It's just a few hours away from the CD Release of How America Saved Irish Music at The Irish House. I'm hard at work, paying bills and trying to implement some of the Drive Ideas. More about that in a moment.

If you're in the New Orleans area, don't miss the show tonight at 7pm. Here's the details:

Do you get Driving Ideas?

Okay. That's not the best phrase… Maybe you can help me think of another.

When you go driving cross-country, do you get flooded with ideas like I do?

There I was, driving down I-20 to I-59 on my way to Louisiana. I listen to audiobooks and podcasts when I drive. Most are about marketing, promotion and business. Yesterday, I finished re-listening to The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, before continuing on to Six-Figure Musician by David Hooper.

Every time I read or listen to marketing books, the ideas blow up all around me. My phone is full of notes of ideas of things to do. That's what I mean by Driving Ideas. (that really is kinda stupid, help me come up with a better phrase;)

Anyway, one such idea is getting back into the virtual street team promotions with my Gunn Runners. I've been publishing a lot more newsletters recently. I'm convinced I'm gonna burn out my welcome in your inbox, but I confess I've really enjoyed chatting with people more via email.

Back in 2000, when the Bards were on MP3.com, I sent weekly updates about the band. I didn't feel like I wore out my welcome then. Of course, one of the problems these days is…

Information Overload

Are you feeling it too? Do you get tired of all the communications from all the newsletters from all the people around the net? I sure do. I feel overwhelmed by emails. My inbox has nearly 400 emails. Some or just newsletters and such. Many are things I need to do. Others are communications from fans I've been sorely neglecting (If that's you, I'm SO sorry. Please be patient. I will catch up!).

Less is more. That's how I feel. I want fewer choices. I want to focus.

That's kinda funny when you think about it, because one of my goals in creating the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is to offer options. Of course, even there, I have a TON of podcast fans who find all their Celtic music through my show. The podcast is their option. Kinda cool, huh?

Changing Services and Song Henge

That's one of the reasons I removed some services from Song Henge. I dropped the site back to just two simple levels: Song Hengers and Sainted Patrons. The Song Hengers were originally just fans of the podcast, but over the past year, I realized that many of those fans of the podcast were also fans of my music. That's why I merged the Sainted Membership with the Patron of the Arts membership.

The growing number of Sainted Patrons are uber fans of both the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast and also Gunn Runners. The generous annual fee covers not only a bunch of swag, but it super helps keep the podcast running and myself recording. These are Saints of the highest level. It's also much easier to maintain just two groups instead of a zillion.

Over the past few months, I pumped up promotion for Song Henge. The site has grown into an extremely valuable financial support service for me. It does not put much money in my pocket at present. However, it has finally gotten to the point where the podcast is no longer a financial drain, ie. I'm not losing money.

Yeah, I was a bit surprised when I put together the Sainted membership details and realized how much I spent on the podcast last year. I was barely breaking even.

A few months later, I find I'm making a tiny bit of money each month. Huzzah!

Seriously though, I have to thank my Song Hengers for their financial support.

That said, the base of my musical success is because of Gunn Runners like you!

On Becoming a Gunn Runner

Gunn Runners are more than just fans. They are the ones who are actively promoting my music. If you listen to my music daily, if you share it with your friends, if you're telling people about my podcasts and videos, then you are a Gunn Runner. You are part of the family.

Last year was rough for the Gunn Runners. I had big plans and someone to help implement them, but law school caught up with her. I too ran out of time to follow through with my goals. So the Gunn Runner promotion plan was mostly abandoned. I want to revive it in 2014.

Strike that. I NEED to revive that in 2014!

I need people who are willing to stand up and make something great things happen.

My goals in life are not just about making music and podcasts. They are about making a difference–changing your world with Celtic music. I need help to make that happen. I need individuals like you who are willing to share my music and podcasts with the world. And I need Commanders who will help organize the family to make stuff happen.

If you're that person, then first, check learn more about the Gunn Runners. Then join my virtual street team. I will be sending monthly missions starting February 1st.

Oh! These missions will be simple and straight forward. Nothing fancy. Just simple things you can do right now, when you're done reading this post.

In fact, the first will have to do with Hashtags. So read up on 'em.

Become a Commander

I need commanders to organize and lead the Gunn Runners, to offer ideas, to make things happen. You may already be doing that in your local community. Now's the time to start your own group and lead. Here's how you can start:

• Create a local chapter of the Gunn Runners
• Your chapter could be related to Your Town or a Festival or a Convention
• You don't need many people 3 or more is awesome
• Start your own Facebook or Google+ or Twitter group
• Communicate with other Gunn Runners in your area.
• Setup a meeting to listen to my music, podcasts, videos, watch shows, geek out
• Meetings can by monthly or if related to a specific festival, then every few months.
• You could even start your own Celtic/Geek/Cat/Filk/Folk Music Society if you want.
• Tell me about your group

All it requires is a little bit of initiative and a lot of passion for my music. Start your own community. Get people involved.

As I posted in my recent video on How to Build a Great Community, the only way I will ever achieve any degree of success is if YOU are willing to make happen. I can do no more than inspire. My hope is that when you are done reading this, you will be excited about becoming a Commander of your own local chapter of the Gunn Runners.

I hope so.

Thank you in any case for all of your generous support and for being a part of the Family.

Slainte!
Marc Gunn, The Celtfather