Are People Good?

I had an interesting thing happen in my family this week.  The old trailer that we had on an irrigation lake in Nebraska where I learned to swim and fish was vandalized.  Many windows were broken, and many things were generally smashed and busted up for no apparent reason.  I haven’t had to deal with it directly - my mom, sister, and niece are cleaning it up and dealing with the insurance.  Nothing of any real value other than a couple things with family sentiment were wrecked, but of course there’s the hassle and the feeling of violation.  But it also brings back that old question - why do people do this kind of thing?  And that brings back the bigger question - are people basically good or bad?  To the first question, I don’t have any idea why these particular people did this.  There wouldn’t be any reason someone would be getting revenge for anything, and I can’t imagine it was anything more than just someone wanting to bust things up for the perverse fun of it.  But the second question is the one I find on my mind most this morning.  I believe that people are basically good, not bad, despite the church training I received that people usually tend towards a more depraved state.  I haven’t found that in my life.  I’ve usually found people to be decent when given the chance, and though I may be naive, I want to stick to this basic belief in the wonder of the planet and humanity.  I’ve read enough to know that the bigger and stronger and more aggressive don’t always win out - even in animals.  We will help those in need even to our detriment.  And believing that we are inherently bad leads to all kinds of self-doubt that is frankly destructive in my opinion.  Humans are amazing (as is the rest of creation), and we are capable of love and caring and magnificent feats beyond the mundane norms we are accustomed to accept.  Believing this and in our own goodness leads to joy and accomplishment and wanting to help others do and be the same.  This is what I believe.

What’s happened in the last two weeks?

The Sunday show with the Atomic Fireballs at the Royal Gorge Bridge was loads of fun.  We had a little rain to contend with but we made it through with wonderful crowds of people all seeing the rebuilding at the Gorge.  They’re on the road to regaining their old glory.  I also had a couple private events that weekend that were very fulfilling with old and new friends.  Then last week I played a wonderful wedding at a nursing home that honored the bride’s mother who has been a resident there for several years, and lastly I played an anniversary for the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo for a group of enthusiastic supporters, and had a strong rehearsal for the Song of Pueblo which debuts our new season this week.

So what’s up this week?

Thursday starts my season at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch in Cuchara, CO.  If you don’t remember me writing about this before, I’ve been playing the Thursday-Night barbecue at the Yellow Pine since 2001.  It’s a wonderful community barbecue in the old barn at the ranch where friends and family gather for Texas-style barbecued brisket, ribs and chicken with all the fixin’s accompanied by my music (as well as a campfire and roasting marshmallows) in the picturesque old town of Cuchara, Colorado.  They have cabins for rent as well, and horseback riding, fishing and other activities.  It’s a great old place that I’ve been privileged to play for these last 14 years.  If you want to come, please make sure to call for a reservation by Tuesday (719-742-3528) so they can make enough good food for you.  It’s a blast, and I’d love to have you there.  Sometimes it books up early, so make your plans soon!

Friday we start the Song of Pueblo oratorio for our 7th season.  If you’re not familiar with the Song of Pueblo, it is an oratorio-style show with a 4-piece band led by yours truly that narrates and sings songs about the history of southern Colorado centered around Pueblo and accompanied by wonderful stills and video illustrating the story we tell.  It is moving, funny, and ultimately a great ride learning about the fine people who settled and built this area of the West.  Tickets are $15 and are available at the Visitor’s Center in Pueblo at 301 North Union Avenue, 719-543-2430.  We are performing this year at Pueblo Community College’s Hoag Theater in the lower level of the Academic Building on the corner of Orman and Arthur.  Doors open at 6:00, and the show starts at 7:00.  We’ll also be performing it July 24, August 21, and September 12 if you can’t make it this week.  Much of the visuals are brand-new this year, and we’ve made a few tweaks to the music as well, so there are new things to see if you’ve seen the show before.  This is such a stellar project to be involved with, and I hope you’ll come and see it.

That’s it for this week.  I’m back in the studio next Monday, so I may not get an update out until Tuesday.  Wish me luck as I pursue my instrumental album this summer!

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, June 11, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch with Johnny Watson, David Enke, & Alan Polivka
What:  playing, singing, & telling the history of Pueblo at the Song of Pueblo oratorio
Where:  Hoag Theater, Pueblo Community College, Orman and Arthur, Pueblo.  719-543-2430 for tickets
When:  Friday, June 12, 7:00 pm