Full Sails

I was trading texts with my friend Don, and we both agreed that we don’t feel like the wind is in our sails of late. Some of it is the lingering of pandemic worries and not fully feeling engaged like we used to be. Some of it is just the season and a bit of malaise with the state of the world and general unrest. I think sometimes we need to inhale, and sometimes we need to exhale, and this time is kind of an “in between” with maybe a bit of holding a breath to see what comes next. I don’t mind these states of mind, but I always listen to them carefully to see if I’m wanting a bigger change or just a pause. I’m always a peaceful person who feels the oneness with others and with our earth. So here’s to licking a finger and putting it into the wind to feel where that wind is coming from, and then trimming the sails to catch it - no matter how light.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed every one. I need to catch up on some of the requests that my folks have made over the last couple months, but it’s all good.

My Wednesday online show doing fall songs was very enjoyable. There are so many great fall songs! We even did a couple of the more melancholy songs that people know about fall. I love this season!

My Sunday online show of requests was another fun night of sharing and great songs. This group never ceases to amaze me with their fine song requests and engagement with each other. It’s a family!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m rushing to finish this missive to get to the first one today!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the music of Kenny Loggins, Loggins and Messina, and Poco. I wanted to do Kenny Loggins and Loggins and Messina since the one flows to of the other, but I knew I didn’t have enough songs there for a full show, so I added Poco since they are a good fit. I also could have added Buffalo Springfield since Jim Messina was involved with them at the end of that band, but I thought Poco represented more of that early ‘70s into the ‘80s vibe. It will be night of music we’ve only hinted at before. Come on out!

Saturday 6-8 I’m playing for what will be an after-Oktoberfest party at Deerprint Wine in La Veta on the patio. It should be a really fun night of music, and I’m putting a lot of energy into it. I’d love to have you there if you’re in the area.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. We have such a good time at these shows, and you’re always welcome wherever you are to tune in and join in.

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That’s it for this week. I’m enjoying this fall although it’s honestly going too fast. Be well, and send some good thoughts and prayers to the folks in Florida as Hurricane Ian bears down on them.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of fall songs

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

When:  Wednesday, September 28, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:   Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing

Where:  Deerprint Wine & Bistro, 106 E. Francisco, La Veta, 719-650-2079

When:  Saturday, October 1, 6-8ish pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

When:  Sunday, October 2, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Ahh...Fall

There are two things happening this week that really signal that fall is here for me. 1) The first day of fall is on the 22nd, and 2) my family is closing cabins for the winter. Of course it’s getting cooler in the mornings which feels great, and the weeds I’ve been battling on our morning walks are drying and dying out so I don’t have to whack them daily. I love this time of year. The leaves are turning in the high country, and everything is slowing down. It just fills me with peace and completeness. We’ve planted mini/micro clover so we can phase out our grass to use less water in the future, and we're starting to turn our thoughts to plans for the winter. It is a time of reflection and introspection. So Wednesday evening I’ll celebrate this beautiful change of seasons with songs of fall. To me it is one big Ahh…

What have I been up to?

I forgot to say how many senior facilities I was playing for last week in my last blog. I actually had 9 in addition to playing for many of them at once at the Senior Safari at the Pueblo Zoo. I enjoyed every one of them although I confess I haven’t had time to keep up with learning requests for many of them.

Wednesday was the afore-mentioned Senior Safari which was a blast with so many familiar faces and such a wonderful energy in everyone involved. I hope this event can go many, many years into the future.

Wednesday was also my online concert of “middle-aged” country songs. It was really well-received, and many more people love country music in our group than I realized. We’ll have to do country more often.

Sunday my online show of favorites and requests was so much fun even though several of our regulars couldn’t make it. We have such a giving and caring group who love music so much that it’s always a rewarding evening.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. We have a vet appointment for Tuzi for a dental on Wednesday, so I’ll take that day to be with her until the evening online concert, so I won’t have quite as many as usual.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be fall songs as I mentioned above. I have several new songs from the last couple years about fall that I really love in addition to many of the classic fall songs we all know. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests with our wonderful group as always. It will be special, and I’ll have all the energy of the mountains coming in from closing the cabins with my siblings.

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you’re enjoying the fall season wherever you are. It’s still hot here for a couple days until it starts feeling more like fall. I do have two gigs out and about coming up that you may be interested in 1) Deer Print Wine in La Veta during Oktoberfest October 1st - probably 6-8, and 2) Littleton Museum Harvest Festival October 8th from 11:30-1:30. So if you’re near La Veta or Denver please come out and say “Hi!” I’ll write more about these as they come into view.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of fall songs

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

When:  Wednesday, September 21, 7-8:30 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, September 25, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

It's a Zoo

I’m playing for the Senior Safari at the Pueblo Zoo this week, and I thought I’d reflect on what this event is and has become. I’ve been playing for senior facilities since I was in high school, and I started playing for them in southern Colorado as soon as I moved here in 1985. The zoo here first asked me to play for the Senior Safari in 2009, and I was honored to play for it. If you’ve never heard, it’s a free day for seniors at the zoo with fun activities, animal encounters, and food that draws seniors from facilities and the communities for miles around. Over the years it has become the place where I see folks from almost every facility I play at - 30 places or more sometimes. Attendance is in the many hundreds, and it is so gratifying to get to see and play for so many folks. The event now goes for the entire week although I just play one day for them. It’s not often that you get to see how many people you’ve been able to work with and play for all in one place, and I really look forward to it so much - especially since we couldn’t do it in 2020 because of COVID. I’ll put more details below.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week to play for, and I enjoyed every one of them - especially the one I got to play for on 9/11. We commemorated the anniversary with a somber but meaningful show.

My Wednesday online show was doing the second part of the songs from 1972 (50 years ago), and it was just as fun as the first show. There really are so many good songs from that year.

Thursday was the Appetizers and Alcohol BYOB event at the Yellow Pine, and it was so much fun seeing everyone for one last hurrah before the season ends. We had a great group of folks, and the food they brought to share was amazing!

My Sunday online show doing requests and favorites was very nice also with all our good friends. I enjoy this evening so much!

——

What am I up to this week?

Wednesday will be the Senior Safari that I mentioned above, and I’m playing from 11 to 1. It will be a crazy fun day with zoo bingo and lots of animals and music. More details can be found on the zoo’s website here - https://www.pueblozoo.org/senior-week. I notice on this page that they have me starting at 10:30, so maybe I’ll start before 11. Come on out and see!

Wednesday evening my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be what I’m calling “middle-aged” country. That’s country music that’s from the ‘60s and ‘70s, so it’s not the early old country or the more pop-oriented country of the ‘80s up to today, but the more classic country of Merle Haggard and Jim Reeves and others. It was especially requested by my friends, Dan and Debbie Brantley. It should be a really fun evening!

Saturday I’m attending a Philmont reunion in Colorado Springs that’s called the Philtoberfest that I’m not playing at as a gig, but that I mention in case there are some Philmont people reading my blog and mailer that are debating whether to come. It’s always a fun time, and I encourage Philfolks to come on out!

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests that I love to play for my wonderful group of friends and fans. I can’t say enough about how special these evenings are.

——

That’s it for this week. It’s really starting to feel like Fall here in southern Colorado, and I hope you’re enjoying it wherever you are.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch

What: playing and singing

Where:  at the Pueblo Zoo for Senior Safari, pueblozoo.org/senior-week

When:  Wednesday, September 14, 11-1

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of middle-aged country songs

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

When:  Wednesday, September 14, 7-8:30 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, September 18, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Summer's End

Well, summer is over in my mind once we hit Labor Day, and that always makes me take stock and look at where I’m headed. I know for some people the summer was pretty much back to normal with few worries about the pandemic. For me that wasn’t the case. I still shied away from indoor gigs for the most part and was hyper-careful for my senior facilities. Especially with the chapel in Cuchara there was a lot of COVID still going around. It was still slightly more relaxed knowing that the vaccines were making the threat a lot less ominous. Musically I did pretty well. I had some really interesting gigs like playing in Estes Park, and my voice and fingers held out for the most part with just a few struggles here and there. I’m definitely feeling my age and the wear from playing so much in my younger years. I have come across some wonderful songs this year - mostly from requests from my group of friends who frequent my online concerts. Those concerts continue to be well-attended and very good for the soul of all involved. It’s so nice to not have to go out to a venue and still be able to connect with so many folks that I used to almost never interact with. It also gives me the chance to play a lot more instruments than I usually get to play since they’re all so close at hand in my office. I’ve even played the piano more this year which I’ve wanted to do for many years. I got to play the banjo once before I started to work on it and found out it will be out of commission until I put some real effort into repairs. And going into the fall I have some interesting gigs in addition to my online shows. I’ll be writing about those as they near. So as I write this on Labor Day I find that I’m in an interesting place with some great things behind me and a winding path in front of me. There’s a small touch of melancholy as I say goodbye to summer, but what more could I ask for?

——

What have I been up to?

I had just 6 senior facilities last week, and none of them had to be cancelled for outbreaks. I enjoy playing for these folks so much.

My Wednesday online show went really well with the 1972 songs - so well that we’re going to do a part two this week. These songs are so much a part of my generation that many people in the audience said they knew every word even though they haven’t heard them in almost 50 years.

My Sunday online show of favorites was also very nice with some great new songs for me as well as the audience. We have such a great group - I have to say it again!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities to play this week including Labor Day and even a special show for 9/11. I’m looking forward to all of them. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be part 2 of the 50-years-ago songs from 1972 as I said above. I found 104 songs in my repertoire from 1972, and I can’t resist playing some more of them. Come on out if you remember some of the great songs and memories from that year.

Thursday 6:30-8 will be the wrap-up for the year at the Yellow Pine with their annual BYOB event called AA (Appetizers and Alcohol) or Shalom and Charcuterie. It’s always a fun goodbye ‘til next summer for the summer folks of Cuchara. Anyone is welcome to attend. Just bring an appetizer to share and whatever libation you prefer. I’ll be playing my music, and it’ll be a hoot!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I always look forward to what the night will bring with such good folks and great opportunity for musical interaction. We always do a Zoom a half hour beforehand (6:30 MT) which you’re welcome to attend. The link is https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7759127796?pwd=MZ55WfXnEkOSi3bztfvmMlbe2oCpoN.1

——

That’s it for this week. We’re coming into my foveate season of the year when things cool down and slow down. Savor it with good friends!

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs from 50 years ago, part 2

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

When:  Wednesday, September 7, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the Appetizers and Alcohol event

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

When:  Thursday, September 8, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

When:  Sunday, September 11, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

50 Years Ago

I’m doing songs from 50 years ago for my theme show on Wednesday, so I thought I’d reminisce a little on that year. In the bigger world we had the Olympics with Mark Spitz and terrorist attacks, President Nixon visiting China, Spiro Agnew resigning, the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl, “American Pie” and “Candy Man” on the radio, and “The Godfather” and “Diamonds Are Forever” in the theater. In my smaller world I was moving from 5th to 6th grade, my niece Pam was born, I was helping my sister Jane crew for my dad on our sailboat in races, I started playing the clarinet, and I got to slow-dance with a girl for the first time. I was a pretty typical kid - probably a little more cocky than a lot of kids because things came relatively easy for me. We had a lot of kids my same age in my neighborhood, so we were always playing football or whiffle ball or with frisbees or riding bikes. It was pretty idyllic. Weekends we’d go to a trailer on a lake an hour away so our dad could sail his small sailboat and we could either help sail or explore the lake ourselves in a rowboat. We’d go to the mountains for a couple weeks each summer as well to see our grandfolks and have outdoor adventures. Music was always playing on the radio in the house and the car, so we knew all the latest songs. I still have memories of certain songs playing while driving certain stretches of highways or skating at the skating rink. These songs were a huge backdrop for the culture at the time, and that’s why they still mean so much to us and why I think it will be fun to concentrate on that one year and the songs we remember. 1972 - it doesn’t seem that long ago, and yet it seems a million years ago too.

——


What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities scheduled last week, and unfortunately one had to cancel for another COVID outbreak. The others were so enjoyable. I can’t say enough how worthwhile it is to give and interact with folks in the community.

My Wednesday online show of “spinning the wheel” and doing songs at random from my huge song library was a blast. My rule that it had to be a song that I hadn’t done before at a show was a little surprising to the audience, but that made it a night of discovery and a lot of new tunes for many. All in all, it was a memorable night of songs and interaction.

My Thursday show that I mentioned last week playing for a community event in Walsenburg for the Puentes group was very nice too. They are seeking to unite the different southern Colorado communities in a way that fosters support and common goals, and it was a wonderful night of planning and new friendships.

My Sunday online show of favorites and requests was a blast as always with a lot of great songs being suggested and played and many more leftover for the future. We always have such a great group of folks who support each other and my music. I even dug out the banjo and played a couple tunes on it as well as the piano, which I didn’t end up playing until the last song for a bit. I may dig out some of the other odd old instruments I have just for the fun of it.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have only 6 senior facilities this week because it’s the fifth week of the month, and so my monthly repeating facilities don’t happen to fall on a fifth week. That’s okay. We had to have our air conditioner and heater replaced last week, and I have some work to do to finish up with that. I’m also working on a possible fiction book with a good friend, and I want to spend some time brainstorming about that.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the above-mentioned songs of 50 years ago in 1972. This was a great year for songs, and I’m looking forward to playing them! Come on out and reminisce!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time of favorites and requests should be a blast this week. Being that it’s Labor Day weekend I’m in hopes that a lot of folks will be relaxing on Sunday evening with no work Monday and will be up for a fun night of songs. If that’s you then come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. I’m still really enjoying doing online shows, but I’ve had several folks ask where I’ll be playing this fall and winter where they can come see me in person so I’m thinking about scheduling some. I do have a few interesting public gigs like the Senior Safari at the Pueblo Zoo from 11-1 on September 14th, the Deer Print in La Veta from 6-8 during Oktoberfest on October 1st, and the Littleton Museum Harvest Festival from 11:30 to 1:30 on October 8th. I’d love to see you if any of those places line up with your life. Until then, thank you for your friendship and for your time.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing a an online concert of songs from 50 years ago

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

When:  Wednesday, August 31, 7-8:30 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, September 4, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Choices

I’ve had a couple interesting exchanges this week about life and the directions we take, and it has me reflecting on the choices we make. We make a lot of decisions in our lives that shape where we go and where we end up. Early on I had some big adventures that gave me the gumption to shoot for whatever I wanted in life. I’ve always been a little more subdued in my choices, but I had the confidence to not shy away from challenges. That said, when I had the chances to go for the “big time” in music I held back, realizing that I would have to give up more than I wanted as far as privacy, freedom, and autonomy. Still I have taken a few higher-profile gigs to see what that life would have been like. Those have been fun, but I always realized that I was more interested in making music than I was in having fame or making lots of money. I can remember phrases like, “Bloom where you’re planted” although I also heard phrases like, “A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships were made for.” It’s funny how we take these things to heart. These past two years of the pandemic have made me realize that I could reach people everywhere from my own home base, and I’ve grown contented with that - doing my shows from the house over the internet. I don’t ever plan to retire, but I’m glad to know that I can always make music that reaches people where they are. What else is there?

——

What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and they all went very well. It’s hard to express what it feels like to contribute to these people’s lives. It’s very special.

My Wednesday online show of songs about music and singing went just as well or better than the first show I did with this theme the week before. We have such a great group of folks who tune in.

My Thursday evening playing for the Hermosa folks was very nice. It was so good to see all those folks. They always make me feel welcome and at home.

My Sunday request show was very sweet as always. I love these Sunday nights!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I am looking forward to all of them as always.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be a spin-the-wheel event where I’ll randomly pick songs from my songbook (laptop) where I have over 4700 songs to choose from. There will be some real surprises and some diversity that will be so much fun. Come on out!

Thursday I’m playing for an event for a project called Puentes (Spanish for Bridges) that seeks to unify different southern Colorado communities for the common good of all. My good friend Sandy Dolak has put this together in Walsenburg, and I’m proud to lend my music to it. I’ll let you know how it goes.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These evenings are always special, and I’d love to have you join in as well.

——

That’s it for this week. I hope to see you soon.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing a second online concert of songs about songs and singing

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

When:  Wednesday, August 24, 7-8:30 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, August 28, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Joy of Singing

Since our show this week is part two of songs about music and singing, I thought I would write about the joy I find in singing. There is just something about vocalizing alone or with others that is so joyful. It’s something that comes physically from the deepest part of your core that then comes out in a melodious (hopefully) sound that expresses your individuality and feelings. And many of the songs written about music and singing reflect this joy. And yes, there is also pain and every other emotion expressed in singing, but I guess it’s just the purest way of making music that I can think of, and so I find joy even in singing painful songs. It’s an all-engaging full-body activity! I think that’s why people tune in to watch my online shows. It’s joyful to watch someone feeling that amazing flow of music coming through them. I hope you can enjoy it too!

——

What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and there were some really nice moments at all of them.

Tuesday was my online theme show about music and singing, and it was so much fun. That’s why we’re doing it again!

Wednesday was the dance I played with Dennis Mills at the Cuchara Community Center. It was a blast with so many great folks coming out to dance and support us.

Thursday was the last Yellow Pine barbecue for the summer, and it was sad as always to end the summer series, but it was also a great evening. We will have one more event up there for the public on September 8th. That’s our AA (Appetizers and Alcohol) evening that we always do the the first Thursday after Labor Day. That’s a bring-your-own event where everyone shares appetizers as a final farewell to summer. I’ll write more about that on the week it occurs.

Friday I played poolside at the Pueblo Country Club and had a very nice group of mostly families listening to my music as they swam and relaxed. I had some very nice comments.

Sunday I played the final Cuchara Chapel service of the summer which was outside for COVID reasons, and it was very nice. Hopefully they can do indoor services next summer, but I’ll help them make a way to broadcast the sound to the outdoors for people in case there are still COVID concerns.

Sunday evening was my online show of requests and favorites, and even though several regulars couldn’t make the show we still had a very nice group of folks with some great requests.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. Hopefully we won’t have any serious COVID outbreaks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the second show of songs about music and singing that I wrote about above. There are so many great songs that fit this theme. Come on out and join in with the group in listening, commenting, and watching!

Thursday I’m playing an event for the wonderful Hermosa group in Cuchara that I have played for many times. I’m writing about it in case any of my Hermosa friends are reading this blog. I’d love to see you!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests that I always love to play for our Munch Bunch Group. Come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. I honestly thought I’d be more worn out after last week was so busy, but I guess I have a few more good years of doing so much music. I hope I never stop!

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing a second online concert of songs about songs and singing

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

When:  Wednesday, August 17, 7-8:30 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, August 21, 7-8:30 pm mountain tim

Clutter

Jen and I watched a TED Talk on clutter a day or so ago, and it has me thinking more about clutter. Some of the points in the video were revealing about why we have clutter in our lives - from unexpected events leading to taking in stuff or breaking our routine of organizing and getting rid of stuff. But there is more to it for me. Often I have clutter because I don’t have the time to deal with stuff or the place to put stuff. Every project of going through things that have stacked up on a desk or accumulated on a shelf takes a block of time that is often hard to find. I’ve always liked the idea that you can just do a few minutes of going through stuff, but often it means spreading stuff out and stacking it in piles to take the next step. If you take time for that then often you don’t have time to finish and have to leave some of those piles out, and I can point to several of those piles over the years that lasted for weeks or months. And for me the organizing of my stuff has also made a map in my brain that corresponds to where everything is in my office or whatever space I’m going through. As I age those maps become fuzzier as my brain gets fuzzier. I’ve definitely gone to buy something I needed and then realized I already had one on the shelf I bought a couple years ago. My space is actually pretty well-organized at present where I mainly work, but I confess that there is storage and drawers that I could go through. I’ve heard several friends mention in discussions about this topic that a good fire would cure their woes. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone though. I have made rules at some points of my life to help me - like: 1) If I haven’t used it in 5 years, then out it goes, or 2) If it doesn’t fit in this keepsake box then it goes to charity. Sometimes those help, but not always. Such a struggle! So how about you? How do you deal with clutter?

——

What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and only one was affected by COVID. At that facility I had to play in the halls because they couldn’t gather residents together for an event. I enjoy playing for and interacting with these folks so much!

My Wednesday show about campfire songs was really fun. We even sang “Kumbaya” if you can believe that - and enjoyed it! There is just something about gathering around the campfire (I had one on the screen behind me.)

Thursday at the Yellow Pine barbecue was a great group of folks, and it was good to see them all! 

My Sunday show doing favorites and requests was wonderful as well. We settle into such a nice rhythm of give and take in our group that it is a joy to just be a part of.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I only had one cancel for COVID. I hope everyone at that facility does okay and recovers quickly.

Tuesday will be my online show 7-8:30 mountain time with the theme of songs about songs and singing. My good friend Deann came up with this theme idea, and there are a lot of good songs to be sung. Come on out and see what we come up with!

Wednesday 7-9 I’ll be playing another free dance at the Cuchara Community Center with my friend Dennis Mills on bass for the community. These dances are always fun, and hopefully we won’t have a rain storm just before the dance that scares away the dancers this time. If you’re in the area please come out and enjoy the evening with us!

Thursday 6:30-8 will be the final barbecue of the summer at the Yellow Pine. I’m always sad to wrap these up, but I know we’ll do a special potluck and BYOB night the first Thursday after Labor Day at the Yellow Pine, so I’ll get to be there one more time even if it’s not the regular barbecue. I’d love to have you come out if you can so we can make the last night a gangbuster event! Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528 if you’d like to come.

Friday 5-7 I’m playing poolside at the Pueblo Country Club, so if you’re a member or member’s guest please come on out and enjoy the evening with some music.

Sunday 11-12 Im playing outdoors for the Cuchara Chapel in the park next to the chapel. The chapel has struggled with many members getting COVID this summer, and so they’ve had hardly any services. This one will be outdoors so at least we can get one service in before the season ends. Please come out for this special memorial service in you’re in the area.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I cherish these evenings of interaction with my wonderful friends and followers. Come on out if you have if you can.

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That’s it for this week. I’m looking at the clutter on my desk and contemplating whether I have time today to deal with any of it! 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs about songs and singing

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

When:  Tuesday, August 9, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch and Dennis Mills

What:  playing for a free dance put on by the Cuchara Valley Recreation Program

Where:  Cuchara Community Center, Cuchara

When:  Wednesday, August 10, 7-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, August 11, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing for the Cuchara Chapel virtual service

Where:  In the park next to Cuchara Chapel, Cuchara

When:  Sunday, August 14, 11 am - 12 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 14, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

August

It’s August 1st, and that makes me reflect on summers gone by and what August always means. Nowadays it means that school is about to start for many, but that wasn’t the case when I was growing up. Most of us had the full month to enjoy unless we had to go back early for sports or marching band. But beyond those memories long ago it means different things outdoors. The weeds and flowers are heading towards Fall already, and even with it being really hot today the morning started out with a different tinge that presages Fall. There is just something in the air that July is the heart of summer, and August is starting to head down the other side of the hill. In the mountains the berries have already come and gone in early to mid-July, and the monsoons are starting to dry up. I’m sure we have a few more storms and hot days left as always, but it feels different now. The sun is coming up a half hour later, and there is a different shade to the light before the sun rises. I have had some pretty big adventures in August, but it always seemed like I was rushing to get them in before the door closed somehow. And that’s as it should be. I’m just amazed when I reflect that every month feels different within each season. Hope your August is good!

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went well last week. At least there were no COVID closures although they are still just as vigilant - especially with some reports of increasing virus.

I did my theme show on Tuesday so I could do a senior facility luau on Wednesday, and the theme was names again. It turned out to be a really fun show with great requests.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine barbecue went very well too with even a visit from a friend from high school whom I hadn’t seen since way back then. 

Friday I did a show at an amphitheater at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies at Estes Park that went really well. It had rained harder that day, but the skies were clear and beautiful for the show. Thank you to everyone who made that happen and the new folks I got to meet. I even got to go on a sunrise hike to a beautiful point above the camp the next morning, and then I did a Facebook Live video on the way down that many people tuned in to before 7:00 am.

My Sunday request show went very well too with lots of great requests in the moment.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them!

Wednesday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be campfire songs. We haven’t done a campfire show this year yet, and it’s a fitting way to spend a summer evening with friends. I heard that some friends are going to watch around their outside fire pit. Should be fun! Come on out.

Thursday 6:30-8 I’m at the Yellow Pine barbecue again. We only have two more of these shows this summer, and this adds to the August feeling for me. It’s always such a good time with such good food. I’m even doing emcee duties this week with the owner out of town. Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528 if you’d like to come.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the requests and favorites with good friends that I always look forward to. These nights are so special. I’d love to have you I the audience.

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That’s it again for this week. I hope you are healthy and are enjoying your summer.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of campfire songs

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

When:  Wednesday, August 3, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, August 4, 6:30-8:00 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 7, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Friends

I spent a couple days at a reunion in New Mexico for Philmont Scout Ranch where I worked in high school and college in the summers, and it turned out to be a larger-than-life confluence of many more people than I thought I’d ever see at one event. It was a celebration of 50 years of women rangers of whom two of my sisters were standouts in the first 5 years. Since it was such a big anniversary there were so many women and men who came back to hike and interact with each other. There were too many people to get a chance talk to everyone, and we all wished we had more time to catch up. I also got to play some good music with people I haven’t seen in years, and of course I had to go on at least one hike to get out into the backcountry. The amazing thing was that everyone has led outstanding lives. I knew that it was a group of achievers, but I had forgotten just how engaged and ambitious and yet in-the-moment these people could be. I was definitely proud and amazed that I got to be part of these folks’ lives when we were young and also now that we could get together again. So I’m writing this just to encourage you to reach out to old friends and share some uplifting times. It’s good for us!

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities were all very rewarding last week although I had fewer than most weeks since I went to the reunion I mentioned above for two days. I love playing for these folks, and hopefully I make their day brighter.

My Wednesday online show about name songs was so much fun that we decided to do it again this week. The best part was doing songs that surprised folks and brought out a different take on names.

Thursday’s barbecue at the Yellow Pine was a good one with lots of wonderful new and old faces. There was quite a bit of dancing crammed into the end of the evening, and we need to do more of that.

My Sunday online show was a little different since I had been gone for the better part of three days and hadn’t had time to work on requests as I usually do. But the energy I was bringing from the reunion charged the evening and made the night really special. We have such a wonderful group of friends at these concerts.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities again this week since I’m playing in Estes Park on Friday and need the day to drive. I’m looking forward to every one of them!

Tuesday my theme online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be names again. We’re switching to Tuesday this week because I have a luau for one of my senior facilities that I do annually on Wednesday. These name shows are so much fun. Tune in if you can!

Thursday I’m doing the Yellow Pine Barbecue once again. There are only three more of these barbecues this year, so if you’d like to come you won’t regret it. The food and atmosphere are great, and it’s so good to share music in the old barn. Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528. 

Friday 7-8 I’m playing a concert at the Kathie Mennel Amphitheater at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies near Estes Park. This is part of their Summerfest series of concerts on Friday nights. I’m not sure of their setup for these concerts, but if you’re in the area give them a call and come on out! 970-586-3341 x1113

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests with our great online community that I’ve grown to know and love. We do a Zoom call a half hour before that you’re welcome to be a part of as well. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7759127796?pwd=MZ55WfXnEkOSi3_ztfvmMlbe2oCpoN.1

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That’s it for this week. I hope your summer is going well and that you’re staying safe and healthy. One of the better things about the reunion last week was that everyone was very respectful about mask-wearing and keeping safe. That’s a refreshing state.

Best always,

Tom

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Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of name songs

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

When:  Tuesday, July 26, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, July 28, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing a concert

Where:  Kathie Mennel Amphitheater at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies, Estes Park. 970-586-3341 x1113

When:  Friday, July 29, 7-8 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 31, 7-8:30 pm mountain time