Travel

I love to travel, and I love to write about it. I feel so much a part of the land and of people I see when I travel. It’s the oneness that I always feel, but turned up to 10. I get such a charge out of the details of the land and the sky and the interactions with people. Seeing the prairies or the mesas and mountains with the vegetation growing on them with lovely cloud formations to getting to know someone new is rally enrapturing. It’s fun to approach every situation with an open mind and fresh eyes. It offers a chance to get outside yourself and be a different person – maybe even better – than you usually would be. And it lets you slow down and get lost in a situation. Of course it also lets you learn and expand your mind if you are visiting places like historical sites or museums. Iit lets you be a little irresponsible too. You don’t have to worry about paying bills or following up on calls or worrying about money for a short time. I guess I could say it’s partially escape and partially finding your bliss. I like both of those! And I don’t do it as often I’d like, but that gives me something to look forward to in retirement - if ever really do retire! How about you? What do you like about traveling? Tune in to my show on Wednesday to hear songs all about it.

What have I been up to? 

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I did a mix of patriotic shows and just plain fun shows. I love these folks so much.

My Wednesday online show was blues songs for Independence Day. I had feared that it might be too dark a theme, but instead it was really lively and fun. Everyone seemed to enjoy it a lot.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was packed with folks. Everyone was ready to celebrate the holiday, and there was dancing and singing and lots of smiles.

Friday night I played instrumental tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club for a great group of folks including some good friends. I did some patriotic and some very sweet tunes too.

Saturday I played the Art in the Park holiday event in La Veta, and there were so many familiar faces and big smiles. It was a very beautiful day that I’ll remember long.

Saturday night I went to a concert in Red River, New Mexico, with an old friend that was a blast. It was Texas-favorite Ray Wylie Hubbard and his trio. I didn’t know very many of his tunes, but he really entertained and had the crowd singing along and stomping their feet. I get to go to so few concerts that I really drank this one in.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and it was a good one. The holiday spirit really came out in everyone.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m not sure what themes I’ll base my shows on, but I know it’ll be a meaningful and sweet time at every one.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be traveling songs as I wrote of above. There are some great songs on this theme, and I’d love to have you in the audience!

Thursday 6:30-10 I’m back at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch for the barbecue, and I know it’ll be as good as ever. This is a really good time in this historical barn with great barbecue and my music. It’s well worth your time if you’re looking for a pretty spot and a nice evening out. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. Deadline for reservations is Tuesday at noon.

Friday 6-9 I’m at Garden of the Gods Club playing instrumental guitar tunes in the Grand View restaurant. I really enjoy noodling on great tunes for this, and I’d love to have you hear them. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.

Saturday I’m playing a private all-afternoon party with several other musicians in Guffey for several anniversaries and special events. It should be an afternoon to remember.

Sunday I’m back in Guffey playing a private house (barn) concert for the same folks I’m playing for on Saturday. These are old friends who played a meaningful part in my life, and I’m looking forward to playing for them. There won’t be an online show on Sunday because of this house concert. I’ll resume them the next Sunday.

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That’s it for this week. It’ll be a whirlwind, but that’s what summer is all about! I hope you are healthy and happy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of traveling songs

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

When:  Wednesday, July 9, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, July 10, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Friday, July 11, 6-9 pm 

Blues

I’m playing a show of blues this Wednesday evening, and my mind is on what blues is. We’ve all heard the story of how the blue notes were notes that black musicians over the past couple centuries were seeking to play from traditional melodies and scales brought over the sea from their homeland. European instruments were set up differently than African instruments, and the blue notes (typically the minor 3rd) were the closest tone to what they played in Africa. Of course the blue notes and blues scales are closer to a minor key, and so the songs with them sound a little darker and a little sadder - as songs in minor keys do. That fits the lyrics of many blues songs as well. So blues became a staple in the black community through the first half of the 1900s. It offered an outlet for black musicians to express the hard times that they were going through in so many ways. But that music was mostly unknown to white folks other than the blues songs that popped up in jazz occasionally. It definitely was present in early rock and roll too. But the blues didn’t really become popular here in the U.S. until kids in Britain got it - probably because they had so much hardship from World War II and were looking for music that expressed their angst. When they started to play it then the kids in America got turned on to it. It honestly takes a while to learn to play the blues. There is a feeling and a rhythm that is not intuitive - at least it wasn’t to me as a white kid from Nebraska. And there is a satisfaction and an addictive quality to the blues sound and feel. Some of it is just because it is so cool and full of authentic emotion. Some of it is because it digs so deeply into your soul when you play it well. So I’ll play the blues on Wednesday to celebrate Independence Day. It doesn’t get more American than that.

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they all went so well. It is a joy to get to serve these people with love and to encourage them with music.

My Wednesday online show was the music of Sly Stone and other R&B classics. It was so much fun, and it was so good to explore the rhythms and the lyrics of Sly’s music. He was a stellar songwriter.

Thursday I played the Yellow Pine Barbecue to a good group of folks and friends. This place is home in so many ways, and the folks of Cuchara feel it.

I played a private house concert on Saturday night that went very well. I don’t get the chance to do many house concerts, and I enjoy them so much. They are intimate and let me shine. I’m so grateful to get to do them.

Sunday brunch at the Garden of the Gods Club went well too. It was a beautiful day with just a few sprinkles, and everyone was really enjoying the day. I even played the Fender Acoustasonic guitar so I could get some electric guitar tones.

My Sunday online show went well too. I had a mix of great requests from so many folks. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and as always I’m looking forward to them all. It’s so good to see their familiar faces when I roll in to each facility. Of course there is a sad side too in that I lose someone every so often, but that makes each time more special.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be playing the blues for Independence Day week. It should be a really fun show with a variety of blues. Come on out!

Thursday 6:30-8 I’m back at Yellow Pine Guest Ranch for the weekly barbecue. We haven’t had a packed full week yet, so there should be room if you want to come. This should be the busiest week of the summer with Independence Day being the very next day. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. Deadline for reservations is Tuesday at noon.

Friday 6-9 I’m back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes for Independence Day. I don’t know if I’ll play the Acoustasonic again  Friday, but I may if I get a wild hair. I’d love to see you there if you don’t have 4th of July plans.

Saturday 11-2 I’m playing in La Veta, Colorado, at Railroad Park for the Art in the Park event. I’ve played for this for many summers on the weekend of Independence Day, and it’s always so good to see all my friends and fans in the La Veta. Come up early for the parade and stay for the music, food, and art. It’s a wonderful event, and I’d love to have you there!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I’m going down to our family cabins in New Mexico after my show in La Veta, so I’ll be coming back home for the show with some good mountain energy. Come on out and see!

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That’s it for this week. The next few weeks are crazy busy, and it’s always like surfing a wave. Woo hoo!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Red, Hot, and Blues

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

When:  Wednesday, July 2, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, July 3, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Friday, July 4, 6-9 pm 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for SPACe Art in the Park

Where:  Ryus Ave as you enter on the right - just across the tracks in La Veta 

When:  Saturday, July 5, 11 am - 2 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 6, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Musical Statements

This Wednesday I’m doing a show of Sly and the Family Stone songs and other songs of his genre and time, and it has me thinking of what statements people try to make with their music. Sly died at the age of 82 on June 9th. He was generally hopeful with his writing, and he encouraged his audience to stand for what they knew to be right with some songs, and with others there was just pure fun or dancing. That’s the reason I wanted to feature him this week. His writing had some real depth and scope. And on a broader note, it makes me think of what songwriters are trying to say in their music. For myself I’ve usually just written personal reflection on life with a lot of emphasis on nature since that has been a big part of my life, but I see writers choose all kinds of topics - from love to causes. I’ve written a few love songs, but I don’t usually get into causes in my writing. I did delve into spirituality a bit with the project I started in 2019, but I only got a single out of that called “Part of All” before I realized I didn’t have enough material for a whole album and then used that studio time to record my old country album. I wrote an instrumental album with my “Guitar” album 10 years ago where I think my purpose was to create pure emotion that was devoid of any direct statement. Instrumental music can do that. There is a running joke among instrumental musicians that they name their songs with frivolous names when a song wasn’t written with anything in mind. My instrumental songs each had a feeling I was trying to capture in music, so I wasn’t trying to be as random with my song names. Every songwriter approaches writing with a different purpose. That’s not something I think of when I listen to a song, but I think I’ll try doing that a bit more now. Seeing if a song is created for art, for dancing, for comfort, for opinion, or for so many other reasons is fascinating. Every song makes some sort of statement even if it’s just for fun.

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What have I been up to?

I had 14 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed every one. Even on the busier weeks I get a charge out of everyone I get to see and interact with.

My Wednesday online show was doing Beach Boys and other surf songs to honor the life of Brian Wilson who recently passed. It was a really fun show with lots of memories. I think the audience really got into it - even singing harmonies on their end even though I couldn’t hear them.

Thursday was the first night of the Yellow Pine Barbecue for the season, and it was a beautiful night with so many familiar faces and big smiles. The food from the new barbecue place was top notch too. I love this gig and these folks.

Friday night I played the Garden of the Gods Club in the restaurant with lots of summer songs. It was a hot night, and folks were very receptive to my music.

Sunday I also played the Garden of the Gods Club for brunch, and it was another nice group of folks and a pretty day with a little wind.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was very far-ranging with a lot of different requests for different styles. I think everyone had a splendid time.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and it should be a good time at every one. It’s not supposed to be so hot, so that should make it a little easier to get around and play for them.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the music of Sly Stone and other musicians and groups of his day and genre. That’ll be a sweet night of great tunes. I’m still putting together the list. Come on out and join in!

Thursday 6:30-8 I’ll be back at the barbecue at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch in Cuchara. This is such a good time in this historical and cozy old barn, and the food is just as good as ever. If you like barbecue with all the fixings and my music, then this is for you. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. 

Saturday night I’ll be playing a private house concert for a second time in a beautiful garage in Pueblo West. It’s a great group of folks, and I get the chance to really shine at a house concert. Last year there was a big thunderstorm and I performed mostly acoustic to avoid getting a shock through the mic. This year I’ll bring a battery-powered speaker so I can be off the electric grid in case it storms again.

Sunday brunch 11-2 I’ll be at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant again. I’d love to have you come out if you’re in the area. The view from this place is something you’ve gotta see with a pond, green lawn, and bushes leading to Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak beyond. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time is favorites and requests as always, and I know it’ll be a fine show with lots of great tunes and friends. You’re always welcome to tune in.

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That’s it for this week. I can’t believe we’re already at the end of June.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Sly Stone and more

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, June 26, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Sunday, June 29, 11 am -2 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, June 29, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Yellow Pine

This week I start the Yellow Pine Barbecue once again that runs weekly on Thursday nights in Cuchara, Colorado. It’s hard to believe it, but I’ve been playing these weekly barbecues every summer since 2001 except for a couple years when it changed hands and when it had to be closed for fire or Covid. How did I find myself playing for a weekly barbecue night in the cool old Yellow Pine barn every summer? Well, I think it all started because I worked one summer at a cowboy camp at Philmont Scout Ranch where I felt the need to learn all kinds of old cowboy songs so I could be as authentic as possible while playing for the nightly campfire we played after the chuckwagon supper. I found cowboy songbooks in the historical library at the University of Nebraska. That library was recognized as the one of the finest historical libraries in the country, and I drank-in the old cowboy songs. Then when I was playing clubs in Colorado I happened across a staff member of the Don K Guest Ranch near Wetmore, Colorado, who said they were looking for someone to play at their weekly campfire. I hadn’t done much campfire singing since Philmont, and I jumped at the chance. I played at the Don K for 7 or 8 summers in the 1990s, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet the guests and to sing the old cowboy songs plus all kinds of other campfire songs by the likes of John Denver and Michael Martin Murphey. A few years later the Don K sold to a private family who didn’t want to run it as a guest ranch, and I was approached by the the then-owner of the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch while I was playing at the La Veta Inn in La Veta, Colorado. He said he did a weekly barbecue at the old barn just up the road in Cuchara and asked me if I’d like to play for the folks there. I had played in Cuchara at the ski resort when I first moved to Beulah, Colorado, in 1985. It sounded great, and I fell in right away with the wonderful folks of Cuchara. I love the atmosphere of the barn and the sweet mountain air. The people are very kind, and I’ve played just about everywhere in Cuchara by now. You are always welcome, and I think you’ll feel at home too!

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they were all very enjoyable. I love seeing and sharing time and songs with all these folks.

My Wednesday online show was playing songs by the Eagles, and it was so good to relive all the memories of hearing those songs in so many situations. They were so much a part of our lives.

My Sunday online show was very sweet too. There were a lot of requests, and we did some songs for Father’s Day as well.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 14 senior facilities this week, and that is as many as I’ve ever done in one week. That’s okay because I love playing for them so much!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing songs by The Beach Boys as well as other surf songs. This is all to honor Brian Wilson who passed last week. I’d love have you if you’re a fan of The Beach Boys.

Thursday 6:30-8 I start the season for the Yellow Pine Barbecue as I wrote of above.  IIt’s a great time in the old barn with my music and great barbecue. We have a new barbecue company this year, and I’m anxious to taste their best! Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. 

Friday night 6-9 I’m at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. It’s such a beautiful place with great architecture and amazing view of Garden of the Gods and Pike’s Peak. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.

Sunday brunch 11-2 I’m also at Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. The food and view are so good, and you can listen to me tinkling the strings while you dine. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. This is always a highlight of the week, and I’d always love to have you if you’re free. 

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That’s it for this week. You can see that it will be a marathon!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Beach Boys and surf songs

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, June 19, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Friday, June 20, 6-9 pm 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Friday, June 22, 11 am -2 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, June 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Beauty of the Land

 I’m playing songs by the Eagles on Wednesday, and I was going to write about them. But I’m traveling back from my nephew’s wedding in California, and seeing all the beautiful country I’m driving through is filling my heart, and I must reflect on it. I feel so at home and at one with the land. Today I hiked a bit at sunrise in the mountains and then drove through Yosemite and on out to the east over Tioga Pass past Mono Lake. Then I turned onto Highway 6 where the road meanders up and over ridges and into gulleys that feel like a rollercoaster. I later followed a twisty path up to where the bristlecone pines towered over me above 10,000 feet. I then traversed into the wide deserts of Nevada where countless ranges and divides rise up and gather the light and shadows while storm clouds leer and create drama. All of it delighted me in ways that I can hardly express. I just feel so connected to it all and at home in the landscape. My song “The Road” captured almost all of this for me over a decade ago. Here’s a link if you haven’t heard it - https://youtu.be/aHk_fBBqlmk?si=k4i2P6Rtf5z1Kyg_ I feel truly like I’m floating over the landscape - experiencing everything as if it was brand new and ancient at the same time. In fact, when I hiked amongst the bristlecone pines after lunch I put my palm on one and felt the years and wisdom flow through me. Can you imagine what you would see in 4000 years?! Amazing! With all this delight in the road I guess I should have been a touring musician after all. 

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What have I been up to?

I had just 4 senior facilities last week since I was driving to California Thursday and Friday, but they were all rewarding shows. These folks are just tops with me.

My Wednesday online show was songs about new beginnings to honor my nephew Rob and his bride Selena. The show was so much fun with some twists and turns that I think were really cool! Everyone said so. 

The wedding and trip went very well. The weather was perfect, and they make a beautiful and fun couple. I wish them well. It was great to be with almost all my extended family as well. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and it’s Father’s Day this Sunday so you know I’ll be singing dad songs to honor all fathers. It’ll be good!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the songs of the Eagles. It has been at least a couple years since I did an evening of their songs. They made a pretty big impact on me with their catchy songs and great harmonies. They were always a little high for me to sing, but I found a way to perform them. It should be a really fun show. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and you know I’ll be doing some father songs for that evening too since it’ll be Father’s Day. I’d love to have do your requests and have you in the audience if you’re up for it. 

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That’s it for this week. Next week I start the Yellow Pine Barbecue on Thursdays for a couple hot months. Happy Father’s Day, and I hope you get out to see the country as I’ve been doing this past week. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Eagles songs

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

When:  Wednesday, June 11, 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, June 15, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

New Beginnings

I’m heading to California for my nephew’s wedding this week after my Wednesday show, and so I’d like to write about new beginnings this week. I haven’t had too many new beginnings in my life in my 60s, but every so often there is a change in my life that gives me that tingly feeling we feel when something is starting that’s new. There’s always something new that I need to face with enthusiasm and joy. I have new people come into my life at my facilities or I pick up a new gig. There is an excitement and a little trepidation when we start something new. Sometimes it’s invigorating and sometimes it’s a little scary. That’s to be expected. Most of us don’t like change even when we know it will be good. I used to seek out new things in my life, especially when I knew they were really complicated - like operating systems or new interfaces. I was thrilled to see the reasoning behind a certain sequence of ideas and actions. But as I’ve gotten older I don’t follow as quickly as I once did. I still like a challenge, but I tire more quickly brain-wise. I think that’s to be expected. Older brains aren’t quite as plastic as younger brains, but I think the exercise is still so vital and engaging. This life is meant to be savored and delighted in. I love new situations and experiencing something I’ve never pondered before. I think if we all approached life in this way we’d be happier and less stuck in our ways. So here’s to new beginnings, and here’s to my nephew Rob and his fiancee Selena as they start their new life together.

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed them so much. I played a variety of tunes and themes as the week went by - one group even wanted old folk songs which was so entertaining.

My Wednesday online show was a summer kickoff with lots of summer songs and craziness. I even played a few tunes on ukulele. I think everybody had a good time.

Saturday I played an online show for Philmont folks. That’s the scout ranch I worked at in high school and college where I taught backpacking and cowboy lore. It was great to see so many friends from “way back when” again.

My Sunday online show was a special show from my friends Deann and Matt’s house. Deann made a great playlist of favorite songs that everyone enjoyed. I love this group.

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What am I up to this week?

I have just 4 senior facilities this week since I’m leaving for my nephew’s wedding on Thursday. I’m definitely looking forward to all of them.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about new beginnings as I wrote above. There are so many cool songs that fit this theme. I know it’ll be a great time, and I’d love to have you in my audience that night.

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That’s it for this week. I’m looking forward to seeing family and making the fun drive to California. Hopefully the weather and roads will be good.

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of new beginnings songs

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

When:  Wednesday, June 4 28, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Sailing

With it being Memorial Day my mind is definitely on the start of summer. It snuck up on us again! As I write this it is misty and cloudy - much like many summer mornings I can remember of old. I even remember one Memorial Day weekend when I was a kid when it was cool and rainy just like this while we were away from home at a sailboat race. My dad loved to sail, and many weekends we would drive to lakes a few hours away to camp and race against other boats of our same type. As a teenager my dad worked a couple summers at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, at a summer camp, and they had an A Scow sailboat that he learned to sail on with the other kids working there. It was a big boat - 38 feet long, and it took 6 to 7 people to crew it. When he got established in Nebraska at a VA hospital, we had a trailer on a reservoir north of our town about an hour, and dad bought a much smaller scow - an M20, an Olympic-class boat that was 20 feet long and could be crewed by just 2 or 3 people. There was a pretty active group of sailors on this lake and others in Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado, and so there were regattas almost every weekend in the summer. Dad taught us to crew for him, and we were soon sailing in these regattas every weekend. It was a lot of fun, hard work, and yet so freeing to be powered by nothing but the wind and waves. I even got my own little cheap boat at age 12 that I sailed, and I competed in races on my own too. I have such fond memories of leaning back with my toes beneath the hiking straps “hiking out” as we beat to windward with the spray in my face. We were pretty good too. My dad had lots of trophies in his collection from these races. I raced with dad ‘til I finished college, and I had a small sailboat, a Laser, of my own that I sailed for a few years. I encourage you to try sailing if you ever get the chance. It’s truly an amazing and spiritual experience. And one of the biggest races of the year was always Memorial Day weekend, so that’s why it’s on my mind. Happy Memorial Day!

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What have I been up to?

I had 13 senior facilities last week, and they were all wonderful. A couple of them had Covid with mask wearing, but it wasn’t too bad. I love these folks. 

My Wednesday online show was country songs A-Z. I don’t do country songs often for these online shows, but the audience really loved it. We’ll do it again!

Friday night I played instrumental songs for the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant, and it was a good time. I always experiment with different improvisations for these shows, and a lot of folks pick up on my noodling. 

Sunday I played brunch at the Garden of the Gods Club too, and it was misty and cloudy, so I played some rain songs. It was way more fun than should be allowed. 

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and it was a very nice evening of great songs and friends. I love these Sunday evenings so much. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week including a couple on Memorial Day. It’s almost warm enough to do some of these shows outside now with summer coming in. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be a summer kickoff with lots of summer songs and energy. I can’t wait! Come join me if you can. 

Saturday 7-9 I’m going to play an online show to kickoff the summer for my Philmont friends too. This is always an exciting time when the staff is arriving and training for their summer jobs in the mountains. If you’re a Philmont alumnus or are curious about the music we played there then come on out. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be a special show at my good friends Deann and Matt Pujol’s house. Deann will make the playlist, and we’ll have a live audience which will make it that much more special. Come on out!

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of summer kickoff songs

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

When:  Wednesday, May 28, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing an online concert of Philmont songs

Where:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176893032692370

When:  Saturday, May 31, 7-9 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 1, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Country Music

I’m doing an interesting theme for my Wednesday online show that was suggested by one of my friends, Rosemarie Vest. She suggested to do country songs from my repertoire from A to Z. That’s a great idea, and I thought I’d tell you a little bit about my history with country music. I didn’t really grow up with country music. My parents and siblings listened to everything but country music. I first listened to country music when I was learning to play guitar and had friends who played country. Then I got into it a little bit more in the later 1980s when county music went a little bit more towards folk-rock from the 1970s. I was even in a couple country bands for a few years. A few years after that I had a couple of my senior folks who had been in country bands who gave me requests for lots of old country tunes from the 1950s and 60s. I eagerly learned these tunes and got a good feel for the beat and feel of the music. To this day I still l learn older country tunes often. I don’t really listen to current country hits though. I guess I spend most of my time learning requests or listening to podcasts or audio books. I do love country music. It’s deceptively simple but so deep - particularly songs by Hank Williams and other early writers. Everything is just right out there as bare as can be. It’s sometimes a little formulaic, but it’s mostly honest and to-the-point. And the recordings are clean and well-performed. So Wednesday I’ll do some favorites from A to Z. It’ll be fun!

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and it was National Nursing Home Week where many of them do daily themes that are a lot of fun. I play music that fits the themes if I can. There were Spanish tunes and superheroes and several other themes. It was fun. 

My Wednesday online show was garden songs, and it was fun coming up with songs about gardens and gardening or that mentioned gardens in the songs somewhere. I think everyone enjoyed these playful songs. 

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was a huge variety of tunes from all genres. It was so much fun!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 13 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. I may do some songs for Memorial Day, but I’m thinking that I may want to stay away from anything patriotic just so I don’t inflame tension on any side. Either way I will enjoy seeing folks and encouraging them. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be country songs A-Z as I wrote above. I have songs for every letter except Q, U, X, and Z. That means I will do 22 songs if there’s time. It should be a blast. Come on out!

Friday night 6-9 I’m back playing instrumental guitar tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant. Hopefully the weather will be nice, and lots of folks will eat inside and outside. I may need to put a speaker out there sometime. I’d love to have you out if you’d like a pretty view and good food with my music. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.

Sunday 11-2 I’m also at the Grand View Restaurant at the Garden of the Gods Club playing guitar tunes. They do a very nice brunch, and I’d love to have you. Again reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I always look forward to it so much. It’s just a great time of sharing and good music and stories. Come on out if you can!

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That’s it for this week. Summer is really ramping up. I hope you are healthy and happy. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of country songs A-Z

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

When:  Wednesday, May 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Friday, May 24, 6-9 pm 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Sunday, May 26, 11-2pm 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

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

When:  Sunday, May 26, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Cabins

This weekend my siblings and I will be opening our rustic cabins that our grandparents built or acquired from the 1930s, so I thought I’d tell you what they have meant to us over the years. My grandparents (on my mother’s side) were teachers in the 1920s in Oklahoma. They had summers mostly off as teachers, and so they would pick up odd jobs in the summer in the heat and dust of Oklahoma. Family friends of theirs had a significant death in the family, and their church sent the friends to the mountains in New Mexico to have time to grieve in peace. They wrote to my grandfolks saying that it was cool in the mountains, and that there were no mosquitoes and no snakes where they were staying. My grandfolks had no money, but the temptation to be somewhere in the summer that was more amenable than Oklahoma enchanted them so much that they determined that they would go to the mountains to see if there was any way they could afford to spend their summers there. They put together just enough money to buy an old cabin in 1930 on a small bit of land, and they were so happy. They would do all kinds of jobs in the mountains in the summer, and their kids would too so they could afford to be there. My grandpa often had to spend part of the summer back in Oklahoma working there or serving in the reserves. But they made it work, and eventually they were able to buy a little more land and build or buy some of the rustic cabins that were adjacent to them so that they ended up with 4 cabins. As kids we would spend some of our summer vacation visiting our grandfolks in these cabins  and running around in the mountains. They were pretty primitive with no running water or electricity (added in the 1970s), but we loved them! This is where my family’s love of mountains and wild places really come from. We even got to go over to Taos when there were hippy communes and the American Indian Movement was active. It was quite a fun time. Our grandparents and parents are gone now, but we still keep up these cabins and try to spend time each summer there. My sisters and uncle did buy an adjacent property with a house this year so they can go down in the winter now (and have extra beds and space when everyone is there). Of course there is a lot of work to do there between keeping the road passable and mitigating fire danger by trimming trees (which we are in the process of doing now and for the past few years). It’s not as romantic as you might imagine, but it’s meaningful to us, and it has been a great place for nieces and nephews to also grow to love the mountains -  some of them even had their weddings there. So I’ll meet my siblings and take in the rat poison and drain sink traps and fix whatever broke over the winter when we go down there this weekend. It’ll be so good to smell the pine-scented air and see the snow on the peaks and the mud and flowers in the meadows. We might even see a bear or an elk herd! And I’ll post some pictures of the sunrise from there on Facebook if you’d like to see it.

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week - I think I left out the one I was playing on Mother’s Day. It was a great week singing songs about mothers and seeing so many sweet and smiling faces. I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was playing mother songs too, and it was a nice evening of both sweet and some fun songs for mom. I think everyone had a good time.

Friday night I played instrumental guitar tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant for some really appreciative people. The weather was perfect for even outside diners even though there was a little rain.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and we did some more mother songs since it was Mother’s Day. This evening brought out some folk-rock songs that I didn’t expect as well. It was a good night with great friends.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m not sure what kind of songs they’ll be in the mood for. I may start doing songs for Memorial Day since that’s just 2 weeks off. I’m always ready to “go with the flow” and do requests or pick a theme and run with it. I love playing for these sweet folks so much.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be garden songs since this week after Mother’s Day is the traditional time in Colorado to start planting a garden. I don’t know if we’ll plant any produce this year. The grasshoppers were so bad last year, and they’re already starting again this year. But there are some great garden and produce songs, so we’ll definitely have a good time playing them. Come on out if you’d like to suggest a couple too or listen in. It’ll be a nice time, I know.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and since I’ll be coming back from opening the cabins I know there will be some great energy to share. Come on out and give me some requests!

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That’s it for this week. I spent most of the weekend working on our yard and trees when I wasn’t playing music, so my mind is really on that as we head into summer. It’s a lot of work, and it has me really thinking that it might be a good time to start thinking about downsizing and doing a little less. We’ll see how that works out. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of garden songs

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

When:  Wednesday, May 14, 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, May 18, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Mom

I like to do Mother’s Day shows at my facilities, but I’ve never done one for my online shows. At the risk of being too saccharin I think I should do a show to honor mothers. My mom has been gone for 10 years now, and I often think of her and how much I appreciate her. She was a tomboy, and when she was a teenager she carried a rifle and guided horse trips up into the mountains. She was definitely a very independent person with a lot of gumption. That said, she was a patient and kind mother. She and my dad were pretty strict, but they gave me and my siblings all kinds of opportunities for adventure and learning. Even with their strictness and insistence on us giving 100%, my mom still could be understanding and encouraging when things didn’t come easily to me. I remember when I was struggling with math how she helped me and even admitted that it was okay to fail if I kept trying. She even said that she had a hard time learning whatever math I was having trouble with. That made me feel better to know that I wasn’t alone. I was the kind of kid who was pretty capable, but I often was afraid to try new things. Jumping into the deep end of the pool was one thing I remember being afraid of, and having to join into group activities sometimes put me off too. I miss my mom. There are so many times I’d like to ask her a question about family or how to do something. She had done a lot of family genealogy, and even though we kids have followed up a little on that, there are still so many family branches we’d like to know more about. I do dream about her occasionally which I usually take as a wink from the other side. My dad comes to me that way more than my mom. I’ll be in a dream where I’ll look off to the side, and I will see him there just smiling at me. Luckily my mom went pretty quickly 10 years ago at age 90. She definitely wasn’t ready to go, but after a stroke it was her time. I don’t think about her as often as I used to, but I value all the things she taught me and the love she gave me. 

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and I was doing Mother’s Day songs for most of them. It’s so gratifying to bring a little joy and warmth to these folks. 

My Wednesday online show was the music of Chuck Pyle. Chuck was such a good writer with clever words and great guitar-work. We didn’t get to all the tunes of his I know, and so we did more on Sunday as well. 

I didn’t end up playing for the Garden of the Gods Club on Friday, but I did play for Sunday brunch. It was a packed house with just the right amount of snow on Pikes Peak with sunlight on the Garden of the Gods to make the view breathtaking!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and we did some more of the Chuck Pyle songs I didn’t get to on Wednesday as well as several other favorites all over the board. It was a sweet evening, and I really love these folks.

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I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to playing mother songs for most of them in preparation of Mother’s Day. Love these folks!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be mother songs, and I can’t wait to dive into all the great song’s for mom. Come on out!

Friday night 6-9 I’m back at Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental  guitar tunes. The evenings are so pretty there, and I love to have you join me. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and these evenings are always just great! There’s so much love and good harmony shared!

 ——

That’s it for this week. We’re starting to work on the yard and property for the summer season, and I’m already anticipating the beauty and sore muscles the summer brings. I hope you are happy and healthy and enjoying the beautiful Spring sunshine. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of mother songs

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

When:  Wednesday, May 7, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Friday, May 9, 6-9 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, May 11, 7-8:45 pm mountain time