My cat Tiziano is gazing at me lazy-eyed. He was daydreaming before I took notice of him. I haven't had time to do the same as I finish a ton of work perparing for my first solo tour.
It was a produtive day. I finished recording the Pub Songs Podcast with special thanks to Summer Brooks of Far Point Media who helped me migrate the show to their new servers. It motivated me to release another show. What with touring, recording new albums, organizing Celtic Invasion Vacations, and podcasting, the Pub Songs Podcast was neglected. But here it is again, and here's hoping I can release more while I am out on the road.
Meantime, I am packing for my tour with a sense of excited anticipation. Two weeks on the road. I've done it before, but not quite like this, as a soloist. There will be a lot of driving. But I hope to take some breaks on this adventure to watch the setting sun and soak in the beauty of this great country of ours that filled me with pride at JazzFest as I sang along to Pete Seeger performing “This Land”.
America is a land of beauty and opportunity. I forget about that all too easily with the flashiness of the cities and my immersion into the internet. That's what this trip will be for me–opportunity. A chance to share to my music with scores of people, to connect with old fans, and to invite new ones into my world.
The tour is based around the input of people like you saying, “I want to hear Marc Gunn perform live,” and then going to venues, looking stuff up on the net, and sending it my way so that opportunity might become reality. It's based around you sharing my music with your family and friends, but in a more personal arena, face-to-face, just ten feet away as I play your favorite songs. I hope you will come sing with me.
Listen to the Song of the Week: “Big Strong Cat (My Puddy Tat, Sylvester)” from Whiskers in the Jar: Irish Songs for Cat Lovers
This Week:
— Quote of the Week: “Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working.” Pablo Picasso.
— CD of the Week: “The Hotting Fire” by Kennedy's Kitchen. One of my favorite bands from the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. They have a brand new CD out that I hope to feature it in future episodes.
— Book of the Week: The Indie Band Survival Guide: The Complete Manual for the Do-It-Yourself Musician
— Interesting article: Grow Your Own Fresh Air. With only three varieties of plants, you can “grow our own fresh air” indoors, to keep you healthy. Is that true? I'm not sure, but it definitely makes me want to bring some of these plants into my home.
— Pre-Order Happy Songs of Death Now!. I just got word from Ari that the album will be done Before the end of the month!!! He loved the last song I sent him, “Twa Corbies”, which completes a delightful 13 songs of death on this CD. I should have an official song order coming soon too. Thanks for all your patience. Now let me know which CD cover you prefer, pre-order the album today!
— The latest Pub Songs Podcast is now live. It's a 30-minute show where I tell you all about the Celtic Invasion Vacation, some interesting facts about Happy Songs of Death, and let you know about my upcoming gigs. Plus, lots of music and a brain new affiliation with Far Point Media.
— Bards Comic. The Bards Comic is alive and growing with new stories coming from artist, Nikki O'Shea. See what my cats think of me going off on tour.
— Celtic Invasion Vacations. The next Celtic Invasion is picked. We're gonna spend a week in Dingle, one of the most-beautiful and peaceful parts of Ireland. You catch a glimpse of the town and surrounding countryside at West of Dingle.
— Promote Tip: Review this iMix of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. You can help promote my music by reviewing this iMix of music from the podcast. There's a TON of great music to choose from. And while you're there, buy a song or the set.
— Celtic Music Reviews and Features.
— Cool videos: Hoops and Kilts featured a couple live songs from my Texas Scottish Festival performance. And here is Marc Gunn's Renaissance Festival Demo. If you like the bodhran, I recorded my friend Lucrezia Playing the Bodhran several years ago.
Marc Gunn in the News:
“Johnny Jump Up” and “Beer, Beer, Beer” were played in The David Tanny Show.
“Lord of the Pounce” was played on Mostly Folk.
UPCOMING GIGS. Don't forget to make a demand to see me perform. Want me to see where I plan to tour this summer?
6.21 (AUSTIN, TX) Saxon Pub
6.24 (SPRINGFIELD, MO) The Coffee Ethic
6.26 (CEDAR RAPIDS, IA) Cummings House Concert
6.27 (ELMHURST, IL) Benefit Concert for Feral Fixers at Fitz's Pub
6.28 (BROOKFIELD, IL) Irish Times Pub
7.1 (WINCHESTER, KY) Panzarella House Concert
7.8 (NEW ORLEANS, LA) Neutral Ground Coffeehouse
7.11 (COVINGTON, LA) Etoile Restaurant
7.25 (RESTON, VA) Fogel House Concert
7.30 (DENTON, MD) Market Street Public House
8.12-16 (INDIANAPOLIS, IN) GenCon
9.4-7 (ATLANTA, GA) DragonCon
9.16-23 (DINGLE, IRELAND) Celtic Invasion of Ireland 2009
10.23-25 (DENVER, CO) MileHiCon
10.30 (NEW ORLEANS, LA) Anne Rice's Vampire Lestat Fan Club's “Blood and Gold” Ball
11.7-12.13 (ROBERT, LA) Louisiana Renaissance Festival
1.16.10 (NEW ORLEANS, LA) Concert with Jed Marum
— Check me out on Sunset Connoisseurs Society, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, SoundClick, Demand a Show on Eventful, Wikipedia, Livejournal, and DeviantArt. And if you'd like a CD…
— Do you have a quote, movie, album, tip or suggestion that you'd like to share in my Weeklies? If so, post a comment with your suggestion here.
Originally published at Marc Gunn .com. Read. Interact. Breathe. It's easy; it's free.
