Looking Ahead

I’ve been booking my summer, and I have some exciting gigs to tell you about, but looking ahead always messes with my head a little bit.  You see I subscribe to the idea that we should live for today - in the NOW - as I’ve heard it said.  I even wrote in a song called “Accept Life” many years ago:

When will we learn to slow down & look at now
  not to plan ahead or turn around, but to live now
    not to attain a goal & so lose this moment
      but this moment is my goal, the only thing I can truly know

I like the idea of living in the moment, and I don’t feel I practice it very often.  Quite often I have to shake myself, look around, and enjoy what has been laid out before me - the beauty of nature, the kindness of those around me, the blessings that life has bestowed.  Against that I have to plan ahead enough that I can strategize a little for my career and livelihood, and it makes for an interesting balancing act.  I won’t philosophize too much about it, for there are many other ideas tied up with this that I have read and studied of late.  It’s funny how these things pool in my thoughts more and more as I age, even though I first penned those words above over 30 years ago.

So what kind of gigs to I have to tell you about?  Well:

Westcliffe at the Feed Store Amphitheater "Summer in the Park” series May 24, 2-5
Royal Gorge Bridge with the Atomic Fireballs May 31, 12:30-4:30, and also Labor Day weekend Fri-Sun
Song of Pueblo with the band June 19, July 24, and August 21 at PCC, 7:00
Yellow Pine mid-June to mid-August on Thursday nights
A series of Boy Scout shows including a concert at Philmont July 11
Outdoor concert at Lucy’s in La Veta July 17
Gold Rush Days in Buena Vista August 8 and 9
At least 7 other venues and concerts I’m working on

That’s almost as many as last year, and I wouldn’t doubt that it could end up being even busier than last year.  Summer is the time to fly!

Highlights from the past couple weeks

Magpies was an absolute blast last time out!  I had so many wonderful people come out and share in the “bonfire” as I called our shared experience last time.  Also my nursing home gigs have been nothing but love songs with Valentine’s Day here and gone.  We had so much fun sharing memories and favorite songs.  My only regret is that Mardi Gras follows on so closely this year that I won’t get much chance to sing all my New Orleans favorites.

So what’s up this week?

Wednesday night I’m doing a private show for the Oddfellows Hall in Cañon City.  I mention it because some of you may belong to that group, and also because I love doing shows for clubs like this, and I’d like you to consider my music if you ever are looking for entertainment for your club or party.  Many times these kind of shows are completely different than my public shows - doing themes or stretching out even farther than usual.

Friday I’m back at Magpies 7-10 for what I hope will be another great time!  I’m sure I’ll have some leftover Mardi Gras music lingering around me that I’ll want to share, and I have a hankering for some ’70’s singer/songwriter music if you’re in the mood for that.  Come on out!

That’s it for this week!

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo.  719-542-5522
When:  Friday, February 20, 7-10 pm