Irish

I’m trying to pack as much Irish spirit as I can into the next two weeks. I dearly love Irish music, and I lament every year that’s there’s only a few weeks when people really want to hear it. There is so much passion in the songs, and I get wrapped up in it very easily. I’m working on playing the Irish frame drum called the bodhran (pronounced bow-rawn). It is a very deep-sounding and impactful instrument that really brings excitement to the music. It’s played in a different way than other drums in that you hold it in the crook of your arm with one hand resting on the back of the head while beating on it with a stick called a tipper on the front side of the head with the other hand. I’ve heard that it probably came from people playing their animal-skin bowls that they used in food gathering and preparation. One of my good friends, Connie, gave me a bodhran last year, and I’m having so much fun with it! It drives my emotion about Irish music even deeper as I feel the drum against my body as I play. I wrote last year in March about how Irish songs reflect the struggles and joys of the Irish people. It’s true that angst can motivate songwriting, and when I sing many Irish tunes I am transported to the times and places where the music was inspired and played. I feel this with most genres I play - especially if I have had similar experiences in my life. With Irish songs I feel this even more intently. So at this time of year with St. Patrick’s Day approaching I relish in the opportunity to share the Irish songs I know and to learn new ones. I think that life is so much more worthwhile when we let ourselves feel everything with gusto and enthusiasm. I’ll be playing the bodhran and my Irish guitar at many of my gigs this month.

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed every one so much. Unfortunately one of them has a bad virus going around that’s going to make them shut down to outside visitors for a few days over Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday. I’m hoping for the best for them.

My Wednesday online show was songs for Mardi Gras, and it was such a good time with lots of upbeat and interesting songs. I really have to get down to New Orleans again. We had jambalaya for dinner 2 days in a row too!

Friday night I played instrumental guitar tunes for the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant, and it was so much fun. I had many compliments, and I came up with several new off-the-cuff arrangements for Mardi Gras songs and others.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some good ones. It is so wonderful to have a community of music and people lovers to share music and friendship with.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and at least 2 of them with have Mardi Gras parties that I get to play for. The other ones I will play Irish tunes for if they’d like to hear them.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Irish tunes in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day. I’ll also do Irish songs next week. I’d love to have you tune in and experience the passion of this music.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I can’t say enough about how much I enjoy this group of fine folks and the great times I get to experience sharing music every week. You’re always welcome, and it’s always a very sweet time.

Garden of the Gods Club will be alternating me with a violin player this month on Friday nights, so I won’t be there this week, but I’ll be back next week. I really love hearing the violin, and I hope the diners do too.

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That’s it for this week. I hope your winter is ending well. The changes we are going through in the world are really keeping us on our toes.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Irish songs

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

When:  Wednesday, March 5, 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, March 9, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

New Orleans

This Wednesday I’m going to play songs for Mardi Gras, and so I’m thinking about New Orleans and the history and rich music traditions there. I’m pretty sure I’ve never been to New Orleans although I might have been there with my family when I was too little to remember. New Orleans is a melting pot as much as anywhere in the world. It includes French, Spanish, Italian, and English settlers as well as African slaves all contributing to the soup that has become the music of New Orleans. Most music scholars agree that American music sees its roots in New Orleans and this mixture. Jazz, rock ’n roll, rhythm and blues, funk, and blues all incorporate rhythms that come from early beat patterns that were present in African and Spanish songs. Country was even influenced by these beats although most would say that country is more tied to music from England and Ireland. The first music I see written about were the brass bands of the 1830s and the gatherings in Congo Square where enslaved people would play music on Sundays. By the 1890s there are references to the first players who played The Blues like cornetist Buddy Bolden. You often hear the story that the flatted notes that established the sound of jazz and the blues were based on blue notes that African musicians played in searching for the non-western harmonies of their traditional African melodies. By the 1910s there was a definite movement of music that would influence America and the world to this day. Famous players abound like Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Sidney Bechet, Louis Prima, Fats Domino, Clifton Chenier, and so many more. There are so many stories of how New Orleans music came to be through all these players and so many bands. From Cajun to Second Line to Zydeco to so many more designations of the music, I can’t hope to mention them all in this brief missive. I encourage you to check it out for yourself!

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What have I been up to?

I had 13 senior facilities last week, and it was a really fun week. Some wanted to hear old standard love songs, and some wanted to hear Mardi Gras music and all kinds of other songs. It was such a good time.

My Wednesday online show was songs about snow, and there were some really good tunes and a great audience. I’m honestly ready for it to stop snowing here, but I know there’s more to come.

Friday night I played instrumental guitar tunes at Garden of the Gods Club. I played a lot of New Orleans songs for Mardi Gras, and I played a whole bunch of other styles too. It was a packed house, and I think the diners enjoyed it.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some good songs there as well. I love this group and all the support they give to each other and me.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’ll be playing Mardi Gras songs as much as I can for these folks. I’m looking forward to it!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be playing songs for Mardi Gras as I wrote of above. This will be such a good time, and I can’t wait to share these tunes. Come on out!

Friday 5:30-8:30 I’m back at Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes again. I’m really enjoying playing so many interesting guitar tunes and adapting so many songs I usually sing into instrumental tunes. I’d love to have you there if you’re up for a really nice view of Pikes peak and the Garden of the Gods with some good food and 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.

Saturday night 7-9 mountain time I’m playing an online show of Philmont Songs for friends I’ve known from Philmont over the last 50 years. If that’s you or interests you, you can tune in on my website tommunch.com/online-concerts or on my Philmont songs Facebook page facebook.com/groups/1176893032692370/

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I always love playing these evenings for such wonderful people who tune in. Tune in and give me your request too!

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That’s it for this week. I’m looking forward to Mardi Gras, and I hope you get the chance to celebrate it some too.

Best always,

Tom

—--

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Mardi Gras songs

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

When:  Wednesday, February 26, 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, February 28, 5:30-8:30 pm 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing a concert of Philmont songs

Where:  facebook.com/groups/1176893032692370/ and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Saturday, March 1, 7-p 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, March 2, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Snow

 This has been an extremely snowy winter this year so far in our area of southern Colorado. It reminds me of the winters when we lived in Nebraska 60 years ago. We would have multiple snowstorms that would not melt for months. Of course it made for all kinds of fun in the snow with sledding, skating, building snowmen, and having snowball fights. When I lived in Breckenridge I took loads of pictures of snow, snowflakes, snowboarders (it was a new sport then), and snow-capped mountains. I skied, snowboarded, and snowshoed quite a bit. I still love a winter morning with fresh snow. It sparkles and looks so pure under a freshly-cleaned blue sky. Beau loves to romp in it too! There is just something so ancient and almost sacred about that blanket of white on the land. It can also look cold and forbidding, but I love it all the same! Here’s to snow!

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and there were some wonderful moments connecting over love songs for Valentine’s Day. I love these folks. Now it’s time to start singing songs for Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day.

My Wednesday online show was love songs, and it was a wonderful night of songs and friendship. The people who come out to listen and chat are such genuine folks with such good musical taste that it’s a pleasure playing for them!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and once again we went to new places with the songs and memories. I am truly blessed to have such interesting and loving folks who come to listen and join in.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 13 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to playing for them all. I’m sure that some still may want to hear love songs, and I’ll be happy to oblige. This is a labor of love.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about snow as I wrote above. I’m going to try to not repeat songs I did for my winter show in January. I did listen to several playlists about snow, and I found at least one new song to add that is very nice. I think it’ll be a very enjoyable night even if you are getting tired of winter already. Snow is exciting no matter how you feel about it, and I hope to capture that excitement.

Friday night 5:30-8:30 I’m back at Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. I’m going to start playing Mardi Gras and Irish instrumentals to see how many folks respond to them. I’ll also be playing some of the surprise numbers that folks there are starting to expect. 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’m sure there’ll be some good ones. This group of folks is so supportive and fun to be part of, and they also are so welcoming of everyone. Come on out and join in!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you aren’t buried in snow wherever you are this winter. It can be beautiful.

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Snow songs

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

When:  Wednesday, February 19, 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, February 21, 5:30-8:30 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, February 23, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Love

 Friday is Valentine’s Day, so I thought it would be apropos to talk about love. I contemplate about love a lot. I truly believe that love is the answer to all the ills we see in life. We tend to see it as just a nice idea that takes a back seat when we are worried about making ends meet or how to solve the stresses in our country and world. There is a reason that most religions and philosophies talk about love. It is a simple idea that is nothing more or less than a regard for ourselves, others, and all that surrounds us. It comes from an understanding that we all need each other and the environment we live in to thrive and enjoy our time here. I’m not so naive as to think that everyone will understand love in their lifetime. This life is a learning process and a journey of discovery. Being open and honest to our situations and those around us is how love is revealed. I only encourage you to rise above each moment and take a higher perspective where you can see the purpose of every interaction. Love is evident when you can do this. When you are calm and observant you will find love.

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and I sang love songs for all of them. There were some very sweet moments as people recalled sweetheart stories and shared songs.

My Wednesday online show was love songs, and there were some good ones. I leaned toward the fun love songs, and the audience requested more poignant songs. It was all good and I loved it all!

Friday night I played instrumental love songs at Garden of the Gods Club, and it was such fun to come up with arrangements on the fly and watch the reactions of the diners. They almost sang along when I played “Sweet Caroline”!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were a lot of love songs there as well. I even had a good turnout in spite of the Super Bowl being on, or as I called it, the Superb Owl. (I took that from a podcast I heard earlier this week.)

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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. It’s so much fun playing love songs for all these folks!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be love songs again to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I know it will be a sweet evening of tunes and good friends. Come on out if you’d like to celebrate with me.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests once again. These nights are always so much better than I can ever anticipate. I love being with my online audience sharing good music. Join in if this sounds good to you!

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That’s it for this week. You might have noticed that I’m not playing at Garden of the Gods Club this week. They’re doing something different for Valentine’s Day, and I’m sure it’ll be good. I’ll be back there next Friday - no worries. It gives Jen and I a chance to enjoy the day together. I hope you have a great week of love, and I trust you’re healthy and happy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Love songs

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

When:  Wednesday, February 12, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

When:  Sunday, February 16, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Simple Pleasures

I’m coming around to a familiar topic from a different direction today. In these days of winter that sometimes drag on with the inconveniences of cold, snow, and ice I often find myself looking for little distractions indoors that can delight and consume me. Sometimes these are house projects that involve being crafty and clever. Sometimes they are things that make a deep dive into a list item that has been on the back burner for years. Sometimes they are real pleasures like favorite food or self care. I really enjoy these simple pleasures, and it is so healing to take time for them. It can also just be a nice cup of tea and a good book. I also love going back to favorite albums to listen front to back through every song, taking time to hear new instruments or details I never noticed before. It could also be a phone call to a friend I haven’t talked to in too long. I hate to say I don’t take time for these things at other times of the year, but I really don’t. So I encourage you at this time of year to allow yourself to enjoy some simple pleasures you love. Life really is short, and it’s in the details that true joy is often revealed. 

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What have I been up to?

I had 6 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed getting to play for every one. I started branching into love songs for Valentine’s Day. I love these folks. 

My Wednesday online show was winter songs, and it turned out to be a very nice night of great tunes with great folks. We only got to a fraction of the tunes for winter, so we may come back to this theme before winter is over. 

Friday night I played instrumental guitar tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant. I had a nice group of diners, and I was inspired to improvise arrangements for many songs I usually only sing. 

My Sunday online show was a special night of music about Groundhog Day at my friends Matt and Deann’s house. It was so much fun playing to good friends in such a warm environment. Thank you to all who attended and made it happen!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and it’ll be fun playing love songs and reminiscing about Valentine’s Day and other romantic celebrations. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Love Songs in preparation for Valentine’s Day. There are so many great love songs, and I’ll take requests too. Come on out!

Friday 5:30-8:30 I’m at Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant playing my guitar instrumentals. I’m having so much fun coming up with versions of tunes known and unknown. I’d love to see you if you’re up for a great view of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak with fantastic food and 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 my online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests. I know I’m playing during the Big Game, but I’ve found that there are a lot of people who like to have an alternative or else something to listen to while they watch the game. So if that’s you then come join me!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you take solace in enjoying the simple things in life that make it special, and 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 Love songs

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

When:  Wednesday, February 5, 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, February 7, 5:30-8:30 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, February 9, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Winter

This year has started out with quite a lot of wintry weather. It has snowed every week, and with only a few warmer days it has been mostly cold. This is more reminiscent of the winters I can remember as a kid. We lived in Colorado when I was very little and then in Nebraska for the rest of my formative years. It seemed like we had snow and ice in those years that would last for several months. I know there were some warm spots in there too, but for the most part I remember lots of warm clothes and cold nights. We must have been pretty hearty though, because I can remember playing basketball in the driveway while there was 3 feet of snow piled up on the sides. Winter never really bummed me out like it did some folks. There was always an opportunity for winter fun whether it was sledding or ice skating or winter contests like fire building or ice fishing. We had a lake we liked to go to where one winter the ice froze so smooth that you could skate easily on it. There were a few inches of snow on the ice, and we scooped little skating rinks with connecting paths all over the lake. We’d launch the toboggan from the top of a hill and then build up speed and try to dodge the trees and avoid going into the lake at the bottom. When I moved back to Colorado I was fearless - driving all over the front range to gigs from Breckenridge to Golden to Cuchara in the snow. I did try living in a ski area and playing apres-ski for one season. I loved it, but I definitely got tired of snow by April when it was still snowing most every night. But with all of these memories I will always love the freshness and sparkle of new snow on a crisp winter morning. It is so sacred and unspoiled.

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and they were all lots of fun and very rewarding. I had to wear a mask at a couple of them for Covid, but most are doing okay.

My Wednesday online show was the music of Peter, Paul and Mary, and it was amazing how the memories and good vibes flowed. I had thought that it might feel kind of corny singing some of those old songs, but there is so much sincere heart in the songs that it was very uplifting. 

Friday night I played instrumental guitar tunes to a very appreciative group of diners at the Garden of the Gods Club. I even played one hour of Neil Young tunes impromptu after a couple  celebrating their anniversary made a request for one of his songs. It was a night I will remember for a long time.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was another wonderful night of tunes new and old with good friends in the Munch Bunch. I love this group that is so supportive of each other and me.

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What am I up to this week?

I have just 6 senior facilities this week since it’s the fifth week of the month for most of the week. I love supporting these folks with sweet tunes.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be winter songs going along with my message above. I look forward to celebrating the season with all those who tune in and enjoy it too! If you just tolerate winter you’re welcome too!

Friday night I’m playing instrumental guitar tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant. I’m having so much fun coming up with instrumental arrangements of tunes I have sung for years, and it’s great to see the diners react when I play a favorite. You’re always welcome too. 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 a special show at my friends Matt and Deann’s house. Deann will choose the songs, and I know it will be a very warm night full of friendship in their beautiful home. Don’t miss it!

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That’s it for this week. This winter won’t last long, and hopefully we will have a beautiful spring following with tensions beginning to wane as the world is reborn. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Winter songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 29, 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, January 31, 5:30-8:30 pm 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing a special online concert at Matt and Deann’s 

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

When:  Sunday, February 2, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Peter Paul, and Mary

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary died a couple weeks ago, and I’ve been taking a deep dive into their music really for the first time. I’ve always had an appreciation for the hits of theirs that I knew and played, but I never learned their history or followed their careers much. They started out in the Greenwich Village scene at the beginning of the ‘60s, and they celebrated the traditional folk music that even predated Bob Dylan and many of the ‘60s folksingers and songwriters. Of course, they recorded many songs of Dylan’s and other newer writers - often bringing the writers to greater prominence through their recordings and popularity. They were very articulate, especially Peter, and when they began to get into the civil rights and justice issues of the decade they became very outspoken on social issues. Their arrangements were usually very simple and acoustic - concentrating on their vocal harmonies more than elaborate instrumentation although their later albums were more produced than their early ones. In an interview about the famous Newport festival where Dylan went electric, Peter said about acoustic music, “living authentically with a sense of really being true to some value system..is inherent in the acoustic nature of this music.” He stressed that being acoustic was important to the intimate sharing of the music. I equate it to what Nanci Griffith once said about how a great song can be related by just one voice and one instrument. I try to approach that when I perform solo, trying to find the essence of each song. For Peter, Paul and Mary there was always a softer touch to their music that was reflected in their arrangements although Mary especially could really belt out a song when she wanted to. I often discounted their music because of what I perceived as a lack of “edge” due to their soft delivery, but as I’ve been taking this deep dive into their music I’ve grown to really appreciate the intricacy of their playing and singing and their passion for the music. So Wednesday I’ll pay tribute to them and the great songs they sang.

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What have I been up to?

Last week I had 11 senior facilities, and I enjoyed every one. We mostly did songs by Elvis and Peter, Paul and Mary because of Elvis’ birthday and Peter Yarrow’s death the previous week. It was an interesting mix. I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was hopeful songs again, and it was a very fulfilling night of great songs and good people. What a way to start the year!

Friday night I played instrumental guitar music at the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs again, and I had a lot of fun coming up with new arrangements of songs I had never played instrumentally. It’s always interesting to see what songs catch the ear of the diners, and I even had a request to repeat a song, the theme to the Ken Burns’ Civil War documentary, “Ashokan Farewell”. It’s a great and moving song.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and there were some really good requests and a lively chat stream. A good time was definitely had by all.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I always look forward to seeing the folks, especially when the weather is cold and miserable. I know how much it cheers them up, and I’m happy to help.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the music of Peter, Paul and Mary as I wrote above. I’m really looking forward to sharing this music, and I’d love to have you in the audience if you want to relive those memories of when you first heard their music.

Friday night 5:30-8:30 I’m back playing instrumental guitar music at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant. This has turned into a gig that I really enjoy, and I think you would enjoy it too if you’d like a great meal with a beautiful view of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak beyond and some tinkling guitar music by 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. We have some high times on these shows, and you never know where it’s going to go. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are healthy and happy. Big hugs and howls to anyone who is in need of comfort.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Peter, Paul and Mary songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 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, January 24, 5:30-8:30 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, January 26, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Kindness

If it’s anything like last time, we’re heading into a contentious time with a change in presidents. Our country is so divided that people are always uneasy when they meet and have a conversation of any depth. But even in brief interactions or while driving you can feel the tension that is based on the news and politics of the day. I honestly have given up on expressing angst anymore. The pandemic taught me that nothing is worth the stress of rushing or arguing when everything can be taken away so easily. The only thing that really matters is the kindness we show towards others and ourselves. I encourage you to go out of your way to help others. It not only makes them feel good, but it will make you feel good too. And when you feel tension starting to build within yourself, take a deep breath, count to 10, change the subject, or just walk away. We are not the feelings and emotions that churn within us. Just let them go, and do something kind for someone else. Take the time to look at a situation from outside yourself. Get outside and experience the broader world and expand your mind. Learn to meditate. There are so many ways to live in the world and maintain kindness.

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What have I been up to?

Last week I had 9 senior facilities, and it felt so good to start the new year spreading kindness through music. It’s always a privilege, and I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was playing hopeful songs, and it went so well that we’re going to do another batch this week. I don’t know why it doesn’t occur to me more often to uplift my audience with hopeful songs.

Friday night I played instrumental guitar tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs. It was great fun, and I even had several friends come out to hear me and chat a bit.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and it really turned into a best-of show with so many classic tunes. It was a night to remember! I’m so thankful for these folks!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to seeing all the folks at each one. It’s a blessing, and I know it.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be hopeful songs once again as I wrote above. This will be a good night of uplifting and celebrating life. Come on out if you can!

Friday night 5:30-8:30 I’ll be playing instrumental guitar tunes at the Grand View restaurant at the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs. I’ve been adding new tunes every week to my instrumental repertoire, and some nights I even improvise tunes on the spot. Come out for dinner and some music if you can. 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 really good time with good folks and great requests. I’d be happy to take yours too. Come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. I do have an interesting online show coming up on February 2nd that will be broadcast live from my friends Deann and Matt’s house. That will be a mix of favorites and special tunes for Groundhog Day. 

I hope you find some words you can use in my message about kindness. I do like to ramble sometimes, and I hope it’s useful. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Hopeful songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 15, 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, January 17, 5:30-8:30 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, January 19, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Hopeful

It’s a new year, and I always like starting out with a good attitude and disposition, so I’m starting the year with hopeful songs again. I do this every year, and I have to admit that some years I’m not as hopeful. That’s when it’s time to take stock and meditate on my purpose and path. That’s part of the reason I do hopeful songs. They reconnect me. But as I look through my list of hopeful songs they sometimes feel corny or hokey. That’s when I have to let myself “go there” to that place where I find hope and comfort from even the corniest of songs. Many of us get the after-holiday blues a little bit - especially on cold and dark winter days. (We’re having one of those as I write this with a cup of hot Genmai-cha green tea with roasted rice.) But music and meaningful lyrics pull me right up when I’m feeling a little blue - especially if they’re songs that I have delighted in at other times of my life. They remind me that “there is a crack in everything - that’s how the light gets in” as Leonard Cohen wrote in his song “Anthem”. So no matter what the new year brings, I approach it with hope and a purpose to spread hopeful songs and ideas that will maybe help others.

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week even with New Year’s Day in the middle of it. I played fun party songs before New Year’s Eve and then hopeful songs starting with New Year’s Day. Actually, my facility on Friday was celebrating Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday, so I did a bunch of Elvis songs that day. That was fun! I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was actually Tuesday so we could celebrate New Year’s Eve. It was a blast, and it became a mini-theme show about time with the requests that came in. We celebrated the new year at 8:00 mountain time with a countdown, and then the rest of the night was more party songs and some meaningful ones including “Auld Lang Syne”. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

Friday night I played instrumental guitar tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant. I played the Fender Acoustasonic guitar that I had played at the senior facility for Elvis songs that can get both acoustic and electric tones, so that allowed me to play some electric jazz and rock ’n’ roll tunes at the restaurant too. It was fun, and the folks were very complimentary.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and there were a few new songs as well. It was a very good time with good friends.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I think I’ll continue with the hopeful songs I’m playing for Wednesday for these folks as well. I often ponder if I should do more uplifting songs for my senior facilities. I usually go with the flow and take requests too.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be hopeful songs as I wrote above. I have a pretty good list although I’m always finding songs I hadn’t heard or considered before. It’s a fun thing to find these and relay them. Come on out and get a little hope and inspiration!

Friday night 5:30-8:30 I’lll be back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes again. You’ll note that it’s a half hour earlier than before. I’ll do the rest of my dates for the winter at this time. I’d love to have you come out and enjoy a good meal and my noodling on the guitar. Reservations are usually required unless you’d like to sit at the bar or in the one two-top table in the bar (right next to me). 888-994-3156

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests once again. I’ve now been doing online shows for 14 years, and I love doing them. The last 5 years have been on Facebook and on my website. I have such a wonderful group of folks who frequent my shows, and I love them all. Come join in with us!

——

That’s it for this week. I can’t believe it’s a new year. I haven’t messed up writing “2025” on anything yet!

Best,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Hopeful songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 8, 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, January 10, 5:30-8:30 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, January 12, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

New Year

I’m playing an online show for New Year’s Eve, and that has me thinking about the significance of the turning of the calendar. We tend to make a big deal out of the end of one year and the starting of the next. There is a lot of symbolic meaning around it. People like to take stock and make resolutions of how they can improve and move forward. I like to take stock too and use the new year as a time for both reflection and planning, but as I grow older it is not as big a deal. I’m not necessarily looking back, but I’m not making big plans for the future either. I think that’s a healthy thing. Many times planning comes from an angst about accomplishment and  a lack of fulfillment that neglects living in the moment and having contentment in your life. New Year’s Eve is still a night that people like to have a good time with those they love. If you take off the pressure of making it the “best ever” it can be a fun evening of music and camaraderie. That’s how I look at it now. Yes, I’ll still do some end-of-the-year stuff for business, and in the new year I’ll look at what’s coming and make some plans, but I’ll do it with less expectation and craziness. Happy New Year!

——

What have I been up to?

I forgot to write about my senior facilities last week, and I’m sorry I didn’t. I played for 8 different places, and the Christmas and holiday spirit was strong and so special. I say it a lot, but I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show was on Christmas night and I had many more people than I expected come out to celebrate Christmas and share a meaningful evening with friends and music. It made a nice close to a good day.

Friday night I played the Grand View restaurant at the Garden of the Gods Club, and the place was packed with folks enjoying the holiday weekend and magic of the season. It was a grand night.

Sunday I also played the Grand View restaurant to a nice brunch with nice folks - even some I knew. I arranged several new songs for instrumental guitar, and it was very sweet.

My Sunday online show was a special one where I did my favorite songs I’ve learned in the past year with my favorite sunrise pictures as the backdrop. It was a very cool night of tunes that I definitely want to keep playing. The group was really into it too!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities to play for this week including one on New Year’s Day. It will be a fun time of party songs.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be changed to Tuesday night to celebrate New Year’s Eve. If you’re looking for an alternative to going out or watching the ball drop on TV for another year, then join me for some music and friendship online 7-8:45 mountain time. It’ll be a great time!

Friday night 6-9 although I may play earlier the rest of the winter 5-8 I’ll be back at the Grand View restaurant at the Garden of the God Club playing instrumental guitar tunes. I’ll know sometime this week if I’ll play earlier. Reservations are a must unless you’d like to sit at the bar. 888-994-3156

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be back to favorites and requests this week. I love this evening and the folks who come out to share themselves and enjoy the music. Come join in!

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you enjoy your New Year’s celebrations and maybe a day off. Here’s to a great new year no matter where life finds you.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of New Year’s Eve songs

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

When:  Tuesday, December 31, 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, January 3, 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, January 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time