Music is Sweet Relief

Things are getting kind of dismal with winter approaching and no end in sight to the virus. I have told you over the months in my newsletters some of the things I do to keep me centered and in a good frame of mind. The one that never fails for me and always surprises me is music. Music is so engaging, and it is endlessly stimulating in unexpected ways - from the infectious beat to the clever wordplay to the mystical emotional impact it can have on me. On the nights when I do shows I often start a song and then completely lose my sense of self and time as the song wraps me in a magic cocoon of timing and melody and flow. It’s just amazing! I’m so lucky to be involved in it, and to be able to share it with folks. Come join me in the adventure sometime. It really is a sweet relief. 

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What have I been up to?

The weather worked out just right with one reschedule to do my senior care facilities last week. It was a little sad telling folks that I probably wouldn’t be able to see them again except online for a while - especially now as I watch the snow out the window this morning. It’s been a decent run during the warmer weather. 

My Thursday show doing moon songs was really fun! I don’t know if I’ve ever been more relaxed and more tuned into a group of songs or people. You can see it on my Facebook page or my website if you’d like - facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts. 

My Sunday show doing favorites was just plain crazy. We had so many great folks come out and throw their energy into the evening. The snow outside added a certain zing that was palpable to everyone. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have a couple senior care facilities online this week, and I’m trying to set up some more online as we're forced to stop doing outside shows. I’ve even joined a Facebook group that is promoting shows for senior facilities all over the country. We will see how that goes. 

Thursday 7-8:30 I’m doing an online show of Halloween songs. I really enjoy these songs although they can be both spooky to goofy. It will be a lot of fun. Please tune in if you can. 

tommunch.com/online-concerts 

facebook.com/tom.munch 

Friday I’m doing an online show of songs for Philmont folks in a Facebook group I created just for them. It’s the second one we’ve done, and it should be a great time. 

Sunday 7-8:30 is my weekly online favorites show, and I have a good running list of songs I’m working on for folks from all over the country. It’s a lot of work learning all the songs, but it really keeps my chops up. I just hope I remember these songs going forward. My music memory is getting filled up!

tommunch.com/online-concerts

facebook.com/tom.munch 

The following Thursday, November 5th, I’m doing an online tribute to Jerry Jeff Walker who passed this last week. I had forgotten how much many of his songs meant to me, and this show promises to be way too much fun. 

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re doing okay with everything that’s going on. Vote if you haven’t yet, and be safe as you go about your life in this time. Jen and I are mostly still staying at home and trying to work online and get what we need through delivery. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Halloween songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts 

When:  Thursday, October 29, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts 

When:  Sunday, November 1, 7-8:30 pm mountain 

Goodness

I lost a friend last week suddenly who was a fine example of someone who exemplifies goodness. She always thought of others and strove to help and do things to build up and not tear down and to leave the world a better place. So what makes a person decide to do good in their life as a practice? I’m sure for some it’s just logical that doing good in the world is helpful to everyone and makes the world better. For some it may be that their religious beliefs encourage them to do good by Jesus' example or whomever they follow or a simple fear of God. For some it is other kinds of spirituality that see a certain oneness with all creation and a purpose to every act. For some it may just be training through being raised to always opt to do good by their parents and their friends. For some it is a humanistic morality of fairness and reciprocal treatment. For my friend and many of you I suspect it is a combination of many of these ideas. I know it is for me. I really do want to make the world a better place, and I have seen everything from spiritual teaching to brain chemistry to morality that shows me that a world of goodness is better for everyone involved. In the end our friends and family are all that matter, and those are cultivated through goodness to each other. I will miss my friend, but I know she spent her life spreading goodness that made a lot of people’s lives better, and the world and I am better for knowing her. 

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What have I been up to?

It was warm enough that I was still able to play for several of my senior care facilities last week, but that may not last much longer. I keep saying that, but I honestly will feel the loss when I can no longer give to these folks though outside performances. I am in hopes that I can do do some more shows online for them when it is too cold to perform outside in person. 

My Thursday online show of TV show themes and commercials was a blast, and there was so much reminiscing and good feeling going on that I know really helped some folks. It was a joy to be a part of my online friends group - “Where everybody knows your name.”

Sunday night was also fun with lots of new songs and old favorites. My poor brain is getting pretty full of music, but I was still able to load up some new tunes and deliver them. This group is so supportive and enthusiastic, and it does me such good to be able to be at the center and also look on from the outer circle at such caring and fine people. Come on out and join in!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 4 senior care facilities barring a cold snap this week. It looks like Friday it will only be 46°, so that may knock out one facility. This virus can’t be over soon enough. 

Thursday 7-8:30 my online show will be dedicated to songs about the moon to honor the blue moon we have this month on Halloween. The moon has been such a big part of our culture and creative thoughts and writing for all of history. It will be great to dive into some of these tunes that celebrate our celestial partner. 

tommunch.com/online-concerts

facebook.com/tom.munch 

Sunday 7-8:30 will be my online favorites and requests show. I have a continuous stream of new songs and old favorites I’m working on that dominate my weeks of late. It’s a different experience that I’ve honestly not been able to concentrate on for much of my career since I’m normally traveling to and from gigs with little time to work on new songs. It’s been fun, but my brain gets confused from one tune to the next sometimes. It’s a worthwhile challenge! Come on out and experience the camaraderie and challenge with me!

tommunch.com/online-concerts 

facebook.com/tom.munch 

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are taking care of yourself. With all that is going on it is easy to get wrapped up in the stresses and not care for yourself and others around you. This limits our amount of energy and awareness for spreading goodness. I think it is important. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing an online concert of moon songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts 

When:  Thursday, October 22, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts 

When:  Sunday, October 25, 7-8:30 pm mountain 

Silliness and Joy

 I wanted to talk about something I think can really help us through these hard times. We have such a prevalence of dark stories in the world and in movies and TV, and I know that laughter and true joy can do so much for us during stressful times. I did several songs last night on my online concert that were pretty silly, and it really lightened the spirits of everyone involved. It reminds me of all the silly songs that came out after World War II. Those really helped people get over the pain of that terrible time. It sometimes feels guilty to laugh when there is strife all around, but it really releases stress and lifts us up. In that spirit I’ll be playing a show that I did with a few friends for the veterans at the Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center in Walsenburg a few years ago. We did a performance of old TV show themes and commercials that was really fun. I’ll tell you more about it below in the description of what I’m doing this week. It’s hard to find true joy in the midst of sorrow and strife, but a little laughter sprinkled in here and there really helps. Being silly leads to remembering that this hard time is not all there is to life. We will get through it with some weary wisdom that will help us cherish true joy when we hold it. Seek out those things that bring joy and laughter.

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities were wonderful - particularly on Saturday when I got to play for the vets in Florence whom I haven’t seen since March. One of my other facilities has a COVID outbreak, so I sang from outside closed windows all around the facility with a sound system I could set up outside their windows. 

Thursday’s online show of cowboy outlaw songs went really well. I love these old gems and stories, and I threw in a couple newer ones too that were a blast. It’s amazing to me how comforting how even the cautionary tales are. 

Sunday’s show of favorites went really well too. Our community is growing in spirit, and it's wonderful to spend time with friends. 

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What am I up to this week?

Thursday's online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the above-mentioned TV show themes and commercials. As I said, it will mainly be the show I did with friends for the vets in Walsenburg a few years back that had trivia, fun facts, and a mixture of different TV themes and fun commercials from the ‘50s and ‘60s. I’ve had a few requests for some later shows that I’ll try to incorporate as well.  Hopefully a little levity and nostalgia will be a comfort and a welcome relief this week. Please join in if you can. 

tommunch.com/online-concerts

facebook.com/tom.munch

Sunday 7-8:30 online will be favorites and requests again. I explained on my show yesterday that I have a hard time keeping up with requests lately. Some songs are really challenging to map out and perform well, and I don’t like merely covering them. I’ll keep doing my best, but please know that if I don’t do a request it’s not for not caring. I know how deeply we can love a song. Please tune in if you can. 

tommunch.com/online-concerts

facebook.com/tom.munch

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That’s it for this week. I hope I don’t sound too disjointed this time around. The uncertainty of our situation is putting stress on everyone, and at times it’s hard to find meaningful things to say. I feel peace in my heart, and I hope you can feel it and that it makes a difference. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing an online concert of TV themes and commercials

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts 

When:  Thursday, October 15, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts 

When:  Sunday, October 18, 7-8:30 pm mountain 

Spreading Love

 I woke up kind of down this morning. I want so badly to contribute love to this world, and I quite often feel like it is a failing prospect. There are so many people in our world who seem bent on just confusing people and keeping them fearful and mistrusting of others. The world is what we make it, and we are really part of each other and dependent on others in obvious ways as we share the same living space on our planet as well as deeper ways as we share unseen forces between us of thought and quantum entanglement. Realizing this and working toward ways we can better ourselves and our existence on this planet is so much more worthwhile than tearing down each other for short-term perceived gain. I beat the drum for love and respect in whatever way I can - through music and beauty. I’m not looking for accolades. I am here to encourage others with the gifts that I have been graced with. How about you?

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went very well last week. The weather has cooled enough that it is just about perfect for playing outdoors for my folks. That means that the cooler temperatures are just around the corner though. Unfortunately this means that I won’t be able to play for folks much longer. I wish technology was such that I could perform online for everyone, but for folks who are isolated to their rooms for the most part that would require a robust wifi and distribution system to TVs in each room that just doesn’t exist yet. It is something to work towards, but I can’t see budgets and resources going to that for many years to come. I’ll keep working towards it where I can. 

My Thursday online show doing Eagles music went very well. It’s amazing how songs can permeate our life and consciousness so much at different parts of our lives. These songs are so comforting and familiar even when we haven’t heard them in many, many years. Some of them are very challenging to play, and I hit most of them okay. 

My Sunday online show went very well too. Folks are so appreciative and sincere at these shows, and it is a huge comfort to be a part of. We have created an online family that is very genuine and giving. It’s a blessing, to be sure. Some gems of songs have come out as well. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have several senior facilities this week that will be very rewarding, and one that I haven’t gotten to play for since March that I can’t wait to reconnect with. It’s hard to express what a joy it is to see and play for these folks. 

Thursday 7-8:30 I’ll be doing outlaw songs for my online show. I have a big list of cowboy outlaw songs from many years of collecting and performing, and I can’t wait to share these. Come on out and hear some songs of dastardly characters who lived hard and died young. They’re kind of the opposite of the person I’m trying to be, but most get their just desserts. It’s an interesting genre. 

Sunday 7-8:30 I’ll be doing favorites and requests for my online show. Each of these evenings ends up with some truly magical moments with the group and with the songs that get delivered. I’d love to have you in the audience family if you’d like to come along. 

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That’s it for this week. As the weeks drag by with the coronavirus I hope you’re taking care and making time for yourself and for caring for others. This takes so much patience to get through a marathon event like this, and it’s comforting to know that there are folks working hard to come up with a vaccine and with a plan to get life back to some form of normal. Be good to each other. We will make it to the other side. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing an online concert of outlaw songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts 

When:  Thursday, October 8, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts 

When:  Sunday, October 11, 7-8:30 pm mountain