A New Decade

 Well, I just turned 60, and I’m trying to decide what this decade will be like for me. On turning 50 I changed a lot of things. I set out to lose weight and write more songs. I started a blog and online concerts. I decided to pursue more festivals and house concerts. So what has changed over these 10 years? Well, I have done more festivals and a few house concerts. I have plugged into shows and venues where I am among many musicians whom I have looked up to for many years. I did lose weight - which I gained some back and then lost again. I’m feeling very healthy overall. I have written a decent number of songs although I’m not the wellspring of songs that I might have hoped for. I did write a bunch of instrumental guitar tunes that I am very proud of.  I lost my mother at age 90 which shut down my creativity for the better part of a year - more from having to clean up her estate than dealing with her loss emotionally, although she is dearly missed. That was during the time when my instrumental album was being finalized, and I even wrote songs after her death that were heavily influenced by my mindset in the wake of her passing. I even wrote a lot of more spiritual and thoughtful songs in the last few years as I have become more aware of who I am and why I’m here. The pandemic changed a lot of my thrust and direction. I have found that my purpose is to use my talent for music in helpful ways even more than I did before. I have also come to trust that my financial needs will be met if I give with a joyful heart and a loving soul. So what will the next decade bring? I’m a little uncertain since the pandemic is still not under control, but I can see me continuing to play online concerts since I can reach so many people so easily and genuinely. I’d love to write more along the lines of songs that will encourage and comfort others. I never thought I needed to be famous or have a huge audience, and I’m even more comfortable now with drawing the people to my music who get something beneficial out of it. Hang out with me a while and see where life takes us!

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What have I been up to?

I played a couple senior facilities last week, but I also had a cancellation because the state Residential Care Facility (RCF) guidelines are now recommending that visitors not be allowed in group activities which includes musical visitors playing for a group. Our virus transmission rates are up in Colorado, and this is a precaution that hopefully will be able to be reversed soon. We just have to keep being vigilant until this virus is under control and no longer a threat.

My Thursday online show doing Hank Williams tunes was so much fun. I learned several new tunes and played every one of them since they are relatively short and I could fit so many into the show. I also did a few earth songs since it was Earth Day. It was grand.

My Sunday online show was extra special since it was my birthday and that made me be full of gumption (full of beans my mom would say). We had a wonderful group of folks out to hear favorites and many requests. It was fine time.

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What am I up to this week?

My senior facilities may have to be cancelled or changed with the state recommendation I mentioned above. I’m sure I can do outdoor shows if the weather is good. If it all works out I’ll have three shows this week.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing ‘60s songs. I will probably leave it pretty free-flowing with songs from many genres all over the decade. The ‘60s was such a fun time of both crazy and thoughtful songs, so I’m sure it will be a stellar evening of songs. Come on out if this sounds good to you.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing the favorites and requests that we have come to enjoy. The camaraderie is always something I look forward to, and I hear that these shows have really helped folks get through this virus time. They have certainly helped me.

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That’s it for this week. I am excited for the coming week and the coming summer - and the coming decade. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of ’60s songs

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

When:  Thursday, April 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, May 2, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Hesitancy

 We are in a strange time right now. It’s hard to know how to deal with the virus and the reopening of our communities and lives. Case numbers are going up right now, and yet many stories from credible sources are saying that once we’ve had the vaccine we can start to do more normal things again. Since I work with seniors in my facilities I tend to be more cautious since I fear that I could carry something into their buildings and cause an outbreak, but I read a good article today that said that we could see more hesitancy in our society than is merited as we get a handle on the virus. I think a little more restrictive behavior isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We’ve seen flu numbers and other disease numbers drop precipitously over this past year, so the extra hand-washing, mask-wearing and distancing has other benefits. Obviously my chosen occupation of performing music depends on people gathering in a large group to listen to me play and sing, so at some point I want to go back to what amounts to riskier behavior. I’m anxious to see the results of the concert experiments that have been done in several places in the world in the past month or so. I’ve really enjoyed doing the online concerts, and I know it has opened up a new way for people to connect without being in a large group physically. I’m thinking this through as I write, and as I’ve said before in this time, the indecision and waiting is disconcerting. I hope you’re coping with it as best you can. Time will only tell when we can be “normal”.

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went well last week although it is very difficult to see how reduced some folks have become and how hard it is to help folks with dementia maintain their distancing and wear a mask. I really hope the vaccine is effective enough that we don’t see any more outbreaks in close communities.

My Thursday show was fun playing older folk songs from the first half of the last century. I even found a new resource just after my show in an anthology that was treated as the Bible by many folksingers of the ‘50s and ‘60s, which was released in 1952. It’s called “The Anthology of American Folk Music” by Harry Smith on Folkways Records. I didn’t know a lot of the songs on this big collection, but I’m looking forward to enjoying it.

My Sunday show playing favorites and requests was a wonderful evening again although we were missing several regulars. We have such a great group of folks who attend that we always miss those whom we can’t check in with and wish well. It took me a while to get in the groove although I started with some favorite songs from the band Poco that were sung by Rusty Young who died this past week.

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What am I up to this week?

I have many more senior facilities to play for this week. They are all trying to open up and bring in entertainment more, and there have been some changes at several places in staff and residents. It has and will be fun seeing the changes and getting to know folks all over again.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will feature the songs of Hank Williams. I haven’t done very much country music at my online shows although I know a lot and perform a lot of it in person usually. Hank Williams’ songs have always spoken to me with their intuitive lyrics and infectious rhythm.  Come on out if you want to hear my take on these classics.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will again feature favorites and requests. I always say how I look forward to these evenings, and as things change with the virus I mark time by how these shows feel and how everyone responds. It is such a supportive and caring group - not only to me but also to each other.

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That’s it for this week. I appreciate you and your willingness to read my writings and cheer me on as I try to make a difference in the world with my music and thoughts.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Hank Williams songs

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

When:  Thursday, April 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, April 25, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Working Through Thoughts

I’m not sure what to write about today. This is one of those Mondays that really feels like a Monday. I’m a little frazzled from trying to keep track of several things at once, and I’m not used to that since COVID slowed everything down so much. I wrote about multitasking a few weeks back, and how this year had helped me do less of that. Today is different somehow. This past year has been different like that as well. There have been several mind shifts from one structure set to another. I’m a creature of habit, and I like to get my life into a series of habits that let me take care of the mundane things in life automatically so that I can concentrate on the things that are more creative and engaging. I have found that I’ve changed habits a few times, and I suspect a lot of people have been doing that too. And in one way I’m annoyed by the frequent changes, and in another way it just reminds me that there is depth beneath all these changes that is more reliable and permanent. My undercurrent of peace and timelessness is ever a source of strength and resilience. All I have to do is slow down for a moment and remember that truth. And I guess this blog today has been more a working through of this thought process. I imagine you have a similar way to work through your thoughts and center yourself. Thanks for coming along with me on mine!

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What have I been up to?

I had three senior facilities to play for last week - two outside and one inside. It’s tough to keep the social-distancing and mask-wearing discipline in check. It was so good to see everyone, and it was so difficult to not give hugs and handshakes.

My Thursday online show playing my own original songs was great fun. I even did some songs I haven’t played in 30 years or more - had to relearn them, in fact. It was a wonderful night, and it’s so gratifying to have folks be so supportive of my writing.

My Sunday online show included several new-to-me tunes that I really enjoyed. Our group of friends and fans is so genuine and caring that is always a lift for everyone. You’re always welcome if you’d like to join in.

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What am I up to this week?

I have three senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to seeing several folks I haven’t seen in a year or more. I know we lost some people at a few places, and I’m apprehensive about seeing some absent as well. This has been a tough year, but we keep supporting each other and staying the course.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will feature older folk songs from the likes of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Burl Ives. There is a wealth of great folk songs from this genre that most everyone knows, and I’m really looking forward to sharing these with everyone. Come on out if this kind of evening appeals to you.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will feature favorites and requests as always. I have a few stored up that are really special, so I hope to have a wonderful night. Come on out if you can.

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That’s it for this week. Please be safe and caring for each other. Let me know how you are doing with the many changes over this past year and the habits you’ve created or given up.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of older folk songs songs

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

When:  Thursday, April 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, April 18, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

What Is Normal?

 I’m thinking a lot of what normal will be after the virus is under control and what it was before. How do we ever settle on what normal is in the first place? Many things we do in our society are very different than what other societies accept and practice. It goes to how we create norms in our societies in general. Most are based on some sense of fairness and morality. I’m fascinated with Greek city-states who experimented with different forms of philosophy and laws. Some were pretty wild in their practices, and many of our ideas are based on one or other of the experiences and relative successes they had. In my mind we base our norms upon some sort of common respect we build around what we want for ourselves. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is a pretty concise statement of what most have wanted since humanity set out. Love your neighbor as yourself seems to be a pretty good guide too. Basic awareness of who we are and why we are here seems to help general morality. And this deep dive I just made is all pointing back to where we will find normal after the virus is over. If we proceed with a new-found respect and awareness of our situation and our interdependence I think we can hope for something slightly better than what we went into the virus with. We have a pretty short memory though, and I suppose it is just as logical that we will drift into complacency and myopia. I will continue to spread as much joy and love in hopes that our new normal will be more beneficial to humanity and our condition together. I hope you do too.

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What have I been up to?

I had a couple senior shows indoors last week. Even with a good mask it still feels odd being back in these facilities. Still it is so good to see some of these folks whom I haven’t seen for a year. Of course we have lost several folks over the year too, and thats saddening to have their faces absent.

My Thursday show was doing rain and Spring songs, and it was wonderful singing about all of joys of Spring and rebirth. We have such a good group of celebratory folks.

My Sunday show doing favorites had several new songs and some old favorites. It was a more mellow show than I usually do, and it was gratifying to see that people were okay with doing some slower songs with deep meaning since I gravitate towards those myself.

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What am I up to this week?

I have three senior gigs this week, and one of the facilities I haven’t seen the folks since last summer. It will be so good to see their faces again.

My Thursday show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing my own original songs. I haven’t done a show of my own songs for a few months, and I have a couple new songs that I’m anxious to play again. I had hoped that this COVID year would have inspired me to write more, but like everyone I have had more angst and less of the mindset I need to write songs from. It will be a fun evening of songs, and I’d love to have you along if you’re free.

My Sunday show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing favorites and requests as always. Some of the songs that people have been pointing me towards lately have been really special, and I look forward to the gems that I’ll find every week. I haven’t had time to seek out much new music although it seeps thorough the cracks occasionally. Come on out if you can.

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What’s on the horizon?

I have several gigs on the calendar for this summer, and there are several who are trying to set up events for this summer that I’d love to play. Hopefully we won’t have any surges in cases that will slow down the recovery. This time is a real test in patience and responsibility. My calendar is always online if you’re interested in what’s coming - http://tommunch.com/calendar.

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That’s it for this week. Every day is interesting in this life. Waking up with beauty inside and outside makes it all worthwhile. It’s fun to decide what normal is for each of us.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of original songs

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

When:  Thursday, April 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, April 11, 7-8:30 pm mountain time