Earth

I’m doing songs about the earth on Wednesday to celebrate Earth Day, which is coming up on the 22nd of April. I think about our earth a lot. This comes from spending so much time out walking and enjoying the outdoors all my life. I’m always happiest when I have the breeze in my face with the smells of the earth and the trees. I was once accused of being a “tree hugger” by the other students when I took an oil spill course to receive a certification to teach oil spill recovery. That was in another life, but I guess I do care for the earth although I wouldn’t say I’m an activist. I think most folks would agree that we could manage the earth a lot better than we have the last few hundred years. For instance, Thomas Jefferson thought that it would take us several hundred years just to fill up North America, and that happened within a century. And we have thought that our resources are limitless, but we’re starting to realize this isn’t true. I think we can make the adjustments to make this earth livable and beautiful into many more generations. The main thing, as it is with everything, is just awareness and the willingness to be flexible. There are always growing pains with change. So I celebrate the earth. We are on that “pale blue dot” that Carl Sagan wrote of so long ago after the Voyager captured that picture of our earth in a ray of sunlight.

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed them all. I was suffering with some sort of congestion, so I wore a mask to many of my facilities. I had tested negative for Covid, so I wasn’t worried about spreading anything. It’s probably just allergies. I love playing for these folks so much!

My Wednesday online show was playing songs from the 1930s. This was a really sweet show with lots of great songs and good comments. My research wasn’t great though as I ventured outside of the 1930s for a few songs inadvertently. I really do like to be accurate.  Oh, well! It was still a very nice time!

My Sunday online show was playing favorites and requests, and there were some really good ones. I’m always impressed with the depth of music my audience requests. It’s a joy to play for them.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 12 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. I may have to cancel one tomorrow morning for a doctor appointment so I can get over this congestion completely. It’s still hanging on a bit.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs for Earth Day as I wrote above. There are a lot of great songs that fit the bill, and I’m looking forward to playing them. I know my audience will be into it, and I’d love to see you!

Saturday I have a private party that should be great fun too. It’s for some folks that I have played for several times before. They love the good music that I love, and so it should be a swell evening.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I always say how these evenings turn out to be very special. Well, they do, and I’m not afraid to say it. Come on out and join in.

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What’s coming up?

I keep writing about my concert in Pueblo on May 4th, and it’s because I know it will be a very nice evening in a great-sounding room. Come on out if you’re anywhere near Pueblo and enjoy a night of song and camaraderie. So many people say that they love my online shows, but they also say that they like an in-person show even more with the great sound and shared space. Here are the details: May 4th at 7:00 in Pueblo at the Center for Inner Peace, 740 West 15th Street, Pueblo, suggested donation of $20 at the door, doors open at 6:30. I hope to see you there!

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That’s it for this week. Here’s to a great week and celebration of our dear old earth.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of earth songs

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

When:  Wednesday, April 17, 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, April 21, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

1930s

I’m doing songs from the 1930s for my Wednesday show, and that has me thinking about what I know about the 1930s. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the Great Depression. People of my generation grew up with stories and reminders of what our parents had gone through in the Depression. We were taught frugality sometimes to a fault. That decade was also the development of much of the entertainment industry with great movies, plays, musicals, and music. The music was mostly jazz, popular, and hillbilly or western music. My dad grew up learning tunes in the 1930s as a teenager off the Hit Parade radio show and later playing those on the piano in the evenings in our house in addition to other songs he loved. These songs were mainly the jazz-influenced popular music of the day, and so that is what I mainly know although I’ve also learned much of the western and hillbilly (folk) music of that decade as well. Some of these songs were kind of innocent in their content and lyrics, but the melodies have stood the test of time, and even the words, though sometimes quaint, have an honesty that I really love. Those times and values led us into World War II, and so there is a sweetness and nostalgia for what strengths and weaknesses shaped the minds of the folks that progressed into the war years. It was an interesting time that is fascinating to relive through the music of that era. Most of the music is just plain good!

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and they were all so enjoyable. It’s funny that I’m writing about songs from the 1930s because my seniors are mostly too young to want to hear these now. When I started playing these facilities back in high school they wanted to hear songs all the way back to the 1890s.

My Wednesday online show was songs about the sun and moon for the eclipse. That was a lot of fun! I wish there were more songs about eclipses. I had a very nice audience of great folks.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some good ones including a new opening song I’ve been working on for a couple months. Of course, I’ve already rewritten it since last night, and I still don’t have a title for it. There were so many nice folks in my audience.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and they should all be very rewarding. Seeing the smiles on faces and getting the chance to share some memories makes it all worthwhile.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from the 1930s as I wrote above. I have almost a hundred songs from this decade on my list, and I’m sure I could add a bunch more. It will be a stellar evening of tunes. Come on out if you can.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and these shows have morphed into an even more freestyle evening of requests and surprises. I’d love to have you in the audience if you can make it.

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What is coming up?

I have a very cool concert coming up on May 4th at 7:00 in Pueblo at the Center for Inner Peace. This building has great acoustics, and the openness and generosity of spirit is wonderful. I’m planning to do a mix of original and album tunes so there should be a wide variety of laughter and tears. There is a suggested donation of $20 at the door. Doors open at 6:30. I’d love to see you there if you’re in the Pueblo area or want to make the trip. It’s located at 740 West 15th Street in Pueblo.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you get a chance to view the eclipse (with proper eye protection) today, and I hope to see you soon!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of 1930s songs

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

When:  Wednesday, April 10, 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, April 14, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Eclipse

There is a solar eclipse next Monday throughout much of the U.S., and Jen and I had hoped to go to see it in totality, but we can’t make the trip this time. We’ll settle for seeing the partial eclipse here if the sky is clear. A solar eclipse is such an amazing event. It reminds us of just how small we are and how much we depend on this big burning ball in the sky that powers our earth and most all life here. I think the ancient people who lived in the outdoors every day understood that more than we do nowadays, but it can still affect us in profound ways. I have a natural affinity for the stars and the outdoors, and when I look up at the night sky I feel that I am a part of them in many ways. We are stardust as Joni Mitchell said in her song, “Woodstock”, and star-stuff as Carl Sagan wrote. Seeing star events and solar events rings that bell in us that we all seem to understand somehow. I imagine some of you are going to be able to be in the path of totality, and I salute you and encourage you to see it in all the ways you can. Many folks will make those little boxes that you can see the eclipse in, and hopefully all will get the cheap eclipse glasses that you can gaze directly at the eclipse with. There is a list of fun things to see and even an app that tells you when to look for interesting phenomena during the eclipse called “Solar Eclipse Timer”. There is a great video to watch with lots of these detail here -  https://youtu.be/791qJZivHpk?si=H8jxu6VWIGfHml0k. I would love to hear your eclipse stories if you have any to share!

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week (I forgot to include one in my blog last week that I had on Easter), and I enjoyed every one so much. I mostly sang Spring songs although. A couple still wanted to hear some Irish tunes. Of course I did a few Easter songs as well.

My Wednesday online show was doing songs I’ve never done for my online shows, and there were some very sweet tunes that I think the group really liked. They said as much too!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and I included a couple songs there that I’ve never done online as well. It was a very sweet evening.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and it’s time for more Spring and also April rain songs. There are so many good ones, and it is so much fun sharing them with my seniors.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about the sun and moon to celebrate the solar eclipse that happens next Monday. This is such a neat event, and even though it’ll just be a partial in Colorado I’m still looking forward to going outside and seeing it through eclipse glasses. Come on out on Wednesday and hear some great sun and moon songs.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These are very special evenings with good friends listening and supporting each other. You’re always welcome to join in.

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What is coming up?

I have a very cool concert coming up on May 4th at 7:00 in Pueblo at the Center for Inner Peace. I just haven’t done that many real concerts since the pandemic, and I haven’t done one in Pueblo for many years. I haven’t made my setlist up yet, but I’m thinking it will be a really heartfelt evening of music and stories. The Center for Inner Peace is one of those buildings that just brings it out of you. I saw my friend Don Richmond play there about 3 weeks ago, and the vibe was amazing. There is suggested donation of $20 at the door. Doors open at 6:30. I’d love to see you there if you’re in the Pueblo area or want to make the trip. It’s located at 740 West 15th Street in Pueblo.

There’s more coming up in the summer, but I’ll write about those dates as they come up. I have made Facebook events for most of those, and you can always see them on my website calendar at http://tommunch.com/calendar. 

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That’s it for this week. I hope your life is going well, and that you are healthy and happy. No April Fools!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of sun and moon songs

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

When:  Wednesday, April 3, 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, April 7, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Breath

I’m reading a book about breathing called “Breath” by James Nestor, and it has me thinking a lot about the way I breathe. I’m on chapter 6 out of 10 chapters, and I’m learning a lot about breathing. The book makes some bold claims about how proper breathing can improve health in many ways. It also talks about how different cultures have treated breathing. For instance, the book says that Native Americans taught breathing only from the nose as the key to healthy living. We often hear jokes about how someone who is a “mouth-breather” is lesser than. The book shows examples and scientific studies that show how breathing from the nose decreases heart rate and lessens susceptibility to disease. I’m currently trying to master this as I exercise, but I always feel like I’m choking for air. When I was in college there were different exercises for singers and for wind and horn players where we were supposed to walk a certain number of steps as we inhaled and then walk a certain number of steps as we exhaled. Just a few of these cycles would almost make me pass out, so I never did much of this. I did learn to breathe from my diaphragm which is very helpful for a singer. I’m not sure that this has made me any more relaxed or lessened my chance for illness - especially after having Covid twice in just three months. After the 10 chapters of the book there are a series of breathing exercises and techniques in the book that will be interesting to try. I’ll let you know if they make any difference in my life. How about you? We hear often about the benefits of deep breathing. Do you have any stories or experiences in your life where breathing techniques have helped? Are you interested in reading this book too?

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What have I been up to?

I had 13 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed all of them. I was definitely spent after some of these days with so many hours of playing - particularly because some of them were still doing high-energy Irish tunes that take more stamina. I love playing for these folks though!

My Wednesday online show was doing Spring songs since the first day of Spring was just the day before. It was very well-attended, and I think everybody had a great time.

Saturday I played a birthday party for a real sweetheart of a gal who has been at a couple different facilities I play at. Happy Birthday, Tosh! Then the memorial get-together that I played for on Saturday evening was very bitter sweet. The woman was a long-time friend and fan who will be definitely missed. Her family and friends are just the best.

My Sunday online show was back to favorites and requests after the previous Sunday’s Irish show for St. Patrick’s Day, and it was also well-attended with some old friends and new faces. These nights can really be special. You can always watch the after the show if you’re interested. They’re posted on Facebook here facebook.com/TomMunchFans/ and on my website here tommunch.com/online-concerts. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to them all. We have some snow today, so sometimes it’s not as easy getting out and about to them, but that usually doesn’t stop me. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs I haven’t done for my online shows before, and I always enjoy doing what I call “never done” songs for my group. Some of these songs are real gems that are so satisfying to share. Come on out if you’d like to be part of it.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I often say how special these evening are, and I expect this week will be the same kind of high. You are always welcome to tune in too. I’m sure I’ll do a few Easter tunes as well since it’s Easter Sunday.

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That’s it for this week. I find myself think about breathing constantly through the day while reading this book. Am I breathing through my nose? Am I taking deep or shallow breaths? Do I feel relaxed through my torso and shoulders? It’s fascinating!

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of “never done” songs

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

When:  Wednesday, March 28, 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 31, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Spring

Tuesday is the first day of Spring, and that’s a marker for a change of attitude as the earth tilts - and we with it. I’ve always felt connected to the earth. In general we aren’t very linked to it though since most of us live our lives fairly isolated from the outdoors in comfortable buildings and vehicles. I’ve been watching a series of videos lately about ancient Pueblo culture ruins that has made me think much more about living closer to the earth. It amazes me how Native Americans for the most part understood how to manage the land and our involvement with it for centuries or millennia. I think that happens when you live so closely with the changes that occur in the land and weather. After all, that’s why calendars and star gazing developed - we were trying to understand our relationship to the seasonal changes we felt around us. So what do I feel in my bones this Spring? Well, I feel the beginnings of the energy surge to prepare for a busy growing season on our property and in my work. I’m always amazed how this wave comes over me and drives me to new heights. Even when I feel a little less ambitious there is something inside me with that earth connection that sweeps me up and compels me to go, go, go! I’m hopeful that it will always be there as each year rolls around. How about you? Can you feel the Spring inside you?

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and most of them really wanted to hear the Irish music I was feeling in my blood. The songs of Ireland are so engaging!

My Wednesday online show was Irish tunes, and we did a lot of them with a fun crowd. I even had a little Irish whiskey to grease my throat - as one of those songs says.

My Sunday online show was also Irish music since Sunday was St. Patrick’s Day. It was so much fun, and I had a great audience to help celebrate.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 13 senior facilities this week, and I’m hoping they still want to hear some Irish songs since I’m not quite ready to let those go for another year. If they don’t that’s okay too. I love playing for them!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Spring songs since Tuesday is the first day of Spring. There are so many uplifting and beautiful songs for Spring, and I’m really looking forward to playing them. Come on out if you can!

Saturday I’m playing for another friend’s memorial who was taken too soon. I guess I’m at that age. I’m happy to lend whatever I can to help folks remember and celebrate their loved ones.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be back to favorites and requests after doing Irish tunes last week. I always look forward to these evenings of great requests and variety with my stellar folks who come out to listen and support me and each other. You’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this week. I did book a few more things I may not have mentioned yet. One is a concert at the La Veta Pines RV Park in La Veta on Sunday, September 1st at 7:00. I’ll reschedule my Sunday online show that week. Another is a concert at the Center for Inner Peace in Pueblo tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 4th at 7:00 although we may push it to a week earlier. I’ll confirm this week. I also got the schedule for the Yellow Pine Barbecue for the summer. We’ll start on June 13th and go every Thursday until August 8th except for July 4th. They’re not having a barbecue that night. They will also have the annual end-of-season bring-you-own appetizer and beverage evening on September 5th. I’ll have more details as we approach these dates as well as Facebook events. Thank you for your friendship and support. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Spring songs

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

When:  Wednesday, March 20, 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 24, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Irish

It’s the time of year to celebrate Irish heritage with St. Patrick’s Day. I learn more Irish songs every year, and I ponder what Irish ancestry I might have as I look at a picture of my great-great-great-great-grandfather William Bell’s headstone in Quebec where he was buried in 1816. The genealogy that my mother had done before she passed in 2015 said that William was born in Ireland in 1739. He joined the British Army as a drummer boy and served in the French and Indian War in the US and Canada which ended in 1760 and then later in the war of 1812. I don’t know who his parents were or what they did in Ireland. I often think of what life must have been like for them. Were they subject to the oppression that many Irish knew and rebelled against? Were they musicians? Is that why I have such a deep affection for Irish songs, particularly the ones that get my blood up? I have no doubt that my love for some Irish tunes seems timeless and eternal. I know several versions of “The Water Is Wide” - some even with words written by me. The melody of that tune and several others like the “Mist-Covered Mountains” and the “Wexford Carol” just haunt me like no other songs. I hope to someday know more about my ancestry overseas, but for now I just imagine the lives of those ancestors and celebrate them with the music of Ireland. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Erin go Bragh!

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities scheduled last week, but since I had Covid the previous week 2 of them cancelled to fit their guidance around Covid. I did test negative finally which is a relief since I never really did test negative in December when I had Covid.

My Wednesday online show was doing more great songs from 1971, and I had a large group of folks out to hear these tunes and reminisce about that time. It was a blast!

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests, and there were some really good songs for this show as well as a few new tunes that I really enjoyed. It was a fine audience again - love these folks!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m having such a good time playing Irish songs for them all and telling funny Irish jokes and stories. They seem to really enjoy them.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Irish songs to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. I have well over 100 Irish songs in my repertoire now, and I’m just loving playing them. Come on out and join in!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will also be Irish songs on St. Patrick’s Day. I’ll probably even have a little Irish whiskey to honor the day, so it’ll be a lively show. I’d love to have you with me too!

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That’s it for this week. I just love this time of year with the chance to share some different tunes and some vibrant energy.

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 13, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Irish songs on St. Patrick’s Day 

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

When:  Sunday, March 17, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Sick

Well, I officially tested positive for Covid last week although it felt like a brief cold. I tested positive the day before the CDC changed its guidance on isolating and precautions. I’m happy to try to use every smart practice with disease, but it’s so confusing knowing what to do in so many situations around health. I very much respect all the science that goes on around diseases and illness, but it leaves me asking more questions most of the time. That’s unfortunate because it leads to a level of distrust around science and medicine that’s unwarranted. We have all heard the news about new science and medicine studies that we scratch our heads over when they seem to contradict a different study we heard sometimes in the same year. I follow science stories weekly and am so impressed with the knowledge and empathy that so many scientists have in their work and relationships. It really is a field where the majority are working from the right place as far as sincerity and honesty. Many even have the balance of spirituality and religious conviction to temper their science. That helps me have understanding for the perceived conflicts and confusion I see when I consider my own dealings with health and illness. I do trust that the science is always improving and giving me the best information I can get. Still I live day to day with some uncertainty, but I don’t let it bother me too much. Hey, I’m well today, and I never let my health be taken for granted.

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What have I been up to?

I had 6 senior facilities last week, but when I tested positive for Covid I cancelled 3 of them Thursday and Friday to be safe and follow guidance. I surely missed the folks, but I’m happy to consider their safety first. I’m right at the start of playing Irish tunes for them!

My Wednesday online show playing songs from 1971 was so much fun even though I had to stop to mute and blow my nose a few times. (Sorry about that!) 1971 had some super songs. We still had a blast, and we’ll do it again this week!

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests as always, and I had a wonderful group of folks with some great requests. I busted out my Irish guitar, and it sang like a banshee.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week although one cancelled to follow their guidance around Covid, and I’m waiting to hear back from 2 others whether they need to cancel for their guidance too. I love playing for these folks, and I’m happy to keep them safe although I’ll miss them if they have to cancel.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be another batch of songs from 1971. This was a great year of music, and I’m really enjoying reconnecting with these tunes. Come on out and join in with my great music folks.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and after last week’s banner evening I don’t know if we can top it this week. But I’m willing to try! You’re always welcome, and I’m happy to do a request for you.

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That’s it for this week. I’m so happy that my illness was short-lived and not bad at all. I hope you are well and happy too!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs from 1971 again!

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

When:  Wednesday, March 6, 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 10, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Drive

I was in the middle of four gigs last Friday when someone in the audience said I was really “on” that day. I told him that I had four gigs that day, and I was pouring all my energy into every one of them. It was true statement, and then I wondered where I got the drive to push so hard. I often think about this same thing when I’m in the middle of my exercise routine in the morning. Sometimes we humans just seem to have a fire within us that isn’t dependent upon caffeine or angst or a desire to succeed. Sometimes it’s just a joy to be in the moment and giving all we have. It seems to be a trait that is just part of being alive. I know that not everyone feels this, but I think everyone can with the right outlook and awareness of just how special this life is. So here’s to giving your all every day in every way. 

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What have I been up to?

I had 13 senior facilities last week - a lot of music and a lot of good folks to see. It was a wonderful week. 

My Wednesday online show was doing songs from my albums and new songs I’ve written since my last album. Unfortunately my computer crashed just before the start of the show, so I had to scramble to change my setup so I could do the show from my phone. I was about 15 minutes late, but we still had a great time, and I really enjoyed playing songs that I love and don’t perform all that often. I’ll do another night of album songs soon. 

My Sunday online show was requests and favorites as always, and it was one of the most enjoyable nights I’ve had in a long time. I had so many nice folks tune in, and in reminded how much I like doing these online shows. 

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What ask I up to this week?

I have 6 senior facilities this week, and it seems like a vacation after having 13 last week. I know they’ll all be wonderful. I’ll start doing Irish tunes this week too as we approach St. Patrick’s Day. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from 1971, and there are some great ones. This is the era of music that really represents my style of music with all the folk rock artists that were popular then. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it should be another sweet night of tunes and friendship. I love these evenings so much! Come on it and share it with me. 

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That’s it for this week. The weather is really changing here, and I’m starting to think about spring and summer. I feel the drive building inside me!

Best always,

Tom 

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs from 1971

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

When:  Wednesday, February 28, 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 3, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Albums

I’ve been thinking about albums lately. I haven’t made a new one since the beginning of the pandemic. That album started as a collection of original songs that I put on the back burner when I didn’t have enough songs written as my studio time came up and finished as a collection of favorite old country songs. I love the creative process, and I love writing and recording songs. Being in that flow of music and creation is just about the best thing I’ve ever been involved in. But it does cost quite a bit to make an album even though my good friend Don Richmond who owns the studio I record at (Howling Dog Studios) has always been more than fair with me on studio time and generosity of spirit and playing chops. (He can play anything I can play and so much more! We’ve even collaborated on a few songs.) But since the demise of the CD and other forms of physical recordings, the main way musicians make money is through performing and merch. Streaming music revenue is very small unless you have millions of listens. Performing is the main way I have made my living although album sales did help for a while. I’ve considered making more albums just for the joy of creation and the buzz of having something new out, but I honestly can’t afford it anymore. I never did like selling things anyway. I’m the last person to promote my stuff, and I never did get into other merch like books, art, and t-shirts. It just never felt right for me. Maybe I was never hungry enough. To make an album you have to have something you want to say or a drive to create something new. During the pandemic I was too busy trying to provide music to support my audience and my own psychic stability at a time when no one knew what tomorrow would bring. I’m still pretty busy doing that with online shows even though the emphasis has changed quite a bit with life assuming a more normal posture. I have written a few songs, and I’ve put most of them on my YouTube channel so people can hear them. I should probably record and release what I have written recently even if I don’t ever sell much of it. It’s funny how music over the last 150 years has been released and how musicians have made a living. At the beginning of that period you either made money by selling sheet music or by performing live. When recording technology became available it was possible to make the majority from selling recordings although most musicians loved to perform live too and would promote their recordings through those performances. Nowadays it really is mainly through performing again since streaming is not a viable means of income for most. I think our society still values music. It is very easy to access now with the internet and streaming, and it is much easier to create it especially as AI becomes better and more prevalent. I don’t think that music and that form of creativity will ever not be part of our culture although the world is swiftly changing. (Was that a pun on Taylor Swift?) Anyway, these are just my thoughts as I contemplate playing songs off my albums at this upcoming Wednesday’s online show.

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and it was so much fun doing Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day songs for them. The folks really appreciate music and the good vibes that come from it.

My Wednesday online show doing love songs was better than I could have hoped for. There was a huge variety of love songs, and I had a wide-ranging audience from all over the place.

My Sunday online show of favorites and requests had some great requests and a couple new songs to boot. I love doing these online shows for my wonderful audience.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 13 senior facilities this week, and I’m really looking forward to all of them. Following the holidays of February I will do different kinds of shows with just a little leftover love songs and some anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs off my albums as I wrote above. I may include a couple new songs I have written since the albums too for a little variety. It’s surprising how little I really play some of these album songs even though they are old friends. There’s just too much music out there to play! Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’ve been trying to take the time to learn at least a couple new tunes every week for this show. My audience is just the best, and I would love to have you join in. 

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That’s it for this week. The weather seems to have shifted here to a warmer pattern, and I’m starting to feel a little Spring in the air. I hope you are well and hearty and enjoying life.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs off my albums

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

When:  Wednesday, February 21, 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 25, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

What Is Love?

Deep question this morning - what is love? It’s a word we throw around a lot, but it has so many shades of meaning. Last year I did a couple different shows so I could do some general love songs as well as some romantic love songs. I learned a song by Peter Mayer called “What Is Love” last year that expressed love as an even deeper meaning - making love a force in the shaping of the universe. I’ve thought of it this way too, going back to my church upbringing when I first heard that God is love. Maybe the force that we see as all the interworkings of the universe as an intelligence that may be God or the physics of dark matter and gravity is really love at its core. I know it’s a little simple, but I like that simplicity myself. I have this sense that things that we complicate with science and study in this life may be really easy to understand at some point, and I’ve always felt that this is really what love is. So if love is that big, is it still something that’s applicable to romance and love in general? Absolutely! It’s all related to our experience in this life in our interaction with everything and everyone we meet. It’s easy. All you need is love! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week although one was cancelled due to miscommunication. One of the downsides to a lot of senior facilities is high turnover, and this has often led to scheduling changes for me over the years as people move on and facilities change ownership or management. It’s all about spreading some encouragement to the people I get to play for though, so I roll with the punches.


My Wednesday online show was playing Mardi Gras songs, and it was a blast. I guess Jen and I will actually have to go to Mardi Gras one year to drink in all the excitement and history that I feel in the music.

My Sunday online show was a special one at my friends Matt and Deann’s house - doing a bunch of love songs that Deann picked out for many folks in our audience. It’s always fun having a live audience for my online shows, and this one was really special. Even though it was up against the Super Bowl I still had a good group of people in attendance who sang along and shared the love.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and they should all be wonderful. The time I get to spend with these folks is irreplaceable.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be love songs for Valentine’s Day, and I plan to do all kinds of love songs and requests as well as maybe the song I wrote about above by Peter Mayer. Come on out if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be back to favorites and requests this week. I had a couple neat songs I’m working on that were requested in the last couple weeks that I think you’ll really like. I’ll add some other favorites and take some new requests too, so it should be a great show. You’re always welcome to join in!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re still pondering what love is - just as I am as I wrote above. It’s a big concept that deserves some thought. Have a great week!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of love songs for Valentine’s Day

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

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