What's New in 2025? Celtfather Monthly (Patreon)

Every year, as part of review of what worked and what didn’t, I try to change things up. Some work and stick around. Others not so much. Many people do. This is where I will document some of those changes and hope I see some growth at the end of the year.

LIVE SHOWS

I will continue to book as many Atlanta Science fiction conventions as will have me. These are the base of the music I do. So it just makes sense to give cons a priority.

There’s a small chance I might get a few more dates to perform at Georgia Renaissance Festival. The Fall Fling was so successful for me that I think it’s worth trying to get more dates in the Spring as well, especially May since I have nothing booked.

I’m gonna get back to trying to book more local venues as well. Tho I think I might reach out a little more to non-breweries as well.

I’m also gonna theme shows a bit more. I don’t know if this was a fluke or not, but my first brewery show of the year is at The Lost Druid Brewery. I named it “Celtic Night with Marc Gunn” on Facebook. Over 140 people, so far, expressed interest.

That tells me there’s a continued interest that I haven’t been working hard enough. So I’m gonna get back to that. I might play a few more Celtic songs. But my musical base is still my original songs.

I’m also gonna try and book some shows with my daughter Inara.

THE MUSIC I’M MAKING

I’m gonna try and write more music this year. I’m also gonna try and share the new music with patrons. Once again, I’m gonna aim for at least one new song per month to share with you.

My early goal in getting into music was to be a songwriter. So I’m also gonna try to write songs for others. Part of my goal is not just to write a song that I love to sing, but that YOU will love singing and sharing.

Songs about hobbits, Firefly, and other science fiction are obviously staples of a Sci F’Irish musician. But I also want to write songs for my Celtic community. I have a big community that I can share songs with over at the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I’m gonna try and take use that platform to share my original Celtic songs.

Of course, that includes some new songs from Brobdingnagian Bards new album.

FOLK SONGS & STORIES

I officially changed the title of Pub Songs & Stories to Folk Songs & Stories. The URL will stay the same.

Will this title last? We shall see.

Why the change? The music I make is largely folk music. Yes. There are lots Celtic elements. There’s sci fi, also known as Filk, but it’s basically folk music.

My hope is in part to reach a new demographic. I’d like to break into the folk market a little better because I can’t really break into the Celtic market any more than I have while playing an autoharp.

2025 marks the 20 year anniversary of of my Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers album. I originally planned to start the year with a reboot of the Cat Lovers Podcast. But I think I’m gonna save that until the summer when I’m mostly out of pocket.

To kick off the year, I’m planning some more special episodes like I’ve done in the past. Things like Countdown the Top 10 Celtic Bands of 2024, five things to see in Wexford, Ireland (to promote my Celtic Invasion this summer), and more.

I also want to include other musicians on the podcast. Not just the one off feature, but maybe an interview if they don’t fit the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

The final thing I want to add to occasional shows is a 5 pack of live songs picked by YOU!

I’m not relaunching Coffee with The Celtfather at the start of the year. Or at least not at present. I’m still working on ideas. But I am thinking I will record 5 songs live as part of a monthly or so feature of your favorite music.

Do you have 5 songs you’d like me to perform on the podcast? Post down below. I’ll make an episode for you. Recommend a show title while you’re at it.

INTERVIEWS ON IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST

I had such a great time this year talking with musicians for my podcast. I also came up with a format that I could easily and quickly handle. I already started interviewing musicians for the podcast. Look for at least one interview a month for the coming year.

That podcast just switched to a per month pledge due to changes on Patreon. Now I need to rebuild up my memberships. The podcast income dropped $500 due to the change.

CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC

That same change on Patreon put this podcast in jeopardy. But right now, thanks to the generosity of 48 people, the show will continue through the year.

I’m planning 4 or 5 short episodes on different holiday topics that will be released during the year. Celtic Christmas Music and Cheer will be all year long!

YOU HAVE CDS?!

I finished inventory this year. My CD numbers are slowly shrinking.

My plan is to sell out of my CDs and not reprint them. When I finish a Kickstarter, I will print 100 copies over whatever was raised. That’s it. Then I will move to Album Pins. I may do reprints if it’s a newer album.

New CDs will be in a four-panel jacket, and they will not be wrapped in shrink wrap.

YOU HAVE ALBUM PINS?!

I know most people are used to the “You have CDs!?” Comment. But I’m gonna do the same for Album Pins in 2024. I did it at Georgia Ren Faire quite successfully. I’m gonna keep it going.

In January, I’m printing a short-run of Come Adventure With Me dragon album pins. They will be laser engraved and colored on wood. I found a local printer. This is a test run to see if I will migrate ALL of my pins from Metal to Wood.

I was trying to release a new pin for each album. I’m not sure that’s financially worthwhile. In any case, I’m out of a couple album pins. So I’ll do some reprinting at the beginning of the year.

I’m also gonna do more evangelizing of the Album Pin idea to other musicians. I truly believe this is the way forward for musicians. Especially if the wood pin idea works!

CELTIC INVASION OF WEXFORD

I rescheduled my Celtic Invasion of Galicia to 2026. In June, we are heading to Southeast Ireland to explore. I hope to have an itinerary in January.

I’m also planning podcast episodes to highlight the region.

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That's all I have for now. I'll let you know if anything new pops up.

Have a Happy New Year!

UPCOMING SHOWS

JAN 11: Maggie McGuinness Pub, Huntsville, AL

MAR 1: The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GA

MAR 15: The Wings Cafe & Tap House, Marietta, GA @ 3-7 PM

APR 25-27: Jordan Con, Atlanta, GA

JUN 21-28: Celtic Invasion of Wexford, Ireland

SEP 24-28: ALEP 6, Harrodsburg, KY

If you want to see the latest places I'm performing at, make sure you check my homepage.

Here's a complete list of What I'm Doing Now.

And here is what's new in 2025.

STATS

Mailing list subscribers = 1142 is down 20

Celtic Music Magazine = 3852 is down

YouTube Subscribers = 6261 is up 10

Facebook Likes = 4286 is up 14

Instagram = 2156 is up 5

Spotify followers: 2665 is up 18

# Number of streams on Spotify: 9841

LATEST SPOTIFY ALBUM STATS

Most-popular songs on Spotify, Last 28 Days:

The Widow and the Devil (7674)

Hero of Canton (3409)

Christmas in the Shire (3350)

Slainte Mhaith Christmas (1984)

Nancy Whiskey (1754)

A-Working in the Garden (1366)

Doctor of Gallifrey (1276)

Hobbit Hornpipe (1136)

Celtic Christmas Elf (949)

Yuletide (769)

Slainte Mhaith (703)

Frosty the Irish Snowman (703)

Let's have a Celtic Christmas (668)

Hero of Christmas (563)

Nollaig Shona Daoibh (375)

Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster (367)

Top albums on Amazon, Last 28 Days:

Sci Fi Drinking Songs (2028)

Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits (439)

Celtic Christmas Greetings (182)

Kilted For Her Pleasure (168)

Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion (143

Firefly Drinking Songs (132)

Browncoat Christmas (105)

As Long As I'm Flyin (90)

Most-popular songs on Amazon Music, Last 28 Days:

Christmas in Scotland (3205)

Doctor of Gallifrey (1077)

Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster (410)

Isn't It Grand Boys to Be Walking Undead (160)

Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits (115)

Spotify playlists:

Irish & Celtic Music: Best of 2024:  132

Irish & Celtic Music: Best of 2023: 166

Irish & Celtic Music: Best of 2022: 231

Top Irish & Celtic Music: 789

Firefly Drinking Songs: 165

Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers: 113

Joyful Celtic Christmas Music: 162

Fun Christmas Songs for Kids & Families: 1998

GUNN RUNNERS CLUB ON PATREON

Thank you to all of my Patrons in the Gunn Runners Club who support my music for as little as a buck a month. Even with the low posts on Patreon, I feel like the club still offers a ton of value. I hope you're enjoying the podcasts, albums, exclusive songs andy my blog.

If you haven't done so, please Subscribe now!

Patreon Subscribers: 144 paid, 319 total membersq

BREAKING DOWN THE SUPPORT

Thanks as always for supporting my music.

Streaming music gives you a quick and easy way to sample all of my music.

Digital sales keep my business running.

Tips, CD sales, and album pins allow me to tour.

Kickstarter funds physical products like CDs, shirts, pin and other merch.

And Patreon funds my livelihood as a musician!

Join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon to support my songwriting. You will step behind-the-scenes with new music, bonus podcasts, videos, and live concerts. 

Thank you for supporting Sci F'Irish music!

#CFMonthly