Greetings Gunn Runner

It's time to take a look back at the past year, to decide what worked and what didn't. What is useful and what isn't?

Before we get to all that, we're gonna do a review of December.

It's all on Celtfather Monthly, show #273

0:14 – PODCASTS

December is always the toughest month for podcasting for me. That's because in addition to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, I have the Celtic Christmas Podcast and I have to create the Best Celtic Music of the Year episode. I can't do that until all of the votes in the Celtic Top 20 are in. So December is a little bit different.

There was only one regular episode of the podcast this year. That came out on the first Thursday of the month. The second episode was a Patron Request show. that was a good and long show.

This year's Christmas episode highlighted Celtic women playing Christmas music. It was a two hour special, thanks to a Patreon milestone we hit. Fantastic show whether you enjoy Christmas music or not.

Meanwhile, I finished up the final two episodes of the Celtic Christmas Podcast. It was a pretty good year, though a bit labor intensive. Again, that's in large part to all of the other podcasts and work I need to do. I'm probably gonna cut back on shows. But we shall see. I'm gonna set some new milestones next year to see if I do more or less episodes. If you love the podcast, look for those in October.

I did enjoy releasing the Hang the Holly episodes of the Celtic Christmas Podcast. Stay tuned. I will publicly release them to the feed in the months to come.

Planning for the Pub Songs Podcast is getting better. It's amazing how much easier things become when you create a solid plan and plan ahead. There's still a little uncertainty. But I find myself already planning the January episodes. I even recorded one of those already. So I know what's coming. If I can keep that up and fine tune it, this may become favorite podcast.

What I don't know yet is what listeners think. The show gets a really good number of downloads. But is it something that gets people excited? Something that makes you want to share it?

I'm reading another book on Bing Crosby. He ran the Kraft Music Hall for over a decade. That was one of the most-popular radio programs of the 30s and 40s. I often liken podcasting to the early days of radio. So I'm looking for ideas.

While I can offer music that I feel like you will enjoy, I don't have the comedic skills of Bing. Certainly not as a solo podcaster and I don't have the easy ability to add co-host. Hm. I don't know. Maybe I could work out something with Andrew. Honestly, I'd love the Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast to become something more. I just haven't figured out how. And sadly, Andrew and I had trouble the past couple o'months recording a podcast at all.

6:27 – VIDEOS

Coffee with The Celtfather came to a wonderful conclusion. We had a bunch of viewers watching the final episode of the season. Season 8 returns on Thursday, January 7 at noon eastern.

I'll have to let you know about Celtfather Live. I'm cataloging this BEFORE that show. So I'm not sure about the success. I'll let you know next month. But you can also catch the next Celtfather Live on January 21. All Heroic Gunn Runners will get access to that show.

The video single release plan is working great. I have enough videos to release them weekly. I put out “Slainte Mhaith Christmas“, “Let's Have a Celtic Christmas“, “Kilty Pleasure“, and “Hero of Christmas“.

8:06 – IN THE STUDIO

Oh, the studio. I did not spend much time recording, at least at the beginning of the month. I did write a new tune that I'm gonna try and record, maybe add a guest musician to as well. In fact, it might turn into a hobbit tune with Sam Gillogly. We shall see…

I did decide to finish “Wherever I May Roam” though. That song just needed completion. It sounds great. Is it everything I dream it should be? I don't know. But I'm not sure where to go with it. Or how to revamp.

The Browncoat Christmas EP I released with Mikey Mason is getting more play than some singles. But it doesn't look to be added to a bunch of Firefly or Christmas playlists. It's just getting light play as of recording this.

9:32 – MERCH

I have some new merch packages that I will probably launch in January. If you're into some discounted CDs, keep an eye open.

And if you're subscribe to my mailing list, you get a discount code to save 15%.

– CELTIC TRAVEL

Hooray for a vaccine! I know it's still rolling out. And I will happily get the vaccine as soon as it is available to me. May be I can finally back to planning the Celtic Invasion of Scotland.

Sign up at CelticInvasion.com if you want to be one of the first on the list.

9:53 – WEBSITES

I updated lyrics for the Irish Song Lyrics website, including:

• “Rosin the Bow”
• “The Smial or the Tree”
• “Hero of Christmas”
• “Kilkelly, Ireland”
• “Johnny Jump Up”
• “Rocky Road to Dublin”

10:06 – SHOWS PLANNED FOR JANUARY

THURS: Coffee with The Celtfather, YouTube (Season 7) @ 12:00 PM EST
Season 8 will start on January 7.

JAN 15: Tucker Brewing Company in Tucker, GA @ 4:30 – 7:30 PM ET
JAN 21: Celtfather Live on YouTube @ 8:00 – 9 PM EDT. Tickets $8.
JAN 23: Ironshield Brewing in Lawrenceville, GA @  7:00 – 10:00 PM.

10:52 – STATS

Mailing list subscribers = 1191 is down from 1194
Celtic Music Magazine = 4027 is up from 4021

YouTube Subscribers = 4907 is up 16 from 4891
Facebook Likes = 3755 is up from 3752
Instagram = 1858 is up from 1856
Spotify followers: 1684 is up from 1670
# Number of listens on Spotify: 7838 is up from 3265

Latest Spotify Single Stats:
“Hobbit Hornpipe” released Aug 26: 373 is down from 447

“October Waltz” released Oct 14: 13 is down from 103
“Tough Times” released Oct 21: 69 is down from 163
“The Hero of Christmas” released on Nov 17: 1454 is up from 148

“Firefly Jingle Bells” on Dec 1: 81
“Grandma Got Devoured by Reavers” on Dec 1: 69
“12 Days of Firefly Christmas” on Dec 1: 93

Most-popular songs on Spotify: “Christmas in the Shire” (3K), “Slainte Mhaith Christmas” (2.9K), “Frosty the Irish Snowman” (2.6K), The Widow and the Devil (1.5K), Hero of Christmas (1.5K)

Most-popular songs on Amazon Music: “Doctor of Gallifrey” (377), “Hero of Canton” (303), “The Widow and the Devil” (117), “Christmas in Scotland” (97) “Jedi Drinking Song Prequel” (77)

Fun Christmas Songs for Kids & Families = 1927 is up from 1762

Last year's playlists from this time last year:
Top Irish & Celtic Music: 547 is up from 426
Sci F'Irish Music: 12
Nagians Only: 21
Celtfather Experience: 30
Hobbit Drinking Songs: 4
Firefly Drinking Songs: 122 is up from 101
Christmas Drinking Songs: 36 is up from 29
Joyful Celtic Christmas Music: 89  is up from 83
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers: 59
Jedi Drinking Songs: 32

14:30 – PATREON

Patreon Subscribers: 155 is down from 158
Patreon Monthly Income: $1202 is down from $1221

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.

15:18 – GOALS FOR 2021

I'm gonna break down last year's successes and then share plans for 2021.

• Promote one “Hit” song every month. (in videos, podcasts, blogs, on social, mp3 giveaway, in emails). Pick 12 songs.
• Give away original recording of hit song. Once a month. Mingulay Boat Song. Wild Mountain Thyme.
• Promote one Coffee event per month FOR NEWBIES. The show AFTER Celtfather Live
• Encourage and seek a cover of an original song once a month.
• Take photos for promo purposes. Build up Instagram.

Thank you for supporting Sci F'Irish music at Celtfather.com!

#CFMonthly

Podcast: Play in new window | Download