Celtfather Music & Travel

Michael Drout is an amazing professor who teaches the works of JRR Tolkien. He's also a regular guest of A Long Expected Party, aka ALEP, the ultimate Tolkien gathering in the world. I had the pleasure of talking to him about his love of Tolkien and he also provided valuable insight on how to read The Silmarillion. If you are passionate about hobbits and all things Lord of the Rings, then find out more about ALEP at http://www.alep-ky.us/

Jef Murray is a fantasy artist best known for his illustrations inspired by JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. He's been a regular guest of ALEP these past few years. I had the overwhelming pleasure of sitting down with him to talk about his art and love of Tolkien. http://www.jefmurray.com 

Every three years, much like Brigadoon, a small hobbit village arises from the mist in central Kentucky. I just got back and was able to snag an interview with one of the founders of ALEP, A Long Expected Party, the ultimate gathering of Lord of the Rings fans on the planet. Our very own Bilbo Baggins had wonderful things to say about this amazing event. http://www.alep-ky.us 

Andrew and I started Brobdingnagian Bards 15 years ago in 1999. We've been friends since 1993. You will hear a little bit if the Bards story in today's Celtic Geek. http://andrewmckee.com/ 

I've know Jessica Brawner for years when we first met her on the South Mall of UT Austin. She's gone to DragonCon as long as we've been there. She was back helping is sell CDs, but she also a new book for Con-goers. It's called Charisma +1. Get it right here: http://marcgunn.com/CharismaPlus1 

I was racing to a panel at DragonCon when I heard a song about Dobby the House Elf. I had to stop and interview Wizard Rock band, the Blibbering Humdingers. http://camelot-treasures.com/humdingers.htm  Enjoy this interview, then please become a patron of the arts at http://marcgunn.net/ 

Mikey Mason does comedy geek rock. I've had his song "So You Don't Like Firefly" stuck in my head all day and I haven't heard it since GenCon. So what does that tell you? But if you're a fan of D&D, then you don't want to miss "Best Game Ever". http://www.mikeymason.com/  Become a patron of the arts at http://marcgunn.net/ 

I had a break at Dragon Con. I thought I'd take a moment to chat with Emerald Rose, the Celtic Geek band that inspired me to perform at Sci Fi conventions. They have a new cd out called Sunwise. Find them at http://emeraldrose.com/  Become a patron of this podcast at http://marcgunn.net/ 

I am in Indianapolis once again for GenCon. I added a new Wednesday evening show that went well despite Autoharp and location problems. Now it's time to rock out the rest of the con. Sponsored by Lunarpages http://marcgunn.com/lunarpages 

I'm back after a week off from vacation on the beach with the family. Kenzie's school started back up so I'm also back to a regular work schedule. Today, I'm pleased to share all of the news I missed this past couple weeks. I list my upcoming shows and apologize for a Celtic podcast screwup. Plus, I get to talk about my "new" autoharp It's like the Six Million Dollar Man, faster, stronger, better than before. Learn what I look for in an autoharp. Find out more at http://marcgunn.com/celticgeek039 Today's show is sponsored by Lunarpages. It's intelligent web hosting for intelligent people. I've used it for 10+ years. http://marcgunn.com/lunarpages 

As I pack up CDs to mail from my recent Kickstarter for Sci Fi Drinking Songs, I thought I'd record a podcast. Today, we talk about how to filter your email. I share the challenges of promoting with social media. And I remember the ah-ha moments that changed my musical career forever. Today's show is sponsored by Celtic Invasion Vacations. Visit http://celticinvasion.com/  to find out about the Invasion of Donegal next year. Find links at http://marcgunn.com/celticgeek038 

We had a great weekend in New Orleans complete with show stopping performance at The Irish House with my daughter. Find out all the exciting details at http://marcgunn.com/celticgeek037  Today's show is brought to you by You! Thank you for listening. Become a patron at http://marcgunn.net/ 

I started listening to a new audio book today by Susan Cain. It's called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. And yes, today's show is sponsored by Audible. You can get the book free when you go to http://marcgunn.com/audible. Sci Fi Drinking Songs is done and off to the printers. If you pre-ordered it, stay tuned. I'll have it in the mail soon. You can find this show at http://marcgunn.com/celticgeek033

It's kind of tough getting back to work after 10 days on a Celtic Invasion Vacation. I actually don't want to do it. But I have a lot to do, including returning to my weekly schedule of Celtic Geek news. http://www.marcgunn.com/celticgeek025   The show is brought to you by Amazon where I bought a Apogee Professional Microphone. http://marcgunn.com/apogeemicrophone  Become a patron at http://marcgunn.net/ 

This year's Celtic Invasion of Wales came to an end. I must say I'm extremely pleased with how well it worked out. Everything I have learned since I started doing trips to Ireland in 2007 and then the Invasions of 2009, it all came into a beautifully formed vacation, filled with glorious sites. good food, good drink, and good company. I had a blast and I think my Invaders did too. My final day in Europe was in Dublin, where Kevin and I got to experience a little of the city before we return home. Now it's time for me to start thinking ahead to next year's Invasion. Right now, I am looking at going back to Dingle, Ireland in 2015. But I won't know for sure for another month. If you'd like to join a Celtic Invasion Vacation and not just see the world through a bus window, but experience it with good people, then sign up to my mailing list at http://www.celticinvasion.com . I hope to see you there!

We just got back late from a trip to the Llyn Peninsula and dinner at the The Old Boathouse on Red Wharf Bay (not to be confused with Red Dwarf). It was AWESOME. I had lamb shanks and mussels. I'm Stuffed! I can barely move, let alone record another podcast. So I'm gonna share with you the interview I did with Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer. Our entire group is still talking about how fantastic the trip was yesterday. I can't wait to meet them again. You can find out all about them at http://www.swan-dyer.co.uk You can find out all about Celtic Invasion Vacations at http://celticinvasion.com  Become a patron at http://marcgunn.net/ 

I ran out of bandwidth for this podcast. So I upgraded to the pro plan for SoundCloud. That's awesome news for you because it means you get this Awesome podcast featuring one tune and one song by Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer. In a few days, you'll also get an interview with another song by this amazing duo. You can find them and get their albums from their website at http://www.swan-dyer.co.uk   Don't you wish you were on one of my Celtic Invasion Vacations. Subscribe at http://www.celticinvasion.com  Become a patron at http://marcgunn.net/ 

We visited Llaberis, Wales today. It was an exciting ADVENTURE. And I mean that on many, many levels. From the mountain climbs and waterfalls to the mead tasting before heading to Cae Mabon and looking death in the face on the side of a mountain. It was one helluva day as you'll hear from the exciting story of the day. You too can join me on a Celtic Invasion Vacation as we invade Ireland in 2015. Visit http://www.celticinvasion.com/  and sign up to the mailing list to find out more. Become a patron of the show at http://marcgunn.net/ 

We went to Caernarfon today and saw the castle. Wow! If you ever get a chance to go there. DO! it's fantastic for a "ruin". After a stop in Holyhead at the lighthouse and dinner on the marina, we came back. I played a set of music. But as usual, I thought I'd tease a little music, especially since I haven't shared ANY music from my new Kickstarter--Sci Fi Drinking Songs. The album is currently $600 away from my second financial stretch goal with 12 days left. So enjoy a few live versions of some of the songs that will be on the album. http://marcgunn.com/kickstarter/   The show is sponsored by Celtic Invasion Vacations. Find out where we are going next year at http://celticinvasion.com/  Become a patron of the show at http://marcgunn.net/ 

Today we had a brilliant Welsh historian and guide named Gwilym Morus. Right before the day came to an end and he played us an amazing concert, I sat down to interview Gwilym. He also shared a stunning Welsh love ballad. Find out more at http://welshmythology.com   Brought to you by Celtic Invasion Vacations. http://celticinvasion.com  Become a patron of the show at http://marcgunn.net/