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, from around the globe. It's about the fusion, the change, and the growth of the musical traditions of the Celts.

So I found it disappointing to hear someone attack my guest host Susan J. E. Ritta last week for promoting the women of Celtic music and FairPle, an organization dedicated to giving Celtic women in music a voice. It's both disappointing and rather disgusting.

Women are under-represented throughout the music business, including Celtic music.

If you've spent ANY time studying the music business since it began, like I have, you would know this to be true.

Sadly, some folks feel threatened by those who are marginalized and gain a fair footing.

It happened to the Irish when they first came to American. If you have studied the history of the Celts, you will note the Celts too were marginalized. And when you belittle one marginalized group, you disgrace all of our Celtic culture. You disgrace the history and suffering the Celts endured and overcame.

So let me be clear. The women of Celtic music deserve our support. If you disagree, that's your choice. But I will continue to fight for these amazing women and promote FairPle and any organization that stands up against small-minded people who refuse to change with history.

So whether you're a new listener or long-time, if that's you, I wish you a fond farewell. The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is not for you.