What happens when you read Lord of the Rings and drink too much in a pub in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland? A live recording of "The Psychopathic, Chronic, Schizophrenic Gollum Blues". Complete with butchered lyrics. But toned with lots of live sing-a-long fun.

"Gollum Blues (Live)"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: 4 Drunk's Sake: Live from an Irish Pub
Read Lyrics: "Psychopathic, Chronic, Schizophrenic Gollum Blues" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps or iTunes
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy My MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License.
Find out more about the MarcSongs Podcast.

I am looking for TWENTY REVIEWERS to review Three Movie and TV Songs for Geeks Like Me on iTunes.

The three song CD is exactly what the name says, original songs I wrote inspired by movie and TV shows. All you have to do is write a short review on iTunes, and I will send you a Free copy of the CD.

Sorry. The Free CDs Are All Gone.
Please Buy Your Geek Songs CD here.

Want other Free CDs?

Track Listing:

1. A Rabbit for Halloween (Bugs Bunny and Witch Hazel)
   
2. Stardust Serenade (Stardust movie)
3. She Said Her Name Was Saffron (Firefly)

All you have to do is Follow the Instructions below:

1. You MUST use iTUNES. While I would like to see your reviews on cross-posted on CD Baby, I'm doing this promotion specifically for iTunes. So if you want to Win a CD, you'll need to download and install iTunes so you can review the CD if you don't already use it.

2. Email me at marc (at) thebards (dot) net. Put "TALK_TO_MARC_GUNN" in the subject line and in the body of the message, post "I want a Free Copy of Three Movie and TV Songs for Geeks Like Me". Please INCLUDE your name and mailing address in the message.

4. Click the song titles above and listen to the album online.

5. If you want, you can also cross-post your CD review in your blog with a link to
http://cdbaby.com/cd/gunnmarc1/from/celtic/

6. Post a review on iTunes.

7. Once that is done, I'll send you a copy of the album.

That's all that is required to win. However, if you enjoy the album, you can do more to help promote the CD, like:

• Tell your friends to read about the CD review
• Tell others once the album is released on CDBaby.
• Cross-post your review on Livejournal, iTunes, Myspace, Facebook, Message Boards, and include a link to the CD.
• Add one of my songs to your profile if you have a Myspace account
• Make a video using songs from the CD

That's it. Once I have my TWENTY Reviewers, I will post a message here.

The FuMP does it again! My song "I Saved The Planet Earth" was played on The Dr. Demento Show #08-04 - January 27, 2008. If ye like the song, go request it there. Maybe it'll end up on the monthly T0p Ten. Incidentally, I hope to add that song to my upcoming CD, "What Color Is Your Dragon? Folk Music with Delusions of Grandeur". I haven't started mixing the CD yet, but hope to this week before we head off to Arizona.

I was re-reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone when a story crept into my mind. Professor McGonagall was there in tabby cat form while London wizards celebrated the defeat of Voldemort. But what were the London cats doing? As I sang "Rising of the Moon", the answer came to me. I recorded this in for my first cat CD, but it was cut due to legal issues. But when I found out about Wizard Rock, I decided to blow care to the wind and plan to officially release the song for More Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers, my next cat CD. I start recording in two weeks and am currently looking for angelic cat lovers willing to sponsor the album.

"Harry Potter and The Rising of the Moon"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: More Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers
Read Lyrics: "Harry Potter and The Rising of the Moon" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps or iTunes
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy My MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License.
Find out more about the MarcSongs Podcast.

I am looking for TWENTY REVIEWERS to review the Victims of Irish Music CD.

This compilation features all-instrumental Irish music. It has already received rave reviews, but I want more, especially on iTunes, in time for St. Patrick's Day. Here's what is on the album.

1. "Cooley's Set (Reels: Cooley's Reel,/Sporting Paddy/Toss The Feathers)" by Wild Clover Band from Behind the Blarney
   
2. "Sleeping Under The Tables Set" by Kennedy's Kitchen from A Pocketful of Lint
   
3. "Lannigan's Ball/Rambling Pitchfork/Tar Road Sligo" by Cady Finlayson from Harp and Shamrock
   
4. "Staten Island Hornpipe/Morpeth Rant" by The Jolly Rogues from Captain Billy's Privateers
   
5. "The Gneeveguilla Reel/Drag her Round the Road/The Golden Keyboard" by Arabesque from Glen Road to Cordoba
   
6. "The Boys from Blue Hill/Cherish the Ladies" by Bow Triplets from One Spot On Earth
   
7. "Princess Royale" by Thomas "Doc" Grauzer from Infernal Harp Racket
   
8. "Chicago Trippin up the Stairs by Boston Blackthorne from Better Late Than Ever
   
9. "Rocky Road to Brenham" by Celtic Stone from Digital Traditions
10. "Geordie Lad" by Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer from Thumb Twiddling
    
11. "Old Grey Cat" by Marc Gunn & The Dubliners' Tabby Cats from Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers
    
12. "Congress Reel" by Poitin from Live!
    
13. "The Road to Lisdonvarna/Morrison's Jig" by Vince Conaway from Distractions from the Muse
    
14. "Polkas and Slides" by The Tea Merchants from The Tea Merchants
    
15. "Banks of Spey/High Road to Linton" by Highland Fling from Highland Fling
16. "Campbell's Farewell to Red Gap/Newcastle" by Bedlam Bards from Furious Fancies
    
17. "The Skylark/Humours of Tulla/Lucy Campbell's" by Culann's Hounds from Year of the Dog

All you have to do is Follow the Instructions below:

1. You MUST use iTUNES. While I would like to see more reviews on CD Baby, I'm doing this promotion especially for iTunes. So if you want to Win a CD, you'll need to download and install iTunes so you can review the CD if you don't already use it.

2. Email me at marc (at) thebards (dot) net. Put "TALK_TO_MARC_GUNN" in the subject line and in the body of the message, post "I want a Free Copy of Victims of Irish Music". Don't forget your name and mailing address in the message.

3. I'll then email you and tell you the link to download the album of MP3s in a ZIP file.

4. Listen to the album.

5. Go back to your blog and post a review of what you think of the CD. Include a link to http://www.celticmusic.org/Victims_Of_Irish_Music.shtml

6. Post a review on CD Baby at http://cdbaby.com/cd/victimsirishmusic/from/celtic/

7. Post a review on iTunes.

8. Once that is done, I'll send you a copy of the album.

That's all that is required to win. However, if you enjoy the album, you can do more to help promote the CD, like:

• Tell your friends to read about the CD review
• Tell others once the album is released on CDBaby.
• Cross-post your review on Livejournal, iTunes, Myspace, Facebook, Message Boards, and include a link to the CD.
• Add one of my songs to your profile if you have a Myspace account
• Make a video using songs from the CD

That's it. Once I have my TWENTY Reviewers, I will post a message here.

Thanks to the CD player in my new car, I'm listening to a lot of CDs that came to my mailbox over the past year or so. The latest was Patrick's Head's new CD "Arse Biscuits". I love it!

With a title like Patrick's Head, I assumed it was a Celtic rock band, but it's not. Yes, the singers vocals remind me of Shane MacGowan, but they're cleaner, more user friendly, easier to understand. The music is straight up contemporary Celtic folk. Very lyrical, great song selection, and well done. "Raglan Road" belongs in some Irish movie. All in all, a fantastic CD, and I highly recommend it!

Buy "Arse Biscuits"

This coming Saturday will be the Austin AARG. Marc Gunn will be appearing as well as William Toohey with his pipes. Half Seven at the Dog & Duck corner of 17th and Guadalupe! Come Early! Be Loud! Stay Late and Wear Garb!

The Central Texas Rennies meet once a month when faire isn't in session at the Dog & Duck Pub in Central Austin. It's organized by Moon Dawg, and if you enjoy Renaissance festivals like I do, then don your garb and come enjoy the social gathering.

Saturday, January 26, 2008
Marc Gunn @ 7:30pm
The Dog & Duck Pub
406 W 17th St
Austin, TX 78701
www.marcgunn.com

Be sure to check out the new Renaissance Festival Podcast Compilation while you're there.

Yesterday, I met with Rich Brotherton about producing my next cat CD More Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. I drove over there yesterday afternoon, and I was excited to learn he lives just five minutes from my place. And Rich has recorded and produced scores of amazing musicians, including Ed Miller, The Tea Merchants and a lot of bigger names outside the Celtic music world.

The meeting got me really psyched to start recording. If he had available spots sooner than the 6th, I woulda jumped all over them and started on the single. Basically, we're gonna start by recording three songs: "What Do You Do With a Catnipped Kitty", "Danny Boy", and one other song... TBD. Hopefully, that'll give me an idea of how long it's gonna take to record these songs. Then we're gonna jump straight into the rest of the album. And if that flies by quickly, I'll record another companion CD of Irish and Celtic songs. But first things first, the cat CD.

That said, I am still trying to raise money to help pay for the album. If you want to Pre-Adopt the album, please do.

I had a fantastic weekend. Best in a while. Friday night, we had a packed house concert in Louisiana and some craic that evening. Great company, wine and grappa. Yeah, it was fun! But Saturday took the cake.

My friend Jamie, a long-time New Orleans resident, invited me on a personal tour of New Orleans. So we drove down there with her friend Margaret, who publishes a blog called Beyond Katrina, that tells about what happened and how the city is recovering. We met up with Jason, a N.O. street and Ren faire performer, and Helen, a cello player living and working in the returning N.O. music scene. It was great getting to know the city a wee bit better.

We drove throughout the downtown and uptown areas of New Orleans. The city is still rebuilding over two years after Hurricane Katrina wrecked devastation on the city. Parts of the city are still in pieces. Marks on buildings stand as reminders of the dead and the attempts to return. We saw the Musicians Village, started by Habitat for Humanity, offering homes to supplanted musicians. We saw debris still littering the city.

Admittedly, it's not all in pieces. Many of the older parts of town we're barely touched and are thriving once again. The city is fighting to return, but it is still a reminder of the fragility of civilization. This can and Does happen all over the world. And while I don't think we can really worry about what *could* happen, I do believe it is important to help those in need. So it was great seeing where some of those dollars for The Circle, Ren Fest Podcast compilation, went. And there's still a lot to do. But people like Helen were excited about the growing music scene. New musicians are showing up and there's a lot of work available, as well as lots of opportunity for growth. It's rather exciting.

Well, our tour took us to a wide variety of places around the city. We ate at The Joint, tasted some amazing Loire Valley wines at Baccanal, had blood-orange-and-basil martinis at Lili's, listened to Spanish guitarist by John Lawrence, and finished up the evening with an orgasmic dinner at Besh's.

Course, best of all, was the company--Jamie, Margaret, Jason, Helen, were all fantastic, as were the people I met around town. Great, friendly people. I've been looking for a place to move for a while, and I think there's a big possibility that New Orleans might be my next residence.

Are you in love? Or are a romantic, like I am? Then Happy Valentine's Day!

Well you don't have to be in love to enjoy Marc Gunn's latest CD, "A Tribute to Love", when he releases the album on Valentine's Day, Thursday, February 14, 2008, at noon at Things Celtic, 1806 W. 35th Street.

A Tribute to Love is a different sort of love CD. Gunn draws from his personal experience in love to share the ups and downs, the joy and sadness, the romance and broken hearts. Love is not always bliss. Sometimes you have to work at it. But it is the joy of the experience that makes us continue to pursue it. That is what this CD is all about.

Marc Gunn will share songs from his new CD as well as many traditional Celtic love songs when he releases his new CD at Things Celtic on Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day Lunchtime Concert and CD Release Party
February 14, 2008
Things Celtic @ noon
1806 W. 35th Street
Austin, TX 78703

Marc Gunn is folk singer and songwriter from Austin, Texas with a strange affinity for Celtic ballads, Irish drinking songs, American folk songs, acoustic Alternative Folk, and cats. Find out more about the album and listen to CD online now.

"Johnny Jump Up" seemed the perfect song to start the evening with when I was in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland last summer, because I was drinking a lot of Bulmers cider (known stateside as Magners). I learned the song from Christy Moore. So it's one of the few versions I've heard in 3/4 time.

"Johnny Jump Up (Live)"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: 4 Drunk's Sake: Live from an Irish Pub
Read Lyrics: "Johnny Jump Up" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps or iTunes
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy My MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License.
Find out more about the MarcSongs Podcast.

I hadn't even officially released A Tribute to Love when I started working on my next solo album--What Color Is Your Dragon? Folk Music with Delusions of Grandeur.

The album started when I realized I have a LOT of songs recorded that are not yet available on full-length albums. I listened to many of them and realized most were filk songs.

So I decided that would be the main focus of this album. I would compile a list of songs on a variety of Sci Fi/fantasy genres including: Lord of the Rings, Bugs Bunny, Firefly, Star Wars, Dr. Who, and Harry Potter. Added to that would be a few songs I wrote a long, long time ago (not necessarily in a galaxy far away) and a few new songs exploring new musical genres (blues, in particular).

The result is my latest album available in August 2008--What Color Is Your Dragon?. The album features 17 tracks of fun music that one fan compared to the Brobdingnagian Bards' chart-topping album, Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales.

That is kind of appropriate because the first song on the album, "Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits" was inspired by real-life event that happened several years ago at DragonCon when I went out drinking with hobbits and by the end of the weekend was so sick I had no voice to sing with. "The Virgin Diet" was a song inspired by another song popularized by The Bards called "Do Virgins Taste Better Medley", as well as the fan-produced magazine that arose from that song, The Medieval Virgin.

I get a lot of emails from fans with song lyrics. Now and then some songs really stand out and I record them. "The Nazgul Song" and "The Lusty Young Sith" were written by fans who decided to parody songs played by Brobdingnagian Bards. The lyrics made me smile so much, I decided they had to be recorded.

Nevertheless, What Color Is You Dragon? has taken on a life of it's own as I dug into my experience to write most of these songs about some of my favorite Sci Fi and fantasy fandoms. This was a wonderful way to share my love of those fandoms in song. I am happy to share this album with you.

Oh! A special thanks to Nikki O'Shea, the Bards Comic artist, who beautifully designed the CD cover. I hope you enjoy the new album.

Track Listing:

1. Don't Go Drinking with Hobbits
2. A Rabbit for Halloween
3. Samwise Gamgee
4. The Virgin Diet (How to Have Fun Losing Weight)
5. How Do You Tell a Woman You're in Love with Her?
6. Pleasant Peasant Pheasant Plucking Song
7. She Said Her Name Was Saffron (Our Mrs. Reynolds)
8. Monkeys Over Mongolia
9. Lusty Young Sith
10. For the Setting Sun
11. If I Were a Horse
12. The Last Chicken in Dublin
13. Pig's Song
14. I Saved the Planet Earth
15. The Nazgul Song
16. Gollum Blues
17. My Father Was a Werewolf

Buy MP3 Album!
$9.99. Instant access. Download the nicely formatted MP3s to your computer.

Buy the CD!
$15. The take-it-with-you version.

Listen to it free online
Absolutely free. The complete CD. All 17 tracks. Completely free to listen to online.

Now playing: Marc Gunn - What Color Is Your Dragon?

Yup. You can own one. Only a limited number will be printed.
Find out more here.

I added a new Questions and Answers section to the website for those Frequently Asked Questions. Now I just need to know what those questions are...

Simple answer. Yes!

I strongly encourage anyone to record (audio or video) any and every performance solo or with my band. Each show is completely different so record AND share! That's right. I give you permission to share your recording with others - just don't sell them.

For that matter, you can post files to my Internet Archive to share with others.

Someone asked why it wasn't possible to have one page with all my CDs available for sale. So I updated my CD store. You can now Buy CDs all at once through my shopping cart. That includes Marc Gunn, The Dubliners Tabby Cats, Brobdingnagian Bards, compilation CDs, albums I've performed on, and even albums from my record label. It's all there!

Day 4, Sunday, June 8th

The deadline is January 23rd, but let us know if you're joining us as soon as you can. Sign up at
www.thebards.net/ireland/

Brigit's Garden, Co. Galway

We will depart from Tralee quite early so that we arrive for a very special afternoon at Brigit's Garden.

Our journey will take us across the River Shannon on a ferry close to its estuary. We will stop for another beverage and bathroom break on the way.

We should arrive at Brigit's Garden in Co. Galway around 2:00 pm for a very welcome healthy lunch from the garden's excellent cafe.

Brigit's Garden is a mesmerising sculptured garden that beautifully portrays the traditions of the four ancient fire festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasa. Other wonders include a passage cairn with wind chimes, fairy fort, tree sculptures and the largest sundial in Ireland that tells both time and date. If the afternoon is dry the Brobdingnagian Bards will perform from within the sundial, a wonderful photo and video opportunity. As there so much to see and do here, you will probably wish to explore the gardens until closing time at 5:00 pm.

After leaving the wonders of Brigit's Garden we will enjoy a beautiful scenic drive through the pass between the Joyce Country and Maumturk mountains of Co. Galway until we reach Leenaun where Ireland's only Fjord lough enters the valley.

At Leenaun we will check into the Leenane Hotel where we will enjoy dinner. Leenane Hotel is a traditional Irish hotel that has recently been rebuilt to adjust to our modern needs. After dinner you will enjoy exploring the pretty village with local craft shops that open late and nice bars that spring into spontaneous music sessions during most evenings.

Firefly is was a brilliant TV Sci Fi Western by Joss Whedon. I turned into a Huge Browncoat right before the movie Serenity was released. "Hero of Canton" is from the episode Jaynestown and much like in the movie, this song was recorded live in an Irish pub in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland with twenty plus friends singing along.

"Hero of Canton (Live)"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: 4 Drunk's Sake: Live from an Irish Pub
Read Lyrics: "Hero of Canton" Lyrics

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps or iTunes
Donation: Make a Donation
Subscribe: http://www.irish-song-lyrics.com/podcast.rss

Visit MP3 Store: Buy My MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

Released under a Creative Commons Noncommercial ShareAlike License.
Find out more about the MarcSongs Podcast.

I am looking for TEN REVIEWERS to review the new Renaissance Festival Compilation CD. This compilation features music from Renaissance festival music groups from throughout the nation.

Sorry. The Free CDs Are All Gone.
Please Buy Your Renaissance Festival Podcast Compilation here.

Want other Free CDs?

Track Listing:
1. Fugli, "Crazy Leo's Indulgences", www.povera.com
2. Bedlam Bards, "Bedlam Boys / Bear Dance", www.bedlambards.com
3. Bramblebush, "Mary Mac", www.bramblebush-music.com
4. Bocca Musica, "Nancy", www.boccamusica.com
5. Bounding Main, "High Barbaree", www.boundingmain.com
6. Fugli, "Never Marry a Mermaid", www.povera.com
7. Tenpenny Travelers, "Dapper Dan", www.tenpennytravelers.com
8. Minstrel Woode, "Jolly Beggarman", www.minstrelwoode.com
9. Brobdingnagian Bards, "Hobbit's Dance", www.thebards.net
10. NeidFyre, "Old Maui", www.neidfyre.com
11. "Captain Black Jack" Murphy, "The Humours of Whiskey", www.irishsong.net
12. Queen's Gambit, "Rocky Road to Dublin / Foxhunter's Jig", www.queens-gambit.com
13. Pirate Comedy Show, "Tourists Promo", www.piratecomedyshow.com
14. Vince Conaway, "Cantiga", www.vinceconaway.com
15. Marc Gunn, "Finnegan's Wake", www.marcgunn.com
16. Jesse Linder, "The Leaving of Liverpool", www.jesselinderbard.com
17. Marooned, "Spanish Ladies", www.marooned-lv.com
18. Marc Gunn & Lorella Loftus, "PlagueAway: The Pestilence Potion", www.marcgunn.com
19. Terry Griffith, "For My Grandfathers", www.pittsburghirish.org/griffith
20. Blackjacks 'n Blarney, "Old Black Rum", www.renwidow.com
21. Thyme Awaye, "Highland Harry", www.myspace.com/thymeawaye
22. Seymoure, "The Pudding Song", www.seymoure.net
23. Marc Gunn & Lorella Loftus, "The Faire Is Over", www.marcgunn.com/


All you have to do is Follow the Instructions below:

1. Email me. Put "TALK_TO_MARC_GUNN" in the subject line and "I want a Free Copy of "Renaissance Festival Podcast Compilation" from MarcGunn.com" in the body of the message. Include your name and mailing address in the message.

If you are one of the first ten people to request a copy, I will email you and tell you that you will get a free copy. Then,

2. Post a blog and tell others how next week you will receive a free preview copy of Renaissance Festival Podcast Compilation. Include a link to the CD at http://www.celticmusic.org/2007/12/renaissance-festival-podcast.shtml

Then post a message Here and tell me where you posted your blog entry. Make sure you include your name and first letter of your last name in the post.

3. I'll then email you and tell you the link to download the album of MP3s in a ZIP file.

4. Listen to the album. Then go back to your blog and post a review of what you think of the CD. Include a link to http://www.celticmusic.org/2007/12/renaissance-festival-podcast.shtml

5. Once that is done, I'll send you a copy of the album.

That's all that is required to win. However, if you enjoy the album, you can do more to help promote the CD, like:

• Tell your friends to read about the CD review
• Tell others once the album is released on CDBaby.
• Cross-post your review on Livejournal, iTunes, Myspace, Facebook, Message Boards, and include a link to the CD.
• Add one of my songs to your profile if you have a Myspace account
• Make a video using songs from the CD

That's it. Once I have my TEN Reviewers, I will post a message here.

MARC'S MUSINGS -- January 8, 2008

- Marc's Music News
- New Renaissance Festival Podcast Compilation
- New MP3 - "Auld Lang Syne"
- New Shows in 2008 Listed
- Vote for me in the Austin Music Awards

Published 1-4 times per month. To manage your subscription, go to the end of this newsletter. Visit My Store Now!

---

Marc's Musings

Greetings amici,

Happy New Year! Did you have a good time? Mine was pretty exciting. So exciting in fact that I spent the entire evening at home watching "When Harry Met Sally". Ah what a dork I am. hehe!

Well, it was fun though. The afternoon was spent recording "Auld Lang Syne" which I released in the first MarcSongs Podcast of the year. Then as the clock ticked down, my sister and her beau showed up, and we had some prosecco. And I also chatted with friends online. So that's a nice way to start the year for a geek. Right?

MARC'S MUSIC NEWS
Another year. I sat down and wrote out a bunch of my goals for the year. And I have several new CDs I hope to release this year. It all starts with my new "Renaissance Festival Podcast Compilation" CD. There's 23 tracks of, I gotta say, some brilliant faire musicians.

Ye know, when I started playing music at faires, I remember listening to a lot of faire music and thinking, "Oy. Not so good." But since I started the Renaissance Festival Podcast, that has NOT been the case. There's just a lot outstanding musicians on the faire circuit. I found them. And it seems a shame that more people don't know about them. I'm fortunate that I get to share all this great music with people. Independent music is awesome!

In February, "A Tribute to Love" comes out officially. I'm trying to get reviews and features for the album. But again, it's tough as an indie artist. But I have faith, it will work well. If you haven't heard the album, you can listen to the whole thing for free online. And you can download the entire album through the MarcSongs Podcast... for free, no less. So download. Listen. If you like, please buy a copy or two to share with others.

And there's a lot more great music coming. I hope to start recording "More Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers" as well as the "Companion" CD. I have a filk album, a bluesy folk album, an instrumental CD, a compilation CD, and a lot more stuff that I hope to record and release this year.

Meantime, download "Auld Lang Syne", the latest song from my the MarcSongs Podcast. I hope to add it to a CD in the very near future. You can see all of my CDs in my CD Store. Thank you for supporting my music.

MARC GUNN LIVE!
In December, I flew to Germany to visit my mom. I had a great time visiting her and my nephew Danny. Thanks to Ceili Moss, I was able to secure a couple gigs in Germany. The first was a Christmas party in a German winery. I just walked around and played. The music was well-received, and I got a personal tour from the owners after the party ended.

Then a couple days later, I played at Pub Dudelsack (German for "bagpipe") in Rudesheim, Germany. It was total trip! My autoharp was amplified, but I sang unamplified in a Scottish pub with barstaff dressed in kilts and me, well, unable to speak German. And few there speaking English. But two hours flew by with a mix of great old Irish and Scottish songs. It was a total trip! Definitely something I need to do again.

My live music schedule is filling up. Andrew is booking a lot of gigs for the Brobdingnagian Bards this Spring and all around the nation. In fact, this weekend, we're doing shows in Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. We have a few faires, some Sci Fi conventions, a hobbit gathering, and then there's our tour of Ireland (we still have room, but not for long, which I am hoping will also take us into England as well). As much as Andrew is booking, I'm hopeful we will play coast-to-coast this year. So keep an eye on the schedule and sign up at eventful to find the latest shows.

VOTE IN THE AUSTIN MUSIC AWARDS
The Austin Music Awards are back! Last year, we won "Best None of the Above Band". It's an awesome award to win, but I must confess, my eye has long been on the "Best Folk Band".

The Brobdingnagian Bards might sound different from every other band in the world, but we ultimately play folk music. And that's one of the categories I hope you will vote for us in the Austin Music Awards. And the best part about it, you don't need to live in Austin to vote for us. Anyone can vote. So please vote for us!

And some BIG NEWS! We extended the deadline for the Brobdingnagian Bards Tour of Ireland because a few people told us they wanted their tax returns to come in first. So we're accepting your deposits until January 23rd. We hope you will join us on this magical tour of Ireland this June.

---
Thanks again for all your support, Slainte!
- Marc Gunn

---

Quick Links to Marc Gunn

• CD, MP3, and Merchandise Store
• Upcoming Shows
• Photo Gallery
• Message Board

• MarcSongs Podcast
• Marc Gunn's Pub Songs Podcast
• Renaissance Festival Podcast
  
• Irish & Celtic Music Podcast
  
• SONG HENGE - the Celtic Music Archive
• Brobdingnagian Bards
• Marc's Musings Archive

---

About Marc Gunn

Please add "marc@thebards.net" to your whitelist or email address
book, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!

Do Marc's Musings ever inspire you?
If so, there's something you can do.
Help me out. Pass the inspiration on.
Share with others, and I'll keep sharing songs.

Marc Gunn is a musician, photographer, poet, author, American Scotsman, songwriter, music download connoisseurs, web designer, Rennie, online entrepreneur, and a bunch of other labels that don't mean a whole lot but are all entirely independent.

The world is dominated by massive organizations that strangle the life out of the independent arts. You can stop it at the source. Your good will and support of the arts through kind donations, purchases, and friendly word of mouse will make your feel great!

We are still accepting submissions on the Brobdingnagian Bards Tour of Ireland.
Deposits are due January 23, 2008

Come Join Us!

Day 3, Saturday, June 7 th

Beara Peninsula

This is a day dedicated to touring one of the most beautiful peninsulas of Ireland. Most people visiting Co. Kerry automatically tour the Ring Of Kerry, but the Beara Peninsula will surprise you with its outstanding scenic treasures and is mysteries from the ancient past.

We commence with a visit to Uragh stone circle and we assure you that an interest in ancient megalithic sites is not required. This intriguing remote 4000 year old relic is set in magnificent scenery between two lakes and surrounded by waterfall flowing mountains. This is wonderful wild Ireland scenery.

After leaving Uragh we pass through the beautiful serene harbour village of Lauragh and inwards toward the most spectacular of the peninsula's landscapes, and the most spectacular of Ireland's landscapes. Climbing up mountain roads we look down into beautiful green valleys of lakes and winding rivers.

We then descend through the breathtaking Healy Pass, an ambitious curling snake like road built during the famine years to allow starving people to reach food. The road engineering here is a marvel.

Our lunch stop is in the quaint fishing small town of Castletownberehaven, with its famous landmark "McCarthy's Bar" featured in the best selling book by Pete McCarthy.

After our lunch stop and exploration of Castletownberehaven we head back to Kenmare along the peninsula's spectacular north coast stopping at optional ancient sites on the way such as the very tall Ogham Writing stone near Eyeries, the nearby Hag Of Beara Stone, and the scenic Ardgroom Stone Circle that is featured on many Ireland Calendars, music album covers and within period movies.

Passing Kenmare, we continue north through the Killarney National Park and towards Tralee where we will stay for one night at Ballygarry House, a country house with beautiful gardens. Dinner will also be at Ballygarry followed by an optional night out in Tralee town.

Every year, the Austin Chronicle holds a music poll. A couple years ago, the Brobdingnagian Bards won "Best Novelty Band". Last year, we won "Best None of the Above" band. And while we may play a lot crazy undefinable music, ultimately, we play folk music, Celtic folk music to be more precise. So my goal is to win "Best Folk Band". I hope you will help. Here's how it works.

I posted my picks for who to vote for in the Austin Music Poll. Feel free to pick your favorites. But please take a moment to vote. Once your done voting, please tell your friends who are fans of our music. We need a LOT of votes to win, but I believe we can do it with your help.

Thank you once again for supporting us!

-Marc

PS. If you have a problem submitting, try again, or print and mail to Music Poll, The Austin Chronicle, PO Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765.


----

According to the rules, ANYONE in the world can vote. This means YOU. Feel free to cut and paste the selections below into the online voting form, or pick your own Austin favorites. But please don't try stuffing the ballot with family members. One vote per person. If they want to vote, ask them to do it themselves.

In italics, I also listed some of my personal favorites in Austin for you to consider as well.

Click here to vote now!
www.austinchronicle.com/musicpoll/

BEST IN AUSTIN

AUSTIN BAND OF THE YEAR: Brobdingnagian Bards
AUSTIN MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR: Marc Gunn

---

BEST PERFORMING BANDS

FOLK: Brobdingnagian Bards
NONE OF THE ABOVE: Brobdingnagian Bards

Some Celtic suggestions:

WORLD: Bedlam Bards, The Tea Merchants, Ed Miller
INSTRUMENTAL: Doc Grauzer

And some non-Celtic suggestions:

ROCK: Jon English
INDUSTRIAL/GOTH: Exit
DJ: DJ Boba Fett
NOVELTY: The Dubliners' Tabby Cats

---

BEST AUSTIN MUSICIANS

MALE VOCALS: Marc Gunn
STRINGS: Marc Gunn, autoharp
MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUMENT: Andrew McKee, recorder

Some other great musicians:

FEMALE VOCALS: Sarah Dinan
ELECTRIC GUITAR: Ryan Holley
ACOUSTIC GUITAR: Ari Koinuma
DRUMS/PERCUSSION: Wiley Koepp, Rob Forkner
SONGWRITER: James "Cedric" Hazelrig

RECORD PRODUCER
Producer Name: Ari Koinuma
CD Title: Irish Drinking Songs: The Cat Lover's Companion

---

RELATED CATEGORIES

LIVE MUSIC VENUE: Elysium
ACOUSTIC VENUE: Cactus Cafe
RECORD STORE: Things Celtic
RADIO STATION: KUT

RADIO MUSIC PROGRAM
Show: Celtic Storm
Deejay Name: Donnelle MacKaskle
Station: KOOP

Local Label: Mage Records