I'm reminded today of what makes things worthwhile in life. It strikes me that all the things that I think are excellent in this life are the result of someone putting in time and effort - great art, technology, food, music, and products. What makes them put in this effort? Well, care, I think, passion, and even love. When we love what we do and how we do it we take the time to do it creatively and to do a depth that is truly excellent! We are drawn to these things because we see that the people making it are engaged and enthusiastic, excited and resonant with life. And it really just takes the openness to explore and see the beauty in things around us to have this enthusiasm. So in that spirit I invite you to hear, taste, and feel the love!
What have I been up to?
Friday a week ago was the final evening at Magpies until next fall, and it was a packed house of good friends and music lovers. We did all kinds of tunes with lots of favorites.
What's up this week?
Friday night 6-9 I'm back at PDub Brewing Company in Pueblo West for some of that good stuff created with passion - good food, good brews, and good music! Come on out if you can. Brad will be sitting in again for a few tunes, and I'll be in fine form with all my new pick explorations and songs.
It's also National Nursing Home Week, so I'll be doing many, many shows for different facilities around the area all week. I don't talk about the nursing, assisted living, and retirement facilities I play at very often, but it's one of the more enjoyable things I get to do with my time for some wonderful people.
What's on the horizon?
Next week on Saturday, the 27th, at 7:30 I'm playing for the Coyote Creek Concert Series in Elizabeth, Colorado. This is a really cool concert in the pavilion at the city park in Elizabeth. It's part of Elbert County Music and Art, a non-profit group that does lots of good things in Elbert County with love. I'd be honored to have anyone near Elizabeth or around Denver come on out for it. Tickets are $12 at the door or $10 in advance at their website - coyotecreekconcerts.com.
That's it for this week. I hope you are gearing up for a fine summer!
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: singing and playing
Where: PDub Brewing Company Taproom, 181 S Purcell Blvd, Pueblo West, 719-647-8864
When: Friday, May 19, 6-9 pm
Monday, May 15, 2017
Monday, May 1, 2017
Snow Day
We had a snow day last Saturday that gave us a day at home and postponed a trip to Nebraska. The sudden free time was a surprise and had me drifting throughout the day. I had projects I could do, but there's something in a snow day that gives you permission to be as free as a bird. I love this feeling, disconcerting as it sometimes can be. So I did a couple projects, but I also took the opportunity to listen to new music and just play around on the guitar which I seldom do - trying techniques and experimenting - just letting myself enjoy joyful play. It was refreshing, and it reminded me that surprises can happen from out of nowhere that take me outside of our planned grid-work. Life is full of this when I let it be.
What have I been up to?
I had a wonderful gig for a friend's retirement last Friday. It's fun giving joy to good friends with the music you know they love. Congrats, Tom!
What am I up to this week?
Friday 7-10 is the last time at Magpies for the season, and if you've been meaning to come out this is the last chance until October. We have such fun down in the tap room with such good friends. I'd love to have you there if you're out and about.
Saturday I have a private party for an 80th birthday.
Sunday 7-8ish I'm playing another online concert at concertwindow.com/tommunch in my first-Friday series. I haven't made a songlist, but I'm feeling in an eclectic mood, so it may be interesting. I'm going to use my neighbor Mari Pretzer's quilt she made me for a backdrop. Please join me if you can!
That's it for this week. Be good to yourself and each other. Enjoy life!
Best,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, May 5, 7-10 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: online at https://www.concertwindow.com/tommunch
When: Sunday, May 7, 7-8ish pm MST
What have I been up to?
I had a wonderful gig for a friend's retirement last Friday. It's fun giving joy to good friends with the music you know they love. Congrats, Tom!
What am I up to this week?
Friday 7-10 is the last time at Magpies for the season, and if you've been meaning to come out this is the last chance until October. We have such fun down in the tap room with such good friends. I'd love to have you there if you're out and about.
Saturday I have a private party for an 80th birthday.
Sunday 7-8ish I'm playing another online concert at concertwindow.com/tommunch in my first-Friday series. I haven't made a songlist, but I'm feeling in an eclectic mood, so it may be interesting. I'm going to use my neighbor Mari Pretzer's quilt she made me for a backdrop. Please join me if you can!
That's it for this week. Be good to yourself and each other. Enjoy life!
Best,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, May 5, 7-10 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: online at https://www.concertwindow.com/tommunch
When: Sunday, May 7, 7-8ish pm MST
Monday, April 17, 2017
Variables, Granularity
I was chatting with a friend this morning, and we got onto talking about different variables in guitars - woods used in the top, back, and sides, body shapes and sizes, number of strings, etc. It was very cool (Thanks, Patrick!) I have also been experimenting with different picks and materials for playing the guitar. Both of these things make me think of how many different ways and different depths we can look at and experience life. There are literally millions of ways we can do things in the minutest of details. With guitars I have found that all the different body shapes, woods used, construction techniques, and combinations thereof make some guitars more expressive in different ways than others. With my picks I have found that all the different materials - woods, stones, plastics, bones, metals, horns, shells, even hoofs, have a different sound on the string. And holding the picks in different ways or attaching them to my thumb and fingers with different contraptions makes a huge difference too in the tone and attack - not to mention combining them with fingerpicks or bare fingers with some or no nail protruding to pick the string with. This is a level of granularity in both guitars and picks that is fascinating to me, and helps me to feel a song and the connected emotion in exquisite relief. It reminds me just how amazing this life is. Everything in this life has endless variables and possibilities just waiting to be found and experienced. And therein is part of the purpose and beauty of this life - to live it to the fullest and with abandon, exploring all these variables in the fine grains of life.
What have I been up to?
Magpies a couple Fridays ago was great fun. I only brought out three guitars (steel string, nylon string, and electric), and the evening was full of variety and good friends. I love it when we can take all the ingredients of different requests, backgrounds, and sounds and make a tasty musical dish out of it!
Last weekend I had two private parties (one of which was postponed) that were great fun. Best to Ron and Pat on their birthdays!
What am I up to this week?
Friday night is back to Magpies for our next-to-last outing of the season. I always talk of how much fun I have there with the wonderful folks and staff, and if you haven’t experienced it I’d love to have you in the audience. The first Friday in May is the last time I’ll be there until mid-October, so come on out if you want to join in the good food and good friends.
Saturday night was supposed to be at the La Veta Inn, but they had to cancel due to kitchen difficulties. I wish them the best as they work through their problems. The Inn is a wonderful place that can be a handful to run.
What’s on the horizon?
I just booked the third Friday of each month at PDub Brewing Company in Pueblo West May through August.
I also booked a few extra weeks at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch in Cuchara for the Thursday-night barbecue. We’ll now be going June 8 to August 31. This is a wonderful old barn and great place for music and barbecue. More as the season approaches.
That’s it for this week. I surely do appreciate you all and the variables and granularity our friendships and experiences bring to each other!
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, April 21, 7-10 pm
What have I been up to?
Magpies a couple Fridays ago was great fun. I only brought out three guitars (steel string, nylon string, and electric), and the evening was full of variety and good friends. I love it when we can take all the ingredients of different requests, backgrounds, and sounds and make a tasty musical dish out of it!
Last weekend I had two private parties (one of which was postponed) that were great fun. Best to Ron and Pat on their birthdays!
What am I up to this week?
Friday night is back to Magpies for our next-to-last outing of the season. I always talk of how much fun I have there with the wonderful folks and staff, and if you haven’t experienced it I’d love to have you in the audience. The first Friday in May is the last time I’ll be there until mid-October, so come on out if you want to join in the good food and good friends.
Saturday night was supposed to be at the La Veta Inn, but they had to cancel due to kitchen difficulties. I wish them the best as they work through their problems. The Inn is a wonderful place that can be a handful to run.
What’s on the horizon?
I just booked the third Friday of each month at PDub Brewing Company in Pueblo West May through August.
I also booked a few extra weeks at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch in Cuchara for the Thursday-night barbecue. We’ll now be going June 8 to August 31. This is a wonderful old barn and great place for music and barbecue. More as the season approaches.
That’s it for this week. I surely do appreciate you all and the variables and granularity our friendships and experiences bring to each other!
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, April 21, 7-10 pm
Monday, April 3, 2017
What to Do Next
I’m contemplating the future again today. It’s something we all do from time to time. It comes in many forms - from what to do next in your career, to what to do next for travel, to what to do next for your family. You know that we lost our little cat Nisi a couple weeks ago. Each time we lose a pet we go through a period of grieving that also includes when and whether to get another pet or pets. Our lives are endlessly enriched by having little beings around us who show us a different perspective and offer love in new and different ways. But they also bring the responsibility of caring for them and making time for them. The one thing in life that seems to be the most precious is time. I believe it is why we come here to this world - to experience time that is endless in the great beyond. And how we deal with the choice of that time is what makes up our life. So I won’t go into the details of mine and Jen’s life and what we want in the future - mostly because it’s a work in progress that we work through from day to day. But I wanted to touch on the dilemma that time presents us with and the knowing that no matter what decisions we make with our time, the important thing is to live each moment to the fullest and with abandon, seeking love and joy always.
What have I been up to?
The online concert last night was truly fine! I had several good friends listening and joining in the evening. I was a little frazzled with too many things on my mind (par for the course when dealing with technology and still trying to be in the moment), but it seemed to go very well. If you missed it there is a sample on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjI3So_HEq0
We used the beautiful quilt my sister Carol made me as a gift a couple years back for a backdrop, and I switched off on different guitars for different songs. Thanks you to everyone who tuned in! The next first-Sunday show will be on May 7 at 7:00 pm MDT.
What’s up this week?
Friday I’ll be back at Magpies 7-10 for another night of good friends, good food, and good music. I’m sure I’ll bring some different guitars and have some surprises for songs. I haven’t really tried to do themes this year at Magpies like I’ve done in the past, but I may just do some a couple this time out. I haven’t decided what yet. You have to know that we’ll end up doing some ’60’s tunes at some point in the night like always. :-)
What’s on the horizon?
I’ve booked one date at the La Veta Inn on April 22nd. We haven’t decided on the time yet, but this promises to be a wonderful evening of music. We’re still looking at a date in July as well.
Also I’ve booked three more weeks at the Yellow Pine in Cuchara for the Thursday-night barbecues. I’ll be there from the 2nd week in June through August.
That’s it for this week. I’m so grateful for my life of music and for having such good friends.
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, April 7, 7-10 pm
What have I been up to?
The online concert last night was truly fine! I had several good friends listening and joining in the evening. I was a little frazzled with too many things on my mind (par for the course when dealing with technology and still trying to be in the moment), but it seemed to go very well. If you missed it there is a sample on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjI3So_HEq0
We used the beautiful quilt my sister Carol made me as a gift a couple years back for a backdrop, and I switched off on different guitars for different songs. Thanks you to everyone who tuned in! The next first-Sunday show will be on May 7 at 7:00 pm MDT.
What’s up this week?
Friday I’ll be back at Magpies 7-10 for another night of good friends, good food, and good music. I’m sure I’ll bring some different guitars and have some surprises for songs. I haven’t really tried to do themes this year at Magpies like I’ve done in the past, but I may just do some a couple this time out. I haven’t decided what yet. You have to know that we’ll end up doing some ’60’s tunes at some point in the night like always. :-)
What’s on the horizon?
I’ve booked one date at the La Veta Inn on April 22nd. We haven’t decided on the time yet, but this promises to be a wonderful evening of music. We’re still looking at a date in July as well.
Also I’ve booked three more weeks at the Yellow Pine in Cuchara for the Thursday-night barbecues. I’ll be there from the 2nd week in June through August.
That’s it for this week. I’m so grateful for my life of music and for having such good friends.
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, April 7, 7-10 pm
Monday, March 27, 2017
Comfort and Happiness
I was playing music Saturday night and was struck at how easy it was to get thrown off my game. What happened was that I was experimenting with different guitars and techniques at my gig (big surprise, huh?), and because I couldn’t hear as well as I’d like to and because something was not set up right on the guitar I was playing, I found myself suddenly kind of lost and very moody and unhappy. I’ve heard of other guitar players saying this when they just couldn’t get their “sound” and were suddenly at sea. This made me think of how much we seek comfort in our everyday situations to maintain a sense of happiness and rightness with the world. I don’t know if it’s a need for control or whether it’s something else inside our psyche that needs for everything to be just “so”, but it’s a weird feeling and something that can really throw you off for while. My “go to” solution is to jump to the big picture and say that the situation just doesn’t matter in light of how big and wonderful the universe is, and that’s probably what I did that night. But beyond that I find that having the flexibility to go with the situation and to find the hidden gems within the uncomfortability can really be rewarding. I see the most creative and contented people do this, and it fascinates me and makes me seek to explore these situations myself. I once heard that stress is the most powerful force for change in our world, and handling it with finesse and joy would be a hoot!
What have I been up to?
Last Saturday I had two wonderful gigs.
Playing for Tosha’s 40th birthday party at one of the nursing facilities Saturday evening was just very special. You may have seen my post on Facebook about this. Tosha was not expected to live for more than a few weeks when she was born because of multiple medical conditions, and to reach her 40th birthday as a happy and loving person even though she deals with quadriplegia is amazing. Happy Birthday, Tosha!
Saturday night I had a great crowd of folks I haven’t seen in ages at PDub’s. Brad Schoolland, the proprietor, sat in on several tunes, I switched off on several guitars, and it was overall a really fun night (although as I wrote above I was having some technical difficulties that threw me off a bit.). Thanks to all who came out!
What’s up this week?
Sunday I’m doing another online concert from our living room from my first-Sunday series of concerts we started a couple months ago. I haven’t decided on a theme yet, but it will be an engaging and fun night of friends and music as always. Maybe I'll lean towards spring tunes? Or maybe it would be fun to turn towards cowboy and historic music. Hmmm...we'll see. Tune in to concertwindow.com/tommunch at 7:00 mountain time if you'd like to listen and join in on the conversation.
That's it for this week. I really appreciate all the kind condolences that so many of you sent about our sweet little cat, Nisi. We miss her terribly, but we are so glad she was part of our lives - if even for a short time. Looking at the summer I'm talking to the Royal Gorge Bridge about possibly doing some weekly solo shows on their big stage at Elk Park. I'll keep you posted. Maybe it'll make me comfortable and happy! 😉
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: online at https://www.concertwindow.com/tommunch
When: Sunday, April 2, 7-8ish pm MST
What have I been up to?
Last Saturday I had two wonderful gigs.
Playing for Tosha’s 40th birthday party at one of the nursing facilities Saturday evening was just very special. You may have seen my post on Facebook about this. Tosha was not expected to live for more than a few weeks when she was born because of multiple medical conditions, and to reach her 40th birthday as a happy and loving person even though she deals with quadriplegia is amazing. Happy Birthday, Tosha!
Saturday night I had a great crowd of folks I haven’t seen in ages at PDub’s. Brad Schoolland, the proprietor, sat in on several tunes, I switched off on several guitars, and it was overall a really fun night (although as I wrote above I was having some technical difficulties that threw me off a bit.). Thanks to all who came out!
What’s up this week?
Sunday I’m doing another online concert from our living room from my first-Sunday series of concerts we started a couple months ago. I haven’t decided on a theme yet, but it will be an engaging and fun night of friends and music as always. Maybe I'll lean towards spring tunes? Or maybe it would be fun to turn towards cowboy and historic music. Hmmm...we'll see. Tune in to concertwindow.com/tommunch at 7:00 mountain time if you'd like to listen and join in on the conversation.
That's it for this week. I really appreciate all the kind condolences that so many of you sent about our sweet little cat, Nisi. We miss her terribly, but we are so glad she was part of our lives - if even for a short time. Looking at the summer I'm talking to the Royal Gorge Bridge about possibly doing some weekly solo shows on their big stage at Elk Park. I'll keep you posted. Maybe it'll make me comfortable and happy! 😉
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: online at https://www.concertwindow.com/tommunch
When: Sunday, April 2, 7-8ish pm MST
Monday, March 20, 2017
The Unexpected
Life is always a give and take, and much of it is dealing with things we don't expect. This is both a challenge and a blessing. Some of the biggest delights happen unexpectedly, and also some of the biggest disappointments happen the same way. To try to mitigate them completely is impossible, and just like the roses along the path, if we could mitigate them we would miss out on some pretty wonderful things. We also would miss out on some pretty painful things that can teach us and make us grow. We experienced this in the last week with the passing of our cat, Nisi (short for Anisette). My wife, Jen, found her little lifeless but still beautiful furry black body Saturday morning after she was absent most of the day Friday and then overnight into Saturday. It appeared she had been attacked by a bigger animal. She loved being outside to frolic and hunt, and we knew this fact since we had gotten her from friends who had lived in Gardner with her for her first 4 or so years. Pueblo West can be a dangerous place for outside cats with our rural setting and frequent wildlife sightings, but we accepted that this was how she wanted to live, and we got used to her sometime forays lasting all night. It was still unexpected to find she had been caught while doing what she loved to do - like a daredevil in a way. But she taught us a lot about living in the moment and enjoying life, and so we are sad but pleased that she came into our life unexpectedly and exited unexpectedly as well. Cherish the unexpected, my friends. It can be the best parts of life. And in her spirit I'll include the blog post I wrote about her three years ago entitled, "My Cat Understands".
My Cat Understands
I've been writing about pretty heady subjects of late. I guess I’m trying to be wise and learn from all the reading and living I’ve been doing. Funny thing is, my cat seems to have more wisdom than I do sometimes - especially in the morning. She waits until she knows I’m rushing to get something done, and then she comes to me for affection. I usually try to pick her up and cuddle her for a while, and of course this has a wonderful calming and loving effect on both of us. It also reminds me that there are more important things in life - giving and receiving love and caring. The most interesting thing she shows me is when I’m not totally present there for her. She gets annoyed and will bite me. At first I thought she was wanting to play or was being mean, but I more realize that she is actually teaching me to be in the moment and to let other things go. When I do that and talk to her, then she doesn’t bite or get annoyed by me. Now I suppose I could see this as a cat being selfish, but I don’t think so. I think that she is more in touch with the meaning of living here on earth - wanting to enjoy each moment and putting the passion in everything that life is really about. So I say, “Thank you.” to her, and I hope you get these moments, however brief, in your life to enjoy.
What have I been up to?
Last week was full of wonderful Irish spirit with St. Patrick's Day even with our loss.
Friday was an all-Irish evening at Magpies with several guitars and lots of good friends celebrating the Irish with all the Irish tunes I could muster.
Saturday was another all-Irish evening at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence opening with young Celtic women dancers from Castle Rock and then me singing Irish songs and leading the wonderful audience in old favorites. It was quite a night!
What's up this week?
Saturday night 7-10 I'm back at PDub Brewery in Pueblo West for a night of great beer and music. I'm really enjoying the beer and camaraderie at PDubs, and they've made some adjustments so that the service should be outstanding this time out. I'm even expecting Brad Schoolland to sit in on a tune or two. He's the founder of the brewery and the fellow who had the accident last fall you may have read about in October. He's recovering well and ready to join me on stage. I'm looking forward to it all. Please come out if you can for a porter or cream ale and some live music.
What's on the horizon?
I just booked the Feed Store in Westcliffe for another concert this summer on August 20. This is always a highlight of the summer for me, and you just can't beat the setting in the park in the shade of the beautiful Sangres.
There's lots more coming, so stay tuned.
I guess that's it for this week. Many of you have offered condolences on Facebook about our little Nisi, and I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: singing and playing
Where: PDub Brewing Company Taproom, 181 S Purcell Blvd, Pueblo West, 719-647-8864
When: Saturday, March 25, 7-10 pm
My Cat Understands
I've been writing about pretty heady subjects of late. I guess I’m trying to be wise and learn from all the reading and living I’ve been doing. Funny thing is, my cat seems to have more wisdom than I do sometimes - especially in the morning. She waits until she knows I’m rushing to get something done, and then she comes to me for affection. I usually try to pick her up and cuddle her for a while, and of course this has a wonderful calming and loving effect on both of us. It also reminds me that there are more important things in life - giving and receiving love and caring. The most interesting thing she shows me is when I’m not totally present there for her. She gets annoyed and will bite me. At first I thought she was wanting to play or was being mean, but I more realize that she is actually teaching me to be in the moment and to let other things go. When I do that and talk to her, then she doesn’t bite or get annoyed by me. Now I suppose I could see this as a cat being selfish, but I don’t think so. I think that she is more in touch with the meaning of living here on earth - wanting to enjoy each moment and putting the passion in everything that life is really about. So I say, “Thank you.” to her, and I hope you get these moments, however brief, in your life to enjoy.
What have I been up to?
Last week was full of wonderful Irish spirit with St. Patrick's Day even with our loss.
Friday was an all-Irish evening at Magpies with several guitars and lots of good friends celebrating the Irish with all the Irish tunes I could muster.
Saturday was another all-Irish evening at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence opening with young Celtic women dancers from Castle Rock and then me singing Irish songs and leading the wonderful audience in old favorites. It was quite a night!
What's up this week?
Saturday night 7-10 I'm back at PDub Brewery in Pueblo West for a night of great beer and music. I'm really enjoying the beer and camaraderie at PDubs, and they've made some adjustments so that the service should be outstanding this time out. I'm even expecting Brad Schoolland to sit in on a tune or two. He's the founder of the brewery and the fellow who had the accident last fall you may have read about in October. He's recovering well and ready to join me on stage. I'm looking forward to it all. Please come out if you can for a porter or cream ale and some live music.
What's on the horizon?
I just booked the Feed Store in Westcliffe for another concert this summer on August 20. This is always a highlight of the summer for me, and you just can't beat the setting in the park in the shade of the beautiful Sangres.
There's lots more coming, so stay tuned.
I guess that's it for this week. Many of you have offered condolences on Facebook about our little Nisi, and I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: singing and playing
Where: PDub Brewing Company Taproom, 181 S Purcell Blvd, Pueblo West, 719-647-8864
When: Saturday, March 25, 7-10 pm
Monday, March 13, 2017
Change and Age
I’m modifying my guitar style again, and it has me thinking of how changes are made as we age. First, about my guitar style, I've principally used three guitar fingering techniques throughout my career - flatpicking, fingerpicking with fingerpicks and thumbpick, and fingerpicking with bare fingers. If you've heard me play in the last few years you know that I mainly use bare fingers and have a very beat-driven style where I slap my thumb or the back of my fingers on the strings for a backbeat. In past years with fingerpicks I would click the fingerpicks on the top of the guitar. With a flatpick I would thump the strings or guitar top every so often with fingers or the pick. It took a long time and a lot of brain gymnastics and callous-building to develop each of these techniques. Now I am changing my technique by incorporating a thumbpick into my bare finger technique and by using fingers with my flatpick technique so I can fingerpick in what is known as the "Nashville" style. The thumbpick allows more defined bass notes and faster picking, but it also complicates the thumb thumping on the strings. The flatpick with fingers allows the ability to have fingerpicked passages when using the flatpick for fast picking and strumming. It wouldn't seem that either of these would take much adaptation to master, but that's where the aging comes in. As we age we seem to lose brain plasticity - the ability to remap and rewire our brain to handle new patterns and concepts. I've definitely seen this with my brain - almost as if there is only so much capacity for change. I used to like trying new things - especially new menus and concepts on the computer or with electronic devices and instruments. But I found that I kind of burned out my brain's ability to do this at some point. So why am I changing my guitar style if I don't think my brain can handle it? Because I still thrill at a challenge, and I think that I should always be improving my music in whatever way I can. These changes will open me up to many more musical textures and sounds - from muting the strings to playing faster riffs and having better rhythm and much more. I know you'll see me stumble a little as you hear me over the next few months. This is akin to walking and chewing gum while juggling sometimes, but hopefully you'll also see more fire and dynamics in my playing. How about you? Do you thrill at change?
What have I been up to?
Friday Magpies was a blast a couple weeks ago with a bunch of guitars and a packed house. It was so much fun!
Sunday was the online living room concert in Nebraska, and it was great fun too. My wife, sister, and niece (and Beau, our dog) were a great audience in the room, and I had friends from all over the country tuning in. I mixed up some Irish tunes with some favorites and original tunes.
What’s up this week?
Friday is St. Patrick’s Day, and I know Magpies 7-10 will be a great place to celebrate. I’m always up for whatever the audience is up for, and I think it’ll include quite a few Irish favorites. I’ll have several guitars including my Lowden Irish guitar on hand and my picking fingers ready for some blazing jigs and sweet ballads. Come on out!
Saturday I get to be part of a fun Irish event 7-9 at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence where I performed a concert a few weeks back. The event will start with Celtic dancers and continue with me playing Irish music. I plan to do a lot of favorites with a few sing-alongs that everyone can join in on. Tickets are $8 for Bell Tower members and $10 for non-members. florenceartscouncil.com
What’s new on the horizon?
May 27 at 7:00 I just booked a concert in Elizabeth, CO, for the Coyote Creek Concert series. There’s more info at their website coyotecreekconcerts.com. I really enjoyed playing this a couple years back, and I’m thrilled that they’ve been doing such a great job for the folks there.
That’s it for this week. I’m working on taxes, but I also need to get back to practicing these new guitar techniques. Hope to see you soon!
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, March 17, 7-10 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing for Celtic night in Florence, CO
Where: Bell Tower Cultural Center, 201 East Second Street, 719-784-2038
When: Saturday, March 18, 7-9 pm
What have I been up to?
Friday Magpies was a blast a couple weeks ago with a bunch of guitars and a packed house. It was so much fun!
Sunday was the online living room concert in Nebraska, and it was great fun too. My wife, sister, and niece (and Beau, our dog) were a great audience in the room, and I had friends from all over the country tuning in. I mixed up some Irish tunes with some favorites and original tunes.
What’s up this week?
Friday is St. Patrick’s Day, and I know Magpies 7-10 will be a great place to celebrate. I’m always up for whatever the audience is up for, and I think it’ll include quite a few Irish favorites. I’ll have several guitars including my Lowden Irish guitar on hand and my picking fingers ready for some blazing jigs and sweet ballads. Come on out!
Saturday I get to be part of a fun Irish event 7-9 at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence where I performed a concert a few weeks back. The event will start with Celtic dancers and continue with me playing Irish music. I plan to do a lot of favorites with a few sing-alongs that everyone can join in on. Tickets are $8 for Bell Tower members and $10 for non-members. florenceartscouncil.com
What’s new on the horizon?
May 27 at 7:00 I just booked a concert in Elizabeth, CO, for the Coyote Creek Concert series. There’s more info at their website coyotecreekconcerts.com. I really enjoyed playing this a couple years back, and I’m thrilled that they’ve been doing such a great job for the folks there.
That’s it for this week. I’m working on taxes, but I also need to get back to practicing these new guitar techniques. Hope to see you soon!
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, March 17, 7-10 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing for Celtic night in Florence, CO
Where: Bell Tower Cultural Center, 201 East Second Street, 719-784-2038
When: Saturday, March 18, 7-9 pm
Monday, February 27, 2017
Justifying Things
I've been thinking about the things we tell ourselves and the things that others tell us and how we let these things affect us. What do I mean by this? Well, for me at least, I get ideas about things and other people - sometimes from what I read, sometimes from what I hear from others, and sometimes from what I think up myself. Sometimes they are just simple ideas, and sometimes they border on wild conspiracies, but how I absorb these things and how I act on them is what is important to me. It's very easy to just go along with the idea and let it affect me, but I'm better off when I ponder on it and weigh it against what I think is true and beneficial. I mean this for everything from believing a news story to justifying a purchase or big decision in my life. It seems there are a few steps in this process. 1) I read, hear, or think up the idea. 2) I decide what I think about it and how I'll act on it. 3) I justify my action. The justification step is the one which gives me pause. I'm as bad as anyone at justifying an action that there is no good justification for. Of course this takes a little bit of wisdom to work out, and you have to make some bad decisions and justifications to get this wisdom. Nonetheless, the extra time to ponder before I act is always time well spent. This avoids step 4 which tends to be remorse. Nobody likes dealing with this. And I always come back to wanting to live my life with joy and thoughtfulness, so avoiding remorse flows out of the process of pondering and thoughtfulness
What have I been up to?
Friday I picked up a gig with the Atomic Fireballs at the Steel City Eagles in Pueblo. It was great seeing some of the boys and playing our old favorites. There is always something special about locking in with a bunch of great players.
Saturday's fundraiser at First Christian Church in Cañon City was a bundle of fun! Such kind people and good food we had! I even had some good friends sit in and sing with me, so it was a great time all around.
What am I doing this week?
Tuesday is Mardi Gras. I'm not playing anywhere that night, but I hope you do something special to celebrate. I do a lot of Cajun and New Orleans music during this season at my facilities, and it's such fun and heartfelt music to be a part of.
Friday I'm back at Magpies 7-10 for what should be a great night. Last time saw a whole different group of folks, so I'm not sure who'll be there this time. I know some of my regulars will be back in town, so it could be a wild night.
Saturday I'm in Nebraska celebrating my niece Pam's birthday.
Sunday I'll do an online concert from my sister's and niece's house in Nebraska at 8:00 Central Standard Time. I SO enjoy getting to sing for everyone around the world on these online events, and getting to do one in the room with my sister and niece will be a real treat! Please tune in if you can at concertwindow.com/tommunch.
What's on the horizon?
I booked a couple dates at the Bull Moose in Guffey, Colorado, July 15, 1-4, and September 30, 6-9. I haven't played in Guffey in several years, so it'll be good to play for the folks up there again.
I've contacted the La Veta Inn and 8 Mile to work out some dates this year. I'm also trying to book a couple things in Colorado Springs.
I have decided on the first Sunday of each month at 7:00 for my online Concert Window concerts. I may do themes for these of different types of music for different groups of folks. I may also do some other concerts of more specific themes at Concert Window like Civil War songs, songs by different artists, cowboy songs, old standards, and topical songs. I may not announce these on my blog since they won't appeal to as many people. These concerts are relatively simple to do since I don't have to travel or set up much equipment, and they let me do some songs that I don't get to perform as often. It's a good outlet for me.
I guess that's it for this week. Be good to each other and enjoy some music. You can justify it any way you want.
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, March 3, 7-10 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: online at https://www.concertwindow.com/tommunch
When: Sunday, March 5, 7-8ish pm MST
What have I been up to?
Friday I picked up a gig with the Atomic Fireballs at the Steel City Eagles in Pueblo. It was great seeing some of the boys and playing our old favorites. There is always something special about locking in with a bunch of great players.
Saturday's fundraiser at First Christian Church in Cañon City was a bundle of fun! Such kind people and good food we had! I even had some good friends sit in and sing with me, so it was a great time all around.
What am I doing this week?
Tuesday is Mardi Gras. I'm not playing anywhere that night, but I hope you do something special to celebrate. I do a lot of Cajun and New Orleans music during this season at my facilities, and it's such fun and heartfelt music to be a part of.
Friday I'm back at Magpies 7-10 for what should be a great night. Last time saw a whole different group of folks, so I'm not sure who'll be there this time. I know some of my regulars will be back in town, so it could be a wild night.
Saturday I'm in Nebraska celebrating my niece Pam's birthday.
Sunday I'll do an online concert from my sister's and niece's house in Nebraska at 8:00 Central Standard Time. I SO enjoy getting to sing for everyone around the world on these online events, and getting to do one in the room with my sister and niece will be a real treat! Please tune in if you can at concertwindow.com/tommunch.
What's on the horizon?
I booked a couple dates at the Bull Moose in Guffey, Colorado, July 15, 1-4, and September 30, 6-9. I haven't played in Guffey in several years, so it'll be good to play for the folks up there again.
I've contacted the La Veta Inn and 8 Mile to work out some dates this year. I'm also trying to book a couple things in Colorado Springs.
I have decided on the first Sunday of each month at 7:00 for my online Concert Window concerts. I may do themes for these of different types of music for different groups of folks. I may also do some other concerts of more specific themes at Concert Window like Civil War songs, songs by different artists, cowboy songs, old standards, and topical songs. I may not announce these on my blog since they won't appeal to as many people. These concerts are relatively simple to do since I don't have to travel or set up much equipment, and they let me do some songs that I don't get to perform as often. It's a good outlet for me.
I guess that's it for this week. Be good to each other and enjoy some music. You can justify it any way you want.
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, March 3, 7-10 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: online at https://www.concertwindow.com/tommunch
When: Sunday, March 5, 7-8ish pm MST
Monday, February 20, 2017
Time and Music
I’ve been thinking about time over this weekend. My wife and I watched the movie, “Arrival”, and it got me thinking about time. Time is a frequent subject in science fiction and even religion and spirituality. From science we learn that time is not constant, and in science fiction we often see time travel and all its complications as something to explore. In religion and spirituality we come across the idea that in other realms there is no time - that all time happens in the same instant. The movie we saw played with that idea a little bit. The alien written language in the story is not linear like our language is, and so it is without time. This influences how the characters interact with time. What we can know in this life is that we mainly experience the very moment we are in right now. I wrote about this a while ago in a way - talking about tomorrow, today, and yesterday. When talking about only the moment we are in though, I find music fascinating. Music is involved with many things - melody, harmony, rhythm, etc. Rhythm is the main musical thing that deals with time, and music allows us to play with rhythm to the finest degree. You can play ahead of the beat and so the moment of time or even behind the beat. You can syncopate the melody and harmony. The beat can make us anticipate and that anticipation is a huge motivator in how we experience time. When playing with other musicians you can feel the music together in a symbiosis that has to be felt to be believed. I find it endlessly fascinating to think about the permutations of this, and getting to make music and play with time is one of the true joys of my life.
What have I been up to?
Friday at Magpies was a blast! Some my regulars were out of town or unable to make it, but I had a bunch of new faces and other friends who helped make it a stellar night. I brought down a half dozen guitars including a couple nylon-string guitars I haven’t played in some time which added a completely different tone to the night.
What's up this week?
Saturday 11-2 I’m playing for the First Christian Church Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner in Cañon City again. This is a fundraiser for several local non-profit agencies, so it’s a really great event that helps the community. Come on out if you can for some great food and romantic tunes! I’m not certain of the price. Last year it was $7 adults, and $4 ages 12 and under.
What’s on the horizon?
I’m tentatively planning to do online concerts on concertwindow.com once a month on the first Sunday evening. I’m not sure if I’ll start in March or April. I’ll be out of town in March for my niece’s birthday, so I may do a concert from there if they’d like it. Otherwise it’ll be April to start. I’ll let you know soon.
That’s it for this week.
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: singing and playing a Valentine’s spaghetti dinner fundraiser
When: Saturday, Feb 25, 11 am - 2 pm
Where: First Christian Church, 320 N 16th St, Cañon City (719) 275-9644
What have I been up to?
Friday at Magpies was a blast! Some my regulars were out of town or unable to make it, but I had a bunch of new faces and other friends who helped make it a stellar night. I brought down a half dozen guitars including a couple nylon-string guitars I haven’t played in some time which added a completely different tone to the night.
What's up this week?
Saturday 11-2 I’m playing for the First Christian Church Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner in Cañon City again. This is a fundraiser for several local non-profit agencies, so it’s a really great event that helps the community. Come on out if you can for some great food and romantic tunes! I’m not certain of the price. Last year it was $7 adults, and $4 ages 12 and under.
What’s on the horizon?
I’m tentatively planning to do online concerts on concertwindow.com once a month on the first Sunday evening. I’m not sure if I’ll start in March or April. I’ll be out of town in March for my niece’s birthday, so I may do a concert from there if they’d like it. Otherwise it’ll be April to start. I’ll let you know soon.
That’s it for this week.
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: singing and playing a Valentine’s spaghetti dinner fundraiser
When: Saturday, Feb 25, 11 am - 2 pm
Where: First Christian Church, 320 N 16th St, Cañon City (719) 275-9644
Monday, February 13, 2017
What Is My Role?
I’ve been thinking today along the lines of an idea I expressed a couple years ago. I often think of what purpose or role I feel I should play in this life. I'm not sure how most folks determine this for themselves. I'm sure many look at what gifts and skills they have, and then they tailor their life towards how they can best use those to make money, help people, or build a life with a mind to some sort of legacy. My gifts and skills are fairly obvious to me - music, philosophy, organization, and writing. I've been blessed with probably more directional leaning than most folks have, although many would not consider pursuing music or writing as a career. They don't make much money, but they offer a lot of opportunity to help people by encouragement and inspiration. They also give the chance to leave something behind in recordings and writings. So my role is to offer encouragement and inspiration. I do this by finding things to sing about that provoke thought and emotion that hopefully make others' lives and the world a better place, and then interpret and perform them in a way that hopefully is mighty fine and inspirational. What's your role?
What have I been up to?
The last outing at Magpies was really fun! I brought out 11 different guitars (I know - overkill) that I cycled through every couple songs. It was quite the assortment of sounds - from banjo-like travel guitars to full-bodied bass monsters. The majority of the night was spent on 1960's favorites, and there was a great bunch of friends all around.
What's up this week?
Friday I'm back at Magpies again 7-10. I'm sure I won't be bringing as many guitars this time, but we will have a great time! Come on out if you can.
What's coming up?
I recently asked if folks would like more online concerts. The overwhelming response was "Yes!", and the day folks asked for was Sunday with the frequency of once a month. So I'm leaning towards the first Sunday of each month. I'd like to do themes for these shows once they're up and running. I have friends from all over the country with different favorites, so there'll be e some flexibility, but in general I'd like to stick to themes as much as possible. I could see themes like cowboy, folk, different artists, mountain songs, songs for specific places and folks I know like Philmont Scout Ranch or the Don K Guest Ranch, old standards, historical songs, and more. It sounds like I could do some special shows for some of these themes in between more general shows. It just depends on how it develops.
I guess that's it for this week. Take care of yourself, and I hope to see you soon!
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, Feb 17, 7-10 pm
What have I been up to?
The last outing at Magpies was really fun! I brought out 11 different guitars (I know - overkill) that I cycled through every couple songs. It was quite the assortment of sounds - from banjo-like travel guitars to full-bodied bass monsters. The majority of the night was spent on 1960's favorites, and there was a great bunch of friends all around.
What's up this week?
Friday I'm back at Magpies again 7-10. I'm sure I won't be bringing as many guitars this time, but we will have a great time! Come on out if you can.
What's coming up?
I recently asked if folks would like more online concerts. The overwhelming response was "Yes!", and the day folks asked for was Sunday with the frequency of once a month. So I'm leaning towards the first Sunday of each month. I'd like to do themes for these shows once they're up and running. I have friends from all over the country with different favorites, so there'll be e some flexibility, but in general I'd like to stick to themes as much as possible. I could see themes like cowboy, folk, different artists, mountain songs, songs for specific places and folks I know like Philmont Scout Ranch or the Don K Guest Ranch, old standards, historical songs, and more. It sounds like I could do some special shows for some of these themes in between more general shows. It just depends on how it develops.
I guess that's it for this week. Take care of yourself, and I hope to see you soon!
Best always,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, Feb 17, 7-10 pm
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