Clearing My Head

Jen and I have been enjoying some travel time, and I always forget how much value there is in a change of scenery and a shakeup of my daily routine. I come to rely on the sameness and reliability of my schedule and my daily habits, and although it can be disconcerting to break this up, it can also bring perspective and real joy in discovering new feelings and curiosities in yourself and the world. I find I just have to let myself jump and trust the landing. The hardest part is maintaining connection to the world at home. I find I have to have two minds - one that's free and easy, and one that keeps track of time and day so I remember to check in and make sure I have a finger on what's coming up and happening at home. It's fun!

Highlights from Last Week

From last weekend I had a wonderful time at the Elite Outdoorsman Expo at the Robison Mansion in Cañon City. I got to perform on the front porch of the grand ole place to a wide array of folks. I had several friends come out to see the event, and it was really enjoyable.

We spent a day in the High Road to Taos - visiting shops, galleries, historic sites, and drinking in the beauty of the mountains and mesas. We also spent a day in Chaco Canyon - rediscovering my fascination with archaeology and ancient cultures. I went to school for a degree in archaeology as a result of my first trip to Chaco when I was a boy. I changed majors when I realized that I couldn't learn the science I needed for the degree. I still love it though!

What's coming this week?

I have been asked to play again at the Sharlot Hall Folk Music Festival in Prescott, AZ on Saturday and Sunday. This was a blast last year, and I expect it will be again this year. I'm playing in the Sharlot Hall Theater on Saturday from 2-3, and then I'm doing an acoustic guitar styles workshop with Eric Ramsey and Terry Berrett at the Transportation Building on Sunday from 12-1 followed by a songwriters circle from 1-2 at the Sharlot Hall Building. I can't wait! If you're in the area or can make the trip, I'd love to see you.

So that's it for this week. I hope you're enjoying the lovely fall season we've been enjoying in southern Colorado.

Tom

Details for this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing
Where:  Theater at Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St, Prescott, A. 928-445-3122
When:  Saturday, October 4, 2-3 pm

Who:  Tom Munch with Eric Ramsey and Terry Berrett
What:  giving a workshop on acoustic guitar styles
Where:  Sharlot Hall building, 415 W. Gurley St, Prescott, A. 928-445-3122
When:  Sunday, October 5, 12-1 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing a songwriters circle
Where:  Transportation building, 415 W. Gurley St, Prescott, A. 928-445-3122
When:  Sunday, October 5, 1-2 pm

The Beauty of Fall

Well, the air is crisp here in the plains leading up to the Front Range of Colorado, and Fall is certainly in the air.  A couple days ago we went to get apples from one of our favorite orchards, and we were delighted to see families making their annual trip as well - teaching their children about the value of the land and the bounty of the earth as it produces such tasty treats.  I love this time of year.  The slowing down and the changing of life to the beauty of the ripening is sacred in its own way.  It brings about melancholy in some, and I see that reflected in the songs that I sing to celebrate the season - “September Song,” “Try to Remember.” “Four Strong Winds,” and Dan Fogelberg’s “The Reach.”  I sometimes feel this sadness too, but it is tempered with the gorgeous colors of the leaves and the business of scheduling a new season.  This is a wonderful world we live in with such beauty around us in all situations, and the seasons remind us of the flow of life and the amazing intricacy and yet simplicity of our existence.  I hope you are drinking it in and savoring every moment.  Live with passion and abandonment, my friends!

Highlights from Last Week

Friday night was a bittersweet last night of the season at the La Veta Inn.  My “Munch Bunch” came out in full colors, and we celebrated late as we enjoyed each other’s company one last time in the warm atmosphere of the Inn.  I’ll miss those folks and that place.  Until we meet again, my friends…

Saturday night the Song of Pueblo was a blast with a great group of folks at the reunion.  This history of southern Colorado is so magical every time I experience it again.

What’s on Tap for this Week?

Friday night I’m playing a private party for a 66th high school reunion in Cañon City.  It should be fun!

Saturday 10-3 and Sunday 12-4  I’m playing at the Elite Outdoorsman Expo in Cañon City.  It’s a great Fall event with all kinds of activities at the Robison Mansion - with beer and wine gardens, food vendors, fly fishing and casting demos, family archery targets, off-road vehicles, dunk tank, bobbing for apples, my music, and much more.  It is all to help raise money to help restore the historic Hotel St. Cloud in Cañon City - a beautiful place where I had the pleasure to play many years ago that needs a little TLC to be returned to its former glory.  Please come out if you can.  It should be a blast!  You can read more about it here - http://www.eliteoutdoorsmanexpo.com.

Saturday night I’m also going to a Philmont staff reunion Oktoberfest party that I’m really looking forward to!

That’s it for this week.  I hope to see you out and about!

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  Playing and singing for the Elite Outdoorsman Expo
Where:  Historic Robison Mansion and Carriage House, 12 Riverside Drive, Cañon City.
When:  Saturday, September 20, 10 am -3 pm, and Sunday, September 21, 12-4 pm

Is It Ever Okay to Lie, Ever?

I’ve been wrestling with a topic that I heard in an interview on the "To the Best of Our Knowledge" radio show that led to me reading a short book by the interviewee, Sam Harris, called “Lying”.  The author argues that we should never lie - not even a white lie - because it leads to a whole pattern of behavior in our lives that is unhealthy and unwise.  I'm a pretty truthful person, but I have found it necessary to lie to avoid hurting someone's feelings or get out of a touchy situation.  It didn’t feel right to do this, and I know it diminished my spirit, but in the moment it was the first thing my squirming intellect jumped to.  It’s a curious thing how we find ourselves in these kind of situations.  I think it may just be a function of our culture, but I haven’t worked it out in my mind.  Would it be possible to be truthful in all situations if everyone knew that it was the way to be and didn’t experience this as unkindness?  Would it reduce us to inept children with no social skills? Would it be a better way to live our lives to not lie and not suspect that others are lying to us?  It would be kind of refreshing to not feel like I have to make an excuse that ends up being a lie to get out of something I don’t want to do.  That’s my hardest thing to do.  I’m going to mull over this and read the book again and maybe even some more material on lying.  How about you?  Do you wrestle with this?

Last Week’s Highlights

Thursday I had to have another treatment on my leg veins on my left leg because the first treatment didn’t work as planned.  I’ll find out this Tuesday if it took.

Friday I had a crazy night at the La Veta Inn.  My good friends Oleta, A.D., Victoria, and Leslee have taken on the name of the “Tom Munch Bunch” which was given to them by one of the managers at the Inn, and they surprised me by unveiling shirts that Oleta created that read, “The Tom Munch Bunch Charter Member”.  My good friend, Kay Singleton, was also out with her husband, Ron, and she sat in and did a couple numbers herself.  It was a fun night!

Sunday morning I played for the St. Pius X church picnic which was full of wonderful, caring people, and I really enjoyed playing for them!

So what’s up this week?

Friday night I’ll be back at the La Veta Inn 6-9 for what may be the last performance of this season.  I enjoy the Inn so much and the good people of La Veta, and I am looking forward to playing for them.

Saturday night we perform the Song of Pueblo for a private reunion.  I’m sorry this isn't open to the public since we only had one public performance this year in June.  There will be big news on this front sometime in November, and we will most likely be doing a fundraising performance for the Song of Pueblo on November 22nd at the Old Towne Carriage House in Pueblo.  More on this soon!

So that’s it for this week.  I hope to see you soon!

Best,

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, September 8, 6-9 pm

Summer's End

Labor Day always marks the end of summer for me, and it’s like a giant door on magic hinges slowly closing on one chapter and another door opening on the next chapter.  I have always felt a little sadness at what's left behind and yet also great joy at what’s coming up the path.  I have written before of the rituals I had as a child on the final weekend before school started after Labor Day, so I won’t write of that again.  Instead I’ll tell you where it finds me this year.  The fall and winter ahead are uncertain for me.  We’ll take a little vacation time before the snows fall, and I have a couple projects to wrap up before I start thinking about the holidays and beyond.  I need to do an album this winter season, but I haven’t absolutely decided on what it will be.  I had thought of doing another cowboy album, but I don’t really have enough good cowboy songs to do a full record.  I’d like to write another original album, but I don’t really have a definite concept yet.  There are songs in the hopper and even songs I’ve already recorded that will work, but I like for there to be some continuity in an album (even though I’m told that no one buys full albums or thinks about how they fit together as a piece anymore) so I need to think that through a bit more.  I have even thought of an all-instrumental album, and that’s not a bad idea considering I have a few of those songs in my mind and sketched out.  I have questions about where I would perform those and if I’d have to market that kind of an album differently.  At some point I will start to schedule more touring and need more original material, so I’m always thinking of that in the back of my mind as well.  Life is good and we have our health, so here’s to what comes next!

Last Week’s Highlights

Tuesday I had a little minor surgery on my leg veins in one leg that went well and is healing nicely.  I’m glad to have that behind me.

Friday was a fun crowd at the La Veta Inn.  The weather was beautiful for a nice night on the patio although a cool breeze around 8:00 reminded us that fall is coming very soon.  I had a great group of folks, and we did a bunch of ’60’s tunes as well as the regular favorites.

Saturday was the surprise I told you about - or rather didn’t tell you about since it was a secret.  I played a couple songs for a wedding proposal at the Nature Center in Pueblo on the deck by the river.  It was a beautiful night with wonderful decorations, and she said, “Yes!”  It was an honor to be part of such a loving event.

So what’s up for this week?

Friday I’m back at the La Veta Inn 6-9 for another (hopefully) beautiful night on the patio.  I so enjoy the folks who come to see me there, and I look forward to playing in the warm ambience of the Inn.  Come out if you can!

Sunday morning 10-11:30 I’m playing for the St. Pius X Parish Picnic.  If you’re a member of that church I’ll see you there.  It sounds like a fun family event in their lovely courtyard!

So that’s it for this week.  If you’re looking ahead, October 24th 7-10 will be the first night of the season at Magpies in Pueblo.  Fall is upon us!

Best,

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, September 1, 6-9 pm