Travel Ireland, Scotland and Beyond with Celtic Invasion Vacations

I have begun reviewing my success from 2015 and I'm starting to set goals for 2016. You can learn some of my solid plans for next year. Though there will be more exciting things to come... once I figure those out!

---

We're getting a little philosophical today as I encourage you to change the way you think of gift giving this holiday season. Gifts should not be given with expectations, only with hope. If you expect, even a thanks, you're doing something wrong. 

Yes, it goes both ways when you receive gifts. It is the social convention to say, "Thank you". But sometimes, it doesn't happen. If you're too focused on the thanks when you give gifts, then you don't really deserve them. Because a gift, given with love, is without commitment.

---

It's time for an update of all the things i am working on right now. Learn more about what's new with my music and podcasting in the past few weeks and what's to come. Here's some of what you can look for:

• Kilted Kings at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival
• Playing traditional Celtic music
• New version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman"
• What are my most-popular songs?
• Going from the comedy to serious music
• "Name On My Soul" getting a new requests on CD every weekend
• Sci Fi Conventions are my base!
• Kids getting sick as I tour
• Irish & Celtic Music Podcast
• Celtic Christmas Podcast
• Celtic Christmas app? Will it happen this year?
• USB Pre-Amp is fried
• New YouTube videos
• Celtic Music Spotlights
• What do you think of The Celtfather audio blog posts?

---

Whether playing festivals and touring as their five-piece, guitar and fiddle-driven rock lineup or as a pared-down acoustic pub duo, the Bhoys have successfully forged their own unique place in the Irish/Celtic musical genre. Each of the five Bhoys brings immeasurable musicianship, making this what is sure to be one of the best albums you’ll hear in 2015!

Personal Fact: Lead singer Adam is a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan and a WWII historian.

Band: Wild Colonial Bhoys
Homepage: www.wildcolonialbhoys.com 
from CD: On Our Own (2015)
Hometown: St Paul MN, US

Listen to Wild Colonial Bhoys from Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

* Follow the link in the shownotes. While you're there, post feedback, use the hashtag #celtfather on social media, or email me [email protected]

You can subscribe to the show at www.celtfather.com where you can join my mailing list to download a free album of my Celtic Geek music. Special thanks to all of my Patrons. For as little as $1 per month, you can become a patron to show how much you love The Celtfather.

Jig to a Milestone is a Celtic folk duo from Gainesville, Florida, playing your favorite ballads, pub classics, instrumentals, sea shanties, and the occasional bawdy tune. Jig to a Milestone focuses on traditional acoustic sounds. They bring unique instrumentation to a repertoire that spans the centuries.

Jason Catron is the voice and rhythm of the group. He plays a barrage of stringed instruments including guitar, Irish bouzouki, mandocello, tenor banjo, and mandolin. Tearing through jigs at a breakneck speed, Jason's fingers of fire take flight on his handy tin whistle. His rich, lilting baritone fills the air with the purest tone that will make you believe you’re kissing the Blarney Stone!

Victoria Van Arnam plays the Hammered Dulcimer, she’s the cornerstone of their signature sound. Her tiny wooden hammers dance over the strings to produce haunting melodies. The delightful ambiance of the dulcimer is not one to be missed!

Personal Fact: Lead singer gained an octave when he quit smoking.

Band: Jig to a Milestone
Homepage: www.jigtoamilestone.com 
from CD: Crawford's Pub (2015)
Hometown: Gainesville, Florida

Listen to Jig to a Milestone on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

* You can subscribe to the show at www.celtfather.com where you can join my mailing list to download a free album of my Celtic geek music. Special thanks to all of my Patrons. For as little as $1 per month, you can become a patron and show your support for The Celtfather.

You can hear their music in the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Follow the link in the shownotes where you can also post feedback. Use the hashtag #celtfather on social media, or email me [email protected]

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought I'd share my views on What is Celtic Christmas music as I wrote last year. I confess I'm kinda picky about it.

However, my views have defined what kind of music is played in my Celtic Christmas Podcast too. I hope to help you find better Celtic Christmas music this holiday season.

Make sure you check out my two Celtic Christmas albums:

A Celtic Christmas is a compilation of Christmas music by Celtic musicians featured in the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I believe this album beautifully captures the true spirit of Celtic Christmas.

Celtic Christmas Greetings is my solo album of Celtic Christmas music featuring some new and original Christmas songs with a truly Celtic music feel. Let me albums sweep you away.

---

You can subscribe to the show at www.celtfather.com where you can join my mailing list to download a free album of my Celtic geek music. Special thanks to all of my Patrons. For as little as $1 per month, you can become a patron and show your support for The Celtfather.

Post feedback in the shownotes, use the hashtag #celtfather on social media, or email me [email protected]

Out of Huntsville, Alabama, Mike Clem, Andy Kruspe, and Garrett Smith have been playing Celtic music together in one form or another since 2010. During this time, they kept a running tab of cool band names and even better album names. When it came time to form a trio, "Black Market Haggis" became the clear choice for a band name. So they did what every new band should do when starting out- they searched their band name on the internet to see if it had already been taken. Predictably, no band has ever used that moniker. However, they did find that there is a demand for such a product since the USDA will not allow real haggis in the United States.

Personal Fact: The Guardian UK once called us to ask if we really could provide them with black market haggis for Burns Night.

Band: Black Market Haggis
Homepage: Www.betterthanitsounds.com

* You can listen to Black Market Haggis in the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Follow the link in the shownotes where you can also post feedback. Use the hashtag #celtfather on social media, or email me [email protected]

You can subscribe to the show at www.celtfather.com where you can join my mailing list to download a free album of my Celtic geek music. Special thanks to all of my Patrons. For as little as $1 per month, you can become a patron and show your support for The Celtfather.

Eddie Biggins is a singer-songwriter from the Boston area. He has written music in many varying genres, from folk to electronic to musical theater. In 2007 he joined a popular Irish band, Jug o' Punch, and since that time has focused more on traditional music, both in a band setting and as a solo artist. In 2014, along with his son Ryan and family friend Michael Maloney, he formed another Celtic band, The Boston Harbor Bhoys.

Personal Fact: My family and I are big fans of the Disney theme parks. Someday I hope you'll see me playing at Raglan Road in Disney World.

Band: Eddie Biggins
Homepage: eddiebiggins.bandcamp.com
Hometown: Medford, MA

Listen to Eddie Biggins on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

* You can subscribe to the show at www.celtfather.com where you can join my mailing list to download a free album of my Celtic geek music. Special thanks to all of my Patrons. For as little as $1 per month, you can become a patron and show your support for The Celtfather.

Post feedback in the shownotes, use the hashtag #celtfather on social media, or email me [email protected]

Out of Manchester, United Kingdom, The Brayzen Heads are an Irish Music Duo featuring Dave Gimore on Guitar and Vocals and Shane Farrell on Banjo, Fiddle & Mandolin. They play Irish Traditional Music, Songs and ballads with a mixture of more Modern Folk & Pop songs.  They  have played over 4000 shows in many different countries after they met each other in Spain in 2000. 

Personal Fact: The Brayzen Heads have been the house band at Raglan Road, Walt Disney World, Florida since 2012. They are planning to take time out to travel and play all over the USA and Canada.

Band: The Brayzen Heads
Homepage: www.brayzenheads.com 
from CD: Floored (2014)

Listen to The Brayzen Heads on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

* You can subscribe to the show at www.celtfather.com where you can join my mailing list to download a free album of my Celtic geek music. Special thanks to all of my Patrons. You can become a patron. For as little as $1 per month you can show your support for The Celtfather.

Post feedback in the shownotes, use the hashtag #celtfather on social media, or email me [email protected]

I've been playing Celtic music since 1999. I've given away millions of MP3s. I would love to give it all away, but I have a family to feed. I started a Patreon page to support my musical and creative endeavors. Now I also found a way to give away all my music. For a limited time, I'm giving it away to all of my Platinum Patrons.

Since 2004, I have released over 20 albums. There's some great music in that list that much of it may never be heard. Until now. 

You see, I make music because I want it to be heard and enjoyed. If I could give it all away for free, I would love to. But I still have a family to feed and lots of bills. That's why I started a Patreon page for my music and art. I wanted a way for fans to show their appreciation for all the great music and content that I give away. And a way for me to earn a regular paycheck. 

The site is already working great so far, but I just opened up the Platinum membership level and was looking for a great reward. Then it hit me. Why not give away my entire solo catalog to my Platinum Gunn Runners, fans who pledge $25 per month. 

You can find out more about What is Patreon? here.

What do you get when you become a Patron of Marc Gunn?

I asked that of my current Patrons. The overwhelming response was, "We don't care. It's not about what we get. It's about supporting your music."

That's incredibly awesome! Nevertheless, I do offer some cool rewards depending on your level. Silver Patrons get early access to new music. Gold Patrons get early access to new videos. And of course, Platinum Patrons get full access to my entire catalog. Plus, you'll also get HUGE discounts on autographed, physical CDs. 

How long is this offer available?

I don't know exactly how long I will keep this offer open. Right now, I'm doing this for a limited time. I'm gonna keep it open until the end of December 2015. I'll probably stop it when I'm back from the holidays in January. That's the current plan. But you never know. It may last much longer.

So signup now at www.marcgunn.net or www.marcgunn.com/patron 

---

I make this show for free thanks to the generosity of my Patrons. You can support my music, podcasts, and creative endeavors for as little as $5 per month. Plus you'll get bonus content including rough cuts of songs I release, exclusive podcasts, even some videos. Go to www.marcgunn.com/patron to join. Special thanks to my newest patrons.

If you enjoy this episode, then please post a review on iTunes or your favorite podcatcher where you can also subscribe to the show. Go to www.celtfather.com  where you can join my mailing list to download a free album of my Celtic and comedy music.

Post feedback in the shownotes, use the hashtag #celtfather on social media, or email me [email protected]