random fun and beautiful Irish music, it will be a grand time. And there's an added bonus...

June 18, 2006
Things Celtic @ 3-4 PM
1806 W. 35th Street
Austin, TX 78703

Ever wanted to learn how to play the autoharp?

A few days ago, I got a phone call from a lady asking about the basics of learning autoharp. Well, I know my autoharp rather well, but I've never tried teaching how to play it. That's gonna change on the 18th. After the show, I will offer a free instructional on autoharp basics.

Bring an autoharp, tuner, and tuning wrench if you them. And I will be happy to help you get started at becoming an autoharper starting at 4:30pm.

Slainte!

If you are looking for anything Celtic in Austin, then there is one place to go first. That place is Things Celtic.

Things Celtic is an awesome Celtic store that has served Central Texas since 1999. They feature some of the finest Celtic gifts from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and Celtic artists in America. The show is open and the owner, Lanora, and the staff are just Amazing!

I shop there regularly. I have bought books, CDs, Celtic jewelry, a sporran, my Clan Gunn kilt, gifts for family and friends, and lots more from Things Celtic. I play a solo show there about every three months or so, plus the occasional Brobdingnagian Bards performance is there. I also studied Gaelic there, went to Irish song sessions, and sometimes, I just go to hang out. There's always something fun happening at Things Celtic.

The store is open from 10am to 6pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sunday. You can find them at 1806 West 35th Street in the heart of Austin, Texas.

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Things Celtic
1806 W. 35th Street
Austin, TX 78703

Last night, there was a brilliant Texas thunderstorm. The Texas rain poured down. The sounds of water splashing on my porch and pouring off the roof were just too much. I had to record it using my new MP3 recorder. The Edirol Portable MP3 Recorder is great for capturing the full magnitude of the falling rain. So I came away with a great MP3 recording of the Texas thunderstorm and rain.

Download: Texas Thunderstorm MP3

Listen, download, and enjoy!

I own lots of bad movies.

For a while there, I was heading down to Albertsons and buying used DVDs. I found some good movies in that lot, but I also realized I picked up a lot of bad ones. Since I'm stuck in bed trying to get over this stinking sinus infection, I am re-watching all my movies to decide which ones are worth keeping and which to get rid of.

Last night, I watched "10". What a dreadful movie! The only redeemable quality of that movie is Bo Derek naked, and as hot as she is, even that's not worth keeping the movie around. It's terrible. For that matter, how the hell did Dudley Moore ever become famous? Everything I've seen him in was crap. Ok. I haven't seen too much, but I'm not impressed.

So it too is is added to the "get rid of" pile with a bunch of other films.

Fortunately, I did come away with some decent DVDs, like the entire Harry Potter series, special edition, all used and in great working order. That makes up for the crap. But for now on, I'm gonna stick to renting.

May your dreams float on feathered wings, your wine cup ever full, your bread board always stocked and will someone *please* tell people that it's not "beer" - it's Guinness!! Lord in Heaven please forgive 'em for they know not what they insult...

I'm still getting added to a lot of new podcasts. The latest is actually Niche Music Marketing interview I did with the Musicians Cooler. I haven't had a chance to listen yet. But it felt good when I did it. Niche and internet music marketing are a specialty of mine.

And looks like my music is on KnitTunes, which combines knitting and podsafe music. They played the same song I ended this weeks Renaissance Festival Podcast with--"The Parting Glass" from my CD Soul of a Harper.

Celtic music and cats. That's the generally what people think of when they think of me these days. My Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers CD has everyone asking more and more when I'll release another Cat CD. Meanwhile, I am also busy recording new CDs of Irish pub songs. That's my next project after Irish Drinking Songs, A Cat Lover's Companion.

That said, I got some more press yesterday from the 3-Legged Cat Press. You can read that article A Treat for Fans of Both Cats and Celtic Music here. Nice article.

In other news, I'm now on the Folk Alley's OpenMic. Go listen and tell people how much I rock! ;P

Oh! I also have 1,100 Friends on Myspace. It's odd. It really didn't take much time to get that. Once I started chatting with folks. I think my profile name "Marc Gunn, Cat Lover of the Brobdingnagian Bards" does a great job at bringing in Celtic music fans and other Cat Lovers.

It's amazing how many cats there are on myspace too. One day, I'll make compilation of those and post them. There's a lot.

And on completely unrelated news, my friend Nancy e. Pearsall has a new poetry book that is awesome. She is such an amazing poet!