It's hard to believe that we're in the last week of January already, but here we are, looking forward into February!  This month has seen the release of Marc's new CD Not Every Day is St. Patrick's Day, and the launch of the CD and the single “Nancy Whiskey” to the top of the Charts on Amazon and iTunes!

It has seen the introduction of a new managing editor of the Celtic Music Magazine, Mattie Dalton—go say hi to Mattie and check out all of the reviews of fine Celtic music on the Celtic Music Magazine!–and a new voice on Marc's blog (yours truly).  While I have been popping in weekly to give updates on what's going on with Marc and his music, Mattie has been regaling readers with the Bard of Ayrshire, Robert “Rabbie” Burns, whose January birthday is commemorated by happenings and festivals in Scotland and elsewhere, and cooking up news with a Scottish flavor–including haggis!  (And to go with your haggis, you might want a Bobby Burns cocktail–just sayin'…)

January's Scottish theme sets the tone for this year's Celtic Invasion of Scotland!  Since 2009, Marc has been organizing vacation tours of Celtic destinations worldwide, focusing on the camaraderie of travel and love of things celtic, and this year, his destination is the Highlands of Scotland.  Keep checking the blog for Marc's posts on the itinerary for the Celtic Invasion of Scotland–days 1-4 are posted already so that you can see what's in store, and decide for yourself whether to join the Celtic Invasion!

Also something to think about… one of Marc's upcoming CD projects will also have a Scottish theme!  I love the idea of a Scottish music CD, and not just because I've been immersed in Scotland via historical fiction, as I mentioned last time.  When I was a wee lass in New Orleans, trying to find out more about Celtic folk music in the dark days before the internet, I stopped in Tower Records in the French Quarter with some friends and went straight upstairs to the international music section.  Sadly, with no one to guide me, I walked out with a cassette tape with alternating bagpipes and a capella Gaelic–not exactly what I had in mind.  Later, I fell in with an Irish music crowd, read a lot of Yeats, and assumed that all good Celtic music was Irish unless it mentioned Bonnie Prince Charlie by name! (See “Wha'll Be King but Cherlie” by Silly Wizard)  For my younger self,  Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion would have been like a public service announcement!

But enough about me… let's talk about podcasts!  In January, Marc has given to the world Irish and Celtic Music Podcast #134 – Top 20 Best Celtic Music of 2012, and #135 – Celtic Music Inspiration.  I particularly enjoyed hearing the latest from Beth Patterson and Patrick O'Flaherty, as well as a repeat performance of the ever-popular “Mordred's Lullaby” by Heather Dale.  If you have loved Heather's music on the podcast or on YouTube, stop by her web site to read about her YouTube Problem and help with her effort to get YouTube to recognize her ownership of her songs so that she can reap some benefit from the millions of hits she gets on YouTube!  (And don't forget to vote for your favorite songs!)

And while we're thinking about podcasts, let's take a look at more shirt designs from the Celtophilia Tee Company:

   And look forward to more great things.