Marc Gunn, The Celtfather - Celtfather Monthly: November 2026

Greetings Gunn Runners

I’m about to grab my autoharp and head to the woods to record at least TWO new Pub Songs & Stories videos.

I haven’t made this week’s video yet. That’s not helping my goals.

Here’s the plan. I’m batch recording so I don’t have to stress about making them. But batching only works if I keep refilling the stockpile. If I record four videos today, I need to record more every two weeks. That way I’m always a couple of weeks ahead. If I get lazy one week, the show still goes out.

Or at least that’s how my math is working.

So I have lots of work to do today.

Did you like my version of "Hallelujah"? Share your thoughts on YouTube.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

I’m already planning my next 6 video series. Would you like to learn how to play Celtic songs on the autoharp (or on any chorded instrument, like the guitar)?

POLL: YES OR NO

If Yes, what song would you like to learn first?

UPCOMING SHOWS

Nov 6: CONjuration, Duluth, Ga

6:00: Nerdy Kids Sing Along with May Will Bloom
9:00: May Will Bloom with The Celtfather

Nov 7: Georgia Renaissance Festival, Atlanta, Ga

Nov 8: CONjuration, Duluth, Ga

11:00: Sci Fi Sing Along with May Will Bloom and The Celtfather
2:00: May Will Bloom Live on Pub Songs & Stories Podcast

PLUS…

Dec 6: Nerdy Wonderland, Avondale Estates, Ga

Feb 28: Celtic PodFest and Nerdy Arts Market at The Lost Druid Brewery, Atlanta, Ga

THANK YOU GUNN RUNNERS ON PATREON!

As always, you’re amazing. Most of you have followed me for years. I am so very grateful for your continued generosity and support. Thank you. I hope you’re still enjoying our Patreon community.

If you’re not yet a member, check it out.

My projects and upcoming events:

CELTIC PODFEST & NERDY ARTS MARKET- The festival is scheduled for Sunday, February 28. The show will feature music from Olivia Bradley, The BorderCollies, May Will Bloom, and yours truly.

MAY WILL BLOOM performins at CONjuration next FRIDAY and SUNDAY. We have two shows each day. Including a live podcast recording for Pub Songs & Stories. CONjuration is at a new downtown Atlanta location. See the schedule here.

SONGWRITING AND PRACTICE - I finally got into the studio last week. I’m working on a new album. But I’m also planning a limited edition CD exclusively available on Patreon. A sort of warm up for an official album which I’ll try and start funding in the spring.

BROBDINGNAGIAN BARDS new podcast series is live.  We have three new episodes each month. Two are looking for the greatest Irish pub songs. Plus we are raising the price of our Patreon in 2026. And would you like some relaxing bardic music. Stay tuned. Follow us here.

PUB SONGS & STORIES - The latest audio edition is Halloween themed. It’s got some great stories. I’m starting to ask Celtic bands to share the untold stories in the show. Plus I’m sharing longer versions of the video edition.

Pub Songs & Stories video edition is coming out every Thursday at noon. I play a song. Then I share the story behind the song. I’m also taking requests.

Is there a song you’d like to see me perform and hear me tell my story? Drop me an email at [email protected]

IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST - So many interviews. One of my fears with this podcast is that someday all podcatchers will ban music-only podcasts. While it’s just a fear at present, I’m learning a new skill—how to interview. I love the result. I finally feel comfortable interviewing bands. Maybe one day I’ll even do video versions…

NERDY WONDERLAND HOLIDAY ARTS MARKET is set for Sunday, December 6. Mark your calendar for a wonderful afternoon of nerdy fun.

What bit of bizarre would you love to see happen there? Follow Nerdy Wonderland.

CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC - The 2026 season is technically live. But all new episodes will launch on Sunday November 22.  Are you subscribed?

We are currently funding the new season. Make a donation.

IRISH PUB SONGS LIVESTREAM - The next internet concert is scheduled for Thursday, November 19  at 7:30 PM Eastern on Bandcamp.

It is “Irish Pub Songs with a Twist”. What’s the twist? Well, every song I play has a parody. If you would rather hear the parody, you have to hit the alert button.

I setup a Watch page to Follow the show. It’s FREE!

CELTIC INVASION HIKING THE ISLE OF SKYE - All the spots are taken. But I’ll share some photos and videos in the days to come from the last trip.

Here's a complete list of What I'm Doing Now.

STATS

Celtfather Patreon Subscribers: 138 paid, 568 total members

Celtfather Mailing list = 1160
Celtic Music Magazine = 3412
Brobdingnagian Bards= 740
Nerdy Wonderland = 246

YouTube Subscribers = 6540
Facebook Likes = 4539
Facebook May = 43

Instagram = 2343
Instagram May = 73

TikTok = 477
TikTok May = 418

Spotify followers = 3077
Spotify May = 11
Spotify Bards = 4316

I have so many thoughts recently on things that I want to change and add. I'm sharing those so that you will know and perhaps as a reminder to me.

First, the videos. The Pub Songs & Stories Music Video Challenge is going pretty well overall. I don't think I'm gonna hit my big goals, I am getting a decent number of comments. I am working on more engagement so this is good. If I can more people signing up on Patreon, that'd be brilliant.

I shared some of those goals in this video.

Even though the Music Video challenge is going well, I decided to try out some "how to play a song" videos.

YouTube is such a great learning tool. And earlier this year, I was asked to teach a woman how to play the autoharp. It was a great learning tool for me. I want to expand on that idea. I'm also gonna open up a "How to Play" tutorial on Patreon when I launch this series.

Oh! And of course, this tutorial will be great Not Just for autoharps, but for anyone who plays a guitar or any chorded instrument.

Second, I've been playing around a lot of Claude to write custom HTML webpages. You would've seen one through my Watch Page if you joined me for my Livestream last month.

Bandcamp officially closed their livestream shows. I am fully immersing myself into YouTube. But this watch page is what I hope will make it possible for me to continue doing livestream shows even though the free show doesn't pay anything.

You can now get a notification straight from me when you go to the watch page. Plus, you can give a tip while you’re there.

Add to it my attempt to gamify the show…. I’m feeling pretty good about the next Livestream!

The next thing I’m building is a free + shipping offer. This is where I advertise a CD, and you can’t it for free if you pay for shipping. And of course, there are upsells which will hopefully, allow me to make back some of the money I’m losing with the offer.

There are a lot of bands doing this very thing. I signed up for Shopify with that goal in mind. But I never used it because I just don’t have time to manage another website.

Thankfully, I can also do it using custom HTML and Square. I am building that now.

I think that’s it for now. So I’m gonna grab my autoharp and hit the trail!