February 8, 2011
Marc Gunn, The Celtfather
Celtic Music, the Traditional and the Twisted
Proud Supporter of Indie Celtic music!
www.marcgunn.com
“Marc, Bought and downloaded “Kilted for Her Pleasure” today. It is another work of art! I have wanted to get it since you released it, and damn it was worth it. ” A Drop of Vulcan Blood” is great and the “Lullaby” is fantastic, I laughed like Hell. I can understand Kilted for Her Pleasure, having worn a kilt myself. While there is a minimal amount of Scottish blood in my veins I use to do Revolutionary War reenactments and there were times in the service of the King I was kilted. There is nothing so comfortable as a kilt, but you have to be careful how you fall when you get shot. Let us just say the moon rose at midday on one such occasion, and I never heard the end of it! Thanks again, it is a great album and well worth it. I look forward to your next release.”
– Allan Marcotte, Maine on Kilted For Her Pleasure
Greetings,
What a start to February. I had big plans of spending my time promotion Celtic music for St. Patrick's Day, but things don't always happen the way you hope they do.
Specifically, Gwen and I took our daughter in for her regular cardiac check up. The doctors surprised us and decided she needed another surgery to replace her shunt and to widen the blood flow to her left lung.
She was in surgery for several hours yesterday while we waited. Fortunately, everything turned out fine. The surgery was a success, and today they started weening Kenzie off some of her medication. It's painful to see. But now she has to heal. Iit'll take at least two weeks before we bring her home.
I must say, it tears me up seeing her seemingly so healthy, but needing something so serious. So please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. You can read more about Kenzie's heart surgery here.
Oh! And I'm also doing a benefit concert at Things Celtic in Austin to help raise money for some of the extra expenses of having Kenzie in the hospital. I hope you'll join me on Friday, February 25th from 4-6 pm for the show.
Will You Join Me for a St. Patrick's Day Shindig?
I am trying to organize a show in Austin, Texas on St. Patrick's Day (my birthday). The theme is a St. Patrick's Day Shindig, because in addition to having a fun St Patrick's Day party, I also want to finish recording a live album of Firefly Drinking Songs with the Bedlam Bards.
You can be a part of the experience!
All you have to do is let me know that you will be there. Assuming I can pull it all together, the event will be at a hotel in Austin starting at 7pm. Tickets will probably be between $12-15, and it'll probably be BYOB.
You'll enjoy an hour-long show of Firefly songs, plus individual sets from the Bedlam Bards and me. And maybe some indie Celtic music from my illustrious iPod to rock the night away.
This will be a blast. But IF it's gonna happen, I need a head count. Will you join us? Email me.
Join Me at Sherwood Forest Faire Last Weekend of February
My gig calendar is currently up-to-date. I am scheduling just one show a month out on the road. Next up is Sherwood Forest Faire just outside of Austin.
This is the second year of this amazing Renaissance festival that has dropped more than one jaw in amazement at how great it is. I had a chance to perform there last year, and I can't wait to return!
Keep an eye on my website, my show times should be online soon.
Help Promote Marc Gunn and Celtic Music for St. Patrick's Day
For me, the St Patrick's Day season has begun. In fact, I started my St. Patrick's Day Podcast back in September. You can listen to five episodes already, and there are two more to go.
While I haven't had time to make another Celtic iMix, you can make your own. It's pretty simple to do if you have iTunes. Just create a playlist. Then publish it.
However, if you don't have iTunes, I have a lot of Celtic resources online. The Celtic MP3s Music Magazine has new album reviews every week and reaches over 20,000 readers per month. Just add a link to the website in your blog, yahoo group, twitter or facebook. Tell people about the website.
Do the same with the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. You can post a link to the newest show and tell people what new Celtic music artist you found there that rocks your Celtic world.
Don't forget to share your love of your Celtic culture with others. And if you need another way to do that, well, I'm here for ye. I have a lot of great Celtic music including a bunch of songs that you can download and share for free.
Help me make this an amazing St Patrick's Day. What a great birthday gift that'd be for me! 🙂
Hobbit Songs and Scottish Songs Recorded
A couple weeks ago, my family went out into the country for a holiday. My wife visited one of her friends with a new baby, and I locked myself in a cottage and recorded. I laid the base tracks for at least two new albums: Hobbit Songs (name TBA) and Scottish Songs of Drinking and Rebellion.
I got some great recordings out of that week. So stay tuned for more news and information by visiting the blog on my homepage.
Meantime, why not check out some of my albums at the Celtic Music CD Store. There are over ten albums to choose from, and hours of fun music.
Celtic Invasion of Ireland Has New Deadlines
What with everything going on, I decided to extend the deadline for the Celtic Invasion of Ireland. You can still take advantage of the Early-Bird Special when you reserve your spot by February 20th.
I still have space available. So head on over the website and secure your seat today
The price is just $2034. We're gonna visit Dublin, Sligo and Donegal. You can see the complete itinerary here.
Good food, good drink, good company. The vacation takes place June 13-20, 2011. Find details at www.celticinvasion.com.
Free MP3 for February: “Jug of Punch.”
I first hear this song on an old cassette of Irish drinking songs. I loved it then as I do now. It's just cute with a lot of visual fun.
Performed by Marc Gunn
From CD: Happy Songs of Death
Buy MP3: Amazon or iTunesListen: HiFi
Download MP3: 128 kbps
Read Lyrics: “Jug of Punch” Lyrics
Donation: Make a Donation
Celtic Music CD Store Presents
Once a month, I highlight Celtic music artists who were reviewed by my Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. It's a nice way to promote great indie Celtic musicians. All purchases through Amazon via the links below also help support my musical endeavors as well.
You can see a full list of featured bands and find all of my CDs in my Celtic Music CD Store at www.celticmusic.org.
“That Night in the Garden” by Emerald Rose
Emerald Rose has been making music in the Celtic vein since late 1996 and, in the intervening years, have managed to put out seven CDs geared towards lovers of Celtic-inspired music. Their latest, “That Night in the Garden”, is a CD that was recorded at a series of concerts in [read review…]
“Out in the West” by The Indulgers
“Out of the West” is the sixth CD release from The Indulgers, a Colorado-based band who comes from serious Celtic roots, as displayed in their stable of recordings. The CD continues this Celtic influence, though here it is mixed liberally with some Western-oriented motifs (thus the name of the [read review…]
“Thistle Dew” by Christina Connell
If you’re looking for some traditional Scottish music, you’re in for a treat here. On Thistle Dew, Christina Connell has collected a number of traditional Scottish tunes and given them a symphonic twist. The result is a pleasant collection of upbeat music that sounds a bit like Enya’s music [read review…]
“Sleepers Awake” by Char Butler and Amber Whitworth
In a very short time Char Butler has achieved a wide audience. She was nominated for the 2010 Indie Artist Award for the Starliners Radio and was elected 2008's Crossover Artist of The Year by New Music Weekly Magazine . Char’s music is gentle, atmospheric, and melodic with a [read review…]
“Three Mile Stone” by Three Mile Stone
The self-titled debut album by Three Mile Stone, a trio of string musicians, opens with a nice instrumental song showing off their musical skills. Just when you think this is an all-instrumental album however, the second track tells a different story. A subdued – a term you might use for all the [read review…]
“Bushes, Briars & Figs – Live at the Riviera” by Embarr
Michigan-based Embarr is a three-piece band that is self-described as “Celtic fusion” and a quick glance at the play list of their new CD quickly confirms the “Celtic”. The selections are a healthy mix of traditional melodies and traditional songs. Reels and [read review…]
“Noone Lasses” by Anton Emery
On his debut album Noone Lasses, Anton Emery takes traditional Celtic music and adapts it for fingerpicking on the acoustic guitar, and he does it very well. With apparent ease, he takes traditional Celtic tunes and makes them his own. What I mean by that is, he doesn’t just play them, he does something [read review…]
“Mystical Moments, A Sign of Things To Come” by Jacie McConnell
Jacie McConnell's “Mystical Moments” is more than just a collection of Celtic-inspired instrumentals. The artist takes the listener on a trip to the long-lost land of the Fae called Tir N'an Nog, using music as the preferred method of transport. In the same style as the [read review…]
“Below the mists, above the brambles” by MaterDea
“Below the mists, above the brambles” is the first CD from MaterDea, a duo based out of Turin, Italy. The CD is a wonderful blend of classical styled melodies mixed liberally with pulse-pounding rock rhythms that move the songs along. The two main members of the band, Simon Papa and [read review…]
That's all the news. I hope you have a great month. And keep an eye on my website for more news from yours truly.
Slainte!
Marc Gunn, The Celtfather
Photo by Chuck Davis
ABOUT MARC GUNN
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Marc Gunn, The Celt Father, plays acoustic folk music rooted in the American Celtic song tradition–-Celtic music, the Traditional and the Twisted. He brings a powerful and expressive voice to Celtic music. His musical instrument of choice-the autoharp-continues to surprise musical veterans and fans a like for it’s unique sound and spirited energy. Embrace independent Celtic music!
Copyright 2000-2011 Marc Gunn
