Celtic Kharma (Patreon)

Before I start, I want to thank you for being a part of my life... my family. I don't know how to adequately tell you how important it is to have people who support me through all of my stupid artistic endeavors.

Years ago, I published a music marketing newsletter. It was fast becoming one of the best, because I provided real, actionable tips, while other music marketers spouted theories. I could've become a full-time marketer. I had more than one person tell me I should go into marketing as a profession because I was good at it.

Maybe I am a better marketer than a musician. But I am an artist, first and foremost. I do a lot of good for other musicians through the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I make an almost decent living through that Patreon site. But I consider this one so much more important. Because it means that you appreciate my art. 

Right now, you may agree with all of what I put out. But as an artist, something might strike a nerve and turn you away forever. 

I once did that with my song "Won't You Come With Me?" I wanted to write a traditional style murder ballad. I did. But the original ending was of the man murdering the woman. I had one email come in from a former fan who said she would never listen to my music again. So I changed the ending, with man being murdered. It became more comical, which worked, especially for live shows. But that was art in work.

For the past few weeks, I've found myself getting more and more depressed every time I look at social media. Both conservatives and liberals share truths and half truths. The president does something to hurt people that makes me cry. Then I talk to relatives like I did yesterday who blindly believe everything Trump says. 

And I can't exactly blame them. Because we are all being lied to. I don't know who to trust. I feel like I can only trust my intuition. And I know that too is part of the problem with social media, because everyone is doing the same, except then, they are sharing it.

Small Glimmer of Hope

Today, I had a marketing revelation and a small glimmer of hope that struck me as I was promoting Name On My Soul. I shared the music video of "Slainte Mhaith". 

I called it a song about "Celtic Kharma". Do something nice, and you will reap the rewards ten-fold.

When I was in high school, my mom used that idea a lot. "What goes around, comes around", she would say.

What's interesting, I've found that a comment philosophy among successful business people. Do something good for them. It will come back to you, somehow. The "somehow" is a little nervewracking. Because you don't ever feel it. 

Nevertheless, I've adopted it in my life. I give away lots of money every year to charities even though I don't have much to give. I worked it into how I run my business. I use my podcasts, like the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, to give musicians a voice when they don't have the marketing skills to do the same. I spend money to boost posts on Facebook to help people with no expectation anyone will do that for me.

Because that's not what kharma is about. It's about doing it without expectation.

Which is why, again, I am so very grateful to have you, my Patreons, contributing $1, $5, $15, some even $25 every month to help me out. You are helping me fulfill my role as an artist and to help a lot of people.

But what really struck me about "Slainte Mhaith" and the idea of "Celtic Kharma" was how necessary, how important it is right now on Facebook.

Facebook is a dark place right now. If I could figure out a better way to grow my fanbase online and communicate with all of my Gunn Runners, I would seriously consider quitting altogether and suggest you to do the same. Lead a mass exodus.

But that's not the case. Instead, I want to bring fun and joy and happiness and peace to Facebook. And today it occurred that that is exactly what "Slainte Mhaith" is all about.

"Many times in my life, I forgot the kindness codeI reaped the sorry seeds that I sowedBut when I gave instead of tookThat's when my spirit growedMy charity turned into liquid gold"

That's why I want to ask you a favor. Not just for me. Not just because I would love to sell more copies of Name On My Soul. I want to ask you share "Slainte Mhaith"  and remind people to be remember the kindness code.

Or Bill & Ted's "be good to one another"

I want to ask you to not share anything negative about hate or thing passionate, well-placed, belief in whatever is being shared. Share something about love.

And I ask this for you, yes, but also for me, to remind myself to bring beauty and fun and joy and magic into the world. To overflow social media with all that is good.

I think "Slainte Mhaith" is a good example of that. I think if people listen to the lyrics, they might agree.

Thank you for making this possible. 

Your friend,Marc

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2. See all of my gifts at http://marcgunn.com/us/

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4. Question? Email me at marc.gunn@gmail.com