MARC'S MUSINGS — January 6, 2009

– Marc's Music News
– Living in New Orleans
– Feedback for 2008
– Weeklies and Pub Songs Podcast
– Gig This Thursday in New Orleans

Published 1-4 times per month. To manage your subscription, go to the end of this newsletter. Visit My Store Now!

Marc's Musings

Greetings Amici,

Happy New Year!

Moving is a great way to begin a new year. I am now at last fully moved into my new apartment in New Orleans. I gotta say, I love it.

For years now, I blogged about how I wish I lived in a place within walking distance of stores, restaurants, pubs, people. Now at last I have it!

I'm living a block off Magazine Street in the Lower Garden District near some great friends. When I need a break, I walk downstairs and through the streets of New Orleans. Old homes line the lanes. People walk by, bike, smile and wave. It's delightful.

Last night, I walked to Parasols, a pub in the Irish part of the Garden District, had a drink, chatted with locals, and walked home. What a great way to start the year. Out with the old and in with the new…

MARC'S MUSIC NEWS
But before that happens, I have a few questions. I consider it important to know what You thought of my music, podcasts, and performances last year. So I created a survey. I would REALLY appreciate it if you would copy and paste the survey into an email and reply. Let me know how I did last year.

In the meantime, I am bravely making plans for the new year. Followers of my blogs will have seen the “Marc Weeklies” that I started publishing on Mondays for the past few months. I will continue the Weeklies. But I decided I want to podcast more. So I plan to swap the Weeklies every other week with the Pub Songs Podcast, as a sort of audio version of the Weeklies, if you will. Plus, I will continue to provide all the great content you've come to expect from the podcast. The first one of the year is coming soon.

The Sunset Connoisseur's Society is growing too, as are the downloadable gifts inside. I posted a live performance of “Lord of the Pounce” on the SCS website a week ago. It was recorded at my Whiskers in the Jar CD release at the Cactus Cafe in July and features Cedric the fiddler and Michelle Hedden on bodhran. Join the SCS, and you can download the live MP3.

MARC GUNN LIVE!
My first gig of the new year is booked. It's right here in my New Orleans at the Kerry Irish Pub, one of a handful of Celtic-flavored venues in the French Quarter. It has a neighborhood feel. A wide variety of acts perform there nightly.

Thursday, January 8, 2009
The Kerry Irish Pub @ 9PM
331 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 286-5862

This is my debut at the Kerry. I need to make an impression. So please come out and bring some friends. I'd love to pull in a regular show in NOLA. YOU can help make it happen.

On a side note, I might have a con booked in Wheeling, IL. To get it I neeed to score a couple shows in the Chicago area in late February. Any help in that direction would be grand.

What is eventful? It's an website that will instantly notify you when I am playing in a town near yours. The more people who sign up in a specific area, the more likely I'll perform there.

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE
I have an exciting year ahead of me. I started it off by releasing the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast's Best of 2008. It is already getting a tremendous response. And now I'm already thinking about the next Celtic compilation CD, St. Patrick's Day, and even next year's People's Choice Podcast Awards.

Plus, I plan to return to the studio and finish my second album with Rich Brotherton, called How America Saved Irish Music. I have an autoharp instrumental CD coming, and Happy Songs of Death. And of course, I have my first Celtic Invasion Vacation in the works.

I can't wait to take people to Italy. I lived in Italy in high school, and it is still my home away from home. I hope you can join me for a week under the Tuscan sun, seeing Florence, Rome, and Siena. You don't want to miss it.

Slainte!
– Marc Gunn

Quick Links to Marc Gunn

• CD, MP3, and Merchandise Store
• Upcoming Shows
• Street Team
• My Podcasts
• Sunset Connoisseurs Society (fan club)
• SONG HENGE
  My exclusive archive of great Celtic Music. Subscribe to download scores of great MP3s at no cost. Interact with other friends of Marc Gunn.

Please add “slainte@marcgunn.com” to your whitelist or email address book, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!

Forward this newsletter to five friends.

Marc Gunn is Celtic American Musician and Podcaster from Austin, Texas. Good food, good drink and good company. Folk ballads, Irish drinking songs, fantasy, Sci Fi, and cats on the autoharp. Embrace independent Celtic music!