St. Patrick's Day was smashing fun and probably the most-relaxed one I've had in years. That is the way I should celebrate my birthday every year. Despite that, it was also one of my most-successful, with the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast climbing to #11 on the iTunes Podcast charts, plus the news. Wait till you get to my news below. It's packed filled with features, radio play, podcast play and more. Woohoo!

The St. Patrick's Day successes were just what I needed to head back into the studio and record most of the final tracks to Happy Songs of Death. In fact, I am nearly done. I want to add maybe two more songs. Then I am sending it off to Ari Koinuma to be mixed and mastered. Four CDs in four months. Thanks for all your support. I couldn't do it without you, and I hope you enjoy the album as much as I am!

Listen to a song:

This Week:

— Quote of the Week: “The Irish gave the bagpipes to the Scotts as a joke, but the Scotts haven't seen the joke yet.” Oliver Herford.

— CD of the Week: “A Cock and Bull Story” by Bedlam Bards. Be afraid. I am. This is the new LIVE CD from the Bedlam Bards. Recorded live at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival last year, it features dirty, smutty, nasty, bawdy songs. Sounds like fun, huh? I walked in on one of their shows. I hope that one didn't make the cut… (okay, I relly hope it did. I didn't hear how they were making fun of me, but I think it involved cats…)

— Book of the Week: The Kindle. Okay, this really isn't a BOOK per se, but I got to look at one of the new electronic reading device from Amazon. Way cool! I wouldn't mind trying to read a book on it. Looks just too cool.

— The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast climbed to #11 on iTunes' Podcast charts. I've seen scores of glowing reviews for the two St. Patrick's Day episodes. Thanks to everyone who dropped me a line about it. Meanwhile, Victims of Irish Music was another smashingly popular CD on iTunes. Will the Best of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast be just as popular. I hope so.

— Interesting article: “Music and Your Health – The Relevance of Concert Pitch” by Patrick Thilmany. An interesting look at the differences between concert pitch and how it could affect your health.

— Celtic Invasion Vacations. The cat is out of the bag. I have two trips planned for 2009, one to Scotland. Sign up to the mailing list for details which I hope to release in about a month.

— My friend Marrus is not only a brilliant artist, now she's an author. She has a new book called “Lightsurfing: Living Life in the Front of My Mouth”. It's not yet out. But keep an eye open for it on Amazon. Check out her art online while you're at it.

— Celtophilia is hosting a St. Patrick's Day Photo Contest where you can win a copy of Best of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

— Bethany McLyr was the whistle player who performed on my new song “St. Patrick Never Drank”. She has a new CD that was just completed called “Eye of the Storm”. I think it'll be on CD Baby in a few weeks.

— Anther friend named Bethany is running a Triathalon to benefit the SPCA. You can support her run by making a donation.

— Celtic Music Reviews and Features: “St. Patrick Never Drank” by Marc Gunn, “Pour Me Another” by Doug Folkins, “Ready for the Storm” by Slan, “Scatter the Mud” by The Irish Experience, and CD reviews: “Ten Thousand Miles To Bedlam” by Ockam's Razor, “Tri” by Haggis Rampant, “Clement Street” by The Gas Men, “Irish Makeover” by Skully, “Epiphany” by Silver Spire

— Marc Gunn in the News:

Eclectic Mix #224 did a special feature on my music! Thanks George!

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast climbed to #17 on the iTunes Podcast charts beating out the White House Podcast, the Onion Podcast and many others.

“St Patrick Never Drank” and “Happy Birthday from Ireland” were both featured in Shillelagh Safari with DJ Seamus, plus many more songs. DJ Seamus highlights a lot of my music. Thanks a million!

“St Patrick Never Drank” was featured the last TWO weeks on the Dr. Demento. Head over to Dr. Demento's website and make a request for it.

“The Cat Came Back… The Cat's perspective” was played in You Can't Make It Up.

Little Reds Writing Hood featured “The Leprechaun”, as did Guy in a Tie.

Insert Awesome Banner Here has a new storyboard featuring When the Dairy Farm Caught Fire. Looks like Mike is working on a full version of it.

“The Leprechaun” was featured in the Skyline Podshow's St. Patrick's Day Special.

Catholic Under the Hood featured “Wild Rover”.

PR Canada featured a press release from the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

My article “17 Free Celtic Music Downloads for St. Patrick's Day” was a huge hit in the blogosphere. It was featured on Lifehacker's Gadget and Gear of the Day and many other sites.

The Gomem Show played “St. Patrick Never Drank”.

Insomnia Radio featured my new song “St. Patrick Never Drank” as did the CB Rocker Show.

— UPCOMING GIGS.

3.26-29 (COLLEGE STATION, TX) AggieCon 40
4.3-5 (BRENTWOOD, NY) I-Con
4.12 (NEW ORLEANS, LA) The Kerry Irish Pub
4.17-19 (DENVER, CO) StarFest
5.13-22 (TUSCANY, ITALY) Celtic Invasion of Italy
11.7-12.13 (ROBERT, LA) Louisiana Renaissance Festival

ATTENTION! I am looking at touring this summer. I need you to send me 3-5 non-smoking venues in your area. Find details here. But don't forget to make a demand to see me perform.

— Check me out on Sunset Connoisseurs Society, Myspace, SoundClick, Demand a Show on Eventful, Wikipedia, Twitter, Facebook, Livejournal, Sonicbids, 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.