The Magic Moment When an Audience Says “Yes!” (Patreon)

How participation—not performance—is the real show.

Greetings friends

I spent last couple o’weeks—when I wasn’t holidaying with my family—making plans for Nerdy Wonderland and the final weekend of Georgia Renaissance Festival’s Fall Fling. A lot of it went into building set lists.

You see, I noticed something at the last Ren Faire. It kind of blew my mind. I played on a big stage, something I’ve done many times in the past, but the difference is that I not only had an audience, but the audience stayed in their seats.

This might not sound remarkable.

But to me, after 25+ years of performing at Renaissance festivals, it’s huge. I struggled every year to get people to my shows and to keep them engaged from start-to-finish. This time? It just worked. And I found myself wondering: Why now? What’s changed?

The answer finally clicked while thinking about my Hobbit Drinking Songs show.

People love that show. Dragon Con, Gen Con, Sherwood Forest Faire, Georgia Ren Faire… it doesn’t matter where. The name alone turns heads. If you love hobbits or Lord of the Rings, you’re instantly curious.

That’s step one: spark interest.

Get them to the seats.

But once they sit down, you still have to win them over.

For me, a “drinking song” isn’t about alcohol. It’s about participation. It’s a communal sing-along. It’s a chance for the audience to feel like part of the show.

And that’s where these new set lists shine.

They teach the listener… quickly…that you can sing along with me and with a hundred soon-to-be friends. Once they take that tiny leap and say “Yes!” to joining in, something changes. Energy sparks. Community forms. And suddenly… nobody wants to leave.

That’s the experience I'm chasing now.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

POLL: What makes a live show unforgettable for you?

My projects and upcoming events:

SHOW. NERDY WONDERLAND! I’m performing at Nerdy Wonderland on Sunday, December 7. Here’s my planned show times.

12:30 PM: Nerdy Drinking Songs

2:00 PM: Celtic Christmas Songs

4:30 PM: Holiday Drinking Songs

SHOW. GEORGIA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL FALL FLING.  I’m back at the Faire this weekend singing drinking songs. Gate opens at 2 pm. I’m back on the Halfwit Harbor Stage.

2:15 Rowdy Pub Songs

3:45 Hobbit Pub Songs

5:30 Rowdy Pub Songs

7:15 Sing Along Pub Songs

PODCAST INTERVIEW with Halfling and the Spaceman. I had an interview a couple weeks back with podcasts hosts I met at Multiverse. It was a nice dig into my musical history. If you’re interested, give it a listen.

BLOG. TOP 15 CELTIC FOLK BANDS OF 2025. I’m not sure I should spend my time composing blogs like this, but… too late. It’s done. Hopefully, it helps these incredible bands get a little more attention. These are the bands I played most on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast in 2025. Yes. It does include my own music. blush See who made the list.

PATRONAGE HAS ITS PERKS

You are amazing. Your kindness. Your generosity. Your interest in being a part of something strange and different, yet wonderful. Thank YOU for following me on Patreon. Thanks also to our my Generous Patrons in the Gunn Runners Club.

The Gunn Runners Club is your home for new music, podcasts, and behind-the-scenes access to the music and entertainment of Marc Gunn. You allow me to share my musical world when you join for as little as $5 per month.

Patreon Subscribers: 152 paid, 489 total members

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