Greetings Gunn Runner

Pub Songs Podcast on the charts. New singles gaining traction. Coffee with the Celtfather is back. And finishing up the Selcouth CD. And a rant on voting.

It's all on Celtfather Monthly, show #269

Before we start, I want to remind you to register to vote. It looks in most states, you have until about October 5th to register, but it does vary. And just because you think you're registered, does not mean you are. Georgia has a lawsuit against it because there were over 200,000 people illegally purged from the voting record. Go to vote.org to check your registration and to register.

0:36 - PODCASTS

Four episodes of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast were released in September, including a Celtic Women's special for Halfway to St Patrick's Day. I had a lot of great comments about that episode. Coming up is a Celtic Fusion episode and a Samhain or Celtic Halloween episode. I'm still debating how to theme the show.

The first episode of the Pub Songs Podcast in September was a performance I recorded for Virtual Dragon Con. It was a fun show. Though as always, it's weird doing shows without audiences who respond. But I feel like I'm getting good at it.

At the end of the month, the Pub Songs Podcast topped the Music Commentary Charts on Apple Podcasts. That's because I did the first big push I've done for the show in a LONG time.

It was all a part of the Hobbit Day show I released on Sept 22. It features hobbit songs as well as the second single from the Dancing With Hobbits album I'm recording with Sam Gillogly. It's called "Brandywine River Reel". I feel like that was a good episode where I share my love of hobbit origin story.

I created a couple themes for the October shows. One is about coming together. And the other is Firefly-related in time for the single release of "Tough Times" which I hope to get done before the election.

It's also time to start thinking about the Celtic Christmas Podcast again. I know that sounds early for you. But in the music biz, bands should start submitting Christmas music tracks to radio and such in October. So that's one thing I hope to start on next month.

2:39 - VIDEOS

I released several new video singles this month. There's one for "Whiskey in the Jar". This one is just me and the autoharp. It seemed like a good idea for a video to record since I released a single at the beginning of the month too.

Another features two toy sheep I got for my daughters last summer. It's called "Sinead & Saoirse at Killarney National Park" and features the music of "Hobbit Hornpipe". The videos are all from my Celtic Invasion of Dingle last summer. We had a side trip to Killarney which was a lot of fun. And got silly too!

My favorite video was "Lords of the Run". I go running with a couple friends 2-3 times per week. We decided to run in costume on the Saturday of Dragon Con to celebrate the Dragon Con parade that didn't happen this year. It was SO MUCH FUN to record. The video also features the music of "Brandywine River Reel".

Coffee with The Celtfather is BACK for Season 7. This time it's on YouTube every Thursday at noon eastern.

So far, I am feeling really good about the move from Facebook. Most of my regular viewers made the transition. The time seems better. Attendance feels up. And those who watch actually stick around (unlike on Facebook).

Oh! As a cool bonus, I have themes for many shows. I've no problem coming with theme ideas too because of all the singles I'm releasing. So woohoo!!!

I also am now notifying Coffee fans every Thursday via email. If you haven't signed up, please do so!

5:06 - IN THE STUDIO

Last month, I scheduled 12 different singles I planned to release. I have new tracks coming out every 2-3 weeks through January. So far, the results are encouraging. I'll tell you more about the stats in a wee bit. But each of my singles is doing better and better. This test is looking very positive.

Meanwhile, I'm still working on my next CD Selcouth. I have three new songs finished. But I still have some big tracks I need to finish recording. My goal was to release the album to fans by November. I'm starting to doubt whether I will achieve that goal.

Songs that need work include:

• Breathing
• Bright Side of Everything
• Genetic Counseling Song
• By Amazing Grace?
• Serenity Valley Waltz
• Kilty Pleasure

I'm so proud of all of those tracks. Which is why I find myself coming to a mental block to completing them. But I hope to make more progress tomorrow.

7:11 - MERCH

The Sainted Song Hengers Collection is back in my store. This features this year's Irish & Celtic Music Podcast shirt, some pint glasses and more. It's only available for a limited time. I also added some two new USBs: Cats 'n' Celts and Rise of The Celtfather.

Oh! And if you're subscribed to my mailing list, you'll get a discount code to save 15% in my store. Shop at magerecords.com.

If you're a Brobdingnagian Bards fan, then you might want to pick up one of the last copies of "Songs of Ireland". We have finally almost sold out of that physical CD. I think there's only five copies left. You can get it in the Bards store.

9:12 - CELTIC TRAVEL

Join my in 2021 for the Celtic Invasion of Scotland. We're staying in a castle in Helensburgh, Scotland. This is about 20 minutes from the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

9:32 - WEBSITES

I made several updates in preparation for Halfway to St Patrick's Day to that website. I made sure all the links were updated as well as any new information.

I updated lyrics for the Irish Song Lyrics website, including: "We'll Have A Pint", "Everybody Needs A Drinking Song", "Prettiest Hobbit" and "Whiskey in the Jar" since I added a new video.

10:05 - SHOWS PLANNED FOR OCTOBER

THURS: Coffee with The Celtfather, YouTube (Season 7) @ 12:00 PM EST

OCT 3: Interstellar Ginger Beer & Exploration Co in Alabaster, AL @ 6:00 - 8:00 PM EDT
OCT 17: The Lost Druid in Decatur, GA @ 7:00 - 9:00 PM EDT
OCT 22: Celtfather Live on YouTube @ 8:00 - 9 PM EDT

12:00 - STATS

Mailing list subscribers = 1203 is up from 1171
Celtic Music Magazine = 4008 is up from 4003

YouTube Subscribers = 4790  is up 52 from 4738
Facebook Likes = 3759 is up from 3755
Instagram = 1851 is up from 1838
Spotify followers: 1632 is up 24 from 1608 is up 29 from 1579
# Number of listens on Spotify: 2588 is up from 2280

Latest Spotify Single Stats:
"Hobbit Hornpipe" released Aug 26: 801 is up from 18
"Whiskey in the Jar" released Sept 8: 160
"Brandywine River Reel" released Sept 22: 22

Most-popular songs on Spotify: The Widow and the Devil (1.4K), Hobbit Hornpipe (789), Doctor of Gallifrey (469), A-Working in the Garden (251), Hero of Canton (200)

Most-popular songs on Amazon Music: Hero of Canton (454), Doctor of Gallifrey (280), The Widow and the Devil (78), Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster (39), Bring Me Home, Boys (39)

16:33 - PATREON

Patreon Subscribers: 162 is up from 159
Patreon Monthly Income: $1196 is up from $1178

We'll see what happens to those numbers when I finish this podcast on a rant. But first...

Thanks as always for supporting my music. Streaming music gives you a quick and easy way to sample all of my music. Digital sales keep my business running. Tips and CD sales allow me to tour. Kickstarter funds physical products like CDs, shirts and other merch. And Patreon funds my songwriting!

Join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon to support my songwriting. You will step behind-the-scenes with new music, bonus podcasts, videos, and live concerts.

17:32 - RANT ON VOTING

At the start of the podcast, I asked you to register to vote. It is absurd to say. But I feel like it's now necessary to encourage you to vote in November.  Some people are talking about voting fraud. Some are talking about foreign interference in our elections. Some don't think voting makes a difference. I want to share a few hopefully bipartisan thoughts on the topic.

The statistics say that voting fraud is immaterial. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing voter fraud by making you think your vote doesn't count. It does. So don't believe those liars.

We already know that Russia and China are trying to manipulate the outcome of this election. We know that Russia succeeded in the last election. They're using social media to manipulate us. How? They share memes and fake news that appeal to you. And you end up sharing them.

My suggestion. Stop. Put a moratorium on sharing news or memes until December.

Instead, share who you plan to vote for and why.

That said, I will vote for Joe Biden in November. And I will tell you why.

I want to bring kindness back to the White House. I want stability. I want a return to Law and Order. Trump promises that but makes things worse Every time. Vice President Biden will do that. He's not the candidate I want. But he's the candidate our country needs. He's a moderate who will actively try to serve ALL Americans. Not just his people.

Trump is threatening our Constitution. He said he will refuse to leave office if he loses. That is the definition of a coup. That is treason.

And right now, the polls have him with a 22% chance to win. A landslide victory is the only way America will have peace and prosperity back in our nation. It's the only way Trump will willing leave and our country will remain intact.

So Yes, I do want you to vote for Joe Biden in November. Our country depends on it.

Thank you for supporting Sci F'Irish music at Celtfather.com!

#CFMonthly