MARC'S MUSINGS -- March 1, 2008

- Marc's Music News
- Whiskers in the Jar: Irish Songs for Cat Lovers
- New MP3 - "What Shall We Do With a Catnipped Kitty"
- Promote Celtic Music for St. Patrick's Day

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Marc's Musings

Greetings,

What a tiring month! After spending a weekend in Yuma, Arizona doing a Renaissance festival, I returned to Austin to start recording my second cat CD--"Whiskers in the Jar: Irish Songs for Cat Lovers".

I started off by recording three songs with Rich Brotherton. Rich produced CDs for Ed Miller and The Tea Merchants. The three songs we recorded sounded so amazing, I decided he was who I wanted to produce this second album. So we immediately set some dates and have spent the month recording. All I can say is, "Wow!"

MARC'S MUSIC NEWS
It was seven years ago when Andrew and I were last in a professional studio. I love producing albums at home, but there's nothing like having a professional producer on his turf. Ari Koinuma did fantastic job on my first cat album, but he was forced to record it in my living room. There's nothing like having your own studio and knowing your own gear. Rich has shown that.

The music is rich and full, and that is thanks to Rich Brotherton. Rich performs with Robert Earl Keen when he's not producing albums. He was a music major in college, and his skill with stringed instruments is stunning. You can hear it right now on "Molly Malone/Planxty Hewlett", but that was by far just the start of it.

Today, we recorded a tune called "To Catch a Cat". It was written by Vicki Swan of Serious Kitchen fame. She and Jonny Dyer allowed me to use the tune on this album. I added a groovy autoharp part, but Rich... Rich played mandolin and knocked out this fast-paced, intricate tune, a tune he didn't even know, in just a couple o'hours. The final tune is still stuck in my head.

The CD stands out different in other ways too. Over half the album was written by cat loving fans of the first album. So it's taken me to exciting new places. The themes and moods are different. Some of the melodies are new to me. But it's all come together in such a way that I can honestly say this will be my best sounding CD yet!

Right now, I'm not sure when "Whiskers in the Jar" will be released. I have a three-song single coming out on CD Baby any day now, where you can start sampling the album. Or heck! You can download a song right now, if you are subscribed to the MarcSongs Podcast.

If you like what you hear, adopt "Whiskers in the Jar". The album is pretty expensive to make for an indie musician, and since it'll be a few months before the official release, I hope to recoup the cash for the album as quick as possible. Your CD adoption will help me to do that. And best of all, you can hear how the album is evolving. Right now, I have 10 songs you can listen to if you adopt it now!

So go ahead, download "What Shall We Do With a Catnipped Kitty". Email it to your friends. Burn it to a CD. Make a video and post it on YouTube. And help me get the word out about "Whiskers in the Jar: Irish Songs for Cat Lovers" and don't forget to add a link to www.catdrinkingsongs.com.

MARC GUNN LIVE!
I want to send a special thanks to everyone who showed up for my Valentine's Day CD release of "A Tribute to Love". For a Thursday noon show, I didn't expect people to be there and was blown away with the number of fans who ditched work to hear me sing. Thank you!

March is the beginning of a busy gigging schedule for the Brobdingnagian Bards. This weekend, we're back the Four Winds Renaissance Festival, followed by gigs in New York, Oklahoma and of course, Ireland.

Speaking of Ireland, we have few more slots available. So it's not too late to join the Brobdingnagian Bards Tour of Ireland. This will be adventure you don't want to miss!

Aside from celebrating my bithday on March 17th, I'm not yet sure what kind of St. Patrick's Day gigs we'll have. So keep an eye open to my calendar and don't forget to sign up at eventful to find the latest shows.

PROMOTE CELTIC MUSIC FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY
I love March. And I love that I was born on St. Patrick's Day. And I love that I play music that people love to hear on my birthday. That just makes me giggle.

Every year, I put together a big St. Patrick's Day music show for my Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to highlight some of the brilliant Celtic musicians I find throughout the year. This year is no exception. I have at least a couple amazing shows planned for listeners. And once again, I need your assistance.

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is the most-popular podcast online for Celtic music. More than that, it's also regularly one of the Top 15 Music podcasts on iTunes. I get about 40,000 downloads of each show. Last year, I pulled in 60,000 in March. And I'd like to push that higher.

Now some of you may think, "Wait! I don't even know what a podcast is?"

The exciting thing is that, at it's basic, it's just an MP3. You can go to the website and download over 40 MP3s, that are kinda like radio shows. You can listen to them at your leisure, on your computer, or on an MP3 player. Or you can burn them to CDs and listen to them in your car or on your stereo. Yes, there is more to it than that which makes it a "podcast", but that's basically it.

So how can you help me get the word out? Post a blog about it. Email a friend. Print a flyer. Or burn shows to CDs, give them away or play them at your St. Patrick's Day party or pub. At the basic, tell a friend. And if you want some banners or flyers, grab, print and post: ttp://www.celticmusicpodcast.com/banners.shtml

Anyway, I have some more cool news coming in a week or so. So keep reading!

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Thank you so much for caring about my music. And please drop me a line to let me know how you're doing. Slainte!
- Marc Gunn

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About Marc Gunn

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Marc Gunn is Celtic Geek songwriter from Austin, Texas with a strange affinity for ballads, Irish drinking songs, acoustic Alternative Folk, podcasting, Sci Fi, and cats.

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!

Good day. The Whiskers in the Jar: Irish Songs for Cat Lovers is nearly done being recorded. Today, Chris Buckley of The Tea Merchants came in the studio. He recorded a set of tunes and played the finishing touches of "Whiskers in the Jar". Rich is about to lay the guitar on the tune set and then the day comes to a close. I just looked at my spread sheet. That will mean all that is left is my autoharp on the tunes and Cedric's background vocals on "Cuddles McGish". Then mastering. And the CD is done! Wow! And Whew!

So what does this mean?

Well, the album won't be mastered until after St. Patrick's Day. And I'm still waiting on cover art from Ingrid Houwers (had to resubmit info to her after the album name changed). Once the CD is mastered though, then I'll decide on the official release date for the CD. Probably a good three months or so later. Though adopters will get it MUCH sooner.

So I guess I'll start looking for some cat holidays this summer...

Meantime, go download "Danny Boy" and share it with your friends.

No. This is not your typical "Danny Boy". The original "Danny Boy" was written by Frederick Weatherly, an English lawyer, using a traditional Irish melody called "Londonderry Air" in 1910. The song was popularized by opera singers at the turn of the century, and my guess is that it entered into the Music Hall scene where a lot of Irish were performing. They picked it up, and it became an Irish American anthem, and the dread of many contemporary Irish traditional musicians who are asked to play it every St. Patrick's Day.

I didn't learn the original song until the summer of 2000. So I missed the dread part, and the Brobdingnagian Bards recorded it for our CD, Songs of Ireland. When I started writing songs for Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers, I decided I had to parody this classic song, and wrote it about my cat, Jasper, who kept me up at night, followed by a wise lesson on how to keep cats from keeping you up all night... Play with them before you sleep. Wear them out. They'll sleep.

"Danny Boy (For Cat Lovers)"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: Whiskers in the Jar: Irish Songs for Cat Lovers
Read Lyrics: "Danny Boy (Cat Song Parody)" 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 More of My MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

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

I was reading a playlist for a Celtic radio show, and I noticed that about 90% of the artists performing on the show were from Ireland or Scotland. Meaning their members were from one of those Celtic countries. Yet, as I understand it, 80% or so of the Celts, no longer live in those countries. That struck me as kinda crappy, because there are a helluva lot of brilliant Celtic musicians from around the globe who are of Celtic heritage but are 2nd generation or more. Yet, this one program largely ignores them. Does that not sound like a crying shame to you too?

So I think I found a topic for this year's St. Patrick's Day episode of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast--2nd Generation Celtic Ex-Patriots.

So I want your requests. What artist and possibly songs would you like to hear in the podcast that fit that bill?

Have you met Marc Gunn? Well, the folks at FaireNews.com called me up and interviewed me just in time for the 3rd Annual Renaissance Festival Awards. Learn a little bit more about me. Read the article.

I got an email yesterday from someone asking about my show. They ask,

"I've been enjoying your wide ranging podcasts. I've been a Celtic music fan for years. I have been listening to Celtic music for a long time. In fact since I discovered the Thistle & Shamrock a very long time ago. I happened to catch just a bit of the Feb. 24/25 show and the question that came to mind is: What makes T&S a great show? Don't get me wrong your shows and Wendy Lee's show are good, but Fiona's is great. She has that "je ne sais pas." I know she has money and experience behind her, but T&S has always sounded like it does now. How does she do it?" - Mitchell

Now, I don't listen to Thistle & Shamrock. I think I've heard it once. It doesn't play in Austin. I responded,

"One, she's a professional broadcaster. My guess is that she has experience in the industry for speaking, whereas I don't. One of the reasons I started podcasting was to improve my speaking skills.

Second, she has a team of production people helping her to do what she does. I started from scratch. Everything I've done is from what I can learn on my own as time permits. Though from what I hear, she started much the same way.

Third, she has the backing of labels. There's no doubt about it that money makes things sound better. My self-produced albums don't sound nearly as amazing as those I've done in a professional studio. A good engineer makes a big difference. Record labels provide the money to make decent albums sound great. T&S plays mostly (though not exclusively) bigger named artists in the industry.

I approach the podcast differently. My goal is to support the independent artists who don't have the time or money to get heard by T&S. Many of these artists are just as good musicians, but they don't have the money to spend to make an album that sounds perfect. They do the best they can with the resources available and then release it to the world.

Ultimately, T&S is networked into a business world that independents can't compete in (yet). And I do my best to give them voice and say, there's an alternative to the old world system where the artists are not heard. So as you say, she has the money and experience behind her to make her sound professional."

Have you heard Thistle & Shamrock? What are your thoughts? I'd love to improve the overall sound of my podcasts to a level of T&S. But ultimately, I do prefer to support the independent Celtic musician. Thoughts?

I had a couple responses when I posted this for others which were enlightening to me.

"And Fiona Ritchie (who is Scottish, BTW) started out in a very similiar way to you, just different technology. She started as a volunteer on public radio as a grad student in North Carolina in the early 80's. She does have tons of experience. I'm not aware that she's gotten rich doing this work.

I am not comfortable with the divide between independent and commercial art. I think of it as a continuum. Some folks get lucky and break through to commercial success, and I have yet to meet an artist who was not happy to do so. You should be very proud of giving a voice to the folks who have not yet been heard. I see no discontinuity between what you do and what Fiona's been doing for nearly 30 years.

And I am not aware of any great differential in quality between the two. I focus on the music, and am glad to have both.

Her long experience, focus and resources result in a smoother production. And if this was all you were doing, you would progress along that path as well. Question is, is that what you want to do?

In sum - I see no conflict between you wanting to improve the overall sound of the podcast and a preference in supporting independent music. Is this question about the differential in production values of your podcast or of the music you play? You can still play the latter while improving what YOU do."

and also:

"Fiona. First her voice, with the quite thick Scots accent. Then, the way she narrates: It's like your closer on RenFest Podcast. The descriptions, history, and back-stories she gives takes you to Ireland or Scotland, to the back corner of a smoky pub with the pint glasses clattering and the common folk speaking of the day, then proceeding to forget about it with the music. Marc, she paints pictures with words, and then uses the music as a brush to fill in the colors."

I found especially that last post interesting, because that is a major difference that goes beyond indie or major label tastes. Fiona gives more facts and stories in her shows. I don't. Though Wendy's Cleveland Celtic Podcast focuses on that little more, as does the Celtic Folk Podcast. For the most part, I just play the music.

"Drunken Scotsman" or more commonly known as "The Scotsman" was a song I first heard from sung by Bryan Bowers...an autoharper. I think I first heard it on a morning radio show in the 80s, but Dr. Demento loves it and you now find it all over the world sung by Scots- and kiltophiles. The Brobdingnagian Bards recorded it for A Faire to Remember. Then, I filked it with "What Do You Do With a Drunken Scotsman" on our LIVE CD.

The Scotsman (aka Drunken Scotsman)
by Mike Cross

Well a Scotsman clad in kilt left a bar on evening fair
And one could tell by how we walked that he drunk more than his share
He fumbled round until he could no longer keep his feet
Then he stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
He stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street

About that time two young and lovely girls just happend by
And one says to the other with a twinkle in her eye
See yon sleeping Scotsman so strong and handsome built
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath the kilt
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath the kilt

They crept up on that sleeping Scotsman quiet as could be
Lifted up his kilt about an inch so they could see
And there behold, for them to see, beneath his Scottish skirt
Was nothing more than God had graced him with upon his birth
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
Was nothing more than God had graced him with upon his birth

They marveled for a moment, then one said we must be gone
Let's leave a present for our friend, before we move along
As a gift they left a blue silk ribbon, tied into a bow
Around the bonnie star, the Scots kilt did lift and show
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
Around the bonnie star, the Scots kilt did lift and show

Now the Scotsman woke to nature's call and stumbled towards a tree
Behind a bush, he lift his kilt and gawks at what he sees
And in a startled voice he says to what's before his eyes.
O lad I don't know where you been but I see you won first prize
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
O lad I don't know where you been but I see you won first prize

Find more Irish song lyrics here.

Getting sick sucks! And yet, I'm so good at it. Though this time, I think I caught a virus probably from reduced resistance from not enough sleep. At least I'm learning what causes my all too frequent illnesses.

So today, I'm at home, sleeping and watching Anne of Green Gables, cuz I'm that kind of sap. No doubt the fact that my song "Here's to the Dreamers" was featured in the Music Challenge of the Renaissance Festival Podcast, Show #91.

I'm feeling, major rambling mode. Which I kinda think makes a bad blog. But ah well. Not like I'm the best blogger in the world as it is.

Oh Friday, I was back in the studio. My friend Bethany recorded whistle on "Kitty Martin" and flute on "Kitty at the Door". We mixed down the former. Which means, I now have six songs basically done. Although listening to "Kitty Martin", I think the bass is a bit too high. So a quick remix and it should be finished.

In an effort to organize my thoughts for Whiskers in the Jar, I made a nice little spreadsheet to follow up what's going on with the album. I should do that more frequently with music. It really helped me to figure out what was what. And I still want to release What Color Is Your Dragon? as well as Real Men Wear Kilts before next year. And right now I have no clue how far I am with those albums. I know with RMWK that I was waiting for Andrew to finish several of his parts, but the Dragon CD, not a clue. So hopefully, that'll help.

Okay. Time for more Anne and nap time.

Scottish singer, Ed Miller, will be performing with Rich Brotherton at the Cactus Cafe at 8:30pm tonight. I'll be there. Don't think he has any new CDs, but he's on the Celtic Music Podcast bunches. He puts on a great show!

It's funny being a musician... no, a businessman. Because in the real world, I don't think about what's coming up. Christmas is about the only holiday that makes me think forward in time. Things like Valentine's Day, National Feral Cat Day, Robert Burns Birthday, or St. Patrick's Day are usually last minute, "Oh look, it's time to par-tay" days. But when you run a business, especially in the music business, you have to think ahead.

I started planning for Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day when Christmas ended. I missed Burns Day entirely. I'm probably missing deadlines galore right now for magazines, newspapers and weekly rags. I should be letting the world know all about the cat CD, or one of my Celtic CDs. I should be telling folks about my St. Patrick's Day music website to boost free Irish music downloads. I should have internet press releases about the Renaissance Festival Awards. But I don't. I have too many projects. I don't have enough time. And I don't think far enough in advance.

I do what I can though. I try. This blog is one example of me trying to get the word out. It's me trying to tell others how much I wish others would write about these very same projects.

Okay, that sounds just sappy and pathetic, as if I can't do it. Which ain't the case. I've long known what I needed to accomplish. And I get stuff done... with time. AND I am blessed to have tons of fans and friends who do share my latest need. I've had over 600 downloads of my latest free MP3 of "Catnipped Kitty".

Thinking ahead as an important part of the music business. And if nothing else, at least I am doing it.

Just finished mixing "Big Strong Cat (My Puddy Tat Sylvester)". It sounds way cool. Special thanks to Pab Sungenis, Tom Smith and Leslie Larkins. Recorded Michelle on bodhran for a few songs today. W00t!

Quote of the Day:
"A banjo and a tuba... That's funny!"
- Rich Brotherton

I am back in the studio to record my second edition of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. I had so much great feedback from the first album, I HAD to do another. And lo and behold, I haven't finished this album and already people are talking about a THIRD album. One paw at a time. Last week, I recorded three songs for the CD. This is the first of them. You can download it for free. Just do me a wee favor. Tell a friend. Post this in your blog. Post a review of the first album on iTunes. Recording albums with a producer is no inexpensive task. So I can use all the help possible at getting the word out. So please share this song with your friends. Thanks!

"What Shall We Do With a Catnipped Kitty"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers 2
Read Lyrics: "What Shall We Do With a Catnipped Kitty" 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 More of My MP3s
Want to see Marc Gunn perform?

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

What a beautiful song! I really fell in loved with it listening to Nick Hennessey perform it on his solo albums. Nick plays harp. I play autoharp. But the first thing I did after falling in love with it was rewrite it about cats for my Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers CD. And it was a hit. Glad folks still like my nice, traditional version, especially when sung in a pub in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland.

"Black Is the Color (Live)"
Listen: LoFi
Recorded by Marc Gunn
From: 4 Drunk's Sake: Live from an Irish Pub
Read Lyrics: "Black Is the Color" 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've been brainstorming CD titles for my next Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers CD. The one I had, More Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers, just seems a bit obvious but hokey. So I've gone back to the drawing board. I'm compiling names and asking for people to vote on their favorite names. The main naming list comes from Livejournal.

Though people voted on the titles on Livejournal and Myspace.

I got notice that an interview I did a couple week's back is now up at Bengal's Corner.

I spent all day in the studio today. In fact, I'm still here, typing as Rich lays a bass to "Kitty Martin".

The day was awesome. We laid the basic tracks for three songs:

"Cuddles McGish" was the first song. We laid cittern, autoharp, bass, some guitar accents, and some raucous vocals. Just needs Cedric's fiddle, I think, and it maybe done. Though we'll see after we get the fiddle added.

"Big Strong Cat (My Puddy Tat Sylvester)" turned into a beautiful delight. Since the original song is an old Music Hall song, Rich added tenor banjo that gives it an Old-Timey feel. Very fitting for the Merry Melodies world it comes from. I'm tempted to see if Rich can do the Merry Melodies theme song on the banjo as a reel or something. He said, it was a good polka so could work. But we'll see.

"Kitty Martin" is Epic. How it got that way, I don't know. Neither of us knew the original song, "Henry Martin", very well. And while we listened to a couple versions, we kinda created our own. And it turned into an almost acoustic 70s Anthem Rock song. lol. Okay, not quite that, but maybe not far removed. I have the definite feel of Pentangle or Steeleye Span in it. Rich's guitar on it is, whoa, amazing! Still hoping to add a whistle. Though I might look into some fiddle as well.

So, I've been doing some thinking regarding the title of this album. I just don't really want to do "More Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers". So if you have ANY suggestions for CD names. Please let me know ASAP.

Here's what I anticipate will be on the CD:

1. What Shall We Do With a Catnipped Kitty
2. Danny Boy
3. Molly Malone, the Cat's Perspective/Planxty Hewlett
4. Harry Potter and The Rising of the Moon
5. When the Dairy Farm Caught Fire (by Jean Prior, Nancy Pearsall, and me)
   
6. The Naught Kitty (by Melissa E. Ramey)
   
7. Orange Kitten's Mew by kdmitche (I need to get her name)
   
8. Kitty Martin (by Cara Chapel)
9. Big Strong Cat (My Puddy Tat Sylvester)
10. Cuddles McGish (by Cedric the Fiddler)
    
11. Kitty at the Door (by Cara Chapel)
    
12. Whiskers in the Jar (by Nancy Pearsall)

Well, almost time for me to re-lay my vocals for "Kitty Martin". So talk more later.

Thanks again to everyone who's adopted the Cat CD!

I'm doing this a lot right now! But I have good reason--St. Patrick's Day. That most holy of Irish holidays is soon upon us. I want reviews on iTunes for my Irish Drinking Songs: The Cat Lover's Companion CD. I will give you a free copy of the CD if you are willing to review the album for me.

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

Want other Free CDs?

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 Irish Drinking Songs: The Cat Lover's Companion". Please INCLUDE 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. Click the song titles above and listen to the album online.

5. Write a review. It doesn't have to be long. Even a nice paragraph of how the album made you feel is all I need.

6. If you want, you can also cross-post your CD review in your blog with a link to
http://cdbaby.com/cd/mgtdtc3/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 FIFTEEN Reviewers, I will post a message here.

Notes:

• Adopt More Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers
• Get your copy of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers and Irish Drinking Songs: The Cat Lover's Companion. Just call 1-800-BUY-MY-CD
• Meows from Marc
• Cat Cafe Calico
  
• Celtic Cat Names
• Cats Are Just as Blind as Humans
• Ari Koinuma
• Ed Miller
  
• SONG: What Shall We Do With a Catnipped Kitty
  

Cat Lovers Podcast #15 - Catnipped Kitty (12.6 MB)

The Cat Lovers Podcast was produced by Tracey Tracy and recorded by Marc Gunn of Mage Records. Read the shownotes at CatMusicBlog.com. If you have questions or comments, please email Tracey at meow@catmusicblog.com with CAT LOVERS PODCAST in the subject line. Check out Past Shows here.

I love reading Seth Godin's blog. Seth provides a lot of great insight on marketing. But it's posts like today's that really inspire me so much that I keep reading regularly when so many other blogs disappear from my mind.

Someone asked if he gets tired of blogging every day. Seth responded about "Have to vs. Get to". He looks at blogging as a... luxury. That's a great way to think of it. Especially right now.

I'm feeling wayyyy overwhelmed with all the projects I have to do: three CDs, two podcasts, three ezines, plus switching over to a strictly laptop lifestyle, plus a dozen other wee projects. And it's... I'm having trouble focusing on all the stuff I need to do.

But reading that... It's a little bit of hope. I mean, I'm fortunate enough to be able to hear and share all this great music in my podcasts. I got another email today, Rio writes:

"I got curious and listened to liveireland.com this fall and let me tell you they have nothing on your podcast. Again, I want to send out my sincere gratitude for your exponential growth in showmanship. Your choice of trad. Irish music gets better every time and your commentary seals the greatness. Hell, I give you full credit for the the A+ grades I've earned at college. Every time I'm having difficulty writing, reading, or doing math I just throw on your podcast and cha-ching, I complete my assignment. So, this is an addendum to my previous comment; I'm staying in school because of your podcast. Thank you!"

Seriously, how cool is that!

I'm just really fortunate that I share some great music with you. W00t!

There is now a new Dr. Demento request page at http://drdemento.com/request/ and it allows you to make requests in text or audio format. He's going to start playing audio requests on the air, just like phone calls in the old days!

So if you would like to request one my songs on the show, here's two that made it on the show.

1. "The Cat Came Back... The Cat's Perspective"
   
2. "I Saved the Planet Earth"
   

Marc Gunn was chosen as a Gold Artist Winner for his new CD A Tribute to Love by RadioIndy.com as one of their best artists for his focus on musicianship, songwriting and recording quality.

"Tim Finnegan lived on Walklin' Street..." Yeah. It's one of the first Irish songs I learned nine years ago. And it's still a favorite of mine and many others too. Here it is live and in it's raucous glory.

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

Download MP3: 128 kbps
Buy MP3 for 99¢: 192 kbps or iTunes
Donation: Make a Donation
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After a short break from recording my next cat CD, I finally booked my tickets for the Brobdingnagian Bards Vacation Tour of Ireland. And procrastination paid off. The tickets dropped $150 or so. W00t!

The tour is all a go. Right now, we have a nice 15 people booked for the trip. So there is still room if you would like to join us. We are asking for final payment by Feb 23rd. Though the date is a little flexible. So if you want to wait for your tax refund check. Drop me a line and let me know you're thinking of joining the tour.

When the tour ends on the 13th, Andrew and I are gonna do a wee bit of touring. We are looking for gigs. I have a good IN for Germany, but I've never seen England. So that's at the top of my list for places to play.

So if you are in England or can help us book a gig there or want to organize a house concert, email me. Or if you want to help us go to wherever you are, let me know. The big thing is we Will need your help to organize these gigs as we are booking this ourselves.

I was back in the studio tonight for the Cat CD. This time, Cedric of the Bedlam Bards joined me to lay a couple fiddle tracks. We mixed down two songs "Molly Malone" and "Danny Boy". You can hear the updated "Danny Boy" on yesterday's post.

Saturday, back in the studio with my sister. I also hope to get a final mix of "Catnipped Kitty".

Molly Malone, Cat's Perspective/Planxty Hewlett

Don't forget to adopt the new cat CD. Because you can help alleviate the up front expense. Oy! It's pretty gonna be pretty heavy.

But hey, you will be the envy of ALL your friends AND get advanced copies before Anyone else! Can't turn that down, can ye? :)

Oh! And if ye wanna see some of this music live, demand it.

Well, here they are two rough cuts I recorded today for my upcoming Cat CD. I couldn't get a rough mix for "Molly Malone", but it sounds beautiful!

What Shall We Do With a Catnipped Kitty

Danny Boy

Let me know whatcha think?

Whew! What a day! I'm tired and wired. Today is the start of my studio recording for my next Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers CD. I drove over to Rich Brotherton's studio at 10 am with Starbucks in hand. We got started rather quickly. I played him "What Do You Do With a Catnipped Kitty" and away we went.

The recording went smoothly, and I got to see just how good Rich is. He's an Amazing instrumentalist and laid backing tracks for guitar, bass, mandolin and cittern. Though I think we're gonna leave off the cittern. Hopefully, I'll have a rough mix I can post this evening. Then we jumped into "Danny Boy". I didn't know I sounded so good.

Now I'm taking a short break. Back in the studio at 8pm to record Emilee Rush's parody of "Molly Malone".

Then the real work begins. I haven't had time to work on a bunch of songs, like the parodies of Cara's "Henry Martin" and Cedric's "Cuddles McGish". So I've a friend who will edit them with me on Friday and then this weekend, I must practice my arse off, so I won't waste any time in the studio.

Meanwhile, I should have the 3-song single available tomorrow evening. And I talked to Ingrid, and she too came up with the idea of a Celtic cat label on a bottle of beer. So she's starting work on the new CD cover soon.

So tell your friends, my next Cat CD is officially underway! W00t! Adopt away!

Made it back home. Wednesday I start into the studio for More Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. Then I was reminded--I need a new CD cover!

I do need to talk to Ingrid Houwers (she designed the first one with the photo by Kristen Roger) about that. But first I wanted to get a new photo... or maybe just an idea of what to do for the cover. SO...

The CD is theme is 'Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers'. Last time, I had my kitties drinking from a pint glass of milk. Ideas for this cover?

Song titles include...
- Danny Boy (cat who wakes you up in the morning)
- What Do You Do With a Catnipped Kitty
- Cuddles McGish (some cats that taken on some tough doggies)
- The Naughty Kitty (chasing a cat around a home for doing something bad)
- A parody of Old Dun Cow about a pasteurization farm
- and a bunch more who's name escapes me since I'm on a different computer and can't look it up

Ideas? Brainstorm with me...

Today, I performed at Two Rivers Renaissance Faire with the Brobdingnagian Bards. It was a good day, but I am wiped. I expected this too. As much as I love them, it's becoming more and more difficult to perform at Renaissance festivals. My body just doesn't seem to handle the weather these days. I wasn't very dehydrated, just a little sunburned. And I still took it easy. Ah well...

The faire itself is nice. It's small with a wee body of water in the middle, much smaller than Louisiana Ren Faire's, but just as effective at helping the faire to look larger than it is for a second year faire. But what really struck me as brilliant is the stages. Man! These folks really spent some time building up the stages... and they are mobile.

When I think about all the faires who struggle to build a HUGE stage that turns out to be worthless, and here's this one weekend faire on a non-permanent site, building portable, structurally sound and to top it off beautiful, it makes me go, "Hmm? Why can't more faires do this?"

Hopefully, Andrew will get some pictures of the site tomorrow. As for me, I like what they are doing. And got to see a bunch of cool vendors and meet some cool new people like "Lord Rusty" and Scott Williams. Much more to see too.

Oh! And as a side. Apparently, we got booked thanks to Kristen's Totally Inappropriate Bawdy Holiday Special. Yes. They found us on the Renaissance Festival Podcast.