Monday, June 28, 2021

Consciousness

 I’m working through some headier topics today. One of the recurrent themes I come back to is just where our consciousness comes from. We all know we have a brain, but what we don’t know is where our our consciousness resides. Science tells us that our firing neurons and synapses generate our thoughts and consciousness, but there are now many studies that show people who have thoughts and experiences even when their brains are damaged or shut down. If that’s true then our consciousness must be somehow outside our brain. Most spiritual religions believe this. Religion and science have mostly disagreed. This often was a result of the persecution that science endured from the church early on. But science has come back towards more spiritual thinking with quantum physics and the understanding that there are more curious properties in our universe than we previously thought possible. Maybe there is an interaction in our world and universe that is a force outside our current understanding of physicality that is where our consciousness lives independently. I have a conviction that there is great truth in this. I’ve been reading more books along these lines, and I think we are in the infancy of understanding how it all works together. Eventually I think we will find out that science and religion or spirituality are two sides of the same coin. The things that we think are woo-woo spirituality will be explicable through science, and the things that we think are purely scientific will be likewise understandable through spiritual principles. Buddhist monks seem to think this. They give recognition to scientists for discovering what they’ve known for millennia about interaction and forces of the universe. So maybe our consciousness does reside outside of our brain in the quantum realm in a way that is completely understandable by science. I can’t wait to find out more!


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What have I been up to?


My senior facilities last week went great. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do all of them because of the lack of gas at gas stations with the truck driver shortage, but I was able to get gas and get around to all of them.


My Tuesday online show doing ‘70s songs was great fun! I didn’t do as much rock and roll as I had thought I would do, but the flow went more towards folk rock again. It was all good. I had so many good friends along for the ride.


Thursday at the Yellow Pine was a little different than the previous week. They’re all different with a variety of folks and a variety of songs, and it was so good to see many old friends and meet some new ones. It’s wonderful to be part of that community in the summer.


My Sunday online show was a special one because it was online and also in-person with several folks because we filmed it from Deann and Matt Pujol’s house. We had lively conversation along with good food and memories. The online audience was a blast too!


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What am I up to this week?


I have 6 senior facilities this week, and it seems that we are slowly returning to some sort of normalcy. Most of them are still wanting mask-wearing which I am very used to at this point. It’s just wonderful to be able to provide this encouragement to the community again.


My Tuesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing country music this week. I will probably do some of the songs from my “Back to the Old Country” album, but I’ll also do some newer ones including a couple brand-new songs I’m performing at my niece’s wedding this Saturday.  I don’t do country music very often at my online shows which is not very representative of what I usually play out and about. I didn’t really grow up with country music, but I really love it and am looking forward to playing some for you on Tuesday.


Thursday 6:30-8 is the Yellow Pine Barbecue once again. It will be crazy fun since it’s Fourth of July week. They’re pretty much booked for every Thursday this summer, but I think they can squeeze in a couple people if you’d like to go. It’s good barbecue in a great location in the old barn with my music that you can listen and dance to. Call by Tuesday morning at the latest to book. 719-742-3528


Saturday is Jen’s brother’s daughter’s wedding, and I’m looking forward to seeing her family and playing the songs I learned for her and her guy!


My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing the favorites we always do on Sundays with a twist because it’ll be Independence Day. If you want a less explosive evening listening to music with good friends then come on out! This is always important to Jen and me because we have pets that are very fearful of the sound of fireworks.


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That’s it once again for this week. I will be pondering what I wrote about up-top all day as I weigh the headier aspects of life. I hope your summer is going okay, and I hope COVID is not still touching you in a significant way. Be safe, and I hope to see you soon.


Best always,


Tom


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Details this week:


Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Country songs

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

When:  Tuesday, June 29, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 


Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, July 1, 6:30-8:00 pm


Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

When:  Sunday, July 4, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Monday, June 21, 2021

Music of Our Youth

 I’m doing an online show tomorrow night playing ‘70s songs, and that has me thinking about music of our youth and how it shapes us and stays with us throughout our lives. I was exposed to a lot of different music when I was young. My dad played the piano, and he grew up listening to the hit parade in the ‘30s, so he played a lot of old standards from that era all the way through the musicals of the ‘50s and ‘60s. My siblings were older than me, and they listened to everything from folk music to rock and roll to Motown. My interest was in the folk-rock music of the ‘60s and ‘70s once I started playing ukulele and then guitar, but I heard everything that was on the local AM radio too. The attitudes and lyrics in those songs shaped me in ways I can’t really know. I still have snippets of those songs run through my head at odd times with their messages of hope or love. We all have had the sensation when hearing a song from our youth of instantly being back in a place and time with friends we have sometimes long forgotten. It’s a very endearing thing, and I can tell you that it works for the rest of your life - as evidenced by my seniors who often come out of their dementia for a few moments when hearing a favorite song from their youth. I really do think that music has some magical elements that reach into our spirit and mind in profound ways, and in combination with strongly imprinted memories from our youth that music can be very powerful. So I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with some songs of my youth from the ’70s, and if this speaks to you then come on out and share in the fun.


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What have I been up to?


I had a bunch of senior facilities last week. Once again it was great to see folks I hadn’t seen for 16 months, and it was sad to miss some who were no longer there. Little by little they are all coming back as the virus wanes.


My Tuesday online theme show doing summer songs was very fun. There are so many wonderful songs about summer, and it was a joy to play them with this fantastic group of folks. I had thought that maybe we would have less people tuning in since we switched the theme show from Thursdays to Tuesdays, but we actually had more people than we average on Thursdays.  


The Yellow Pine Barbecue on Thursday was a packed house with many old friends. The barbecue is being provided by a separate person from the Yellow Pine - Steve Palmer. It’s just as good as ever, and the evening was perfect. It appears that almost every week is already almost fully reserved, so if you want to come out for any of the next 8 weeks you’d be smart to call today to reserve the date you’d like to come.


My Sunday online show was also a lot fo fun. It was Father’s Day, so of course we did a couple father songs, but we also did a bunch of other favorites including The Rolling Stones, Jerry Jeff Walker, and even Fleetwood Mac. I love the folks so much who come out to join in!


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What am I up to this week?


I have 5 senior facilities to play for this week, and if I can get gas it’ll be great to see all the folks. We have a truck driver shortage in the area, and so several of the stations have run out of gas. This was exacerbated by people panicking and making on a run on the stations to fill up. It’ll work itself out, but hopefully I won’t have to cancel anywhere because I can’t get gas. I’m currently almost on “E” and am hoping to find some gas after I write this.


My Tuesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing the aforementioned ‘70s songs. This will be great fun, and I’d love to have you. If this appeals to you then join in on Facebook or on my website. The links are below.


Thursday I’ll be back to the Yellow Pine Barbecue 6:30-8. Again as I said above they are almost booked for every week this summer, so if you’d like to come then call to book ASAP. The number is 719-742-3528. 


My Sunday online show 7-8:30 will be doing the favorites that are such a good time. You are always welcome, and I’d love to see you. This week will be extra special because we are doing it live from Deann and Matt Pujol’s house in Pueblo. Deann was going to put together a watch party, and I said, “Why don’t we do the whole show from your place?” So that’s what we’re doing. I can’t tell you how special it will be to see some of the local friends in our group.


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So that’s it for this week. It seems we may be out of the woods with COVID unless a new variant gains a lot of strength. It feels so good to be over the worry and strife although I’m still happy to take whatever precautions are necessary to keep everyone safe - especially the seniors I am privileged to play for.


Best always,


Tom


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Details this week:


Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of ‘70s songs

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

When:  Tuesday, June 22, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 


Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, June 24, 6:30-8:00 pm


Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

When:  Sunday, June 27, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Monday, June 14, 2021

Summer

 Well, it’s summer. I’m not sure how to feel about summer this year. It has meant so many things over the years to me. It was exciting as a kid to look forward to all the outdoor activities and fun places to go and see. We’d go fishing or boating or driving on a trip or just playing in the neighborhood. As a young adult it still had those kind of activities, but there was also the opportunity to work at an exciting place with other people my age who were full of life and enthusiasm for what lay ahead. As I got into my career the summer became my main time to work as a musician with lots of cool places to play for wonderful people. That has been the rule for me for more than 35 years, but when COVID hit that all stopped. And now this summer things are opening back up, but there is not the unabashed feeling of freedom and possibility I used to look forward to. Every situation holds some uncertainty and questions over whether to wear a mask and whether to give a hug or even attend or perform at a big gathering. And on top of that there is the fear that someone will cause trouble. It’s a crazy time that is so much different than even 10 years ago. I attended a memorial service over the weekend, and even that seemed awkward and somehow foreign to me. So life has changed somewhat, and it’s not all bad, but I do find myself again wondering what comes next. I’m just glad that my music gives me purpose, and I will continue to try to spread joy and meaning to those who will listen.


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What have I been up to?


My senior facilities last week went very well. One of them was for folks I haven’t seen in over a year. It took me a minute to remember all their requests and get back in the flow with them, but once I did it was really cool.


The studio work for hire I did last week went very well. It’s so gratifying to create something you know will bring joy to the listener. Unfortunately the amount I made was almost exactly the amount it took to get our car worked on. Oh, well. Easy come, easy go. It was a great experience.


My Thursday online show was doing sailing, ocean, and beach music, and there were some sweet tunes played and even sweeter folks in the audience. It was so much fun.


My Sunday online show of favorites turned into a bunch of old rock tunes - many of them requested that night. I forget how much I enjoy these tunes, and luckily I was able to rise to some rock energy for the most part.


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What am I up to this week?


I have 7 senior facilities to play for this week, and 3 of them I haven’t played for since before COVID last year. It will be great to see them, and of course there is much caution still taken by all of the facilities in different measure. 


My online theme show moves to Tuesday 7-8:30 mountain time this week through the middle of August so I can play the Yellow Pine Barbecue on Thursdays, and this week the theme will be summer. There are some wonderful summer songs that express the free and easy feeling of the season, and I’m really looking forward to immersing myself and my audience in them. Please tune in if you can!


Thursday 6:30-8 mountain time will be the first Yellow Pine Barbecue for the season and the past two years. The barbecue is such a fun time with good friends. If you’ve never been it’s held in a barn built in the 1890s at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch just a half a mile or so north of the beautiful mountain village of Cuchara, Colorado. It’s a traditional Texas-style barbecue with all the fixings and my music as the entertainment. There is usually a campfire with marshmallow roasting and s’mores outside while I entertain for the diners and dancers inside. You need to make reservations by Tuesday morning so they can order enough food. The number to call is 719-742-3528. It’s a blast!


My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites that we play as always for the great group of folks who join in almost every week. This is the highlight of my week, and I look forward to hopefully seeing you there.


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That’s it for this time. I can’t believe it’s summer already. I’ve been working outside on the trees and weeds almost every day, and it’s great to be working outside although the heat and hard work does wear me out while it also makes me feel so alive. I hope you’re enjoying your summer so far. Be safe, and I hope to see you soon.


Best always,


Tom


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Details this week:


Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of summer songs

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

When:  Tuesday, June 15, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 


Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, June 17, 6:30-8:00 pm


Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

When:  Sunday, June 20, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Monday, June 7, 2021

Slow Down

I’ve been thinking of the changes that have happened in me and in the world with the pandemic. One of the things I have really appreciated has been the slowing down of life. I don’t feel the need to speed to get to a gig. I don’t feel the need to rush through my day. I’ve realized that life is not really worthwhile when I’m feeling pushed and not savoring simple things. I don’t want to compete or impose my will or agenda on other people. Life is much better when I really find joy in other people and the moment where I find myself. So do I feel the need to speed back up to where I was before the virus? I don’t think so. Maybe I’ll have to make a conscious choice to stay slowed down. I don’t know. I do know that I learned something during the pandemic that I don’t want to forget. Life is much more enjoyable when I don’t feel I have to get into a jostling frame of mind with each moment. I’ll try to remember that when someone is tailgating me on the highway, or when I feel I have to get something done RIGHT NOW.


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What have I been up to?


My senior facilities were good shows last week - some in-person and some on Zoom. I don’t think I’ll ever have the full schedule I had before the pandemic of senior homes, but that might not be a bad thing although I really do feel it’s a worthwhile way to spend my time.


My Thursday online show was songs about the sky, and it turned out really well. We had a little smaller group of folks, but everyone was into the theme and the songs.


Sitting in with Bill Hearne and Don Richmond and bass player Brett Davis on Saturday night in Alamosa went well too. Bill has such a genuine energy and drive on stage that really carries the audience. 


My Sunday online show was some neat favorites that I enjoyed as well. I can’t say enough about how special these nights of interaction usually turn out. Some really good people have contributed to making this a time of building up every week.


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What am I up to this week?


I have 3 senior facilities this week - all in-person. One of the facilities I haven’t visited since March last year, so it will be great to see how many folks I know.


I’m in the studio on Tuesday doing work on a song I mentioned before for a writer. It’s fun to put my spin on someone else’s song and lend my talents. I don’t do very much of this.


My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time is doing songs about sailing, the ocean, and the beach. My good friend Donna Dodaro Kemper suggested this show theme, and it will be a nice summer show to get into all of freeing magic of being on the water. Please tune in if you can.


My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing favorites and requests as always. We will never run out of great songs to sing at these shows, and the giving and kindness from my audience is something to behold. I’m so thankful to have gathered such a stellar group of folks to my shows.


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That’s it for this week. Next week I start the Yellow Pine Barbecue on Thursday nights and shift my online theme night to Tuesday. I don’t know if we’ll continue to get a big group of folks out for the theme night, but I’ll keep doing them until it is no longer feasible. I love to play and sing. Take care, and I hope you find joy in slowing down like I have.


Best always,


Tom


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Details this week:


Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs about sailing, the ocean, and the beach

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

When:  Thursday, June 10, 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, June 13, 7-8:30 pm mountain time