There are two different types of house concerts. The first is a private concert, where you hire me to perform in your home. The second is where you invite people to your home and accept donations as a ticket. Private house concerts are for people who either have a big event or don’t want to […]
Category Archives: Articles
Meeting Mazz O’Flaherty in the Dingle Record Shop
You never know what’s gonna happen on my Celtic Invasion Vacations. What will you see? Who will you meet? The answer to those questions is what makes these trips so powerful and fun. I first met Mazz O’Flaherty ten years on my first Celtic Invasion of Dingle. She owns the smallest record store in Ireland. […]
Diversity in Irish & Celtic Music
In every episode of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, I mention “celebrating Celtic culture through music.” It’s easy to miss the nuance of this mission statement. This podcast is not just about the traditional music of Ireland or Scotland. It is about all of those under-served aspects of Celtic music, and its many forms, […]
Atlanta Celtic Music and Musicians
In 2019, I moved to Atlanta and immediately decided to search for Celtic music and musicians like myself in the area. I could not find much. So I made my own list of Atlanta Celtic music thanks to Stephen B and others who sent me these lists. Atlanta’s Newest Celtic Folk Performer I am Marc Gunn. […]
The Stories Behind Rie Sheridan Rose’s Latest Firefly Songs
I asked author Rie Sheridan Rose to share her inspiration for some of the first songs she wrote lyrics for from the latest album, As Long As I’m Flyin’. Here’s what she wrote: As Long as I’m Flyin’ is inspired by the spirit of hope that seemed to reside in the center of all the […]
Lyrics & Song Credits: “I Will Not Sing Along”
Lyrics and music by Brian Leo Performed by Brobdingnagian Bards from I Will Not Sing Along I will not sing along Keep your stupid song We’re the audience, It’s you we came to see You’re not supposed to train us You’re supposed to entertain us. So get to work and leave me be. When you […]
20th Anniversary Brobdingnagian Bards CD Is on Kickstarter
Twenty years ago, I asked Andrew McKee to start a band with me. We called ourselves Brobdingnagian Bards. Now we have a new CD being funded on Kickstarter. Little did I know the success we would achieve. We did far better than most bands. We made it 9 1/2 years before we split up. We […]
Word of Mouth Failures: American Airlines
It must be tough making a profit as an airline. There are so many unpredictable things that happen. And yet some airlines standout as exceptional. Others, like American Airlines, just dig their grave faster and faster, waiting for the next government bailout when they deserve to go under. I used to love American Airlines. They […]
Playing the Autoharp
I started playing the Autoharp at the end of 1997. I was in an Avant Quark Rock band called Breastfed. We had a fiery year booking gigs and recording music. Then the lead guitarist quit. The band fell apart. I was bummed but I learned one great thing from the break up. My songwriting sucked. […]
Marie Kondo’s Guide to Internet Music Marketing
I don’t like social media. It does not bring me “joy.” That thought struck me today when I posted on Facebook “Marie Kondo’s Guide to Facebook Friends”. I have 4355 “friends” there. Do they bring me joy? Over the past few years, I’ve gone through and unfollowed or unfriended many. I mean no offense. But […]