Tuzi and Retirement

Well, I’m sitting here with our little cat, Tuzi, sleeping in my lap while I contemplate all that’s happened in the last 3+ weeks and where we’re headed. I wrote a couple weeks ago about where Tuzi was in her medical journey. Since then she had successful surgery and several more days in the hospital before she returned home for a rough weekend where her levels crashed and she had to go back in the hospital. It’s the following weekend now, and we’re hoping she can go home tomorrow now that she’s stable and we have a better plan. I have canceled all my upcoming gigs because she needs a tube feeding 4 times a day plus meds and a daily injection of subcutaneous fluids. There’ll be more treatments and changes coming.

I have contemplated slowing down or retiring quite a bit and have mentioned it several times to friends and in my blog posts, and it appears that might be what this is. I told a good friend this morning that that notion felt very peaceful, but it also felt like driving off a cliff. Of course I will be so busy taking care of Tuzi and so it’s not the same as someone who really retires and instantly has nothing to do, but it gives me a similar curious twinge. I have a lot of things I want to do when I really do retire with nothing to do. There is always a lot of maintenance on our property that gets neglected, and there are several improvement projects we’ve never done. I’ve acquired some tools this year in anticipation of accomplishing those projects. I want to spend more time in the mountains, and we’d like to travel to so many places here and abroad. We could move to a smaller place at some point too. That is very appealing. 

As much as I love playing music, I’m not sure how big a space that will continue to occupy in my life. It takes time playing often just to maintain callouses on fingertips and pitch and technique in the vocal cords - not to mention the mental sharpness that comes with repetition that helps you keep time accurately and coordinate everything easily and with finesse.  I get rusty pretty quickly, but time will tell. During the pandemic I couldn’t stop playing, and that’s why I recorded a whole channel of public domain songs on YouTube and many hours of video shows for my senior facilities to use. I do have some pain in my hands and fingers in addition to bad veins in my legs from standing when I’m playing. My voice is pretty gravelly now too, and I’ve lost notes at the top and bottom of my range. I listen to old recordings and marvel at what I could play and sing when I was younger. 

I’ve also always had a drive to run as fast as I can in life from a young age when I thought I was invincible. I would push myself in so many ways. One way was to schedule gigs shoehorned so close together that I had to really rush and compromise my health or relationships. I’m not sure where this came from. Maybe it was just trying to get by in my early career - or maybe I was trying to prove something about myself. I’ve definitely accomplished a lot, but it was often without sleep or real preparation - relying on talent and luck to see me through. I still feel this urge to push as if I’m trying to impress someone. It makes no sense. In fact, I see this time as an opportunity to let that go. I did let go of some of it during the pandemic when everything stopped, but maybe I can take a deep breath and learn to stop pushing even more now.

So I really see this new chapter as a good thing although it comes with so much angst and care for our little cat Tuzi and her well-being. Life is an adventure, and we lace up our boots and head off into the day with joy and awareness.

Even though I have canceled all my gigs. I hope to be able to do some online shows when time permits. I will post these as events on Facebook when I can fit them in - sometimes on the same day when I know our schedule. I will surely miss all the folks I usually see in a month, but we do what we need to do as we find ourselves in life’s flow. I’ll try to post my blog occasionally and send out updates when I can.

Best always,

Tom

Tuzi

We had an interesting week last week. Our cat Tuzi had a dental cleaning the previous Friday, and by Monday we knew she wasn’t quite right. She wasn’t eating normally, and she seemed a little sluggish. Tuesday morning we called the vet to see if we could get her in to get checked out. We finally got in by mid-afternoon, and her kidney levels were very high. We did some subcutaneous fluids and a couple other shots, and the vet said we could take her home and continue the fluids with some other meds. She said it might be smart to take her to the animal ER to get her on IV fluids if we really wanted to make sure she was okay. The ER checked her over a little better and found with an ultrasound that she had a mass on her intestines. They recommended she be checked into the hospital next door to stabilize her more and to have surgery to remove the mass. So that’s where we are as I write this on Sunday. We don’t know what the mass is, but she has had good fluids and some food that have brought her levels back to normal. After the surgery she’ll be able to come home by mid-week, and hopefully we can take care of her well. She’ll have an esophageal feeding tube for quite some time which will make it easier to give her food, water, and meds until she has healed. We’ll find out what the mass is next week, and hopefully that won’t be anything bad. She was in the same hospital after we first got her 9 years ago for kidney issues caused by a wrong drug she was prescribed. It will be a lot of work caring for her until she’s stable with healing abdominal surgery and a feeding tube. I’ll stay home as much as I can to help Jen with her. This will mean cancelling my senior facilities for a while although I’ll try to keep some gigs when I can. Our pets have always been our family, and right now we’ll pull together to support Tuzi. 

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What have I been up to? 

I cancelled all but 4 of my senior facilities where they fit in with our trips to Colorado Springs to see Tuzi. I enjoyed seeing the folks. 

The party I did on Wednesday evening in the Cuchara for the Hermosa group was wonderful. I’ll miss seeing those folks. 

My Sunday online show was my normal favorites and requests, and there were some great requests and kind support for Tuzi. I love these folks. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 15 senior facilities scheduled for this week, but I’ll probably end up cancelling most of them depending on how we’re doing with Tuzi. 

Wednesday I won’t do an online show so I can be there for Tuzi since she will have just come home hopefully. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as long as we have Tuzi settled into a routine. 

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That’s it for this week. Life is always full of surprises. Send our little girl some good thoughts and energy if you would including a prayer if you’re a praying person. We’re all in this together. 

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

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, August 23, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Tending

I’ve written before of how I like it when things are done, but it occurred to me Sunday morning as I was mowing and trimming that there is great satisfaction in tending things and guiding their growth and development. I’m not saying I do a great job making the yard, trees, and bushes grow, but I do like seeing how they respond to care and direction. I don’t know why I’m just coming around to seeing that at 65 years of age, but it’s better late than never, I guess. I’ve never been much of a planner, but I can see especially how those who came before made a difference that lasted with the land. Look at how the Native Americans maintained the forests and grasslands with planned burns and respect for the animals. Look at how good farmers understand how to protect the land with cover crops snd rotation. Look at how good parents and mentors know when to discourage and when to encourage their children and charges. I think of my parents when I say this. They knew pretty well when to jump in and when to pull back in our lives, and they did an amazing job planting and tending trees and making a garden in more than one place. It not only takes hard work, but it also takes so much planning and care. And obviously it goes into all the aspects of our lives. Thoughtful living and conscious stewardship are a must in any society that thrives. How about you? Do you think of the things you tend in your life?

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and I did a pretty big variety of songs for all of them. One of them I just did old TV and movie themes and a few ads for. That was crazy! I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show was playing traveling songs, and it was so much fun. We haven’t traveled this year, and so it was an opportunity to travel in our minds a bit. The group really gave me some super requests.

Thursday was the final barbecue of the season for the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, and it was very sweet. I had some good friends in the group, and we did a proper send-off for the season. Hopefully we'll be back at it next year!

Friday night I played a dance in Cuchara with my friend Dennis Mills, and it was a wonderful success with lots of folks coming out and kicking up their heels. I’m only sorry that Bruce (the organizer for the dance) isn’t completely well yet and couldn’t make it.

Saturday I had a birthday party for one of my old fans and friends from the Royal Gorge Bridge. Frank was turning 80, and it was great to see him and his family and reminisce a bit about the days I played up there and did a history show as well.

My Sunday online show was very enjoyable too with some good folks making some great requests. I love these folks as well.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week as well, and I’m looking forward to doing some more interesting themes for August. Every day is an adventure.

Wednesday I won’t be doing an online show because I’ll be playing a party for the Cuchara Hermosa, a women’s group I’ve been playing events for in Cuchara for many years. They do so many wonderful things in the community, and it’s a pleasure getting to play for them.

This weekend I hope to see family down in New Mexico at our family cabins since there are some I haven’t seen in over a year.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’ll be bringing some great energy from the mountains so you know it’ll be a fun show. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. The summer is almost over, and we’ve been setting heat records here in southern Colorado. It was 105 degrees yesterday - ugh. I’m definitely ready for some fall weather. 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 favorites and requests 

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

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

Traveling

I’m doing traveling songs this Wednesday, and although we haven’t really traveled this year I still feel the pull of wanderlust. What is it about new sights and the unknown that enchants us so? I can’t really express the sense of freedom and delight I get from exploring. Getting to leave everything behind and just setting off over the horizon is so magical. It’s full of possibility - both good and bad. When we were kids it seemed that the car always had to break down somewhere with a flat tire or overheating engine, and if we flew there were often delays. But the thrill of seeing something new and novel was so exciting. I still feel that today when we do get to travel. I have to juxtapose that with the fact that coming home always means a ton of work - from putting things away to catching up on mail and the house and getting back into the routine. But you get to leave that all in the rear-view mirror when you travel. It’s so much like a dream! I hope you’re getting to travel - even if it’s only in a good book or story.

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What have I been up to?

I had 6 senior facilities last week, and they were all lovely. This time of year is fun because there really aren’t any seasonal songs since the next holiday is over a month away. So we get to pick a theme for every show I do. The sky is the limit! I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was blues music with a history of early blues thrown in for good measure. I learned a lot about blues while studying up for this show. For instance, did you know that western Africa had a heavy Arabic Muslim influence that may have contributed to the microtonal notes of the blues and later jazz? Fascinating!

Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was a wonderful group of folks including 4 Philmont friends who drove up from northern New Mexico and southern Colorado to join me. It was a blast!

Friday I had a perfect night for playing at the Pueblo Riverwalk with a lot of good folks in attendance. It has rained on me the last few times I’ve played there, so this was a real treat. Thanks you to all my old friends who came out!

Saturday I played for Colorado Day at El Pueblo Museum in Pueblo. It was a nice outdoor stage with lots of fun entertainment and nice folks. El Pueblo is a treasure! Happy 150th birthday, Colorado!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and we had a fine bunch of folks with some great tunes. It was a pleasure!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to playing for all of them.  I say it often, but I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be traveling songs as I wrote of above. There is such a wealth of great songs about traveling, from Ricky Nelson’s “Traveling Man” to Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” to my own “The Road” there is such a celebration of traveling. Please tune in if you can.

Thursday 6:30-8 is the last barbecue of the summer for the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch. I enjoy these nights so much, and if you’d like to come experience this fun event in the old barn you’ll have to call right now for a reservation - 719-742-3528. It’s worth the beautiful drive!

Friday night 7-9 I’m playing a dance at the Cuchara Community Center with my good friend Dennis Mills on bass. These dances are so much fun, and the whole community comes out to enjoy the beautiful mountain night. You’re welcome to come as well. The admission is free although there is a donation spot if you’d like to contribute to the Cuchara Community Recreation folks. They do so many fun things for folks throughout the year.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s always a great way to end or start the week depending on how you look at your calendar. I’m always up for a fun request, and you’re always welcome.

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That’s it for this week. I can’t believe it’s already August. Where does the time go?

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of traveling songs 

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque 

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

When:  Thursday, August 6, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch and Dennis Mills 

What:  playing a free dance of country and rock and roll 

Where:  Cuchara Community Center, 16500 State Highway 12, Cuchara, CO 

When:  Friday, August 7, 7-9 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, August 9, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Blues

I’m doing a show on Wednesday of blues tunes, and I thought I’d talk about the blues and what they mean to me. I didn’t really understand the blues until I was in my late 20s. I didn’t grow up listening to them, and although blues did influence the rock and roll I listened  to I never really “got” them. I did like R&B and other more syncopated music, so it wasn’t really that I was too Caucasian to relate like some folks are. It was more that I just wasn’t exposed to them. I have really found that you have to be steeped in a style of music before you really understand it and feel it. I found this with country, bluegrass, and jazz as well. You don’t really internalize what you’re listening to and even that you’re playing until you’ve somehow unconsciously digested it. It’s just how we process anything that’s new to us. I wish this was something we were taught when we’re young. You don’t really “get” something until you’ve spent a lot of time with it. Sometimes you have a knack for something and can get it quicker, but it still takes exposure and awareness. So this is how it was for me with the blues. Little by little I “got” them. A box set of Robert Johnson’s music helped this along. Playing the blues in a band helped a lot too. You have to ease into them and kind of turn off your brain and just feel the blues. I’ve sat in with a touring blues band, and I found that a little limiting, but I still enjoyed the moment. I still don’t profess to be able to go to that place in my soul where the blues is born, but I’m close. How about you?

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and I did play a lot of cowboy songs as I thought I might since I was doing cowboy songs for my Wednesday online show. I saw a lot of smiles as folks remembered these old songs. 

My Wednesday online show was cowboy tunes once again, and this time I did relatively newer songs, and they were so well received. These old tunes are just wonderful. 

Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was a busy one again with lots of good people. The barbecue was so tasty, and folks danced to a bunch of songs. 

Friday and Saturday I led some songs in song circles that were so much fun at the Philmont Scout Ranch Rayado reunion. We had a hammered dulcimer and a flute player sitting in, and the sound was wonderful!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some really good songs requested and played. These Sundays are so special. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have only 6 senior facilities this week since it’s the fifth week of the month, and I have repeating gigs that don’t often fall on the last week of the month. I’ll bet I end up playing some blues since the blues will be in my mind with my Wednesday show. It’ll be fun!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be blues as I wrote above. It should be a really enjoyable show with some upbeat as well as gritty tunes. Come on out if you want a little bluesy energy. 

Thursday night 6:30-8 I’m back at the Yellow Pine Barbecue for some friendly faces and good food and music in the old barn. This is the next-to-last barbecue of the season, and I’m going to be sad when it ends. We have such a good time, and Cuchara is such a beautiful place to spend an evening. I’d love to have you there too. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now.

Friday night 7-8:30 I’ll be at the Pueblo Riverwalk at the north end by the big fountain and the western statues in what they call the Gateway Plaza. I always enjoy playing there, and it’s really the only place I play in Pueblo for the general public anymore. Come on out!

Saturday 1:15 to 1:45 I’ll be playing at El Pueblo Museum for their Colorado Day celebration. It’ll be indoors, and I’ll be singing fun Colorado songs. Come out if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s a most rewarding evening of tunes and friendship. Honestly we have such a good time. Come on out and join in!

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That’s it for this week. This summer continues to roll along like a wild horse ride!

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of blues songs 

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

When:  Wednesday, July 29, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque 

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

When:  Thursday, July 30, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing on the Riverwalk

Where:  Pueblo Riverwalk Gateway Stage in the Gateway Plaza, Pueblo, CO

When:  Friday, July 31, 7-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing songs for Colorado Day

Where:  El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N Union, Pueblo, CO

When:  Saturday, August 1, 1:15-1:45 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, August 2, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Renewal

I’ve been watching everything happening with the Aspen Acres fire in southern Colorado this past 3 weeks with fear and empathy. I lived in Beulah off and on for 3 years 40 years or so ago, and my wife Jen was living there when we first got together back then. Her old place burned in this latest fire although the cabin I lived in is still standing, I think. I have several friends who lost their homes or cabins or had to evacuate, and although we weren’t in much danger 15 miles away, it still had me thinking about what we would do if we lost our home and had to start over. Of course, there would be a tremendous feeling of loss, but once we had grieved there would also be a time of release and an opportunity for renewal. I think we often long for renewal. That kind of reset is scary but also healthy for us. Just like a fire triggers new life in the forest or a flood feeds the fields, a tragedy often lets us reflect on what is important and clears the excess baggage we accumulate in our lives and in our minds. My extended family tends to collect a lot of things. That makes it great when you want some piece of historical memorabilia from an ancestor 200 years ago, but it also makes it darn hard to move. I would never want to lose my heritage, but I also value the idea of having everything I value in my pack on my back. I often think of the pioneers venturing out across the continent with nothing but their hopes and dreams and a few possessions. What a chance for renewal! Do you think about it too?

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and I really enjoyed playing for them all. I actually did a lot of cowboy songs for them. I love taking them on an adventure of music for an hour.

My Wednesday online show was cowboy songs, and I ended up doing mostly historical songs or songs about historical topics. I don’t know if most folks like a history lesson, but the folks tuned in that night said they really enjoyed it. I loved getting to play some old favorites and telling them a few stories.

Thursday night at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was a really nice night of familiar faces and old friends. Big shout out to Charlie and Janet - they’re celebrating their anniversary.

I played Sunday morning for Cuchara Chapel - leading their Sunday outdoor service and singing “Beulah Land” in tribute to the folks who are going through the fire. They also did a tribute to Don Pike and his wife. Don has been very helpful with the chapel over the years.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and it was quite a potpourri of different songs. I think everyone loved it. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I think I’ll be singing more cowboy songs for them. The veterans’ home in Florence has been under evacuation these last 2 weeks, and they’ll be back this Thursday so It’ll be great to see them.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be more cowboy songs, and this week I’ll sing more of the movie and recent cowboy songs that we didn’t get to last week. There are just so many great cowboy songs! Come on out if this appeals to you.

Thursday night 6:30- 8 I’m back at the Yellow Pine Barbecue for some great food and tunes with good folks in the old barn. This is such a fun night, and we only have 3 more Thursdays before we stop for the season. I’d love to have you there if you’re in southern Colorado. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now.

Friday night and Saturday I’m down at Philmont Scout Ranch to lead a song circle and see many old friends at the Rayado 50-Year Reunion. 49 years ago I went on a two-week Rayado trek that honestly changed my life in so many ways - giving me the confidence and gumption to succeed in my young life. This will be a pleasure.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and you know it’ll be a worthwhile evening. The folks really feed the good vibes at these show, and you’re always welcome.

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That’s it for this week. This has been such a whirlwind summer, and sometimes I never want it to end!

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of more cowboy songs 

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque 

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

When:  Thursday, July 23, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

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

Cowboys

I have been enchanted by cowboy history and lore for all my life. Of course, you have to know that western TV shows and movies were all the rage when I was kid. Every friend I knew had a hat, boots, and toy guns. Playing “cowboys and Indians” was a regular pastime. (To tell the truth, I was also into Native American stories and history.) When I was in college I worked at a cowboy camp one summer at Philmont Scout Ranch that led me to study historical cowboy songs and the history of the cattle trails and ranches in the early west. I felt compelled to learn all I could about the realities of early cowboy life and also the mythology that led to all the western movies and shows I love. Since that time I have continued to be enamored with cowboys. I’ve done cowboy campfires at several guest ranches. I’ve done cowboy history shows at schools and historic events. I regularly do cowboy songs at my senior facilities and other venues. I just love the rough and rowdy as well as the lonely and vulnerable stories of the old west. How about you? Do you have a fondness for cowboy lore?

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and surprisingly they still wanted to hear patriotic songs for Independence Day even though it had already passed. I even did a short version of the history show I did on July 1st for one place. I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was doing beach songs, and it was so much fun. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. I loved getting into the feeling of being near the waves with my toes in the sand.

The Thursday barbecue at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch was packed again, and it was a great crowd of nice folks who really gave some nice energy.

Saturday night I played a dance at the Cuchara Community Center with my friend Dennis Mills on bass that was also a blast. It’s so much fun to play music where you stress the beat to drive people to dance. Cuchara folks are so genuine and kind.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and it was a little different assortment of tunes this time as I picked some I haven’t done in a long while. Love these folks!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I think I’ll choose a theme for each one and run with it. I’m sure some will want to hear the cowboy songs I’ll be doing for my Wednesday online show too.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing cowboy songs and history. I love doing these songs so much, and getting the opportunity to dedicate a whole show to them is the best. Please tune in if this sounds like a show you’d enjoy.

Thursday night 6:30-8 I’m back at the barbecue at the Yellow Pine. These nights have been so much fun this summer, and it’s so gratifying to enjoy a night in this classic mountain barn under the stars. I’d love to see you there if it sounds good to you. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now.

Sunday morning 10-11 I’m playing an outdoor service at the Cuchara Chapel in Cuchara, Colorado. I’ve always really enjoyed the folks at this chapel, and the guest speaker, Morgan Stokes, is from Austin, Texas, and I’m really looking forward to hearing him speak. Come on out if this appeals to you and you’re in the southern Colorado area.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I know it’ll be a good night because it always is! Come on out and join in.

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That’s it for this week. This has been a heck of a summer, and it’s only half over. There’s so much more adventure to be had. I hope 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 cowboy songs

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, July 16, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for chapel service

Where:  Cuchara Chapel, 16400 CO Hwy 12, Cuchara, CO

When:  Sunday, July 19, 9-10

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

When:  Sunday, July 19, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Beaches

It’s the time of the year when people go to the beach if they have an ocean nearby or a lake or swimming hole with a sandy shore.  I have some wonderful memories of being at the beach by both the Atlantic and the Pacific. There’s something about being that close to the ocean so powerful, and the birds and shells and sometimes wildlife are so thrilling. Camping near the ocean or even sleeping in a motel with the window open to hear the sound of the surf is so calming. I’ve made wind chimes from the washed-up small pieces of wood with their hollow ring. I’ve sat and played my guitar on the beach and dunes - drawing inspiration from the wonder of it all. I’ve fished with friends in the surf and caught small and large fish (I caught the small and my friend caught the large!) Jen and I have walked for miles and the beach just enjoying the sound of the birds and bells on the buoys. I can imagine that living near a beach would be intoxicating - improving life by the magic of the ancient forces being so close. There are just so many amazing things about being on a beach, and I have been there many times. So this Wednesday I will do show about beaches on my online show. It will be so cool to immerse myself in songs about such an enthralling place.

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What have I been up to?

I had 6 senior facilities last week, and we were celebrating 250 years of independence with lots of patriotic songs for most of them. I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was doing 250 years of American music that commented on the history of different eras and events. I suppose it was a real history lesson, and the audience was so appreciative and engaged.

Thursday night at the Yellow Pine barbecue was packed, and it was such a good time. They had a special banner for 250 years and a large American flag for folks to take pictures in front of, and I did several patriotic songs that people sang along to.

Friday I played in La Veta in the park to a great crowd of folks who were enjoying the day after a patriotic parade while looking at all the cool artwork that people were selling. It was a fine time.

My Sunday online show had some great requests, and even though I was really tired from being with family July 4th and playing music into the wee hours, the music really flowed.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I think I’ll probably play them some of the beach songs I’m doing for my Wednesday online show. That should fun!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing beach songs as I said above. This ought to be a really fun show with all the great beach songs we’ll do. I’d love to have you go to the beach with me!

Thursday night 6:30-8 I’m back at the Yellow Pine Barbecue, and I’m sure it’ll be a spicy night of barbecue and good times in the old barn. You’re always welcome, and I think anyone would really enjoy it. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now.

Saturday 7-9 I’m playing a free dance at the Cuchara Community Center with my good friend Dennis Mills on bass and vocals. This old facility is so cool, and these dances are so much fun. I get to stretch out on some great dance tunes, and the community really comes out and celebrates. I’d love to have you there as well if you’d like to come dance in the mountains where the air is crisp and the music is cookin’!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s always such a sweet night of friendship and good choices in music. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. I’m riding the wave of summer as best as I can, but it’s almost kicking my butt with so much to do. But I rise and have a blast. I hope you do too.

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of beach songs

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, July 9, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch and Dennis Mills

What:  playing a free dance of country and rock and roll

Where:  Cuchara Community Center, 16500 State Highway 12, Cuchara, CO

When:  Friday, July 11, 7-9 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, July 12, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

250 Years of Music

This week we celebrate 250 years of independence here in the U.S. on July 4th. It has been an interesting 250 years. It hasn’t been easy, and we have struggled through a lot of good and bad from so many different perspectives. Most of us know our history from a broad understanding ranging from the start where we broke away from England with a fresh look at how to run a country to our struggles with westward expansion, slavery, big business, wars, and worldwide dominance. All of it is based on that little promise of what we could be that Thomas Jefferson so eloquently stated 250 years ago - “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It’s so hard to get inside the heads of those who lit our flame of independence and those who helped build our country over these last 250 years. But music often reflects the populace in a very revealing way. I love historical music. I love the way it speaks to what people were feeling at different points in history. When I sing these songs I’m able to step inside the shoes of the people who wrote and sang these songs. Music is so powerful in this way. From “Yankee Doodle” to “Sweet Betsy from Pike” to “All Quiet Along the Potomac” to “The Charleston” to “Born in the U.S.A.” I can feel what people were going through in these times of history in a very direct way. This Wednesday I’ll do an online show featuring 20 or so songs from American history that bring me closer to understanding what my forebears were going through during different glimpses of their lives over the past 250 years. It should be enlightening!

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they were all very satisfying with good songs and good folks. I love playing these shows, and I’ll definitely miss them when it comes time to retire.

My Wednesday show was doing songs by Canadian songwriters to celebrate Canada Day. I think everyone was pleasantly surprised by how many great songs come from our Canadian brothers and sisters. We’ll have to do it again sometime.

Thursday night at the Yellow Pine barbecue was also a wonderful night of good food and good people. We were not full up although I know this week will definitely be hopping before the 4th of July.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some really diverse requests. This group really knows some good music!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 6 senior facilities this week, and I’m sure I’ll be doing some of the songs I’m doing from my Wednesday online show for these folks too. This is definitely a great time of the summer.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from 250 years of American history as I wrote above. I’m having a great time putting together this show, and I’d love to play for you too if you’d like to join in. 

Thursday night 6:30-8 I’ll be playing the barbecue at Yellow Pine Guest Ranch in Cuchara, CO, and it should be a really fun night of tunes and yummy barbecue. We do the barbecue in a historic barn built in the 1880s, and it has all the fixin’s including brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausage with corn on the cob, rolls, potato salad, ranch-style beans, pickled onions, jalapeños, peach cobbler with ice cream and roasting marshmallows by the fire for s’mores. I play music for listening and dancing, and I take requests. It’s just a blast! Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now.

Friday 11-2 I’ll be playing after the Independence Day parade in La Veta in the gazebo at the park on Ryus Avenue for Art in the Park. I’ve done this for many years, and it always makes for a perfect day under the big trees enjoying good food and cool crafts and art with my music. I’d love to see you there!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s always a highlight of the week. Good friends and good vibes just flow out of this show. Come on out and join in the fun.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day if you’re in America and that 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 songs from 250 years of American history

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

When:  Wednesday, July 1, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, July 2, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for SPACe Art in the Park

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

When:  Friday, July 3, 11 am - 2 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

When:  Sunday, July 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Canada

I’m going to play an online show on July 1 for Independence Day that highlights meaningful songs over the U.S.’s 250 years of existence. When I mentioned this to my online group one of my Canadian friends said that July 1 is Canada Day. So I decided that it would be fun to do a show of Canadian songwriters and Canadian songs this next Wednesday ahead of Canada Day. My family on my mother’s side emigrated from the old country to Canada where they lived for a generation before coming to the U.S., so I’ve always considered that I had a Canadian heritage. I’ve only been to Canada once. In 1967 my family went to Montreal to go to Expo 67, which was kind of a world’s fair and also a centennial celebration for Canada. We had so much fun, and all my family has great memories of being there, and so I have a very fond affection for Canada. I also highly respect the musicians, artists, and actors who have come from Canada. The arts are definitely cherished and supported in Canada, and I’ve always really been drawn to this as well. Our bucket list definitely includes a couple trips or more to Canada when I retire. So I will really enjoy playing Canadian songs and songs by Canadian artists for this show. 

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What have I been up to?

I had 15 senior facilities last week, and they were all a blast! I mostly did summer and father songs to celebrate summer solstice and Father’s Day. I think the folks really enjoyed it.

My Wednesday online show was summer songs again, and they were great fun too. It’s such a fun topic to dive into.

Thursday night at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was not as well attended as we hope for, but it was a good group of folks who were so attentive and into the food and music. There was a pretty sunset as we were wrapping up too, so overall it was a great evening.

My Sunday online show had so many sweet requests both for Father’s Day and everything else that I’m so grateful for. What a kind and thoughtful group of folks we have!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I’m sure we’ll be playing summer songs and some patriotic songs with Independence Day coming up. I may play some other themes too if folks are up for it. There is such a great energy at this time of year. I’m even playing for a 100th birthday this afternoon!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Canadian songwriters and Canadian songs as I wrote about above. Some of my favorites songs from Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, and Ian Tyson as well as others will definitely be included. Come on out!

Thursday 6:30-8 I’m playing the barbecue at Yellow Pine Ranch once again, and I always look forward to being in the great ambience of the old barn and the kind folks of Cuchara. It really is a fun evening of good food and music. I’d love to have you there if you’d like a pretty drive into the Cuchara Valley and an evening you won’t forget. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as ever, and it’s always the highlight of the week starting with a Zoom get-together a half hour before and then the show. Everyone is so caring and supportive, and they welcome everyone who tunes in. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. Life is so crazy in the summer, but I’m drinking it all in. I hope you are too!

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of summer songs

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, June 25, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

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