The latest music news, stories, and events of The Original Celtic
Renaissance music group, the Brobdingnagian Bards.
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Just wanted to let you know that "Whiskey In the Jar" will be the first song featured on Destinies' I-Con 24 Performers Preview, airing March 25th at 11:30 PM on WUSB, Stony Brook, NY, 90.1 FM (netcasting at www.wusb.fm). Look forward to seeing you at I-Con. Best of all possible Destinies— Howard Margolin, New York
--posted by Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards, Celtic Folk Music
Thursday, March 24, 2005
I was reviewing pictures from last weekend and saw our first show Saturday morning. That inspired me to say... "Only at a Brobdingnagian Bards show will you have a host of knights doing the can-can behind them." "Only the Brobdingnagian Bards can get me to listen to autoharp, and then proclaim, 'Hey, that's a good performance.'" - Jimmy RimmerGot an "Only the Brobdingnagian Bards..." phrase you could come up with? Post yours below:
--posted by Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards, Celtic Folk Music
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Another delightful weekend at faire. The crowds were a bit smaller, but it was much more relaxing and enjoyable for me as I returned to an old tradition--playing for vendors. Our first few years at faire, Andrew and I played almost non-stop. The trick though was to play without cutting into someone else's show schedule. The faire is so small that's difficult, esp with a recorder playing. So at Excalibur, we stopped doing it a couple years ago. But ye know, that's one of the things I love doing most. It totally energizes me, and of course, we can do songs that rarely end up in our regular set. Last weekend, I was talking to Penny at Penny's Magic Garden. She was saying how much she missed us playing at her shop out there. So instead of sitting by myself out in front of the live oak, playing for no one, Saturday morn, I went to her shop and played for her. Andrew joined me for a wee bit. Then I played for Chameleon Dreams. Then another vendor. It was so much fun that I did it again on Sunday. Speaking of Chameleon Dreams, that's turned into one of my favorite haunts. Chamelon like many of the vendors is Such a sweet woman. I wish there were more people like her. She makes what she calls Goddess Dresses that kick arse. Very unique, flowy and beautiful. If you like Amy Brown Art, you'll probably love her stuff. Very much in the same genre. Aside from exceptional clothing, she's an exceptional person. You don't find many people like her out there. One who gives so willingly and loves so openly. Wonderful woman. I was also a bit saddened to hear that Becky of Becca's Magic has sold her booth. She won't be back next year. So this is the last chance to get one of her gorgeous cloaks. Major works of art. And the PUB SING ROCKS! Wow! It's the best it's ever been. Andrew started a wee bit early this year to try and make it better. He started working with Cedric of the Bedlam Bards and the Excal Dance Coordinator, Whitney, in February. Together, they improved it. Cedric does a fantastic job leading the Pub Sing, while Andrew leads most of the dances. Everyone has a place, and no day is without excitement. Saturday though was a maybe a little more exciting than usual as a the storm clouds swiftly blew in and the Pub Sing was cut short by a brilliant Texas storm. Faire ended early, but up until the last moment we were all having a great time. Yeah, this is the first year I really LOVE the pub sing. Hope to see more folks out there!
--posted by Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards, Celtic Folk Music
Monday, March 21, 2005
The results are in, and I'm excited to announce that we won two awards in the 2004 Austin Music Awards. I want to thank EVERYONE who voted for us. It truly is humbling to receive these awards. Best Novelty Band 2004: Brobdingnagian Bards Best Cover Art: Soul of a Harper, Marc Gunn, photography by Nancy e. Pearsall We also placed really well in other categories. Hopefully, we'll win even more next year! #2 Best Folk Band: Brobdingnagian Bards #2 Best Strings: Marc Gunn, autoharp #2 Best Miscellaneous Instrument: Andrew McKee, recorder #4 Best None of the Above: Brobdingnagian Bards #10 Best Male Vocals: Marc Gunn Thanks a million!!!
--posted by Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards, Celtic Folk Music
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Great opening weekend at Excalibur. We had a record-breaking opening crowd of just under 1,300 folks on out on Saturday. The weather was absolutely perfect, high-70s on Saturday, low-80s on Sunday with a bit o'wind. I asked around and heard nothing but great feedback. So thanks to everyone who made it out! Our shows went great too. A few new changes at the Live Oak Stage has made it a much more enjoyable and personal experience. The Red Headed Lady still needs some fine tuning. It's tough because it's one of the Excal pubs. So there's lots of talking going on. Sunday's shows were best though. The two o'clock show is now an all-request show at the Red Headed Lady. So most of the songs we do there are the upbeat comedy songs which work better in that environment. We had listeners reeling in "Ducats" and "Do Virgins Taste Better". Though I think the most-humorous moment was at the Live Oak Stage at 3:30 when we performed a gut-splitting alternate version of "Exclamations". The coolest moment though was at Mike Morff's shop, Fair-e-Flowers, Etc. Course, the reasoning was two fold. First, he has the perfect breeze flowing through that location. And on a warm day... aw yeah! But the main reason was because of this magical acronym: ALOTBSOL. No, that doesn't stand for "a lot of BS on the lawn". Instead it stands for "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life". Mike was telling me that his sister up North always uses that acronym when things are down. And it all stems from one rainy weekend at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Early in the day, the heavens had opened up a torrent of rain on the faire. Mike brought his sister to see our show earlier that day. And huddled under our gazebo with patrons packed like sardines on the stage, we played that song. A few hours later, patrons were hiding in shops, upset that their day was ruined. That's when his sister said, "ALOTBSOL". They all laughed and started singing-a-long. The power of that song is just amazing. I don't remember why we decided to add "Bright Side of Life" to A Faire to Remember, but it was by far one of the best decisions we ever made. Glad you are enjoying it too. Hey if you have a story you'd like to share, email me. If you're at the faire or another gig and want to share a story, I usually carry my Archos Gmini 400. I would love to record your testimony. So let me know!
--posted by Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards, Celtic Folk Music
Monday, March 14, 2005
"I just wanted to tell you I love your music, and it has even tappered down to two of my children ages 9 and 11. One who is terminally ill, and the other who is autistic. Their favorite song you do is called The Leprechaun.
Thank you for making such beautifully music that has enriched our lives. I hope one day you come to sing and play where I live which is the Philadelphia, PA tri state area. I will most definitly be there along with my boyfriend who is also a singer/musician of Celtic music." -Debbie, Philadelphia, PA" Thank you, Debbie! It's always great to hear that our Celtic music inspires them.
--posted by Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards, Celtic Folk Music
Thursday, March 10, 2005
The following free music downloads are a free gift to you. Download the MP3s and share them with your friends this St. Patrick's Day. Finnegan's WakeWhat happens when a dearly loved Irishman passes on? Well, it's time to celebrate his wake. This song is dedicated, no doubt, to the Irishman's love of funerals and whiskey, "Finnegan's Wake" supplied the theme for James Joyce's famous novel of the same name. The Unicorn Song This "Irish song" is not really Irish at all, but the Irish Rovers found it and turned it into a St. Patrick's Day classic. We added our own special touch to the tale. It's a favorite among our fans! Whiskey in the JarThis is a personal favorite of mine. Yeah, Metallica tried to turn it into a rock song, but it will always be a classic Irish tale of love and betrayal with a great chorus! Wild Mountain Thyme Okay, this really isn't a St Patrick's Day song, but I love the song. It is beautiful and romantic and a great sing-a-long which is one of the reasons it was so popular in among Irish bands in the 60s and on until today. Irish folk drinking songs perfect for St Patrick's Day or to rediscover your Irish heritage. Following in the great tradition of The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, Irish Rovers, and The Wolfe Tones. Nineteen famous Celtic ballads and drinking songs of Ireland. The perfect blend of St. Patrick's Day music! Find more St Patrick's Day Party Music here.
--posted by Marc Gunn of the Brobdingnagian Bards, Celtic Folk Music
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
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