Greetings Gunn Runner

New stories in the virtual public house. Limited-edition CDs. I'm a Rover, Seldom Sober video. Who recorded on what Selcouth song. And a new hobbit single.

It's all on my monthly update, Celtfather Music & Travel, show #279.

0:17  – PODCASTS

I've made so many changes to the Pub Songs Podcast over the years. I'm always wondering what do I want it to be? I think I finally have a format I'm excited about.

The new intro goes like this: “Welcome to the Pub Songs & Stories, the Virtual Public House where you hear the stories and inspiration behind the music.”

The new format solves several issues I've had. First, it gives me a way to share my music in a fun capacity, performing “live” for my listeners, in much the same way Bing Crosby would've done on the Kraft Music Hall back in the day. I can sing new recordings of songs.

I can share my stories about songs too. These can be either what the song is about or just a story related to the song I'm singing in the show. This is by far the toughest thing about producing the show, coming up with engaging stories.

The new format also allows me to share stories and help other musicians.

I plan to feature two stories from two different artists in each episode, plus one of their songs from each. If I can get an acoustic original performance, all the better. But right now, I'm just sharing studio recordings.

My goal is to help promote them in a more personal setting, again, through stories. But even better, I realized that most musicians don't have my skill with podcasting. I see this new feature as a way for musicians to sort of have their own podcast.

Of course that also means I can promote to their fans as well. So it's a win-win as far as I can see… IF I can keep up with the stories.

You may also note that I'm not limiting this to Celtic musicians. Instead it's gonna be around my niche Celtic AND Geek music. The new description zooms in on musicians in general. If there's  a story to be told, I might consider it.

Oh! There's one more thing I am launching–limited-edition CDs.

I asked Mitchell to start mixing down all of my songs in Pub Songs & Stories. Every three months or so, we will release a CD featuring the best of all of those songs.

I'm also considering a possible USB which might include outtakes or song duplicates PLUS all of the podcast episodes.

Again, it's limited edition. So the CD won't be available for long. 3-6 months. I though this might be another nice to fund the podcast.

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast had some killer St Patrick's Day shows this year. Episode #500 was over four hours long. I LOVED hearing all of the congrats that were sent in by artists. It was a big pick me up.

The March episode of Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast featured music. No big news there.  Hopefully, Andrew and I can stay on top of upcoming shows.

4:53 – VIDEOS

I think YouTube algorithms are finally understanding my channel. I'm not seeing greater subscribers yet. But the channel is mostly live shows (Coffee with The Celtfather) and I'm getting a decent number of folks watching those.

I posted a couple new video singles recently. One was recorded in 2018 for the Celtic Invasion of the Isle of Skye. It's my journey from Glasgow to Inverness by train. The music is for “I'm A Rover, Seldom Sober“.  I have more video singles that are coming.

I also created several new Canvases for Spotify. I'm still thinking about what videos to use for which song. Slowly getting those uploaded.

The next Celtfather Live concert is scheduled for Thursday, April 15. This one is “For Mother Earth”. I'm not sure what songs to include on that outside of “Heart of Fangorn”. But whatever. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

Tickets are different this time. All you have to do is spend $8 in my Mage Records store and you will get access to the show. And of course it's free to all Heroic Gunn Runners.

7:16 – IN THE STUDIO

I'm still getting tracks back from musicians for Selcouth are done. No big update just yet. But I have most of the tracks from Screeched Inn done for “Bright Side of Everything”. I'm waiting on some background vocals.

Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer sent their tracks for “Favor of a Dance”. They sound amazing.

I have an update I'm waiting on from Andrew McKee, The Irish Bard, for “By Amazing Grace”.

The Muckers recorded their parts for “Kilty Pleasure” but I'm still waiting for the tracks.

Nathan Deese sent his recordings for “Breathing”. And it's perfect!

Sam Gillogly and I released a new single on March 18 called “Proudfoot Shuffle”. It's already getting a lot of streams on Spotify.

I also started rewriting “Happy Birthday From Ireland“. I never play that song because it's rather vain based. It was a birthday song for me.

So now I'm editing the lyrics to make more about all of the children of Irish immigrants who are discovering their heritage.

9:08 – MERCH

Of course, I already mentioned the Pub Songs & Stories CD that'll come out probably next month.

I'm planning some package deals very soon. I don't remember which package deal is first. I think it's a comedy package… Keep any eye on the store and my mailing list for details.

Subscribe to my mailing list, you get a discount code to save 15%.

9:33 – CELTIC TRAVEL

Want to join me on Celtic Invasion of Scotland

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

9:56 – WEBSITES

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

• “Men of New Basin Canal”
• “Beer, Beer, Beer“
• “The Leprechaun“
• “Kilty Pleasure”
• “Kilkelly, Ireland“
• “When the Dairy Farm Caught Fire”
• “Molly Malone“
• “St Patrick Never Drank”
• “Breathing”
• “Kilted For Her Pleasure”

10:23 – SHOWS PLANNED FOR MARCH

THURS: Coffee with The Celtfather, YouTube (Season 8) @ 12:00 PM EST

APR 15: “For Mother Earth” Celtfather Live on YouTube @ 8:00 – 9:30 PM ET. Tickets $8.
APR 17: Pepper Place Farmer's Market in Birmingham, AL @ 8:00 AM – 12 PM CT
APR 17: The Lost Druid Brewery in Avondale Estates, GA @ TBA
APR 23-25: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX
APR 29: Brobdingnagian Bards Live on YouTube @ TBA

11:53 – STATS

Mailing list subscribers = 1228 is up from 1219
Celtic Music Magazine = 4062 is up from 4026

YouTube Subscribers = 5337 is up from 5009
Facebook Likes = 3763 is up from 3746
Instagram = 1869 is up from 1867
Spotify followers: 1751 is up from 1737
# Number of listens on Spotify: 4962 is up from 3395

Latest Spotify Single Stats:
“Proudfoot Shuffle” released on Mar 18: 147
“Hobbit Hornpipe” released Aug 26: 569 is up from 458
“The Hero of Christmas” released on Nov 17: 111 is down from 119

Latest Spotify Album Stats:
St Patrick's Day: 2.2K is up from 1K

Most-popular songs on Spotify: “The Widow and the Devil” (2.5K), “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”  (1.6K), “The Leprechaun” (637), “Doctor of Gallifrey” (592), “Beer, Beer, Beer” (590), “Hobbit Hornpipe” (569), “Drunken Sailor” (543), “Lord of the Pounce” (438), “I'll Drink From Dusk Til Dawn” (407), “Nancy Whiskey” (386)

Most-popular songs on Amazon Music: “Hero of Canton” (1787), “Doctor of Gallifrey” (599), “The Widow and the Devil” (150), “Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster” (99), “Sail the Sky” (98)

Top albums: As Long As I'm Flyin (2167), Sci Fi Drinking Songs (1117), St Patrick's Day Songs for Kids (608), Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion (515), Going for Brogue (505)

Last year's playlists from this time last year:
Top Irish & Celtic Music: 575 up from 564
Sci F'Irish Music: 12 (same)
Nagians Only: 21 (same)
Celtfather Experience: 29 is down 30
Hobbit Drinking Songs: 6 is up from 5
Firefly Drinking Songs: 126 is up from 122
Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers: 62 is up from 61
Jedi Drinking Songs: 32 is up from 31

15:18 – PATREON

Patreon Subscribers: 159 is up from 156
Patreon Monthly Income: $1215 is up from $1194

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.

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

#CFMonthly