Feels like summer! Big concert this Sunday!

I'm coming off a weekend at the Royal Gorge Bridge with the Atomic Fireballs and also solo at the La Veta Inn to kick off my summer.  It was a big dose of summer all at once that kind of overwhelmed me. I'm bouncing back, but there's no denying that I hit the ground running last weekend. Sure, I used to do this and more 20 years ago, but there's something weird about doing this still in my fifties. I used to love to challenge myself to see how much I could take, playing eight-hours-a-day or more plus travel and setup time.  I loved revving myself up and seeing what limits I could break through.  (I think we're capable of a lot more than we think!)  Today I know that I'm in the best shape of my life with diet and exercise, but I still wonder if I'm crazy sometimes.  So my calendar has slowed down a bit overall since slowing seems more prudent, I value home-time, and I'm kind of a lazy booker, but I still love to go, go, go at times!

So where am I going this week?

Friday I'm back at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  I didn't set up on the patio last week since it was windy and the dust was flying when I arrived.  It turned out to be a beautiful evening though when the wind calmed down, so I guessed wrong.  I still had some wonderful folks in the restaurant and bar who were very kind and appreciative of my offerings.  I'm so lucky sometimes!  If you're in the area or want to take a drive on Friday, then come on down!  They have a new chef, and the charm is wonderful as always.

Sunday is a very special event.  I'm playing at the Feed Store Amphitheater and Park in Westcliffe at 2:00 as part of their summer concert series.  If you've never heard of the Feed Store, check out their website and particularly the video on the homepage that tells all about the Feed Store itself and the amphitheater - http://www.westcliffefeedstore.com.  This is an honor to play this venue, and I'm in some very good company with the other folks they're having this summer - Susan Gibson, Acoustic Eidolon, and Jimmy Stadler to name a few.  This will be a beautiful outdoor event with great views of the Sangre de Cristo range and the wonderful mountain air.  I'd recommend bringing a comfortable lawn chair although there are a number of chairs there as well if they're not all spoken for by the time you arrive.  They have refreshments, and you can walk around the park as well.  I'd love to have you there!

That's all for this week.  I hope you have a lovely start to your summer.

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, May 31, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a concert in the mountains
Where:  The Feed Store Amphitheater, 116 North 2nd Street, Westcliffe.  719-783-2771
When:  Sunday, June 2, 2-5 pm

Annual Digging up sprinkler system / The summer begins!

I just spent the last three hours digging up the sprinkler system and repairing leaks and clogged heads.  It's an annual event around our place, and I would sure welcome a better option.  Burying up something so prone to failure seems crazy, and I have dreamed up several solutions involving putting the system in the fence or putting it in edging so it's easier to access and repair.  Hopefully I won't find another leak right away!

This is the first week of the summer season for me, and it brings so much excitement!  I'm hitting the ground running though, and hopefully I can keep up with the pace.  I've scaled it down a bit from past summers, so it shouldn't be too much trouble.  I need some new tires on my car though, and I'm still making sure I have enough batteries and CD's - and general energy!

So what's up this week?

Friday I start the season at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  I'm in hopes that the weather will be good enough to start out on the patio since it's so beautiful out there.  I know there have been some staff changes, and I'm anxious to meet everyone and see what the vibe is in La Veta this summer.  Come on out if you can!

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday I'm at the Royal Gorge Bridge with the Atomic Fireballs 12:30-4:30. We'll be playing lots of fun music from old rock to country to blues.  We'll be on the south side of the bridge, so you'll either have to cross over or come up the back way (the south entrance is accessed three miles west of the main entrance.)  It's always a blast playing at the Gorge, and this is the first time I've played with the boys this year, so I'm really looking forward to it!

Of course Monday is Memorial Day, so I want to wish you a Happy Memorial Day, and I hope you get to spend it doing whatever you like to do - remembering loved ones as you barbecue or boat or fish or whatever you enjoy.

Best to you always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, May 24, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch and the Atomic Fireballs
What:  playing and singing
Where:  South side of the Royal Gorge at the Royal Gorge Bridge
When:  Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 25, 26, and 27, 12:30-4:30 pm

Catching My Breath Before Summer

This is my last week before the summer season really starts to kick in, and I'm catching my breath and trying to visualize all the great gigs I have coming up.  I get to see old friends and meet new ones, and I get to play in some beautiful places.  This is always a time of going through my gear and making sure I have everything I need for the summer, shoring up the last gigs I've been working on, and thinking about the gigs I'd like for future summers.  I don't spend enough time planning and thinking on these kind of things, and I think that's important.  Here's a brief rundown of my summer.

Ongoing gigs include almost weekly appearances at the La Veta Inn starting next week, the Yellow Pine in Cuchara mid-June to mid-August, and my regular brunches at Shadow Hills.  Special gigs include Memorial Day weekend and the last weekend in July at the Royal Gorge Bridge with the Atomic Fireballs.  Also I'm doing the first Sunday in June in Westcliffe at the Feed Store amphitheater and the last Tuesday in Cañon City for the Concert in the Park series.  I'm playing for Boats, Bands and Barbeque the first weekend of June in Pueblo.  We have three performances of the Song of Pueblo oratorio (June, July, and August), and I'm doing a series of performances for Boy Scout groups at a rafting company at the Royal Gorge.  I'm playing with the band in Westcliffe for the Westcliffe Stampede dance in July as well as Gold Rush Days in Buena Vista in August.  Along with that there are several private parties, and I am still talking to Philmont, the St. James in Cimarron, and Little London in the Springs about playing.  And there are always surprises!  So I'll enjoy this last week of prep before the season starts in earnest for me.

I just have one public gig this week.  It's National Nursing Home Week, so I have a ton of private nursing gigs.

Sunday I'm at Shadow Hills for brunch 10-1.  Last week was crazy there for Mothers Day.  I saw so many friends and families - I think we had over 250 people out for brunch.  I put remote speakers in every room.  This week will be a little quieter, and the last week before I take a couple off to play for Memorial Day weekend at the Gorge and the concert in Westcliffe.  Come on out if you can for some good friends, food, and a little music.

Hope you have a great week!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for brunch
Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603
When:  Sunday, May 19, 10 am-1 pm

Directions to Shadow Hills:
(There's construction on the regular route, so you need to turn a couple blocks ahead of Elm on Cyanide and follow the Detour signs to get to Elm.) Go south on 9th Street from the main light in Cañon City to the bend in the road and turn right on Elm by the cemetery.  Then it's just one block on Elm before it veers/turns left and becomes Oak Creek Grade.  Twist through a few turns and come over a hill and you'll see the restaurant and club house on your left across the golf course. Then turn left into the drive at the Shadow Hills and The View sign and up to the main stucco two-story building.  The restaurant is up the stairs to your right or take the elevator straight ahead.

Funky weather and its effects

It's a grey day this morning out my window and a little bit chilly to start out.  Although I really like it when the year's weather doesn't get hot too quickly, I can't deny that it affects my state of mind when there isn't a bright morning sunrise to greet us.  That said, I love afternoon mountain showers and morning drizzle to sleep in to as well.  But some days you feel more fragile than others, and a little inclement weather can give you a noticeable bump in the road.  All the seasons of life and spirit are precious in their own way, and I shall cherish this and proceed on.

I've been ramping up for the summer season.  I finally got the first date confirmed for the Yellow Pine barbecue in Cuchara as Thursday, June 13.  If you've never been, it's a fun Texas-style barbecue each Thursday night in an old barn at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch in Cuchara, CO, which has been in operation for several decades.  It's a really special place with great folks, the cool old barn, and my music - Texas style.  Quite often we have a bear sighting on the grounds during the evening, and sometimes we even do a little dancing as the night progresses.  It starts at 6:30 and goes until 8:30 or so, and you must make a reservation by Monday each week if you'd like to attend (719) 742-3528.  Sometimes it even books up the year before with returning guests!  I'm not sure what the price will be this year.  I'd love to have you if you can make it sometime.  You don't have to be a guest at the ranch, but it's a great place for a getaway if you'd like!

I have many more great places to be this summer, and I'll be sharing them as we draw nearer.

I only have one gig to tell you about this week - Mothers Day brunch at Shadow Hills.  We had to cancel brunch at the last minute last week due to illness and vacations of the cooks, but we'll be ready and raring to go again this week.  It's always a great time with some really good food and folks.  The time is 10-3, and they are taking reservations now at (719) 275-0603.  The price is $18.95 for adults.  (Correction for Mothers Day brunch. The price is $21.95.)  I'd love to see you there!

That's it for this week.  Best to you always!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for brunch
Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603
When:  Sunday, May , 10 am-3 pm

Directions to Shadow Hills:
(There's construction on the regular route, so you need to turn a couple blocks ahead of Elm on Cyanide and follow the Detour signs to get to Elm.) Go south on 9th Street from the main light in Cañon City to the bend in the road and turn right on Elm by the cemetery.  Then it's just one block on Elm before it veers/turns left and becomes Oak Creek Grade.  Twist through a few turns and come over a hill and you'll see the restaurant and club house on your left across the golf course. Then turn left into the drive at the Shadow Hills and The View sign and up to the main stucco two-story building.  The restaurant is up the stairs to your right or take the elevator straight ahead.