There were a lot of new podcasts and videos I released in May. I had saw some YouTube success. I recorded a Pride Month podcast. I learned new techniques for live streaming shows. I lost a Bog Off… twice. I worked on my next CD. And I started planning how to sell physical CDs at shows… while social distancing.
It's all on show #263.
0:46 – PODCASTS
Whew. I just barely finished my two episodes of the Pub Songs Podcast this month. At the beginning of the month, I recorded a Star Wars Drinking Songs shows where I several of my Star Wars songs. The second I released last week. It was a summer music special. There was an interview I did with Mazz O'Flaherty last summer. It was a good show.
I had a good month with Stories from the Road. Every month, I ask myself if I completed an episode each Friday. I did good this month. I talked about our trip to Texas, a time I forgot the lyrics to “Wild Rover”, and one of the wild things that happens with studio recordings. I also included an interview I did on a local Celtic radio program. All in all, it was a good month.
I did NOT stay ahead with the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. One of the reasons I don't record many specialty shows is they are intimidating… mentally. I had two I needed to complete. One was the Celtic Women Singers show. That wasn't too bad. I had a guest host, but she had to back out.
But the tough episode was the Pride Month show. I spent the last 8 months trying to find LGBTQ artists to put on this special show celebrating Celtic musicians who are also gay, lesbians, transgender, etc. I came up short on artists. But fortunately Kris Clements of the Seattle-based Celtic rock band, Ockham's Razor offered to help out. So he guest hosts with me on that show. It'll be out the first week of June.
I'm very happy with how the show turned out. But it was a lot of mental effort to compile. I was hoping to complete it in January. And I just finished it last week. So that's just added stress.
On the In the ‘Verse podcast, I wrote a new song called “By Amazing Grace“. I was hoping to have another episode of the show out. But alas, I just ran short on time. So Mikey and I will record the next one next week.
Of course, he already finished his song. But that's okay. I'll have mine out. We're covering the episode “Objects in Space” next.
3:53 – VIDEOS
May was the month of videos.
It was the month where I found out why people post cover songs on YouTube. Sure, I already knew WHY. But I reaped the rewards because in April I recorded four videos back to back. So I released a new video, I think every week.
I started the month with “Wild Rover”. That was followed by a travel video of “Skellig Michael” in Ireland. Then came “Wild Kitty”, my parody of “Wild Rover”. After that was “Loch Lomond”. I finished the video singles with “Reavers, Malcolm, Reavers”.
And what were the results?
I saw the viewership rise with each release. I'll talk about stats in a bit. But if you look back to my “Lookout Mountain” video from March which has just 74 views and compare it to “Wild Rover” with 234 in just one month… or “Loch Lomond” with 757 in just one week. Well… you can bet I'm happy. They're not all doing THAT great. But “Wild Kitty” almost has 200 views. And “Reavers” has some of the the longest watch time of my video singles.
All in all, I am psyched.
Now if I can just make time to record four more.
Something about the video singles… I have block for recording those.
Though it's not as bad as the educational videos. I wanted to do a “How to Play Wild Rover” video. That is still not recorded.
Coffee with the Celtfather is still going. Though I planned to stop it in mid-May, that plan is out the window for now. I'm still learning a lot even if viewership is hit and miss.
My fellow Brobdingnagian Bard, Andrew McKee, started live streaming his new Life's A Faire podcast. Because of that he's learning a LOT about new ways to live stream. And we are trying them all out together and sharing our knowledge. I learned a LOT this month.
Meanwhile, Andrew and I live streamed a couple of Bog Offs. We each performed “Rattlin' Bog” to see who could sing it faster. It was a fun event. It also stretched some ideas for other events.
You can watch the 2nd Bog Off on the Brobdingnagian Bards Facebook page.
Oh! And Andrew has a new Facebook page too. Follow him if you're not doing so yet.
7:57 – IN THE STUDIO
I spent a little bit of time working on Selcouth this month. I recorded two new songs and tracked them. Meaning, I recorded them to a click track. So my vocals, which need re-recording, can easily be done without re-recording.
I don't usually prefer tracking albums. I want to with this one.
8:32 – MERCH
I didn't add any new merch this month to the store.
But I have started brainstorming HOW to sell music while social distancing.
I have my first shows booked at the end of June. I'll talk about that in a moment. But what struck me was the buyer's experience at a show where you're still trying to social distance yourself.
Imagine. You're at an outdoor event listening to music. You love the music. You want to support the artist. The artist takes a break. You go up to the merch table wearing your mask. Now what?
Do you want to pick up CDs that have been handled by a dozen other people? Probably not. What do you do?
That's what I'm trying to figure out. If you have thoughts, let me know.
10:47 – TRAVEL
Gwen and I are starting to plan the 2021 Celtic Invasion of Scotland. I have no details. But I hope to email my Celtic Invaders. If you want to join me in Scotland, let me know.
11:11 – IRISH & CELTIC SONG LYRICS
Here are some of the new Irish & Celtic Song Lyrics that were updated this month:
- Maid Went to the Mill
- Reavers Malcolm Reavers
- Come By the Hills
- Jedi Mickey
- Happy Birthday from Ireland
- Wild Rover
- Loch Lomond
- The Last Jedi Drinking Song
- Purple Flower
11:35 – SHOWS PLANNED FOR JUNE
JUN 7: Gathering of the Faire on Facebook @ 8 PM EST
JUN 11: Celtfather Live on YouTube @ 8:30 PM EST
JUN 20: The Lost Druid, Decatur, GA @ 7:30 – 9:30 PM
JUN 25: Tucker Brewing Company, Tucker, GA @ 6:30 – 9:30 PM
WEDS: Coffee with The Celtfather, Facebook (Season 6) @ 11:00 AM EST
13:30 – STATS
Mailing list subscribers = 1088 is up from 1037
Celtic Music Magazine = 3999 is up from 3992
YouTube Subscribers = 5607 is up 57 from 4550 (about 11 more than usual)
YouTube Watch Time = 29.5K is up from 25.8K (about the same as usual)
YouTube Views = 11.8K is up from 9.4K (48 more than usual)
Facebook Likes = 3715 is up from 3711
FB Page Views = 470 is down from 568
FB Reach = 29.5K is up from 15.3K
FB Video Views = 2592 is down from 10383
Spotify Latest Single Stats: “Molly Malone”: 23 is down from 48
Spotify Latest Single Stats: “The Last Jedi Drinking Song”: 94 is up from 79
Spotify Latest Album Stats: I Will Not Sing Along: 302 is down from 306 streams
Spotify followers: 1530 is down from 1533
# Number of listens on Spotify: 2109 is up from 2027
Most-popular songs on Spotify: The Widow and the Devil (1.4K), Doctor of Gallifrey (418), A-Working in the Garden (222), Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster (175), Hero of Canton (174), Reavers, Malcolm, Reavers (158)
17:53 – PATREON
Patreon Subscribers: 159 is up from 153
Patreon Monthly Income: $1208 is up from $1059
Thanks as always for supporting my music. Remember. You can help me create and release more music. Join the Gunn Runners Club to step behind-the-scenes with bonus podcasts, new music, videos, and live concerts.
Slainte!
#CFMonthly
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