What is Love?

I’m going to do two weeks of theme shows about love to anticipate Valentine’s Day. The first week will be general love songs, and the second will be romantic love songs. So I think that raises the question of what is love in general. We hear about love from the time we first learn to walk and talk. We never really know if it is a feeling or a duty or something that drives us to action. If we go to church at a young age we hear that God is love. As we progress through childhood into adulthood we learn about love from our interactions with friends and family. So where do we get a sense of what love truly is? For me I have always thought of love as a force of some sort. If God is love, then maybe love is also God. Last year I learned a song by Peter Mayer called “What If Love” that went along these lines. What if love is THE force that permeates and holds the universe together. I know it seems a little woo-woo, but science doesn’t have concrete theories about why the universe has the design or laws it has, and it has trouble looking beyond the Big Bang or explaining consciousness. Conversely, religion doesn’t like science for it’s lack of inclusion of the forces and organization that seem to indicate that there is a God at the core. I think it’s more complex than either has an explanation for. What if love truly is an organizing and communicative physical force that we haven’t discovered how to detect. I think there is a reason that love lies at the heart of most religions, and I think we intuitively know that it’s more important than just a concept. This may not be something we ever figure out in this life, but I’m ready to accept that love is a physical force that can be studied and can show the inner-workings of all we see and experience. So the love that I feel for my dog Beau or my family or my community or the world and all its peoples is part of a web of forces that we just can’t understand yet. To me that is what general love is, and it’s different from the attraction and devotion that is romantic love although it’s definitely related. This week I’ll do songs for my Wednesday show that feature this love for others and family and even our pets. I think it’s a great exploration and something to be cherished!

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and they were all a blast! I wish you all could participate in these sometimes. The interaction with people who have so much wisdom, experience and humor is priceless.

My Wednesday online show was the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and it was a fun one with guitars in different tunings and lots of memories and good songwriting. Everyone enjoyed it.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and I had just come back from three days in the mountains burning slash piles for fire prevention at our family cabins in New Mexico. I didn’t have time to prepare much for the show, and I still had the smell of diesel and burning pine in my head, so the show was very spontaneous and sometimes on the edge. It was fun!

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What am I up to this week?

I have just 6 senior facilities this week since it’s the end of the month into a new month when I usually have less repeat monthly bookings, and I’m looking forward to all of them as well as some free time to catch up on some projects and upkeep. It’s so cold outside that the inside work is good to do.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time is the general love songs I mentioned above. This is a fun show to put together with some great songs, and I know it will be worthwhile to see. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’ll spend some time picking up some requests that I’m learning for folks. You just can’t believe how many gems of songs have been requested for these shows. I hope you’ll join in.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re getting through the winter well so far. I’m about to start the annual taxes slog, but there are lots of things to do this winter that are uplifting and worthwhile.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of general love songs

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

When:  Wednesday, February 1, 7-8:45 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, February 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Ages Passing

I’m doing a show featuring the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young on Wednesday to mark the passing of David Crosby, and it has me thinking about time and those who shape our world - personally and collectively. There’s no denying that the baby-boom generation that I am a part of has had a dramatic effect on our country and the world - particularly in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Music had a lot to do with that, and even though I often harken to those heady days of peace and love, I know that those ideals were probably a little naive and impossible to fulfill. But as the pendulum swings back and forth, it’s undeniable that periods of time when we try to make the world a more equal and respectful place are necessary and worthwhile to balance our darker angels. We want to progress as a species and make our world a better place for all people as well as a healthy place for plants and animals and ecosystems. When those who were part of different ages pass on it’s a good time to reflect on what they stood for and where they brought us. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young collectively and individually gave us a lot to think about and some beautiful music to listen to and be moved by. Their ideals and harmonies were really something to cherish and appreciate. So I’ll do some of their music on Wednesday evening from the different configurations and iterations of the four members. It should be fun!

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What have I been up to?

I had 12 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed each and every one. It is a very worthwhile thing to give something that matters to these people who are so deserving of it.

My Wednesday online show was singing winter songs, and I was a little afraid that it might be too somber, but it was not at all. There were so many fun songs to celebrate the snow and the beauty of winter. I really do love all the seasons!

My Sunday online show was done at Matt and Deann’s house as a celebration of many of the birthdays of the regular attendees to my shows. It was kind of an online party with everyone dancing and singing along at the house and in their own homes. I think everyone had a great time.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and they will be all over southern Colorado. We’re getting closer to Valentine’s Day, so I’m playing more love songs now.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the music of Crosby Stills, Nash, and Young and their different groupings as I wrote above. Of course I can only do one voice at a time, so we won’t get the wonderful harmonies they were known for, but we can appreciate the clever writing and impact the songs make. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests this week. I have several tunes I’m working on for this, and I’m anxious to do them. Sunday nights are always a very fun time of camaraderie with audience comments and interaction. You’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are well and happy as the new year gets in full swing. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 25, 7-8:45 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, January 29, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Birthdays and Friendship

Well, the new year is definitely running on its own now after a good start. This Sunday I’m doing my evening online show from the home of two of my biggest supporters - Matt and Deann Pujol. We’re doing a group birthday celebration on the heels of Matt’s birthday for everyone in the Munch Bunch group. This will include favorite songs from several folks with a mention of their birthday month. It should be great fun, and it has me thinking of how we celebrate birthdays and how it relates to our lives. So many of us don’t want to celebrate our birthday so much as we advance in years beyond a certain point. I always tell folks that it doesn’t matter what your age is, a birthday is just a good excuse to have a party and have some fun. Many of my favorite musicians, artists, scientists, and authors have done their best work in their later years. I was listening to philosopher Ken Wilbur this morning, and he was reflecting that we don’t really come into our own and develop our thoughts significantly until we reach our 50s and 60s. I think that’s true for me, although I had some pretty good thoughts way back in my 20s too! Anyway, a birthday is a good chance for friends and family to come together to salute and cherish a birthday person, and that’s what this Sunday will be all about. If you’re in the Pueblo area then you’re welcome to come. Let Deann know so she can plan on you on the thread on the Munch Bunch page and tell her what song you’d like to hear along with your birthday month - https://www.facebook.com/groups/398664345396960/permalink/614631707133555/. It will be a blast!

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed all the folks so much. I always look forward to playing for them and seeing all their wonderful faces.

My Wednesday online show was doing the music of Ian Tyson, who passed at the end of December. There were some really amazing songs he wrote, and this was a great chance to explore these and pay tribute to a genius songwriter.

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests as always, and I had some sweet new tunes by several great musicians. It was so rewarding!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 12 senior facilities this week, and I am looking forward to every one of them. Many of them have stopped requiring masks, and it’s strange getting to sing for them with a bare face.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing winter songs, which is a theme I don’t remember doing before. You would think that most winter songs are fairly somber, but there are some kicking songs too! It should be a really enjoyable evening.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the aforementioned birthday requests by Deann and all the folks from the Munch Bunch who have commented on the thread above. I can’t wait to do this show!

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That’s it for this week. I’m planning some of my summer gigs and structuring the year with as much flexibility as I can. 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 winter songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 18, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of birthday favorites and requests from Matt and Deann’s

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

When:  Sunday, January 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Flying Under the Radar

I’m doing a tribute to Ian Tyson, who recently passed, for my Wednesday online show, and I realize that very few of my audience know who he was. He was an amazing singer and songwriter going all the way back to the early ’60s when he left the rodeo to become a folksinger with Sylvia Fricker and formed a duo called Ian and Sylvia. They were together into the late ‘70s when Ian started to record and perform on his own. He wrote and performed all the way up to just a few years ago, and his music is really pretty amazing - great lyrics, clever progressions, and fantastic guitar and vocals even after he lost much of his voice in the last 20 or so years. But many never knew his music which went from folk to cowboy with country overtones. I’ve sung many of his songs over the years like “Four Strong Winds”, “Navajo Rug”, and “Someday Soon”. For the most part he flew under the radar even though he was as talented and accomplished as many popular stars (even more). So it gives me comfort as one who has mostly flown under the radar myself that what’s important is the work and not the fame and recognition. I think it’s more important to make a difference than to have the trappings and recognition. Just my two cents. I hope you’ll tune in to hear some of his great songs on Wednesday!

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and it was so rewarding to start the new year with them. 

My Wednesday show last week was doing hopeful songs, and that’s a great way to face the new year - encouraging and supporting each other. It was a blast!

My Sunday show was requests and favorites, and there were some great requests and fine moments shared. I love playing for the “Munch Bunch” so much.

What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and as always I so look forward to playing for these folks. They really appreciate it, and I’m so happy to give what I can to make their day better.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time is doing the songs of Ian Tyson as I mentioned above, and there will be some really nice songs performed that I think you will really enjoy. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and you know there will be some real high notes (maybe even sung). Come on out and join in the revelry.

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That’s it for this week. The new year is starting out well, and I hope it is for you as well.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Ian Tyson songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 11, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert favorites and requests

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

When:  Saturday, January 15, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

New Year

Well, it’s the start of a brand new year. I’m trying to figure out what that means. Personally we are in relatively good health, I feel like I’m making a difference in my community, and things are somewhat quiet overall in the world. What will the year bring, and what plans should be made? I haven’t gotten jazzed up yet like I used to do at this time of year. I used to look at the calendar and make huge business plans for gigs and opportunities. COVID and age both have changed that a bit. I don’t feel like the wind has been taken from my sails anymore, but I do feel like more thought has to be put into what I want to do as opposed to the reckless abandon that I used to approach the year with. I don’t have any answers yet. I feel like I’ll have to simmer for a while. Meanwhile there are my regular places to play, people to encourage, and joys at home with Jen and the pets. I’d like to get back to writing, and I should figure out how best to release new songs to the world. I’ll have some big gigs yet to come in addition to my regular places. I'll always love to play and share my joy and love in music and pictures. So it’s a new year. What say we live it! More to come!

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went great last week, and I even played for one of them twice due to a scheduling mixup that worked out for the best. I love playing for these folks!

My Wednesday online show of favorite new-to-me requests was such a wonderful night. As I said last week, I’m blessed to have so many great folks with such good taste who turn me on to worthwhile songs that I’ve never known before. 

My Saturday online New Year’s Eve show was a blast with folks tuning in from all over the map. There were a lot of party songs, but there were some meaningful songs for the celebration as well. It was just a pleasure sharing the evening with so many kind and generous people. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 seniors facilities this week, and it will be fun starting the year with them with enthusiasm and encouragement for a meaningful and sweet year. 

My Wednesday online show will be hopeful songs once again to start the new year. I think I should always include some hopeful songs in my shows, and it just seems like the right mindset to start the year with, especially with my musical community.

My Sunday show will be favorites and requests as always. I’m always working on new requests and mapping songs. I don’t always remember them very well or for very long, but it’s a pleasure learning new tunes and adapting them to my style. 

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That’s it for this week. I’m glad to reflect with you and think about how to approach a new year. I hope you have a bright and beautiful year this year!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of hopeful songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 4, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert favorites and requests

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

When:  Saturday, January 8, 7-8:45 pm mountain time