Celtfather Year In Review: Successes of 2021

Greetings Gunn Runner

I love looking at my successes each year. Honestly, I was pretty excited about my musical successes last year. I felt like I had a few break through moments. So let's make a list.

It's all on my monthly update, Celtfather Unkilted, show #288.

The podcast is brought to you by my amazing Patrons in the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon.

– MUSINGS: Successes for 2021

  • Finished Selcouth!
  • Finally figured out the basic art of booking gigs.
  • Booked a lot of breweries and new venues.
  • Rebooted In the ‘Verse podcast
  • Wrote several new songs. That are Really good.
  • I can write songs on Command!
  • Developed new plan for Pub Songs & Stories with seasons…actual SEASONS!
  • Collecting and sharing great stories from Celtic musicians
  • Started developing a new plan for MG Patreon to release more music to Patrons.
  • Came up with new plan for an easier to compile Celtic Top 20.
  • Started creating a new format and plan for Celtic Christmas Podcast.
  • Happy with the promotion of new playlisting ideas.
  • Started recording a new CD with Brobdingnagian Bards
  • Found a new time that works for Coffee with The Celtfather.
  • Reformatted Coffee for seasons too.
  • Getting closer to finishing Dancing With Hobbits
  • Nearly finished Adventure with Me CD
  • Released my first vinyl album
  • Got back to performing at sci fi conventions.
  • Re-released Name on My Soul as Flower of Scotland.
  • Improved at busking
  • Developed Album Release strategy.
  • Have new merch plan with lapel pins.
  • Developed regular Celtic Heartstrings
  • Booked a castle in Scotland for 2022
  • Pulled back to focus on podcasting
  • Been running regularly three days a week.
  • Making more time for family.
  • Have new Celtic podcast email series.
  • Created plan to promote the Celtic podcast at festivals

CELTFATHER MONTHLY UPDATES

– REGULAR SHOWS

Pub Songs & Stories.

  • 10 episodes per season
  • Spring focus on Selcouth
  • Off January, June, July, December

Irish & Celtic Music Podcast

  • Focus on promoting show to fans
  • Promote Celtic Top 20
  • Every month, compile Top 5 for Spotify

In The ‘Verse podcast

  • Next: The War Doctor

Celtic Christmas Podcast

  • Thoughts about the new format
  • More like pub stories
  • Playlist focused, easier with all the cover songs

Brobdingnagian Bards podcast

  • No plans yet

Stories on Patreon

  • Thank you Gunn Runners!

Coffee with The Celtfather.

  • Wednesdays at 11 AM Eastern.
  • Season 10 begins on Weds, Jan 19
  • Most episodes will be practice shows

–  MUSIC PRODCUTION

  • Selcouth release date: Feb 21
  • Another Faire to Remember
  • Dancing with Hobbits
  • Come Adventure With Me. Kickstarter in April
  • Climate Renaissance
  • Singles on Patreon.

– MERCH

  • Christmas ornaments
  • Greeting cards. $4 or 20
  • Temporary Re-release of CDs
  • Vinyl records
  • Celtic Heartstrings. Different price points
  • Lapel pins
  • Booklet.

Remember, subscribe to my mailing list, you get a discount code to save 15%. Patrons save 25%!

– WEBSITES

I made a special page for people who take my business card and use the QR code. It'll be interesting to see if this works. But the basic idea is the card will give you a quick link to listen to music, subscribe to my podcast and mailing list. It's similar to what you'll find at Celtfather.net but even more focused.

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

– STATS

Mailing list subscribers = 1166 is up from 1152
Celtic Music Magazine = 4107 is up from 4100

YouTube Subscribers =  5614 is up from 5578
Facebook Likes = 3831 is up from 3820
Instagram = 1917 is up from 1915
Spotify followers:  1924 is up 36 from 1888
# Number of listens on Spotify: 11,612 is up from  4901

LATEST SPOTIFY ALBUM STATS

Most-popular songs on Spotify:

  1. Frosty the Irish Snowman (4470),
  2. Christmas in the Shire (4112),
  3. Slainte Mhaith Christmas (3410),
  4. The Hero of Christmas (2916),
  5. Yuletide (2609),
  6. The Widow and the Devil (2280),
  7. Celtic Christmas Elf (2015),
  8. Let’s Have A Celtic Christmas (1628),
  9. Jingle  Bells (1557)
  10. The Scottish King of Christmas (1316)

Most-popular songs on Amazon Music:

  1. Doctor of Gallifrey (595),
  2. Hero of Canton (340),
  3. Christmas in Scotland (155),
  4. The Widow abd the Devil (146),
  5. The Night Paddy Murphy Died (79)

Top albums on Amazon:

  1. Sci Fi Drinking Songs (843),
  2. As Long As I'm Flyin (452),
  3. Kilted For Her Pleasure (332),
  4. Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion (324),
  5. Going for Brogue (159)

Last year's playlists from this time last year:

  • Top Irish & Celtic Music: 616 up from 604
  • Sci F'Irish Music: 14
  • Nagians Only: 21
  • Celtfather Experience: 31
  • Hobbit Drinking Songs: 5
  • Firefly Drinking Songs: 140 up from 138
  • Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers: 82 up from 81
  • Jedi Drinking Songs: 36 up from 34
  • Marc Gunn Songwriting: 3
  • Joyful Celtic Christmas Music: 130 up from 113
  • Fun Christmas Songs for Kids & Families: 2200 is up from 1967
  • Christmas Drinking Songs: 61 up from 41
  • Celtic Christmas Women: 44 up from 11
  • Irish Christmas Songs for Kids: 8 up from 5
  • Celtic Christmas Songs: 14 up from 13
  • Christmas Drive: 42
  • Celtic Christmas Music 2021: 26

19:01 – PATREON

Patreon Subscribers: 169 up from 168
Patreon Monthly Income: $1312 up from$1285

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, pin 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