Greetings Gunn Runner
The power went out. Fortunately, I have a portable digital recorder. I was able to capture this episode with news about batch recording shows, campaigning for a president, live concert successes, album delays, and Celtfather Box Set.
It's all on Celtfather Monthly, show #270.
2:26 – PODCASTS
I love the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I feel like I’m finally getting a handle on batch recording episodes. That means, I create and record 2-3 episodes at one time. Then I release one each week… ahead of time.
I love this method because it gives me room to focus on my music business. Writing songs. Recording songs. Listening to edits. Making changes as I need them. I can’t tell you how important that is to my mental health. It's extremely helpful.
I pre-recorded three episodes in October. But released four regular ones and a bonus show. There was the Celtic Fusion, Lost Passport, Fairy Tale, and the Celtic Halloween show along with a bonus Celtic Rock episode since I wanted to promote one of my new singles, “Together”.
I did a bit more scripting for the Pub Songs Podcast episodes this month. That's because I wanted to clearly talk about stuff without coming off like arse. That was especially true with the Tough Times episode. I was campaigning for Joe Biden. But I don't like hard sells and didn't to piss off people who already had their mind made up for the other guy.
Ah well… Again, I'm happy the election will be over!
Next month, I have some cool new stuff. There's a Celtic Geek spotlight, a feature on the song “Wild Colonial Boy” and I have an interview with Mikey Mason about one of our new Firefly Christmas songs that will be released. I'm excited about these episodes.
I recorded the first episode of the Celtic Christmas Podcast. The show officially launches in mid-November. The first episode is a shorter, teaser episode. My goal is to get the show charting again starting November 1. But it's also there to raise money for those who want to support the podcast. It's a lot of extra time and mental energy. So I'm trying to keep it simple as can be.
Finally, I was interviewed for the Running Anthropologist. The host found my running episode of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. And I had to get on it. I graduated college in cultural geography, which is basically anthropology. And I'm a runner now. I'll talk about that some point in the future. But you can get a sneak peak on that podcast.
7:23 – VIDEOS
Coffee with The Celtfather is going strong with season 7. I feel like I had some shows this month. Though I only nabbed a few video singles that I felt were good enough to publish as singles.
Those include Tough Times and O’er the way. Though I have a couple already scheduled for November.
My Celtfather Live for October was a GREAT success. My goal was to basically increase sales in my store either through tickets or through merch sales. So you could buy an $8 ticket in the store to watch the show. OR you could spend $15 and get access to the show.
Sales were nearly as high as they were in September for Dragon Con. So again, SUCCESS!
I also worked out the technical details. Things like how to email people the show link and what not. I feel like one or two people bought twice. That was a bummer. But overall, it seemed to work.
I'm doing it again in November. This time all of my Heroes in the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon will get free access. On the one hand, I suspect this will cannibalize some sales. But considering these folks are pledging $10 per month… I'm okay with that. It just becomes a little bit more difficult to track.
9:57 – IN THE STUDIO
Oh the studio. Well, I think I will officially announce that I will not have Selcouth completed and mailed out in November like I planned. I am sorry.
I am still making great progress. But I have at least five tracks that I want to complete. Others are with musicians. In fact, let's break it down.
I have two songs that are in the mixing stage with my engineer. Those are “Serenity Valley Waltz” and “Wherever I May Roam”. Those were challenges to get the right mix. But they are coming along.
“Breathing” is currently with Nathan Deese to record, along with “Favor of a Dance” and “Bright Side of Everything”. I also have Randy Wothke I hope to add percussion to “Bright Side of Everything”.
“Genetic Counseling Song” was tracked. I'm getting instrumentation added by Matt Hughes and Jimmy “Rimbo” Rimmer. It's getting closer.
As for the songs still in the work, I have “Kilty Pleasure”, “Just a Hero”, and “By Amazing Grace”. I laid tracks for “Kilty Pleasure”, but I'm not sure if I want to re-record those or not. The other two, I haven't started on.
Finally, I have two tune sets, some jigs and some reels. Admittedly, I'm having trouble figuring out what to play on those.
As you can see, there are just FIVE tracks that need recording. You'd think it would be no big deal. If I could get a weekend, I could probably nail 'em.
Course, the instrumentation will take longer as will the mixing.
Heck, I haven't even figured out an album cover yet for Selcouth.
So I think it's safe to say, this will be pushed back until January or February with an official release maybe next summer. Again, my apologies.
I did release a bunch of singles last month. I'll tell you how they did in a little bit. But there were four:
- O’er the way
- Tough times
- October waltz
- Together
All in all, I'm seeing some great results. When my current release schedule is over, I'm gonna try to release new tracks every 2-4 weeks. But I definitely want to keep new singles coming. I feel it's helping me a lot.
13:33 – MERCH
Nothing new was released in October outside of the ticket sales. Though I did adjust the Celtfather CD Box Set that I have in the store. You save 50% off all of my current physical CDs when you buy it.
There's also a white Irish & Celtic Music Podcast t-shirt. It's just $7. And you also get a digital copy of my St Patrick's Day album. That was updated as well.
I found a some album reviews of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. It was interesting to read. Because this is an album that is VERY focused. If you like Irish music AND you love cats, you will probably love this album. But of the 11 reviews on Amazon, 3 are mediocre to loathing. I like reading people's reviews, because they help show how much something resonates with a community.
But of course, it's also nice to have an abundance of glowing reviews. So if you haven't posted anything on Amazon. I'd love for you to do so.
If you're interested in any of my music, I'd suggest you shop my store at magerecords.com. If you're subscribed to my mailing list, you'll get a discount code to save 15% in my store.
16:00 – CELTIC TRAVEL
No new plans for my Celtic Invasion of Scotland. However, there was one happy thing I missed.
A month or so ago, I contacted past invaders. I told them about the invasion. I was met with crickets.
Well, it turns out there were reasons for crickets. I apparently did NOT email anyone but myself…
Luke noticed the error. And now I have four new invaders signed up.
17:00 – WEBSITES
I updated lyrics for the Irish Song Lyrics website, including:
18:04 – SHOWS PLANNED FOR NOVEMBER
THURS: Coffee with The Celtfather, YouTube (Season 7) @ 12:00 PM EST
NOV 19: Celtfather Live on YouTube @ 8:00 – 9 PM EDT. Tickets $8 or shop the store. Spend $15+ get access.
18:40 – STATS
Mailing list subscribers = 1196 is down from 1203
Celtic Music Magazine = 4001 is down from 4008
YouTube Subscribers = 4853 is up 63 from 4790
Facebook Likes = 3755 is down from 3759
Instagram = 1851 is the same
Spotify followers: 1654 is up 22 from 1632
# Number of listens on Spotify: 2532 is down from 2588
Latest Spotify Single Stats:
“Hobbit Hornpipe” released Aug 26: 399 is down from 801
“Whiskey in the Jar” released Sept 8: 73 is down from 160
“Brandywine River Reel” released Sept 22: 75 is up from 22
“O'er the Way” released Oct 1: 85
“Together (KrabbeConnect) released Oct 7: 257
“October Waltz” released Oct 14: 54
“Tough Times” released Oct 21: 28
Most-popular songs on Spotify: The Widow and the Devil (1.3K), Doctor of Gallifrey (474), Hobbit Hornpipe (399), A-Working in the Garden (373), Together (KrabbeConnect) (255), Reavers, Malcolm, Reavers (230), Hero of Canton (214)
Most-popular songs on Amazon Music: Hero of Canton (472), Doctor of Gallifrey (383), As Long As I'm Flyin' (354), Sail the Sky (174), The Long Arm (147)
23:47 – PATREON
Patreon Subscribers: 157 is down from 162
Patreon Monthly Income: $1208 is up from $1196
Thanks as always for supporting my music. Streaming music gives you a quick and easy way to sample all of my music. Digital sales keep my business running. Tips and CD sales allow me to tour. Kickstarter funds physical products like CDs, shirts and other merch. And Patreon funds my songwriting!
Join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon to support my songwriting. You will step behind-the-scenes with new music, bonus podcasts, videos, and live concerts.
25:07 – RANT
NOTE: I decided to cut the audio of this rant. I just ran out of time for editing.
I am SO sick of our president who lies so blatantly and often, you would think that no one would support him.
Alas, that's not the case. If you believe him, you probably already plan to vote for him. So my rant isn't gonna help you make a decision.
This rant was all about children. Mine in particular. But all children.
Do we really want them to grow in an environment of maliciousness which is the tone set by the leader of the free world?
I voted no. I voted for Biden.
That's it. It's now in the hand of Americans who respect people and want a better America.
My wife pointed out one of the biggest reasons why I want Trump out of office. My daughters Inara and Kenzie.
We have not involved them in the political process. We didn’t let them watch the debates. Not do we let them hear the president talk.
That’s because we are scared at what vile, hateful thing will come out of his mouth. What female reporter will he gaslight. What black man will he belittle. What middle easterner will he call a terrorist. What Hispanic will he call a rapist. What person with a disability will he make fun of. What hateful insult will he lob carelessly at over half of our country because they are Democrats.
He doesn’t serve America. He serves himself.
This is the leader of the free world. And he is a sad, shameful human being. Let alone American.
Is this what Kenzie should aspire to? Is this how Inara should behave? Should they act despicable? I mean after all, our president is.
I don’t believe so. I voted for decency and kindness back in the White House. That is joe Biden.
I am so happy the election is almost over. It’s consuming me and all of America. I’m sick of it. Yet I feel it’s essential to the healing of our nation that we get rid of Trump. There’s never been a more divisive president.
I am so ready for a new president. I did my duty for a better America. I voted for Biden. Now it’s time to move on.
Thank you for supporting Sci F'Irish music at Celtfather.com!
#CFMonthly
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