Celtfather Monthly 2018 October (Patreon)

Greetings Gunn Runner

Well, this month flew by! Though that's really no surprise. I've been extremely busy.

My wife is still in Memphis through November for school. So I'm at home holding down the fort and trying to get as much done as possible on both the family and the business front.

I feel like I'm getting a handle on taking care of the kids, mostly solo. Gwen's mom is helping out too. But work... It never seems to settle down. I have a new podcast, two video shows, new songs, and lots of ideas running around my brain.

Before we get into that, I want to thank our newest Patrons in the Gunn Runners Club: Erica T., Kelira, Hiram W., Muzikana, Riva L., William M,.Garrett R., Kristin T., John M., Anna N., Jen W. and a big thanks to those who raised their pledges including: Carol Baril, Jessica C., Evan M., Jen W., Robert S., and Rob W.

Note that I decided to make a change to how I thank new patrons. I'm using first names largely. I asked my Gunn Runners and a majority seemed to prefer that. Thanks for your feedback and especially your generous support.

Coffee with The Celtfather is turning into a great show. Every Wednesday, I'm there on Facebook singing songs for you and having fun. Attendance is pretty solid. I'm not blowing the doors down yet. But it's consistent and every now and then it breaks 20 live viewers at once, which is fantastic for me. Plus, people are chatting in the feed. That's one of the big things that helps get Facebook Live shows more notice.

I'm still working out the kinks of the YouTube show. But that too is seeing decent success. It comes out every Monday. I'm getting about 70 views in about a month. Nothing has taken off, rocketing up in popularity. But then I've just established a degree of consistency that I KNOW I can do.

One of the challenges I have is I get excited and want to create too much. And then I find myself totally overwhelmed. 

So right now, I'm just making a weekly LIVE video show and occasionally sharing edited videos like the one I did from our Chicago trip back in May.

Kilted Kings are booked as a trio for the Mid-South Renaissance Festival outside of Memphis, TN for the 2nd and 3rd weekends of October. I think we have three shows daily. It's the only gig I have booked on the road at present.

I'm starting to plan the FIFTH ANNUAL CELTIC HALLOWEEN special. This is a free internet concert on YouTube. I still need to pick a date. It's just been tough with just me and the kids at home.

Mikey Mason and I have almost booked all of the dates for the Blue Sun Holiday Spectacular Tour. If you want to enjoy Firefly music and Christmas songs, make sure you follow the page on Facebook. Then check the tourdates at FireflyDrinkingSongs.com.

The Celtic Geeks Facebook Group is getting a LOT of love right now. I'm sharing new stuff over there almost daily. That's getting others more interested in sharing as well. 

As for podcasts...

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is not only coming out on time every Thursday, but I'm back into prepping shows ahead of time. I recorded two shows a few weeks back. That was brilliant, because it gave me time to focus on recording new music.

I have a new blog on my website where I ask "Do You Want More Firefly Music?" That post led to this...

The big new thing that is about to come out is a brand spanking new podcast called In the 'Verse: Song Crafting for the Firefly Universe. Mikey Mason and I are rewatching the first six episodes of Firefly. But instead of just chatting about what we love about the episode--well we do that too--but we are looking for themes and ideas to write songs. At the end of each episode, we share our songs with you.

The first episode was a blast. And we're already brainstorming for the next one. So give it a listen. And join the shiny fun! Because we want YOU involved.

Stats

YouTube Subscribers = 3745 is up 34 from 3711

YouTube Watch Time = 47,231 is up from 46,133

YouTube Views = 13,040 is down from 13,163

I gotta say I'm excited about this month's stats. On YouTube I had the same growth as last month, 34 new subscribers. But watch time is up. And I feel like I'm on the right track. Give me another six months, and I expect really good results. Just like on Facebook.

Facebook Likes = 3511 is up from 3484

Facebook Followers = 3397 is up from 3368

FB Page Views = 343 is up from 243 

FB Reach = 10,996 is up from 7586

FB Video Views = 3151 is up from 2986 

Everything was up on Facebook this month. Now admittedly, I ran a couple Facebook ads. That's something I'm testing out for finding new fans. I am thrilled that my email list has finally broken 1000 subscribers. It's been at 900 some odd for over a year. But the ads are helping.

Again, let me thank my Gunn Runners Club members for your generosity. That's the money I use to help promote my music. It's working. 

I actually just finished writing and scheduling a whole bunch of emails as well. 

I use an automated email system to guide new subscribers on a path to get to know me and my music. I still have a lot more to write. But so far, this is awesome.

Spotify Latest Single Stats: "Why Do You Torture Me": 258 streams is up 49 from 209

Spotify Latest Single Stats: "Mingulay Cat Song": 336 is up 44 from 292

Spotify followers: 1080 is up 18 from 1062

# Number of listens on Spotify: 1933 is up 180 from 1753

Most-popular songs on Spotify: Widow and Devil (714), Doctor of Gallifrey (561), Reavers Malcolm Reavers (305), Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster (276), Monahan's Mudder's Milk (192)

It was a big month for me on Spotify. I had 180 more listens than last month. My top tracks are getting a lot of attention. No. I'm not blowing it out of the water yet either. But I'm hopeful. And again, I'm growing. Not stagnating which is something my marketing efforts have done for far too long.

My Firefly Drinking Songs playlist now has 73 followers up from 66

Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers has 29 followers up from 26

Top Irish & Celtic Music has 201 up from 187

Hobbit Drinking Songs has 

Celtfather Experience has 13 followers that's up from 9

Geek Pub Songs has 3 followers

Oh! One final note. you have until October 7 to buy CDs on CD Baby at low price. Andrew and I tested out a new price point for CDs on the recommendation of several other musicians. We've decided to raise our prices to $20 for all physical CDs. There are a lot of CDs selling for a lot less. So if you want to own one. Head on over to CD Baby.

Well, that closes out this month's October edition of Celtfather Monthly. If you have any questions or comments, please share them.

Thank you again for supporting me and my music. And I want send another HUGE THANKS to my patrons in the Gunn Runners Club. You rock!

You can help me create and release more music. Join the Gunn Runners Club to step behind-the-scenes with bonus podcasts, new music, and live concerts. I'm certain you will love it!