A new season of Celtic Christmas music begins with new episodes of the podcast featuring Celtic Christmas songs and tunes from The Rogues, Wicked Tinkers, Haggis Rampant, Bonnie Rideout, Angus Mohr, Rathkeltair. www.celticchristmaspodcast.com

It is time once again to launch my Celtic Christmas Podcast. This is a 30 minute show where I play Celtic Christmas music and share a little bit about the Celtic bands on the show. If you have a Celtic band and want to submit music, visit our website, and I'll tell you more at the end of the show.

If you have a Celtic podcast and would like to share your Christmas show with my audience, please contact me at [email protected]

My two-hour Best Bagpipe Music special of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was so popular earlier this month, I thought a show of Bagpipe Celtic Christmas music would be a great way to kick off the holiday season.

This Week's Celtic Christmas Music

"Hellbound Sleigh" by The Rogues from Hellbound Sleigh

Founded in Houston in 1994, The Rogues created a new genre of Celtic music with exceptionally, well-played pipes and driving percussion. The band's sound ranges from traditional pipes and drums to innovative textures incorporating whistles, keyboard and guitar, as well as many percussion instruments. Always present in The Rogues' music is that spirit that endears them to their audience. From technical precision to soaring melodies, a Rogues album and performance will move you to tears and get you dancing immediately afterwards.

"Coventry Carol" by Wicked Tinkers from Slainte Happy Holidays

Pioneers of the growing Tribal Celtic movement, the Wicked Tinkers have been playing haunting, heart-pounding bagpipes and irresistible tribal drums as a professional touring band since 1995. With the addition, of the mesmerizing drone of the Australian didgeridoo and Bronze Age Irish horn, the magic was complete. Sit back and be transported to an earlier time in Scotland and Ireland, when battle cries filled the air and strange, unheard-of creatures roamed the night. Or better yet, get on your feet and let your body move to ancient rhythms and forgotten sounds.

"Kirkin' the Midwinter" by Haggis Rampant from The Silver Glens

The first stirrings of Haggis Rampant appeared in the fall of 2000 at the first annual Louisiana Renaissance Festival. Steve was feeding his renfest habit while looking for places to practice on his loud instrument. His wife Pam played her bodhran with Steve on the last day of the 2000 run, and, much to his chagrin, the show was a hit. The group was completed with the addition of their daughter Gillian a few years later. Gillian has shown a talent for writing exquisite harmonies on the bagpipes and the good-natured father/daughter competitiveness makes them a fun team to watch.

"Christmas Carousing/Ale Is Dear/New Christmas" by Bonnie Rideout from A Scottish Christmas

Bonnie Rideout is an award winning Scottish fiddler. Her CD, "A Scottish Christmas" became a New York Times "Top Ten Holiday Best Seller". She celebrates Christmas with this enthusiastic holiday performance that she takes on the road each year, playing at performing arts centers and large theaters nationwide in November and December. Rideout performs along with the Scottish Christmas Ensemble - a group of internationally renowned musicians including the City of Washington Pipe Band and dancers from the Scottish Highlands! Rideout and crew perform with spirit and gusto. This performance features Eric Rigler on Scottish smallpipes.

"I Saw Three Ships" by Angus Mohr & Friends from A Christmas Pageant

Just as watery mist remakes the world, and whisky remakes the man, Angus Mohr revitalizes the brogue of traditional Celtic music with an American blues accent and rejuvenates rock 'n roll's broad spectrum with bagpipe and pennywhistles. No one is ever going to mistake Angus Mohr for a cover band. Sure, they play songs like "Foggy Dew," the 1916 Easter Rising ballad, and "Whisky in the Jar," a sixteenth century tale of love and betrayal, and their set list is peppered with songs penned by Dylan, Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash, and the Ramones. But you've never heard "Ring of Fire" or "I Wanna Be Sedated" until you've heard it with the pipes' spiraling keen.

The 2008 album from Angus Mohr is a departure from their usual sound! This Christmas album features an eclectic mix of styles, including everything from medieval carols to Chuck Berry!

"Carols on 45" by Rathkeltair from Something Good for Christmas

Rathkeltair blends compelling and catchy original songs with tight, driving straight-ahead rock-n-roll, while never forgetting its Celtic roots. Based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Rathkeltair has been on the road full-time since 2003. Highly regarded for its extraordinary energy, showmanship and professionalism, Rathkeltair enjoys a loyal and rapidly expanding community of friends and fans.

In 2011, they released their album "Something Good for Christmas". It features over 45 minutes of Christmas classics , Original songs and tunes done Rathkeltair style for the holiday season!

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If you're in a Celtic band and you have recorded Christmas music, then please submit through at www.4Celts.com. Please complete all of the information, especially the band description.

If you have a Celtic podcast, I would love to share your show with my listeners. Just email me at [email protected]. Include a link to download your Christmas shows. I will get them in our feed.

My hope is to release three more exclusive episodes of this podcast, plus additional episodes by other Celtic shows. With any luck, you can expect a lot of great Celtic Christmas music and content in the weeks to come.

Of course, if you enjoy this show, then please rate it on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcatcher. And please share the show with your friends.

One final note. This podcast is here to support the artists in the show. So if you enjoy the music you heard, please buy a CD, MP3s or show your support anyway you can for these artists.

Have a Merry Christmas!