Brobdingnagian Bards Tales

Radio Stations Playing Brobdingnagian Bards

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:05:00 +0000

Podcasts Playing Brobdingnagian Bards

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:50:00 +0000

Summer 2009 Update - What's New with The Bards

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:03:00 +0000

Brobdingnagian Bards -- July 2, 2009
http://www.thebards.net/

HIGHLIGHTS....

- Pick Up Some Bards CDs
- Andrew McKee's News
- Marc Gunn's News
- Quick links to the Brobdingnagian Bards

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Brobdingnagian Bards Tales
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Greetings Nagians!

While the Brobdingnagian Bards are no longer performing Together, we are still performing around the nation separately. Here's a wee update from each of us with what's new.

And don't forget that you can still pick up Bards CDs through our website.

In fact, why not check out our last album, "Real Men Wear Kilts" right now. http://thebards.net/cds.shtml

Now on to the individual news...

ANDREW MCKEE'S NEWS

I know it�s been awhile since the last Bard�s newsletter. I thought this would be a good opportunity to catch you up on what�s been going on with me for the last 6 plus months. With that length of time, of course, there is a lot of information to share. So I�ll give you the summed up version. Of course summing up for an overdue newsletter requires extra effort, so I thought I�d give it to you in rhyme. But don�t worry�not in a Billy Joel sort of way.

Past October last show done;
Now Flynn�s Folly is on the run.

Having fun arranging songs.
We live in Austin, but without bongs.

Arranged our music for CD,
But live won�t sound the same to me.

Come January, first test show
With six instruments in tow.

Played Arizona then I-Con.
Worked music hard, fixed what was wrong.

Produced and mixed a friend�s CD.
A great success, need time for me.

Back to the sound I longed to hear
Working with Michelle, its become clear.

The path is right, the CD true
We�re working hard to bring to you.

I�m writing up our schedule now
And you can help. Here is how:

For House Concert and Venue, don�t forget
Share your thoughts with Andrew @ thebards.net.

Oh my god�it *was* in a Billy Joel sort of way! Damned subconscious!

I�m blogging!!!! I know!!!! HAHA� I would have lost that bet too�

Check it out at:

myspace.com/flynnsfolly or www.flynnsfolly.com

This is the last sentence with a bow!

My PR person said I had to have a last sentence with a bow and I always listen to my PR person!

Andrew McKee
Flynn's Folly

MARC GUNN'S NEWS

Hey friends! There've been a lot of changes since last year. I moved to New Orleans last fall, and I love it! It's an exciting and vibrant city that is very inspiring to me musically.

Since I moved down here, I've recorded three new CDs. My latest, "Happy Songs of Death", was just sent off to the printers yesterday. I am so psyched about this album, because it fuses a touch of my new city with my love of traditional Celtic songs.

The CD is due to be released in August. In the meantime, I am spending the summer on the road with my first solo tours.

In fact, I'm heading home from a Chicago tour right now. In a couple weeks, I will be off to Maryland and New York for another tour. Then I have gigs at GenCon, DragonCon, Ireland, plus a few CD releases, and then back this fall for the Louisiana Renaissance Festival.

You might note I said, "Ireland". Yup. I am still taking fans on trips around the world. This September, we're going there for my second Celtic Invasion Vacation, where we will spend a week in Dingle, Ireland, soaking in the country and celebrating good food, good drink, and good company.

Course, I am still publishing my Irish & Celtic Music, Renaissance Festival, and Pub Songs Podcasts. All in all, life is busy and happy. If you'd like to be a part of it, please...

I'd love to stay in touch with you on a more regular basis.
Many thanks and I hope to hear from you soon.

Oh! And if you'd like to join my Celtic Invasions Vacations, head over to http://www.celticinvasion.com/ .

Many blessings. Slainte!
Marc Gunn

We hope you have a great summer and a happy 4th of July.
Thank you all for your continued support.
-Marc Gunn and Andrew McKee

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Quick Links to the Brobdingnagian Bards
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Brobdingnagian Bards CD Store
http://www.thebards.net/cds.shtml

A Brobdingnagian Minute Podcast
http://www.thebards.net/podcast/

Celtic Lyrics
http://www.thebards.net/music/

The Nagian Fan Community
http://www.thebards.net/nagians/
Message boards, discussion groups, myspace, podcasts, discount CDs, bootlegs and much more!

FenCon Show Times

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:59:00 +0000

Our second time at FenCon.

Oct 3-5, 2008
FenCon
Addison, TX

Show Times:

Friday 9:00 PM
Oak Ballroom
Brobdingnagian Bards Friday Night Concert
Description: The great music at FenCon continues with a performance by this fun and entertaining band from Austin. If you missed them two years ago, here is your chance to set things right.

Saturday 2:00 PM
Trinity 1/2
Brobdingnagian Bards in Concert
Description: Back again, this duo from Austin perfoms their kilted brand of Celtic filk. Come join the fun!

Marc Gunn's Plans for the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:07:00 +0000

Well, you've heard the news. The Brobdingnagian Bards are going their separate ways. Andrew posted his plans for the future. But what about me? If you follow my personal website, you might know some of my plans. They include plans to move, changing the way I play shows, vacation tours, and lots and lots of new music.

In 1995, I graduated college and told myself, "I love Austin, but I really want to live some place new." I gave myself a year. That turned into thirteen years. I finally decided that I am gonna leave Austin, at least temporarily. In November, my new home will be New Orleans. But I'll only be living there until next June (no worries about hurricane season). Then? I'm not sure.

The other big thing for me is travel. I love to play music, but traveling for a "gig" is just not for me. The hours on the road wear me down. Plus, I don't like leaving my kitties all by themselves for weeks on end.

Also, I have a weird perspective on performing. I prefer to think of gigs as paid vacations. While I mostly plan to play locally in New Orleans, I am still hoping to see some new places next year. But I plan to fly in and out, playing a gig while I see the new place. Is it possible? Eh? Who knows! But there's a lot of places around the country and the world I really want to see.

Which brings me to the next thing--Europe. Okay. So, I've been brainstorming this wild idea. Picture it. You fly to, say, Italy. You live in a house for a week with a bunch of other people. During the day, you see and experience one of the oldest, most-beautiful cultures on the planet. In the evening, you celebrate with good food, good drink, and good company, while singing songs along with me or just relaxing in paradise.

Whatcha you think? That's the tentative idea I've been throwing around in my head. I am thinking about organizing a "Celtic Invasion of Italy" just like that. And the opportunities are endless. We could do stuff like that in Ireland, Scotland, England, France, China, Greece, Canada, Florida, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, whatever. Anyone besides me want to go to Prince Edward Island on an Anne of Green Gables pilgrimage?? Ummm... Okay, I'll shut up now. :P

What else?

This year, I released four new CDs. Yes, FOUR. I LOVE recording music. I have several CDs planned for the future. In fact, I just finished a four-song preview of one, recorded with Rich Brotherton who produced my latest cat CD Whiskers in the Jar. I can't begin to explain how much I LOVE working with him. His special engineering touch makes the music sound incredible!

Plus, I will continue to record all my five or six or so of my podcasts (Did you vote for the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast for "Best Podsafe Music" yet at www.podcastawards.com? You have until Sept 30, 2008). Those continue to grow astonishingly. So thank you all for listening.

Is that it? Hmm...

Oh! There are two gigs I am really, really, REALLY hoping to be at next year--I-Con Science Fiction Convention in New York, and DragonCon in Georgia. I don't know if I can get in as a no-named indie musician, but those are two of my absolute favorite shows of the past nine years. I really hope I will be there. I'm gonna talk to the people in charge to see if I can make it happen. If you know anyone in those places, please send them good vibes and let them know I am dying to be a guest.

That's about it. Again, if you want to find out more join my mailing list below. I will keep you up-to-date.

Slainte!
-Marc Gunn, Bard

Andrew Answers the Questions He's Seen

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew McKee) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:55:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone for the concern and support. As for the future, who knows. Many things prompted this, too many to even try to mention, but this wasn't one of those "we had a fight at DragonCon moments." This was a natural evolution of events and although many of you are surprised by the suddenness of it, it was not arrived at without a great deal of thought and discussion.

As for me, I do have a lot of projects going. As some of you have noted, Marc has been doing a lot of solo things for a while and to be honest, I do feel like I have to play catch up a bit. I have also let Marc be the front man online and I realize now that was a mistake on my part. The good news for you is that now I am going to be very vocal so you will hear a lot from me.

Firstly, I had to put my solo CD on hold a bit so that I could finish "Real Men Wear Kilts" in the studio. I finished it the Sunday before DragonCon and the first run was delivered to the Hotel at DragonCon. That cut it close but I worked hard to finish it and make it of a quality you all deserve. I do the mixing, mastering, and general sound engineering so I do all of that work myself. My solo CD is back on and it is coming along. I think you are going to like it as I will make sure it is of the highest quality and the most value for all of you. That means lots of tracks to sing along to. I've always had a theory that a CD holds at least 74 minutes of Audio. If you don't get close to that, you are just wasting space.

Second, I am starting a new group with Michelle Hedden, a drummer who was going to be the third bard 5 years ago or so but unfortunately, it didn't work out geographically at that time. I am very excited about working with her and what we've worked on so far I think you are going to really like.

Third, I'll have the new groups MySpace page up in a couple of days so look out for that. I'll also try to have the band website up by the end of the month. That's more difficult but I think you'll like it when it is done.

Fourth, I am also starting a production company representing Ren Faire groups. In the last 10 years, I've learned a lot from the bards. The big thing is if I knew what I know now back when we started, we would have gotten to where we are in a couple of years. I would like to help new bands follow the right path, not just to success but the right path for them. I'll update you on that soon as well.

Thanks again and I'll be in touch online,

Andrew McKee

Important Announcement for Brobdingnagian Bards Fans

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:22:00 +0000

The Brobdingnagian Bards have been amazed and gratified by the outpouring of love and support from their fans over the last 10 years. Marc Gunn and Andrew McKee have had the good fortune to meet interesting people, see new places, and, most importantly, have fun every step of the way throughout their journey together. After much soul searching, the time has come for them to follow their own artistic pursuits for a while.

Bard CDs and Merchandise will still be available for purchase through www.thebards.net and all of the valuable information will still be available. Information on Marc and Andrew's individual projects will be listed on the site and newsletter so please stay tuned for updates.

The Bards greatly appreciate your continued interest in their music and look forward to sharing their music with you for years to come. Thanks again to all of you for your support.

Note: This will not affect any of our shows for the rest of the year.

Dragoncon 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Cara Chapel) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:39:00 +0000

Marc says:

This was, strangely enough, one of my most-fun years at DragonCon. I think it had a to do with the fact that Brobdingnagian Bards were such late additions.

We were accepted only two weeks before the show opened. However, Andrew and I already decided we would attend the con nonetheless. We expected it to be laid back, where we could actually se stuff. So when we were accepted as guests, our mindset hadn't changed too much.

Thursday. We arrived on Thursday with the usual excitement. Went to get our badges and I started the Con off right, waiting in line with Evo and his wife Sheila. I had a great time chatting with them while Andrew went to get our band table settled. Evo invited me to the podcast parties. Just what I was really looking forward to.

After getting our badges, I was wiped. The long drive and a little bit o'drinking the night before, I went to bed at 8:30pm Thursday night and woke up 7am the next morning. What a GREAT night's rest. It really set me in the mood to start DragonCon.

Friday. After waking up, I grabbed the table stuff and headed down to the Concourse to sell CDs. Our new album, Real Men Wear Kilts, arrived the day before. Arthur of Emerald Rose arrive just after me. The first thing I did was pick up his new CD. I loved some of the tracks I heard on his SoundClick page. So I hope to share some of that in an upcoming podcast.

A couple hours later, our other table people arrived. Then the excitement began. Because of the lack of officiality from the get go, we ended up overbooking when we became official. For starters, we were asked to perform at the Opening Ceremonies for the Podcast Track. I arrived early and got to spend a bunch of time with some of my podcasting friends. Andrew arrived just before start time. We played "Jedi Drinking Song" and I got to featured my brand new song "Monahan's Mudders Milk". The new song went over brilliantly.

Then we raced back to the Concourse for a show at 2pm. Fortunately, we didn't have too many problems getting back there. So aside from a bad time slot, the show went smoothly. Then I walked Back to the Hilton again for my Podcasting for Promotion panel.

It was cool to be on a panel, especially with a topic I know SO well. Admittedly, I felt it was too short. While I did learn that Twitter seems to be uber popular with podcasters, I also felt like there were a LOT of things that were left out with podcasting promotion. Ah well, it was an honor nonetheless to be there with people like Tee Morris and Evo Terra who've done a lot for the podcasting world.

A few hours later, Andrew and I were on our last panel of the weekend for the LOTR track. I was a bit worried about this one. We were to talk about and play music from our CD Memories of Middle Earth. It turned out much better than I thought it would. Mostly because, well, it was the first time we've ever had a chance to tell how the album came about. That was so cool. Our audience seemed pretty interested too. I'd definitely do something like that again in the future.

As if that wasn't enough, we had one more show for the day. It was our big filk show at 10pm. We were booked in a huge room right after our friends the Bedlam Bards. Sadly, because of the last minute booking, I didn't even know they were before us. So that made it tough to really promote the event. The room was huge, but only maybe a half filled. The performance went great though. The audience seemed really into it. I think with a bit more promotion next year, we could have a HUGE show there. When it ended, I was hot and wired. So I went to the first podcast party.

Now I noticed a wardrobe malfunction during our final show. A few weeks back, I washed some clothes and didn't dry them enough. So my shirt started smelling like mildew. So when I got to the party, it was a very short time before my shirt came off. I played one song while there for a birthday girl, drank a wee bit and then after spilling a drink, decided I should head back to my hotel room and get a decent night's sleep, which I did.

Saturday. I have a bad habit of waking up too early, especially when others are shuffling. So when Andrew and company started packing stuff for the table, it was an hour later that I was up and heading downstairs meself.

Saturday was a lighter day. We had a strolling performance through the Art Show at 4pm. Otherwise, I spent time catching up with friends. Oh! And taking a nap before the art show. Which was much needed as tired as I was. It helped. At 7pm, I went to the Parsec Awards to find out when we would play. I figured it out, and we put on a short show there. It wore me out a wee bit before our 10pm show in the same room. But wow! What a show that was!

I was a little bit worried about this show. We were scheduled opposite another comedy act, Paul and Storm. But obviously, I had Nothing to worry about. The room was almost completely full. The songs were much more diverse. This must've been one of my favorite shows of the con! Too much fun.

When the show ended, I headed back up to the podcast party, once again, losing my shirt, just because. ;) I played a few songs after arriving. They went over great and then just hung out and drank, meeting some new people and getting to know others too.

Sunday morning came too soon. I was tired, waking up too soon once again. I took another short nap before our Art Show walkabout. And then that evening, I headed to my friends' room. Jamie and Gena helped me finalize the costume for my, uh, friend, Captain Black Jack Murphy. The pirate was solidified, and we all headed to the Pirate Party.

The Pirate Party kicked off earlier than anticipated that night. That meant, that Capt. Murphy was joined by Maggie on bodhran and they played a few rockin' songs, getting the pirates rowdy enough for the rest of the evening. I, uh, I dropped by briefly to see the show, but, um, Capt. Murphy has a potty mouth. So I, uh, left early. But, uh, I heard the whole story.

Murphy seemed to have a grand time annoying people, flirting, drinking, and dancing to excess. Good thing *I* missed it all.

Fortunately, I woke up feeling refreshed the next morning. But with overall sleep deprivation, I was surprised I didn't get sick, but I felt great.

All in all, it was a brilliant time that flew by far too quickly. Aside from the lack of sleep, I could use another week of DragonCon.

Post-DragonCon Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:05:00 +0000

Once again, we hit the road after DragonCon for a series of concerts. Join us at one of the following shows.

Friday September 5th
9pm-12am
McDermott's Irish Pub
434 2nd Loop Road
Florence, SC 29505
843-206-6801

Saturday September 6th
7pm-9:30pm
Deese House Concert
1619 Ashley Downs Dr.
Apex, NC 27502
Please RSVP. Call Nathan at (919) 608-2933

Friday September 12th
7pm-9:30pm
House Concert at Cameron and Stephanie Rowe
3620 Azalea Dr.
Destin, FL 32541
Opens at 7pm. First set ~ 7:30pm.
Please RSVP. Ph: (850) 650-3002
stephanie @ crcdatatech.com

Saturday September 13th
7pm-9:30pm
Haeuser House Concert
47167 Highway 445
Robert, LA
RSVP to ghislainederouen @ hotmail.com

Brobdingnagian Bards First Two CDs Now On Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:45:00 +0000

Well after much begging and cajoling, we gave in and decided to make the first two Brobdingnagian Bards CDs, Marked By Great Size and Gullible's Travels, publicly available. Not only that, but the first 15 copies are signed by us.

Marked By Great Size was first released in the Fall of 1999 at the Texas Renaissance Festival. It included the sixteen songs that we first played at Renaissance Festival, including early recordings of "Do Virgins Taste Better" and "The Dragon's Retort" which we later were guilt-tripped into re-recording as one song on A Faire to Remember.

Gullible's Travels was released in March 2000 at Things Celtic in Austin and then throughout. It featured our first recording of "Tolkien" which rocketed our popularity on MP3.com. Many of the songs were re-recorded on later CDs or added to compilations, but there's nothing like hearing the album in it's entirety.

If you ever wondered what the Brobdingnagian Bards sounded like... in the beginning. Now you can. Pick up a copy of the CDs while you can.

Bad News for DragonCon 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:36:00 +0000

The Brobdingnagian Bards were NOT invited back as official guests of DragonCon.

Andrew and I had a big talk this morning after watching The Dark Knight (loved it) about whether the Brobdingnagian Bards will show up at DragonCon at all. I already committed myself because I volunteered to be on a podcast panel. But Andrew?

The fact is we've had literally dozens of people ask if we are going. After five years of performing at DragonCon to a growing fan base, our fans expect us to be there. So rather than disappoint all the people who go out of their way to support us each year, we decided to swallow the costs for you and make one more trip to the Con.

Now that we know we are going, we hope to organize a couple unofficial shows for you. We're looking at various tracks, open spaces, or even playing down in the filk room. Just keep an eye open to this blog for details. Hopefully, we'll have something established before the Con starts.

Mostly though, we are going to have fun, take it easy, enjoy the con and your company. Maybe we'll even see some panels for the first time ever at DragonCon!

To fund the trip, we hope to supplement our income by organizing 2-4 gigs on the way back. So if you have any gig ideas between Austin and Atlanta, please let us know.

I hope you will make some time available to see us at the con!

Fellowship of the Ring at Brigit's Garden in Ireland

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:06:00 +0000

Last Brobdingnagian Bards Tour of Ireland Ever!

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:18:00 +0000

I paid final bill for the Brobdingnagian Bards Tour of Ireland to Celtic Ways. Eight days in one of the most-beautiful countries on the planet. Due to the weak American dollar and lower than expected attendance, we are losing money, but it's IRELAND. So I can't complain too much. Tickets are all booked up. We are ready to go!

Because of the low attendance, we came to a tough decision today. This is the last Brobdingnagian Bards Tour of Ireland. That's right bardic vacations are no longer in our foreseeable future. I was hoping to do Scotland and Europe in the future, but I'm forced to admit that it doesn't look the demand is strong enough to do these trips.

That said, we do still have room for about four more people on this final tour. So if you were wanting to join us in Ireland. This is indeed your last chance. Right now, the website says it'll cost you $2600 for the land travel and all meals. However, if you email me [marc at thebards dot net] before Friday, May 2nd, I'll knock off $100. But I need to know ASAP. So contact me soon!

Meantime, I'll be practicing my Irish songs for great music and craic!

Bards on Wandering Geek

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:58:00 +0000

From a wandering geek:

Hi Guys,

I just thought I'd let you know that my music show WGPR #8 is posted with your songs "Exclamations & Happy Birthday Dear Hobbit Friend" in it. You were, of course, given credit and have a link in the show map for the episode. And, of course, I wouldn't be offended by a blog or podcast mention. Thanks for letting me use your music. I look forward to using more in the future.

Here's a link directly to that show if you'd like to check it out.

http://wanderinggeek.podbean.com/2008/03/28/wgpr-episode-8/

All the best, Curt

--
Curt "The Camera Guy" Arndt
The Wandering Geek Podcast
www.WanderingGeek.info

Austin Music Awards 2007-2008 - Celtic Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:48:00 +0000

Here's how we pulled in the latest Austin Music Awards, as well as some of our Celtic friends.

#1 Best Folk Band: Brobdingnagian Bards

#6 Instrumental: Doc Grauzer
#2 None of the Above: Brobdingnagian Bards
#7 Novelty: The Dubliners' Tabby Cats
#4 DJ: Boba Fett
#4 World: The Tea Merchants
#10 World: Bedlam Bards

#4 Misc. Instrument: Andrew McKee, recorder
#5 Strings: Marc Gunn, autoharp

#6 Local Label: Mage Records
#1 Acoustic Venue: Cactus Cafe
#7 Live Music Venue: Elysium
#9 Radio Music Program: Celtic Storm
#5 Record Store: Things Celtic

Link to the Brobdingnagian Bards

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:29:00 +0000

We got a bunch of new banners to the Brobdingnagian Bards thanks to James McDaniel II who runs Dumb Ogre Designs. Really cool and fun T-shirts and such. Post these banners on your website.

Procrastination Pays Off - Ireland Vacation Tour and Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:53:00 +0000

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.

Bards at Two Rivers Renaissance Faire

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:25:00 +0000

Our first year at this one weekend faire in Southeastern Arizona.

Two Rivers Renaissance Faire was born of a love for all things Renaissance. A time when chivalry was alive and well. When people were realizing art, science and exploration. The Renaissance Faire celebrates the music, food, and fun of the olde world village marketplace. Come experience life in Renaissance Europe. This will be another fun and exciting family event, unlike anything else in Yuma.

Feb 1-3, 2008
Two Rivers Renaissance Faire
West Wetland Park
Yuma, AZ

Limited Edition Bards Comic T-Shirts

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:53:00 +0000

Yup. You can own one. Only a limited number will be printed.
Find out more here.

January 2008 House Concerts and Gigs

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:19:00 +0000

Thu, January 10, 2008
Studio Joe
600 Autumn Drive
Little Rock, AR
Opens at 7:30pm (2-40 min sets)

Thu, January 17, 2008
House Concert at Cameron and Stephanie Rowe
3620 Azalea Dr.
Destin, FL 32541
Opens at 7pm. First set ~ 7:30pm.
Please RSVP. Ph: (850) 650-3002
stephanie @ crcdatatech.com

Fri, January 18, 2008
Haeuser House Concert
47167 Highway 445
Robert, LA
RSVP to ghislainederouen @ hotmail.com
Show at 8pm (2-40 min sets)

Lord of the Rings Music Videos

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 12:44:00 +0000

Weathertop

Hobbit's Dance

Bards Comic, Book #2 Is Here

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:45:00 +0000

From Nikki:

I would like to announce that the Bards Comic book#2: Let Sleeping Fairy Tales Lie is now available in my Lulu shop here: http://www.lulu.com/content/1476643

She has a lot of art on sale too.

Brobdingnagian Crier - Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 03:17:00 +0000

HIGHLIGHTS....
- End of the Season
- Ireland Tour Deadline Extended
- Fraud Update
- Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
- Join Us in Ireland Where...
- Upcoming Shows: GAFilk
- MP3 Download: Bog Down in Christmas
- Quick links to the Brobdingnagian Bards

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Brobdingnagian Bards Tales
=============================

Greetings Nagians!

Well, the year is coming to a close. We just finished our last show of the year at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. The last weekend featured amazing, high 70s weather... in December. What gives?! But I'm not complaining. The faire had great attendance all-year long.

Now I am sitting in the New Orelans airport waiting to fly back to Austin. I have only a couple days to get stuff in order before I fly to Germany to visit family. With any luck, I'll have some cold weather. And there's even a small possibilty I'll be playing in a pub in Weisbaden. But we'll see...

SPEAKING OF EUROPE, IRELAND IN PARTICULAR
I had a number of people tell me that they were waiting for their IRS checks to arrive before they could make a decision about joining us in Ireland tour. We still have a few more spots available, so we decided to extend the deadline to January 23rd. So if you're still wanting to join us in Ireland, you have a little bit more time, but the sooner you put in your deposit, the better your chances of joining us! See the details of our Vacation Tour of Ireland here.

Andrew and I were also talking about skipping over to England for a few days after the tour ends on June 13th. We want to do a couple shows and see a little bit of that area too, having never been there. Consequently, we are looking for some venues. If you know of any venues or are willing to help us get booked, please contact us with as much info as you can find about the venues, especially active email addresses. Email me us.

FRAUD UPDATE
We want to thank EVERYONE who helped out financially and also spread the word about the Internet Fraud we encountered in October. I've had half a dozen people contact me and tell me that this information helped them because they ran into the same or a similar fraud. And when the Tartan Terrors were knocked off, we were also able to donate some of our surplus to help them them out as well, and pass it on. I'm happy to say, we are back in the black, and still didn't even unload all those DVDs. But thank you, thank you for your help.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
The holidays are upon us. I'm really excited to see there are a lot of people who look like they are giving Brobdingnagian Bards CDs for the holidays. "The Holy Grail of Irish Drinking Songs" and our new live CD are really popular this year, and the Christmas EP is nearly sold out at CD Baby. So I need to get more of those there soon. Thank you for sharing our music for the holidays!

It's amazing that we're just two weeks away from Christmas too. I just am Not ready. I haven't done ANY gift shopping. But maybe I'll find some good gifts in Germany. I've barely heard any Christmas music this year either. I did take a moment to listen and laugh at The Limeybirds' Christmas Album. And ye know what got me listening to their CD this year? A fan at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival told me how she learned to say "Brobdingnagian" thanks to their version of "Twelve Days of Christmas". Too Cool!

Oh! I put together the shownotes for a Celtic Christmas show for the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I hope to have online in a couple days. Meantime, if you want some more Celtic Christmas music, check out my Celtic Christmas CD store.

Well, I hope your holidays are bright and filled with joy whatever you are doing this holiday season. Slainte!

JOIN US IN IRELAND WHERE...
Well before St. Patrick arrived in Ireland, before St. Patricks Day and before Guiness was invented the Celts celebrated 4 times a year during fire festivals. We visit the fantasy Brigit's Garden in Co. Galway that interprets these fire festivals. Learn how to make your own Brigid's Cross, and we hope to perform on one of the world's largest sundials that's in this garden.

Find out more at http://www.thebards.net/ireland/

UPCOMING SHOWS
Jan 11-13, 2008, GAFilk, Atlanta, GA

Our schedule for next year is filling up nicely. See details on the website...
http://www.thebards.net/shows/

DOWNLOAD MP3s & SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS
And here's a fun Christmas MP3 that you will NEVER hear Andrew ever do ever again. It's called "Bog Down in Christmas". He parodied "Rattlin' Bog" when we recorded our Christmas EP. It's mucho fun!

"Bog Down in Christmas" from Christmas in Brobdingnag, Vol. 1
Listen: Download: Buy CD: Buy MP3s:

Happy holidays and Slainte!
-Marc Gunn, Bard

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Quick Links to the Brobdingnagian Bards
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Join the Brobdingnagian Bards in Ireland in June 2008
Demand the Brobdingnagian Bards
Brobdingnagian Bards' CDs, MP3s, and Merchandise
A Brobdingnagian Minute Podcast
Celtic Lyrics
The Nagian Fan Community
Message boards, discussion groups, myspace, podcasts, discount CDs, bootlegs and much more!

Mystic Age Radio Artist of the Month of December

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 23:46:00 +0000

I just got word that the Brobdingnagian Bards are the Artist of the Month of December on Mystic Age Radio. Many thanks to those folks.

Notes about the Louisiana Renaissance Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Marc Gunn) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:20:00 +0000

Oh! I was just reminded of a couple of corrections I need to point out if you plan to come see us at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival.

If you've checked the faire's schedule, you'll note it differs a bit from the schedule on our website. The times are the same, but the acts are not. Our first two showtimes at 11:45a and 1:00p are listed as "Brobdingnogain". The best Andrew and I could figure out is that this is the Brobdingnagian version of Rogain. Andrew is before (short hair), and I am after (long hair).

However, our last show at 2:45 features "Barbie/etc". I have No Idea where the hell they got that from. I mean I don't wear high heels. And I don't think Andrew cross-dresses (aside from the obvious kilt jokes). But then... he did, after all, talk to the entertainment director. So? Hmm...? No. Even with that he's a bit tall to bother with high heels. Just doesn't make sense. But I digress.

Those times 11:45, 1:00, and 2:45 are indeed OUR showtimes, withOUT high heels or skirts. Just KILTS!

And even then, that schedule is only for the First Half of the Faire. At present, I don't know Where we will be for the second half!?!

So the best I can suggest is patience. We might just be playing in the lanes. If that's the case, my guess is that we'll be by Jamie's cottage most of the day. But wherever we are I will let you know as soon as I know something. Slainte!