Remaking Myself at 50, well 60 then!
Monday, November 4, 2024
Outlaws
Monday, October 28, 2024
Purpose
I’m thinking this morning about how my mindset is affected by how I approach life each day. I find that if I don’t frame my day when I first get up then I tend to wander without direction and purpose throughout the day. I can pick up a bad attitude while reading news or worrying over bills and correspondence that affects my music and how I perform and how I treat people the rest of the day. I mentioned before how one of my residents at a senior facility once told me that my purpose is to encourage others and give them joy with my music and interaction. I took that to heart, and I still think of it when I start my day. Of course my philosophy is one of looking at the big picture and believing the best about every person. It’s easy to forget these things on some days when I go out in the world. On these days I tend to be lost in my own head and my own thoughts, and I don’t give my all like I want to. I find that if I just slow down for a minute and increase my awareness of what is going on in the big picture then I can resume my purpose and be happier. That’s really all it takes. How about you? How do you frame your day?
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What have I been up to?
I had 12 senior facilities last week, and it was so cool doing fun and spooky Halloween tunes for the folks. A couple of them I got to play outside on beautiful Fall days that just sparkled!
My Wednesday online show was doing Halloween songs, and it was a blast. I had a great group of folks who really got into the spirit with me. We’ll do it again this week with more tunes.
Friday night at Garden of the Gods Club playing instrumental tunes was very sweet. I’m having so much fun working up arrangements of songs I usually sing and finding other songs with strong melodies that I can pour myself into.
Saturday night I played at the Garden of the Gods Club again in the Rocks Lounge for some really nice folks from different parts of the country who were so appreciative and kind. I forgot how much fun it can be to play for and talk with hotel guests like I used to have at the Pueblo West Inn so many years ago.
My Sunday online show was a spontaneous adventure where we ended up doing a mini Simon and Garfunkel theme for part of the night. It’s always such a ride with my Sunday night group that never fails to thrill me.
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What am I up to this week?
I only have 5 senior facilities this week since for 3 days it’s a 5th week of the month again where many of my monthly repeating gigs don’t fall. It’ll be a fun week of Halloween shows - especially on Halloween where one of them is a party where I can dress up a bit and get into the spooky tunes.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Halloween tunes again with special lighting and costuming and effects to paint the right mood. Come on out!
Friday night 6-9 I’m back at the Garden of the Gods playing instrumental tunes in the Grand View Restaurant. I’d love to see you there if you’re up for a great meal with one of the best views in the state with Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak out the window over a beautiful lawn and pond. Call 888-994-3156 for reservations.
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These Sunday nights always turn into a strong night of good tunes and friendship with folks tuning in from all over the country. Come on out!
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That’s it for this week. I’m booking Garden of the Gods regularly playing instrumental tunes - 5 nights next month, and I just booked Friday, November 29th at the Pueblo Country Club playing instrumental tunes too. With my voice aging and not being able to hit some of the high notes as well this is probably a good thing that I’m playing more of these fun instrumental gigs.
I hope you’re heathy and happy. Don’t forget to change your clocks on Sunday.
Best,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of Halloween songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, October 30, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing
Where: Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156
When: Friday, November 1, 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, November 3, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Monday, October 21, 2024
Halloween
Monday, October 14, 2024
Busy
Monday, October 7, 2024
Tributes
Monday, September 30, 2024
Wildlife
My show this Wednesday online will be about wildlife, so I thought I’d share with you a couple reflections on my interaction with wildlife. I’ve spent a lot of time in the outdoors ever since I was a kid hiking in the mountains and generally being outside as much as I can. As little kids we would see bears by the side of the road and deer on hikes. I was too little to remember seeing the grizzlies we saw at Yellowstone. We didn’t see many elk, and we never saw mountain lions although we once heard one scream outside our cabin at 3:00 am. I was one of those kids who watched National Geographic and Mutual of Omaha’s shows on TV always, and there was no lack of fascination with all the details about all the animals I saw. When I worked at Philmont in high school and college I saw a lot of bears - even close up before they tired of us and started to bluff charge. They also had buffaloes (bison) and lots of deer and elk. Over the following years I’ve interacted with skunks and raccoons, badgers and wild horses, and all kinds of other wild animals including birds of prey and lots of reptiles. One of my favorite things in recent years has been reading about the wolves of Yellowstone. And you know that I see coyotes and deer frequently on my sunrise walks with our dog Beau. I revere these wild animals and respect them in the lives they lead. So we’re privileged to still see wildlife often in our lives, and I want to celebrate them.
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What have I been up to?
I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they were all marvelous. Only one had Covid masking, so maybe this Fall won’t be so bad as we had thought. I love these folks.
My Wednesday online show was doing the songs of Michael Martin Murphey, and it was so fun revisiting my favorite songs of his. He was such a big part of my early guitar playing and singing. I had a really great audience too with many more folks than I expected.
Saturday at the Rocks Lounge at Garden of the Gods Club was really sweet too. I played outside to a really nice bunch of folks who were so appreciative and engaging. I can’t wait to play there again.
Sunday’s Celebration of Life for Kathy Drozda was very sweet too with warm remembrances and special tunes that she loved. We will miss you, Kathy.
My Sunday online show was very spontaneous with a huge variety of favorites and requests. These Sunday nights never fail to rise and shine.
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What am I up to this week?
I have just 7 senior facilities this week since it’s the first week of the month where I never book as many shows. I love these folks, and it’ll be exciting to start doing Halloween songs.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about wildlife as I wrote above. This will be a lot of fun singing clever songs and telling exciting stories about wildlife and the many meetings everyone has had with them. Come on out if you’re free.
Friday 6-9 I should be at the Grand View Restaurant at Garden of the Gods Club. I haven’t had a confirmation yet. The view is to-die-for at this venue with the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak in full view. It’s open to the public, so you don’t have to be a member to join, but I really recommend a reservation since it’s usually a long wait if you can get in. 888-994-3156. I think you can sit at the bar if you just want to come in for some music. Come on out!
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s always an adventure and a pleasure seeing all the friendly faces and playing great tunes. Come on out!
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That’s it for this week. It has been a beautiful Fall this year, and we’re hoping to get out to do some leaf-peeping this weekend. I love this time of year! 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 Fall songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, October 2, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156
When: Friday, October 4, 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, October 6, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Monday, September 23, 2024
Beginnings
My Wednesday online show this week is doing the songs of Michael Martin Murphey, and that has me thinking about my beginnings when I really started to play and sing in the early 1970s because Michael’s songs were some of the first ones I learned. I took lessons on piano as a little kid like so many other kids did and then played clarinet in the elementary school band again like so many other kids did, but I never really felt the music inside me in a way that was engaging and inspiring. At about age 12 I “borrowed” my sister Jane’s ukulele (I still have it - as she often reminds me) and I learned to play it with the Mel Bay book that came with it. I soon started trying to learn songs off records and the radio, and I bought sheet music to a few tunes. Michael Murphey’s “Wildfire” and “Carolina in the Pines” were some of just a handful of sheets I ordered and learned. We had songbooks too, but I soon found that the intricate guitar riffs and melodies weren’t represented in the sheet music or books, so I learned them by experimentation and noodling. Michael and John Denver’s music were some of the main songs I was learning to pick out on the ukulele. The ukulele led me to the baritone ukulele which is tuned like the top 4 strings of a guitar, and by age 15 I had graduated to an acoustic guitar. So you see that Michael made a big impact on me. I had all his albums into the mid-1980s, and even got to run sound for him at a concert at Philmont Scout Ranch in 1983 where we used my PA system that I was using for gigs around northern New Mexico. I’ve since run into Michael many times in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. His music has always expressed some of the things I love in this life. Did his music have an impact on you back in the day too?
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What have I been up to?
I had 13 senior facilities last week, and several were wearing masks with Covid outbreaks. That didn’t slow us down though. I did learn that one of my long-time folks at the vets home passed. He will surely be missed.
My Wednesday online show was Fall songs with a couple harvest moon songs thrown in since it was the full harvest moon that night. It was a blast! I love this group.
Friday I was booked at the Grand View Restaurant at the Garden of the Gods Club, but they had a private party booked in that room so they had me play across the street at the golf course at Kissing Camels Grille and Bar to nice group of folks including a music friend who snuck into the members-only venue. It was fun.
Saturday morning I played 1840s and 1850s songs in historic costume the Mercado at El Pueblo Museum in Pueblo during the Chile Festival. That was something I haven’t done in a long time. It was great to see some of the museum folks I haven’t seen since I was musical director for the Song of Pueblo.
Saturday evening I got to see more friends at a Philmont reunion in Colorado Springs where we sang a few songs together and reminisced. That was great!
Sunday I played the Grand View Restaurant at Garden of the God Club for brunch, and that went really well. It’s actually a lot of fun to play instrumental songs and sometimes make up melodic guitar arrangements on the spot of songs I usually sing.
My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and there were some fun requests and off-the-wall favorites I played to a great group of friends and fans. I love my Munch Bunch.
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What am I up to this week?
I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to every one of them. Hopefully there won’t be more illness striking these places as we get into the cold and flu (and Covid) season.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the songs of Michael Martin Murphey as I wrote above. I love these songs, and I really haven’t done very many of them for several years, so it’ll be great to share them with my online community again.
Saturday 6-9 I’m playing at the Rocks Lounge at the Garden of the Gods Club. This is a members-only venue. I finally get to sing at this venue instead of just doing instrumental music. Singing is really my forte, so it’ll be nice to sing for this gig.
Sunday I’m playing for a celebration of life for my friend Kathy Drozda who was also the sister of my friend Carol Rickman. Their husbands and many friends will also be there to celebrate Kathy, and I’ll be singing a bunch of songs that she loved. Kathy is very missed.
Sunday my online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I continue to be amazed at the caring and enthusiasm that this group brings to me, my music, and each other each week. This is such a joy!
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That’s it for this week. The Fall is really coming on strong. It was only 41 degrees when I walked Beau this morning. It will warm back up for a few weeks, but I definitely feel the shift in the seasons. 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 Fall songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, September 25, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Rocks Lounge. 888-994-3156
When: Saturday, September 28, 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, September 29, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Monday, September 16, 2024
Fall
Fall officially starts this week, and it feels like it’s right on time. I’m ready for it. I often say that Fall is my favorite season of the year. I think that’s true although I definitely have had some very memorable times in other seasons. Life is so full of high points. Fall is the season where I feel most at home though with things slowing down a bit, the temperatures cooling off some, and contemplation the most prevalent in my life. Who doesn’t love the changing of the leaves and the quality of Fall light? It does always arrive with a bit of melancholy though that I can’t deny. I often lament that the songs of Fall are sadder, and they are. I tend to shy away from these sadder songs when I play a show full of Fall songs because I see the effect on my audience. I don’t mind them myself, but I find that people don’t like that old cathartic group experience that the Greeks so embraced with their tragic plays. But sometimes I wish that we would reflect on all aspects of our lives with gratitude and contentment. There is so much beauty in the Fall of the year just like there is beauty in the Fall of life. There is wisdom and understanding gained from the newness of Spring and the craziness of summer. I really love this and cherish this. I see the same grace and stateliness in a beautifully-colored tree as I see in the softly-chiseled lines of a friend’s face in their 60s. It’s all part of a life well-lived on this wonderful planet. So celebrate Fall with me.
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What have I been up to?
I had 7 seniors facilities that I failed to write about last week. They all went so well even though at least a couple had Covid outbreaks that caused all the staff to wear masks. I don’t mind singing in a mask even though some singers don’t like them. It took a little while to get used to, but I find that the mask actually helps my throat since it holds in moisture, and the mask doesn’t come off my nose if I tuck it under my glasses. It’s worth it for these folks anyway.
Senior Safari at the Pueblo Zoo on Wednesday was a blast, and I got to play for so many folks that I see at my facilities as well as many friends. I even got to walk around the zoo a bit afterwards to see the animals! Big thanks to the zoo folks and sponsors and everyone who came out.
My Wednesday online show was British Invasion songs again, and we had a blast reminiscing about the ‘60s and all the songs we loved. I have such a great group of folks who tune in to these shows.
Friday at the Pueblo Riverwalk was great fun too. It was a little warm, but it cooled off pretty quickly and became a perfect evening. I had a nice crowd of old friends and new folks with families, and my voice and fingers cooperated and brought the songs out sweetly.
My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was special just like always. I get such a good group of folks who share themselves and their requests.
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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. The relationships I have with these folks is something I treasure.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs of Fall as I wrote of above. I’ll try to stay away from the more melancholy songs. There are some really cool songs including a couple new ones that have been requested. Send me your request as well, and then tune in and we’ll celebrate Fall together!
Friday night 6-9 I’m back at the Grand View Restaurant at the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs. This is an instrumental guitar evening, and I’m getting accustomed to playing instrumentals for these gigs. I think I wrote before that I started these gigs by just playing instrumental songs I knew, but now I play any song that I know and can make an arrangement of on the fly. It’s so much fun, and part of the fun is watching the audience recognize the song and react in the moment. Come on out for an upscale dinner if you’re in the area.
Saturday 10-12 I’m playing in period costume at El Pueblo Museum for their annual Mercado celebration that is always held during the Chile Festival in Pueblo. I’ll be in my old mountain man leggings and moccasins with my 1870s guitar playing tunes from the founding decade of Pueblo. I haven’t done this in a few years, and I’m really looking forward to it! Come on out and visit the Chile Festival that morning.
Saturday evening I have a Philmont reunion in Colorado Springs that I’m looking forward to as well. These are some good folks, and we’ll have a fine time.
Sunday 11-2 I’m at the Grand View Restaurant again at the Garden of the Gods Club to play instrumental songs for brunch. The views of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak are to-die-for at this venue, and I’d love to have you in the audience if you’d like an upscale brunch in a beautiful place.
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests once again, and I know it’ll be a fine time with my stellar online audience. We’ll play any Fall songs we didn’t get to play on Wednesday plus whatever other songs folks want to hear. Come on out!
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That’s it for this week. My schedule still hasn’t slowed down since summer, and I’m loving the variety of places I’m getting to play and the faces I’m getting to see. I hope you are well and happy.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of Fall songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, September 18, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Room. 888-994-3156
When: Friday, September 20, 6-9 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing in costume
Where: El Pueblo Museum, 301 North Union, Pueblo
When: Saturday, September 21, 10 am - 12 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Room. 888-994-3156
When: Sunday, September 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, September 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Monday, September 9, 2024
Senior Safari
Monday, September 2, 2024
British Invasion
I’m thinking today of the British Invasion of the 1960s in the music business. Britain had gone through so much during World War II, and the kids of that generation were really struggling to find a way to express the angst and troubles they experienced. Somehow they found American blues music mixed in with all the other genres of music they were exposed to as well as what was called skiffle music in Britain. They mixed this together and came up with their own music as well as blues covers. When they began to record this music and released it in the USA it was a hit. American kids were looking for something different that continued the passion of the rock ’n’ roll of the 1950s, and the long-haired driving music coming out of Britain fit the bill perfectly. The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in early 1964 after their first releases went number 1, and that opened the floodgates for Peter and Gordon, The Animals, The Kinks, The Zombies, The Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones, and so many more. I heard this in our house mixed with folk music, Motown, and everything else that my brother and sisters played, and I was smitten too. The creativity of the new music as well as the covers of blues tunes and American music that the British bands re-introduced to American kids was powerful, and it spoke to the 1960s like nothing else could. I hope you were swept away by it too or have since gone back to immerse yourself in this wonderful music.
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What have I been up to?
I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they all went so well. You know that I get as much from them as the folks get. They are always so welcoming and genuine.
My Wednesday online show was songs about friends and friendship, and it was a very sweet time with some great songs. The audience was really into it as well.
The funeral I played on Saturday was very nice and meaningful too with several friends that I didn’t know I had in common with the lovely woman who had passed. It’s amazing how funerals bring friends together. RIP, Millie.
My concert at the La Veta Pines RV Park on Saturday night was such a good time. It was a perfect evening, and everything came together to make a night I’ll remember for a long time. I had a large and very enthusiastic crowd. Big thanks to Greg and Lisa and everyone who came.
My Sunday online show was full of great requests and friends. I’m always amazed at how these Sunday nights come together with everyone supporting each other and my music.
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What am I up to this week?
I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to every one of them including one that is a fair for the residents and one that is an afternoon for Grandparents Day. These should be a lot of fun.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from the British Invasion that I wrote about above. There are so many great songs, so I’m betting we’ll probably do next Wednesday with the same theme. Come on out!
Thursday I’ll play the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch in Cuchara 6:30-8 for the end-of-season “Appetizers and Alcohol” or “Charcuterie and Cabernet” party in the old barn. This is a free event where you bring an appetizer to share and whatever beverage you’d like to drink. It’s always a great time, and if you missed coming to the barbecues this summer this is the last chance to enjoy the Yellow Pine with my music for the season. Come on out!
Friday night I may be playing instrumental music 6-9 at the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs in the Grand View Restaurant. We are still trying to finalize the schedule as I write this. I’m closing cabins with my family on Saturday, so I’m not sure this will work out timing-wise with an early Saturday morning in New Mexico.
Sunday I’m playing for a church picnic at the zoo before I play for Grandparents Day, so that should be a lot of fun.
Sunday evening my online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests was always, and I’m looking forward to it! It’s always a good time with good folks. Come on out!
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That’s it for this week. It will be a busy one. I hope you’re having a good Labor Day, and that you’re well and happy.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of British Invasion songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, September 4, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing at the end-of-season party
Where: Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara. 719-742-3528
When: Thursday, September 5, 6:30-8:00 pm
POSSIBLE GIG - message me to confirm if you want to come
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Room. 888-994-3156
When: Friday, September 6, 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, September 8, 7-8:45 pm mountain time