Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast

Brobdingnagian Bards, Marc Gunn, Andrew McKee
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Music
  • Biweekly

Scottish and Irish folk songs combined with the Lord of the Rings music and a wee bit o'Celtic fun. The Brobdingnagian Bards (pronounced brob-din-nahg-EE-en) were The Original Celtic Renaissance music duo from Austin, Texas. Their unique brand of folk music on the autoharp, recorder, and mandolin made them one of the most-popular Celtic music groups online where they continue to give away thousands of free Celtic MP3 downloads daily. From 1999 to 2008, the Brobdingnagian Bards performed coast-to-coast, and in a given month could be found at a Lord of the Rings Oscar Party, a Celtic festival, or a Science Fiction Convention. However, they were an absolute favorite at Renaissance Faires where they added high-energy and wit to make every show a memorable experience. Thanks in part to this podcast, their shows are never done!

  1. 4d ago

    Wild Rover | Battle of the Bard Songs

    Welcome back to the Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast, and to round two of Battle of the Bard Songs! Our first series is hunting for the Best Irish Pub Song, and Marc has already thrown down the gauntlet with "Whiskey in the Jar." Now it's Andrew McKee's turn, The Irish Bard himself. He's not rattled. He's bringing a song that every pub in the world knows by heart. It's the tale of a man who swears he's done with drinking, right up until he walks back through the pub door. Join in when the chorus kicks in, because you will! It's "Wild Rover", from our album A Faire to Remember. Is it the ultimate pub song? Does it beat Marc's pick? Listen, then tell us who gets your vote. Let the battle continue! -- Thanks for listening to the Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast! I'm Andrew McKee, the Irish Bard. Want to catch me live? Find my upcoming shows at theirishbard.com. Everything Bards lives at thebards.net, where the music, the mischief, and the tour dates all gather round the same fire. And to stay in the loop, follow our blog on Patreon. It's where the tales get told, the tunes get tuned, and the ale is imaginary but the fun is real. Until next time... a bard by any other name has a shorter name. I gave the "front-row seat" line to Marc and the new one to Andrew, but they're easy to swap if you'd rather flip them.

  2. Oct 21

    Whiskey in the Jar | Battle of the Bard Songs

    Welcome to the Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast! We're kicking off something new: Battle of the Bard Songs! Here's how it works. Each series, we pick a theme, and each of us brings a song to the ring. You decide who wins. For our very first series, we're settling the biggest argument in any Celtic music circle: What is the Best Irish Pub Song? Marc is stepping up first, and he's coming out swinging with a true pub legend. It's a rogue, a rascal, a highwayman, and a very questionable family. It's "Whiskey in the Jar", from our album A Faire to Remember. Is it the ultimate pub song? Can anything beat it? Give it a listen, and then tell us what you think. Let the battle begin! -- Thanks for listening to the Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast! I'm Marc Gunn, the Celtfather. Want to catch me live? Find my upcoming shows at marcgunn.com. Everything Bards lives at thebards.net, where the music, the mischief, and the tour dates all gather round the same fire. And if you want to keep the good times rolling, follow our blog on Patreon. Think of it as a front-row seat at the pub, minus the sticky floor and the imaginary ale. Until next time... a bard by any other name has a shorter name.

  3. Oct 14

    Johnny at the Door, Touring Dragon Con with Bards #101

    This week we're talking about life on the road: how to keep playing without burning out, and what happens when a musician needs a break. We've got upcoming shows, the story behind 'Johnny at the Door,' and a peek at the next Bards album. Grab a pint, settle in, and let's get started! NEWS 0:44 -  How to survive life on the road as a musician to avoid burnout 5:38 - Upcoming Shows Andrew McKee Shows: Sherwood Forest Faire Feb 28th-April 19th  New Jersey Renaissance Festival May 23rd-June 14th Marc Gunn Shows: Oct 15: Celtfather Livestream on Bandcamp Oct 31, Nov 7, Nov 14: Georgia Renaissance Festival, Atlanta, Ga Nov 8: CONjuration, Atlanta, Ga Nov 28, Dec 5: Georgia Renaissance Festival, Atlanta, Ga Dec 6: Nerdy Wonderland, Avondale Estates, Ga 2027  Jan 8-10: GaFilk, Atlanta, Ga Feb 28: Celtic PodFest and Nerdy Arts Market, The Lost Druid Brewery, Atlanta, Ga 8:21 - Would you do a Dragon Con Tour with Brobdingnagian Bards? 18:40 - THE STORY BEHIND "JOHNNY AT THE DOOR" 24:58 - Brobdingnagian Bards "Johnny at the Door" from Songs of Ireland 28:40 - The Next Bards Album Thanks for listening to the Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast! I'm Marc Gunn, the Celtfather...and I'm Andrew McKee, the Irish Bard. Want to catch us live? Find upcoming shows for the Celtfather at marcgunn.com and for the Irish Bard at theirishbard.com. Everything else lives at thebards.net, where the music, the mischief, and the tour dates all gather round the same fire. Follow our blog on Patreon so you never miss a verse. The ale is imaginary, but the fun is real. Until next time... a bard by any other name has a shorter name.

  4. Jul 15

    Truth about the Irishman Who Doesn't Drink #100

    Join us for the 100th episode of the Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast. We talk about Andrew's song from Another faire to Remember. Marc reflects on his recent Celtic Invasion of Galicia, Spain. A HUGE thanks to our generous Patreons! NEWS - Brobdingnagian Minute - UPCOMING SHOWS - What Marc Learned by going to Galicia, Spain - Music & Story: "The Irishman Who Doesn't Drink" - CREDITS UPCOMING SHOWS Find out more about upcoming shows of Marc Gunn and Andrew McKee on our websites. Find out more about Brobdingnagian Bards and follow our newsletter on Patreon.

  5. Jun 10

    Rare Old Mountain Dew #99

    Brobdingnagian Bards #99: Rare Old Mountain Dew  NEWS - Brobdingnagian Minute - New Jersey Renaissance Festival vs Georgia Renaissance Festial - UPCOMING SHOWS - Music & Story: "Rare Old Mountain Dew" - CREDITS  Find out more about upcoming shows of Marc Gunn and Andrew McKee on our websites. Find out more about Brobdingnagian Bards and follow our newsletter on Patreon.

  6. Apr 1

    Firefly Reboot, I'm Coming Home #98

    Welcome to the Brobdingnagian Bards podcast! Andrew's deep in the magic of Sherwood Forest Faire, and Marc's heading there himself this weekend. We're diving into the Firefly animated series reboot — what has us excited, what has us cautious — plus the story behind "I'm Coming Home" from Another Faire to Remember, a song born from Samwise Gamgee's dream of returning to Rosie. Pull up a chair, Bards. This one's got heart. NEWS 0:02 - BROBDINGNAGIAN MINUTE 1:56 - SHERWOOD FOREST FAIRE RECAP 13:55 - FIREFLY REBOOT 27:01 - UPCOMING SHOWS 35:48 - STORY: I'M COMING HOME 43:49 - I'M COMING HOME 48:23 - CREDITS UPCOMING SHOW Apr 8: Bards Internet Concert @ 6:30 PM or 7:00 PM on YouTube Andrew McKee Shows: Sherwood Forest Faire Feb 28th-April 19th New Jersey Renaissance Festival May 23rd-June 14th Marc Gunn Shows: Apr 4-5: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX Apr 10-11: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX Apr 17-19: JordanCon, Atlanta, Ga Apr 24-26: StellarFest, Duluth, Ga Apr 25: The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, Ga May 9-31: Georgia Renaissance Festival, Fairburn, Ga Jul 30-Aug 2: Gen Con, Indianapolis, IN Find out more about upcoming shows of Marc Gunn and Andrew McKee on our websites. Find out more about Brobdingnagian Bards and follow our newsletter on Patreon.

  7. Feb 14

    New Album Alert! Plus: Why We Don't Perform Haul Away Joe #97

    Set sail with the Brobdingnagian Bards in this maritime adventure! In this episode, Marc and Andrew celebrate the release of their brand new CD "Another Faire to Remember" and reveal why streaming just doesn't cut it for supporting your favorite artists. They dive deep into Brobdingnagian Bards history, share stories from FAWM (February Album Writing Month), and discuss the songs that truly connect with their fans on stage versus on recordings. Plus, Andrew shares a bold political prediction, Marc announces his upcoming Irish & Celtic Music PodFest featuring The Muckers, Kinnfolk, and May Will Bloom, and they explore the fascinating history behind the classic sea shanty "Haul Away Joe" - a Renaissance festival favorite they've recorded but rarely perform live. From basement pub concerts to Bandcamp streams, from Sherwood Forest Faire to JordanCon, it's all in this episode! ⚓ Listen now and then grab your copy of "Another Faire to Remember" to support independent Celtic music! NEWS 0:02 - BROBDINGNAGIAN MINUTE 2:18 - WE HAVE A NEW CD 4:58 - DEEP BROBDINGNAGIAN BARDS HISTORY 6:41 - MARC AND FAWM (February Album Writing Month) 9:20 - SONGS THAT CONNECT WITH FANS 11:28 - UPCOMING SHOWS 00:23:47 - STORY: HAUL AWAY JOE 00:30:13 - HAUL AWAY JOE 00:32:57 - CREDITS   UPCOMING SHOW Andrew McKee Shows: Sherwood Forest Faire Feb 28th-April 19th  New Jersey Renaissance Festival May 23rd-June 14th Marc Gunn Shows: Feb 19: Bandcamp Concert Feb 28: Maggie McGuinness Pub, Huntsville, AL Mar 8: Irish & Celtic Music PodFest @ The Lost Druid Brewery, Avondale Estates, GA Apr 4-11: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX  Apr 17-19: JordanCon, Atlanta, Ga Apr 24-26: StellarFest, Duluth, Ga  May 30: The Lost Druid Brewery, 2866 Washington St, Avondale Estates, GA Find out more about upcoming shows of Marc Gunn and Andrew McKee on our websites. Find outmore about Brobdingnagian Bards and follow our newsletter on Patreon.

  8. 08/20/2025

    Brobdingnagian Bards #96: Run Away From Home

    If you need a change, just run away from home. That's Andrew McKee's advice on the latest Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast. You'll hear more about road trips, vacations, Gen Con and learn what's new at Dragon Con this year.  Dragon Con takes place on Labor Day weekend, August 28-September 1. See our schedule. Find out more about upcoming shows of Marc Gunn and Andrew McKee on our websites. Find out more about Brobdingnagian Bards and subscribe to our newsletter on Patreon.

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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Scottish and Irish folk songs combined with the Lord of the Rings music and a wee bit o'Celtic fun. The Brobdingnagian Bards (pronounced brob-din-nahg-EE-en) were The Original Celtic Renaissance music duo from Austin, Texas. Their unique brand of folk music on the autoharp, recorder, and mandolin made them one of the most-popular Celtic music groups online where they continue to give away thousands of free Celtic MP3 downloads daily. From 1999 to 2008, the Brobdingnagian Bards performed coast-to-coast, and in a given month could be found at a Lord of the Rings Oscar Party, a Celtic festival, or a Science Fiction Convention. However, they were an absolute favorite at Renaissance Faires where they added high-energy and wit to make every show a memorable experience. Thanks in part to this podcast, their shows are never done!

Information

  • Creator
    Brobdingnagian Bards, Marc Gunn, Andrew McKee
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2005-2025 Brobdingnagian Bards, Andrew McKee, Marc Gunn
  • Show Website
    Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast

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