Monday, January 30, 2017

Connections

I'm thinking today about connections in our world. There is an interconnectedness to our world that reminds me of playing chess. I've never liked playing chess very much because it always seemed to me to be a very controlling game where I can never make a frivolous move without suffering the consequence very shortly of losing a chess piece, and sometimes I like to do something frivolously. Life has that kind of interconnectedness (even though I've found that I don't feel the control so much.) I think that what I do in life is in a vacuum, and it's only later that I see how I was affected by someone or something else, and then how what I did affected so many others in turn. It doesn't make me fear that I might do the wrong thing, but it gives me comfort to know that I'm part of something bigger that flows like a river - except that I'm not swept along with the current but actually helping to steer its course. Now that's not to say that things can't be affected to the negative. I'm reminded of this old proverb. 


For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.


That's a cautionary tale that shows how the interconnectedness can lead to ruin. There seems to be a trust that is needed and a faith in goodness to make life work. I have faith and trust in the universe and my fellow man (and woman!) Being aware that these connections are there seems to be part of understanding how our world works. I encourage you to seek out how these connections work in your life and understand the interconnectedness of our world. We are part of a river of connections. 


What have I been up to?


PDub Brewery last Friday was loads of fun! I saw so many great folks I haven't seen in quite some time. Thanks to everyone for supporting PDubs and their efforts to keep the brewery going until Brad can return. We actually overwhelmed the staff with the turnout that night which was unfortunate since they were short-staffed. They asked me to apologize that their service wasn't all they wanted it to be, and they promised that next time it will be superb. I'm looking forward to it!


What's up this week?


Friday night 7-10 I'll be back at Magpies for a rousing fun night. I'm dreaming up something special again - different guitars or a unique theme for one of the hours of the night, so be on the lookout. 


What's on the horizon?


Coming up I do have a gig to tell you about for those in CaƱon City. February 25th 11-2 I'll be playing a Valentine's fundraiser for First Christian Church. Put it on your calendar if this sounds like fun to you. I also will be playing Irish music for Celtic night at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence on March 18 following Celtic dancers at 7:00. 


That's it for this week. I appreciate you all so much, and I encourage you to see your connections. 


Best always,


Tom


Details this week:


Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing

Where:  Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo.  719-542-5522

When:  Friday, Feb 3, 7-10 pm

Monday, January 23, 2017

Trust and Respect

I’ve been trying to decide what to write about today.  I’m struggling with how to talk about the issues of our time.  I’ve decided that it all comes down to trust and respect.  In any relationship the first thing that has to be established is a trust between two people based on mutual respect.  If you can’t establish this then a relationship can’t be formed.  If you can’t form a relationship then you can never carry on in any meaningful way with the other person, and so you’re at a standstill.  Trusting another person is an act of faith and of good manners.  It’s easier to be suspicious of the other person and on guard.  I’m reminded of a "Star Trek, The Next Generation" TV episode where the ships of Captain Picard and the Romulan Commander Tomalak were at a standstill ready to fire at each other.  One had to lower his shields to rescue stranded crew members of both crews.  The trust that had to occur established the beginning of their relationship.  I see this as an example of how we all get along in a society.  We all have different ways of looking at our world, but we have to have a trust and respect for each other to function each day - from yielding to another at a traffic stop to deferring to another in a world negotiation.  Trust and respect make us human, and they are encompassed in the kind of love that is expressed in everything from the Bible to the Beatles.

What have I been up to?

Friday night was a blast last week at Magpies.  I took five different guitars including a resonator and an electric guitar and swapped out every couple songs for the night.  We went from Texas songwriters to folk music to you-name-it.  It was great fun!

Saturday night was a concert at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence.  I had a good crowd in the old converted church where I did songs off my albums and told a couple bad jokes.  It was a very exciting night all-in-all with some fine folks!  My fingers surprised me with some very wild licks on the guitars.

What's up this week?

Friday night 6-9 I’m at PDub Brewing Company Taproom in Pueblo West.  I told you a little about this place last week.  My good friends Rick and Dedre Rosendale have been helping their daughter Amanda and son-in-law Brad Schoolland with this new business this year - especially since Brad had a rollover accident and had to be put in rehab for his injuries back in October.  They have great craft beers, sandwiches, and salads that are made right on the premises in addition to wine, mixed drinks, and sodas.  It’s a great little place to enjoy an evening, and I’m proud to help expose them to a broader audience.  So come on out and help support this great establishment!

That’s it for this week.  I trust and respect you, my friends.

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who: Tom Munch
What: singing and playing
Where: PDub Brewing Company Taproom, 181 S Purcell Blvd, Pueblo West, 719-647-8864
When: Friday, Jan 27, 6-9 pm

Monday, January 16, 2017

Life’s Wild Ride

I’m thinking this morning about what a wild ride this life can be.  Like everyone else I have a million things up in the air right now that lead me to consternation and uncertainty.  I won’t go into a long list because I know we all have these worries that we can fret over whenever we want to - finances, health, relationships, politics, and on and on.  Instead I’ll talk about the sense that everything is going to work out fine.  I can’t explain it, but I’ve always had a sense that we will all be okay - from when I was 19 and a tornado was bearing down on the house I was in to when I was 54 and I was facing a mountain of work with my mom’s estate.  I’ve always had this pervading sense of calm and peace.  Whether I’ve been in the midst of religion or in the throes of philosophy, I’ve always had a knowing in me that there is truly nothing to fear.  At times I thought I was just naive, and at times I thought I was very wise, but through it all I’ve never really doubted that somewhere everything would be all right.  I said something about this in my last writing - yesterday is past and there’s no point in worrying about tomorrow, so why not have peace that today is going to be a good day, and why not find joy and fulfillment in spreading goodwill and love?  I wish you the best always.

What have I been up to?

Magpies a couple weeks ago had to be cancelled due to a relative’s death in the Magpies’ family.  I was so sorry to hear of this and was happy to cancel.  We all have to support each other in times of need.

I played an 80th birthday yesterday for old friends whom I’ve played for many, many times.  It was a wonderful event.  Happy Birthday, Jeanne!

What’s up this week?

Friday 7-10 I’m back at Magpies with lots of energy for the new year.  I’ll have a couple different guitars in tow so we can have some excitement and variety.  I’m still not sure what I’m playing, but I’m always game for the ride.  We have fun!

Saturday at 7:00 I’m playing a concert in Florence, Colorado, at the Bell Tower Cultural Center for the Florence Arts Council.  This is a wonderful place in an old church where they feature visual artists and a little music now and then too.  If you’re a lover of the fine arts this is a great place!  Tickets are $8 for members and $10 for non-members and are available in Florence at the Bell Tower or the Fox  Den.

What’s on the horizon?

I just booked PDub Brewing Company Taproom for January 27th 6-9.  PDub is owned by good friends from Pueblo West, and is my first time playing in Pueblo West in quite a long while.  You may remember the news stories about PDub from October when the brewmaster, Brad Schoolland, rolled his pickup truck and had to be put into a medically-induced coma to help him heal from life-threatening injuries.  He’s doing better, but he’s still on a road to recovery.  He’s currently in Denver in rehab with his wife, Amanda, and family is running the place and bringing in guest brewers to keep the beer flowing.  If you’re a fan of craft beer and great food, then this is the place to be.  I’m honored to bring attention to this great establishment and a little music to boot!

That’s it for this week.  I hope you have are doing well and can find a little peace in our topsy-turvy world.  Everything’s going to work out fine.

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

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

Who: Tom Munch
What: playing a concert in Florence, CO
Where: Bell Tower Cultural Center, 201 East Second Street, 719-784-2038
When: Saturday, Jan 21, 7:00

Monday, January 2, 2017

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I'm sitting at Jen's dad's kitchen table on this morning of January 1st of the new year - contemplating what the year will bring. Of course the first thing that comes to most everybody's mind is uncertainty about the political situation.  No one really knows what the new president will bring. I'm one who usually welcomes change, and so I look forward to a new adventure, just as long as it's not too wild a ride. For myself I'm slowing down a bit. I want to do a new musical project this year, but I haven't settled on what exactly that will be. We've almost wrapped up my mom's estate, and although I'll be spending quite a bit of time helping Jen with her dad, I think I'll also have time to be creative this year. Song of Pueblo has wrapped up for me, and although I loved the show it was time to move on. I'll always remember my good friend, Richard Mandel, when he was closing Peaceful Henry's in Guffey. I asked him why he was closing down, and he quoted the old chestnut, "To everything there is a season." I feel that way about the Song of Pueblo. I'm fairly peaceful at 55. I haven't achieved everything I'd like to in my life, but I'm also content with what I have done, and I realize more and more that it's not what you achieve, but what you experience along the way that's really important. It's what's in the moment that really matters. I wrote that in a song many years ago, "This moment is my goal. The only thing I can truly know." If I can touch others in a meaningful way while being at peace myself I am content. So that's how I'm approaching the new year. How about you?

What have I been up to?

Magpies was a blast the last time out for the year on Friday. We had such a good time singing Christmas songs and sharing the holiday spirit. Bill Schwabe even joined me for a few songs at the mic. Wow!

My online living room concert was a great time too the following Sunday night. I had folks from all over the country tuning in and making requests. I think I need an online concert more often. 

Then the holidays I didn't play as much. My wife Jen's 93-year-old dad has been in the hospital after a fall, so we spent most of the holidays with him. 

What's up this week?

Magpies is cancelled this week due to a death in the family.

Friday I'm back at Magpies to start the year out right. I'm thinking of doing a theme night, but I haven't thought of what the theme will be yet. I'm up for suggestions. We usually end up on '60's tunes, but I'm always game for anything. I'd love to do a night of old country or folk songs. Maybe those are good themes for this Friday. Let me know what you think. 

What's up going forward?

I have a few interesting gigs coming up in addition to my facility gigs and my regular Magpies performances the first and third Fridays. I'm doing a concert for the Florence Arts Council at 7:00 on Saturday, January 21st at the Bell Tower Cultural Center, 201 E 2nd Street in Florence. This is an old church with great acoustics with wonderful paintings and other art that also does concerts during the year. I'm honored to play for these folks again. I'm also playing a gig with my old band, the Atomic Fireballs, in early February. I'm trying to remember what the group is. I've already scheduled the full summer of Thursday-night barbecues at the Yellow Pine in addition to my shows for the rafting scouts. I have a couple other appearances I'm shoring up as well as another show at Lucy's in La Veta on July 22nd. It looks to be a busy year that will bring lots of music and joy. 

I guess that's it for this week. Be good to each other as well as yourselves, and I'll see you down the road. 

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo.  719-542-5522
When:  Friday, Jan 6, 7-10 pm