Celtfather Monthly February 2025 (Patreon)

Greetings Gunn Runner

I am less than two weeks out from having hip replacement surgery. It's amazing that I was able to walk almost immediately. After three days on a walker, I started walking with a cane. My legs were unable to do exercises. Now I can do a leg abduction exercise I could only do occasionally before my surgery.

Course, I still have a lot of healing to go. I walk every hour. I've only been outside a couple times in the past week since there's been snow on the ground. And my ability to focus on work is not good. But overall, I feel really good about this surgery.

Thank you Gunn Runners who support me on Patreon. I can't imagine how I could heal up from this surgery if I didn't have so many wonderful people contributing just a few dollars a month.

Thank you!

NEW CELTIC PODCAST KICKSTARTER

I launch a new Kickstarter today. This one is raising funds for the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast's new compilation CD and Album Pin. I have a license to print only 100 copies of the CD. So this will be the only time you can own the physical CD.

The album features about 12 of the best Celtic songs and tunes of 2024, as voted on by fans of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. There's a lot of great music. And of course, best of all, you can archive the music. There's also a couple bonus tracks with my music.

DO YOU ARCHIVE YOUR MUSIC?

I think 2025 will see a big change in how we approach owning music in the future. The Billionaires are manipulating us to control America. We don't have the financial resources to combat them. But we do have control over our ability to own the media we love.

Did you know when you "buy" a movie on Prime Video or Apple TV, you don't actually own it? They store it on their servers. You have a license to use it. But you don't own it.

I learned this years ago when I bought the 1977 Rankin & Bass film of The Hobbit. I bought it on Amazon and Apple TV three times before it finally stayed in my movies account. I looked up why and learned that if they decided to remove the movie online, then there is nothing I can do about that.

That's why I believe the future of music and media is owning your own copy of something. Be that CD or a digital file on your computer, I think it will become financially essential for us to own the media we love.

Yeah. We can keep streaming music, movies and books.

But if it's something you love, own a copy.

Otherwise, it may be gone tomorrow.

BROBDINGNAGIAN BARDS' ANOTHER FAIRE TO REMEMBER

Andrew and I made little progress on the recording of the album this past month as I got ready for surgery. Although, about half the songs are already recorded with a few just needing a new mix.

Right now, our plan is to record music in person. The big question is when. Will he drive to Atlanta to make that happen? Or will we do it in Texas when I head there in April?

I don't know the answer yet. So stay tuned. I hope to have a new Bards Podcast completed recorded soon.

CELTIC INVASION OF WEXFORD, IRELAND

The Celtic Invasion of Wexford, Ireland is green lit. I'm planning an episode of Folk Songs & Stories to talk about some of the things we might visit. We'll see if I can pull that off in my current state.

I do still have space for no more than two people. If you're interested, you should let me know ASAP.

Complete your application on the website.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGES... ARE YOU MOVING TO BLUESKY AND MASTODON?

I finally deleted my Twitter account last month. I never liked Twitter, even back in the early podcasting days when podcasters said, "You HAVE to be on Twitter." Back then it was shallow and overwhelming. Now it's nothing but vitriol.

As for Facebook, it is still my main social media home for the foreseeable future. But I've hated it for over a decade. It hasn't gotten any better. I use it because my wife shares pictures with our families. I also use it because some venues want me to promote my shows on social media. But ultimately, it's a lame rat race. I'm not leaving any time soon. But I'm also not gonna waste my time helping a corporation make more money.

Fortunately, there are alternatives. Yes. I am now on Bluesky, and I am still on Mastodon. They are both part of the Fediverse. The community controls the content, instead of a corporation.

That's my biggest problem. I'm tired of Corporations and Billionaires controlling the media. That's why I signed up to Bluesky. Though, I'm not sure if Bluesky is a good long-term strategy.

The number one reason I like those sites is the complete lack of advertising and the happier feed.

It's crap in, means crap out. Meaning if you want to avoid negative content, follow people who make you happy.

That said, there's an even better option, Patreon Chat. Patreon has it's own social feed. It's called Chat. I've been using that to keep Gunn Runners up-to-date with my hip surgery and other stuff.

Not many folks are using it at present. But it is a refreshing change from the Facebook feeds.

I'd love for you to join me on Patreon.

UPCOMING SHOWS

MAR 1: The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GA @ 6-9 PM

MAR 16: The Wings Cafe & Tap House, Marietta, GA @ 3-7 PM

MAR 17: The Wings Cafe & Tap House, Marietta, GA @ 6-9:30 PM

APR 12-13: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX

APR 19-20: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX

APR 25-27: Jordan Con, Atlanta, GA

MAY 3: Maggie McGuinness Pub, Huntsville, AL

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.

STATS

Mailing list subscribers = 1144 up 2

Celtic Music Magazine = 3841 down 9

YouTube Subscribers = 6262 is up 1

Facebook Likes = 4279 is down 7

Instagram = 2151 is up 1

Spotify followers: 2689 is up 24

# Number of streams on Spotify: 6794

LATEST SPOTIFY ALBUM STATS

Most-popular songs on Spotify, Last 28 Days:

The Widow and the Devil (10109)

Hero of Canton (3713)

Doctor of Gallifrey (2207)

A-Working in the Garden (1544)

Hobbit Hornpipe (1336)

Caltown Weaver (1010)

Christmas in the Shire (830)

Slainte Mhaith (787)

Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster (555)

Slainte Mhaith Christmas (502)

Top albums on Amazon, Last 28 Days:

Sci Fi Drinking Songs (1975)

Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits (515)

Kilted For Her Pleasure (200)

Firefly Drinking Songs (151)

Scottish Songs of Drinking & Rebellion (150)

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

Doctor of Gallifrey (1045)

Christmas in Scotland (644)

Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster (351)

Jedi Drinking Song Prequel (119)

Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits (119)

Spotify playlists:

Irish & Celtic Music: Best of 2025: 4

Irish & Celtic Music: Best of 2024:  149

Irish & Celtic Music: Best of 2023: 167

Irish & Celtic Music: Best of 2022: 231

Top Irish & Celtic Music: 788

Firefly Drinking Songs: 162

Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers: 114

Joyful Celtic Christmas Music: 162

Fun Christmas Songs for Kids & Families: 1994

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 and my blog.

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

Patreon Subscribers: 143 paid, 327 total members

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