Friends

I spent a couple days at a reunion in New Mexico for Philmont Scout Ranch where I worked in high school and college in the summers, and it turned out to be a larger-than-life confluence of many more people than I thought I’d ever see at one event. It was a celebration of 50 years of women rangers of whom two of my sisters were standouts in the first 5 years. Since it was such a big anniversary there were so many women and men who came back to hike and interact with each other. There were too many people to get a chance talk to everyone, and we all wished we had more time to catch up. I also got to play some good music with people I haven’t seen in years, and of course I had to go on at least one hike to get out into the backcountry. The amazing thing was that everyone has led outstanding lives. I knew that it was a group of achievers, but I had forgotten just how engaged and ambitious and yet in-the-moment these people could be. I was definitely proud and amazed that I got to be part of these folks’ lives when we were young and also now that we could get together again. So I’m writing this just to encourage you to reach out to old friends and share some uplifting times. It’s good for us!

——

What have I been up to?

My senior facilities were all very rewarding last week although I had fewer than most weeks since I went to the reunion I mentioned above for two days. I love playing for these folks, and hopefully I make their day brighter.

My Wednesday online show about name songs was so much fun that we decided to do it again this week. The best part was doing songs that surprised folks and brought out a different take on names.

Thursday’s barbecue at the Yellow Pine was a good one with lots of wonderful new and old faces. There was quite a bit of dancing crammed into the end of the evening, and we need to do more of that.

My Sunday online show was a little different since I had been gone for the better part of three days and hadn’t had time to work on requests as I usually do. But the energy I was bringing from the reunion charged the evening and made the night really special. We have such a wonderful group of friends at these concerts.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities again this week since I’m playing in Estes Park on Friday and need the day to drive. I’m looking forward to every one of them!

Tuesday my theme online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be names again. We’re switching to Tuesday this week because I have a luau for one of my senior facilities that I do annually on Wednesday. These name shows are so much fun. Tune in if you can!

Thursday I’m doing the Yellow Pine Barbecue once again. There are only three more of these barbecues this year, so if you’d like to come you won’t regret it. The food and atmosphere are great, and it’s so good to share music in the old barn. Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528. 

Friday 7-8 I’m playing a concert at the Kathie Mennel Amphitheater at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies near Estes Park. This is part of their Summerfest series of concerts on Friday nights. I’m not sure of their setup for these concerts, but if you’re in the area give them a call and come on out! 970-586-3341 x1113

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests with our great online community that I’ve grown to know and love. We do a Zoom call a half hour before that you’re welcome to be a part of as well. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7759127796?pwd=MZ55WfXnEkOSi3_ztfvmMlbe2oCpoN.1

——

That’s it for this week. I hope your summer is going well and that you’re staying safe and healthy. One of the better things about the reunion last week was that everyone was very respectful about mask-wearing and keeping safe. That’s a refreshing state.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of name songs

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

When:  Tuesday, July 26, 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 28, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing a concert

Where:  Kathie Mennel Amphitheater at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies, Estes Park. 970-586-3341 x1113

When:  Friday, July 29, 7-8 pm

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, July 31, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Names

My show this Wednesday is about names, and I was really surprised when I searched through my song folder to come up with 243 songs that were about names. I’m even missing quite a few songs that immediately come to mind from the '50s and '60s like “Diana” and “Sherry”, and still I have so many. Names really do have importance in our lives. Most of the people I grew up with had the standard names of America, but I’ve really found that people with unique names lead different lives. They are more noticed - sometimes for the good and sometimes not so much. But there is power in a name. We romanticize the dramatic names in stories and in life. I think that’s why so many stars take interesting names. I was going to have my professional name be something different at one point. My middle name is Paul (named for my maternal grandfather), and I toyed with the name of Paul Grey at one point. It doesn’t really fit me, and I don’t know why I picked Grey. I guess I thought it sounded dignified and mysterious. Anyway, I’m sure we all had nicknames and tried out different names at times - whether it was a married name or just a fantasy. And songs with names have really captured our collective psyche. No one likes to hear the song with their name in it, but we do like name songs. So Wednesday I’ll play a bunch of them. Maybe I’ll play yours!

——

What have I been up to?

I forgot to mention my senior facilities again last week. I think it was because I had so many other things going on. I actually had 13 facilities to play, so it was a busy week there also. A couple of them were dealing with COVID cases, so caution is always at the forefront. It was great to see them all.

The dance in Cuchara on Monday went very well although they had a super-soaker rainstorm just before I arrived, and the road was closed and then reopened just before I got there to set up. We had to deal with some mud that had flowed into the entrance of the community center, but after we got that cleaned up the evening went really well. We did miss some folks who couldn’t get out with the little bit of flooding that occurred though.

My Wednesday online show about hot and cold was really fun. We found some really clever songs about hot and cold, so it was kind of a playful night with a lot of folks coming out to participate.

The Thursday barbecue at the Yellow Pine was packed with mostly one family who books the entire ranch for a reunion every summer, so it was a really fun night spending time with them.

The Sunday Cuchara Chapel service was cancelled due to the uncertainty around COVID with so many of the chapel folks coming down with it. They have cancelled all services until August 7th. I’m scheduled to play the service on the 14th.

My Sunday online show was really sweet with great requests and interaction in our wonderful group. Some nights just end up being extra-special.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have just 8 senior facilities to play this week as I am taking off Friday and Saturday to go to a reunion at Philmont that is celebrating 50 years of women rangers, of which two of my sisters were early pioneers. It’ll be great to hike with those two sisters, Jane and Carol, on Saturday to one of the camps and to a demonstration forest where we can learn more about wildfire mitigation. This will be a great opportunity to have a little R&R and see some old friends.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be featuring names as I wrote about above. I know it’s going to be a great time already. Come on out!

Thursday will be the barbecue at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch. I’d love to have you come out and enjoy some barbecue, music, dancing, and even roasting marshmallows around the fire. Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will feature requests and favorites as always. We have such a supportive and ever-growing group of friends and music fans, and I’d love to have you in the audience as well. Come on out.

——

That’s it for this week. I hope your summer is going well, and that you’re staying safe. COVID continues to be something we deal with daily, and it has been hard to live with it hanging over our heads, but somehow with love and care and perseverance we are getting through.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of name songs

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

When:  Wednesday, July 20, 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 21, 6:30-8:00 pm

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, July 24, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Hot and Cold

I’m doing my online show about hot and cold on Wednesday, and it has me thinking of how I’ve dealt with hot days and cold days in my life. I loved the heat as a kid. In the summer I liked to sit outside in front of the air conditioner when it was blowing hot air. I liked sitting in the hot sun too as long as I wasn’t getting sunburnt. Nowadays I don’t mind the heat, but it does wear me out quickly. I seem to be okay as long as I have a breeze moving past me outside or from a fan indoors. I used to not mind the winter cold that much either, but now I live in wool long underwear all winter long and get chilled easily. Strangely it doesn’t bother me to do my early morning walks with Beau in the cold, but I think it’s because I know how to dress warmly. And we all know what hot and cold weather does to our psyche. Some get depressed, and some revel in it. So Wednesday I’ll do songs about hot and cold. It should be fun! 

—— 

What have I been up to? 

My senior facilities last week all went very well. Some had extra COVID precautions. I love playing for these folks! 

My Wednesday online show doing songs by Canadian musicians went very well. Canada has a wealth of great writers and performers, and it was so much fun doing their songs. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. 

The Yellow Pine barbecue on Tuesday was a packed house. The barbecue was tasty (I love the beans especially), and Steve told me his technique for barbecue which is steeped in his family traditions and uses aspen for smoking because it’s less carcinogenic. Fascinating and yummy! 

The chapel service Sunday in Cuchara was a little different than we expected. The minister tested positive for COVID that morning, so we had a short online service where I sang three songs, and they awarded scholarships to four worthy students. 

My Sunday online show that night was wonderful - with lots of great friends and music. 

—— 

What am I up to this week? 

Monday (tonight) 7-9 I’ll be playing a dance at the Cuchara Community Center with my friend Dennis Mills on bass for whoever would like to come and do some dancing in the mountains. These evenings are usually a great time. The admission is free, but donations are accepted. Come on out! 

Wednesday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will feature songs about hot and cold as I wrote above. This should be a fun exploration of hot and cold with a few surprises. 

Thursday 6:30-8 I’ll be back at the Yellow Pine barbecue. I always say how much fun this is and how good the food is, and I ain’t lyin’! I’d love to have you in the audience. Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528.  

Sunday 11-12 I’ll be playing for the Cuchara Chapel again to fill in for my friend Peggy Hoobler. I’m pretty sure we’re doing a virtual show on Facebook again, but the details aren’t nailed down yet. Go to the Cuchara Chapel Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cucharachapel or the website cucharachapel.org for details as they decide. 

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I love these evening even when I can’t keep up with the requests. We have such a giving and caring group! Please join us! 

—— 

That’s all for this week. I hope you are staying healthy. COVID is rising in some places, and I’m sure at least I’m not being as careful as I could. 

Best always, 

Tom 

—— 

Who:  Tom Munch and Dennis Mills 

What:  playing for a free dance put on by the Cuchara Valley Recreation Program 

Where:  Cuchara Community Center, Cuchara 

When:  Monday, July 11, 7-9 pm 

Who:  Tom Munch  

What:  playing and singing an online concert of hot and cold songs 

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

When:  Wednesday, July 13, 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 14, 6:30-8:00 pm 

Who:  Tom Munch  

What:  playing and singing for the Cuchara Chapel virtual service 

Where:  Cuchara Chapel, Cuchara 

When:  Sunday, July 17, 11 am - 12 pm 

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, July 17, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Independence Day

It’s Independence Day morning as I write this, and that has me thinking of how I’ve spent this holiday over the years. When I was a kid I couldn’t wait to get my hands on some firecrackers and bottle rockets - the bigger the better. I would spend all day with my friends blowing things up in creative ways - ant hills, milkweed pods, old toys, or anything we could fit a firecracker into. Kids are pretty destructive and unaware like that. I think I grew out of that phase by my teenage years although I’m sure I still enjoyed lighting off a few pretty fireworks at night with my family. Of course we were usually at a lake or camping somewhere. My dad liked to sail his sailboat, and so as kids we accompanied him to several sailboat races around the area that frequently were held around Independence Day. One of my favorite Independence Day memories was driving back from one of these races along Interstate 80 in Nebraska as the night was setting in and seeing all the fireworks displays from each of the little towns positioned just north of the interstate as we passed them. It was a movable feast for the eyes. That’s was also around 1976 when the US celebrated our bicentennial, and I got to go on a school trip to Washington, DC in a red, white, and blue plane. When I left home I didn’t really celebrate Independence Day as much except to maybe go to a professional fireworks show somewhere. When I got my first dog when I was on my own he was deathly afraid of the noise, and he even ran away one year out of fright - digging out of the backyard and disappearing for three weeks. I also started listening to a radio show around that time called the Thomas Jefferson Hour. The host portrayed the third president on the air and answered questions and told stories and insights about early America and how our government was formed. That gave me a deeper appreciation for the serious thought that went into our independence and into the struggles it took to make our nation. I now spend Independence Day contemplating our country and it’s issues - some that our founders contemplated and that we are still dealing with more than 200 years later. I still appreciate the deep work our founders did to create something special that I benefit from every day. From the preamble - “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Happy Independence Day!

——

What have I been up to?

I forgot to mention my senior homes last week. I had nine scheduled, and one had to cancel for COVID, and another had to change the setting so that it kept their residents safer.

My Wednesday online show was doing the songs of James Taylor, and it was a wonderful if mellow night. James’ songs have always been favorites of mine to listen to and perform.

The Thursday night barbecue at the Yellow Pine was cancelled due to COVID in the Cuchara community. This is usually the biggest barbecue of the summer before the 4th, so it was a tough decision to make, but it was for the best. Hopefully we can do this week. I’m going to promote it and hope we can.

Saturday was the SPACe Art in the Park event in La Veta, and it was really fun and busy. It was so good to see so many friends, and being outdoors it was a safe way to see folks. The weather was really nice, and it held off raining for the whole time. 

My Sunday online show had some great requests, and it was just as good as ever with sweet friends and music. I’m blessed.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have seven senior facilities this week. I’m not doing any today with Independence Day, and I think I had one cancellation, so it’s fewer than I usually have. I’m hoping COVID doesn’t get any worse for them since many have active cases currently in their facilities.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing music by Canadian musicians. Canada has a rich tradition of great writers and singers, and I’m really looking forward to celebrating their music, especially since one of our favorite Munch Bunch Group members, Bob Deskin, is from Canada.

Thursday will be the Yellow Pine Barbecue 6:30-8. It’s great barbecue in the old and rustic barn with my music and a lot of atmosphere. Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528. I’m hoping they don’t have to cancel this week for COVID.

Sunday I’ll be singing at the Cuchara Chapel 11-12 mountain time for a virtual chapel service that you can watch if you like at cucharachapel.org if everything works out. We were up in the air about this service until just a day or so ago, so hopefully it will go off without a hitch.

Sunday night my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. We have such a fine group of folks who join together for this weekly celebration of friendship and music, and I’d love to have you join in if you can.

——

That’s it for this week. Life continues to be a rollicking time of music and adventures, and I’m happy to be with you to share them.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Canadian musician songs

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

When:  Wednesday, July 6, 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 7, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing for the Cuchara Chapel virtual service

Where:  Cuchara Chapel, Cuchara

When:  Sunday, July 10, 11 am - 12 pm

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, July 10, 7-8:30 pm mountain time