Quick Update

I’m running behind today already with such a busy week on the road last week and a gig at the Gorge in just a few hours, so I’ll do a very quick update. I’m loving this summer, and although it has been raining a lot and the weeds are getting ahead of me, I’m feeling good and am dancing on the strings at my gigs. I can’t ask for more.

What have I been up to?

Wednesday night's concert at Philmont was an absolute blast. I saw so many friends at the reunion dinner before I played, and then a lot of them stuck around for my concert. I dropped one of my guitars on the stage when the strap slipped off just seconds before I started so I was a little thrown off for starters (the guitar just got a “flesh wound.”) But I recovered quickly. Ellyn Washburne sat in and sounded great! Such a fun night!

Thursday at the Yellow Pine was a big family reunion group, and it was also a fine time. My good friends Ben and Cathy brought Cathy's mother and a friend out to celebrate her mom's 93rd birthday. She’s a hoot! Happy Birthday!

Friday I played a wedding and reception in Cuchara for a very nice couple. I had a moment of panic at the wedding when I forgot how one of the songs went, but I covered it okay. Got to love my aging brain some days. 😉 Congrats to Abu and Megan!

Saturday was another concert at Philmont for a mostly different group of folks. I saw some more old friends that were so good to greet and embrace. Ellyn Washburne sat in again, and Rod Taylor joined me for several tunes. It was grand!

What’s up this week?

Monday (today as I write this) I’m playing at the Royal Gorge Bridge 12:30-4:30 on the stage next to the bridge on the south side. I haven’t played solo at the bridge in a while, so I’m looking forward to it.

Thursday I’m back at the Yellow Pine Barbeque 6:30-8:30. I’ve been loving playing for folks at the old barn, and the valley is as beautiful as ever. If you want to come, call by Monday evening to make a reservation at 719-742-3528.

Sunday at 7:00 MDT I’m doing another online concert from our living room ay concertwindow.com/tommunch. It’s so great to sing for friends from all over the country, and I really enjoy the comments. I haven’t picked a theme for this month yet, but it’ll be something interesting. Please tune if you can.

That’s it for this week. Hope you are well and happy.

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: South side of the Royal Gorge at the Royal Gorge Bridge on the stage just off the bridge
When: Monday , July 31, 12:30 am-4:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbeque
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, August 3, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing
Where:  online at https://www.concertwindow.com/
When:  Sunday, August 6, 7-8ish pm MDT

Exhaustion

I’ve been burning the candle at both ends, and it has me thinking of what kind of balance is desirable in life. I’ve always been the type of person that pushes myself as hard as I can no matter what the consequences. When I was young I got an adrenaline rush out of pushing myself beyond what I thought I could do. I think I was trying to prove something to myself. You know, that I could do anything I set my mind to. It’s part of our culture, it seems, to do this sort of thing. I once met a couple from out of state who were staying at the Pueblo West Inn where I was performing. They said they were in the funeral business, and that the man they bought the business from told them that the way to stay happy and engaged in life was to travel somewhere every weekend they could. They had taken this to heart and were picking random places to travel to almost every weekend. It seemed to be working for them. They weren’t getting bogged down in their work, and they seemed to be full of joy and happiness. Me, on the other hand, I haven’t been fishing in years, and I haven’t had a good long hike in the wild lands in quite some time. Of course, I do enjoy what I do immensely, so even when I am working every day I really find joy and happiness in what I do, but I can see where a little downtime without the pressure of looking at my to-do list is very important. And exercising and eating healthy always makes me feel better and less exhausted. Isn’t it interesting how we have to reflect occasionally to see if we have balance in our lives?

What have I been up to?

Thursday at the Yellow Pine barbeque was fun as always. Lots of great folks and a beautiful night!

Friday at PDubs was also a fine night. There were a bunch of folks I hadn’t seen in quite a while, and everything was clicking.

Saturday the concert at Lucy's started out in the rain, but it cleared off and was a wonderful evening. I went way overtime because we were all having a good time and we didn’t want it to stop.

It was a great week!

What’s up this week?

Wednesday and Saturday I’m doing concerts at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. I look forward to playing there every year and reconnecting with old friends and meeting new folks with a passion for the outdoors.

Thursday is the Yellow Pine barbeque 6:30-8:30, and I can’t say enough how much I enjoy playing for these weekly get-togethers. If you want to be a part of it please call 719-742-3528 by Monday night to make a reservation.

Friday I’m playing another wedding in Cuchara that I’m sure will be beautiful. I really enjoy these mountain weddings.

Next Monday I’m playing at the Royal Gorge solo in the afternoon 12:30-4:30 on the stage on the south side next to the bridge. I’m writing about it this week so you have a little lead time if you’d like to come up.

That’s it for this week. I hope your summer is going well and that you're staying cool in the summer heat.

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing at concert at Philmont Scout Ranch
Where:  Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, NM
When:  Wednesday, July 26 and Saturday, July 29, 8:00-10:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbeque
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 27, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: South side of the Royal Gorge at the Royal Gorge Bridge on the stage just off the bridge
When: Monday , July 31, 12:30 am-4:30 pm

Compulsions

I’m writing about something that’s related to other ideas I’ve written about, but with a twist. I've had compulsion as a constant companion throughout my life. When I was young I’m convinced that I had OCD to some extent. I was obsessed with things that many kids are - not stepping on cracks, mirroring my right and left movements, etc. I was able to break these compulsive habits as most kids do, but I’ve always maintained a healthy dose of compulsion, I think. Compulsion can be a good motivator - giving the impetus to finish a project that is becoming tedious. It can also be a detriment - having to finish something when another more important task is pressing. It can also lead to excellence - I’m convinced that what musical ability I have is partly because of a compulsion to polish musical techniques to perfection. So it is an interesting part of my overall makeup that has become a tool to be used when I need it. The hard part is when it interferes with living a peaceful life and experiencing spontaneity, and yet I wouldn’t trade it for no compulsion at all. How about you? Do you fell the drive of compulsion?

What have I been up to?

I played twice for rafting Scout groups - Tuesday and Saturday, and each experience was different. Tuesday they were kind of preoccupied, and Saturday they were right with me until they had to leave. They keep me on my toes!

Thursday was another packed house at the Yellow Pine Barbeque. Everything was clicking, and I had a great group again.

Saturday was the Bull Moose in Guffey for friends I hadn’t seen in years as well as regulars who were kind enough to make the beautiful mountain drive. I had forgotten my laptop, so I had to play from memory or from my iPad, which was a stretch, but everything worked out just fine. It was great to see so many old friends in such a storied venue.

What am I up to this week?

Thursday is the Yellow Pine Barbeque 6:30-8:30, and I’m sure the fun will continue unabated. I'm enjoying the summer up there so much, although I miss some of the regulars from years past and of course JoAnn Van Lue who put on the barbeque for so many years.  Come on out if you can, but come early, as seats are filling up soon after 6:00 if not sooner.

Friday I’m back at PDubs 6:00-9:00 for another night of good beer, good food, and music. I so enjoy seeing old Pueblo West friends and those who enjoy a brew with their music!

Saturday I’m playing an outdoor concert at Lucy's RV Park in La Veta 6:30-8:00. They have a wonderful stage in a relaxing park that really feels nice. I love playing this venue.  Bring a lawn chair and something to drink, and Lucy's will provide popcorn and camaraderie.

That’s it for this week. I hope you’re enjoying the beautiful summer weather, and that you haven’t had wildfires disrupt your lives wherever life finds you.

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbeque
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 20, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who: Tom Munch
What: singing and playing
Where: PDub Brewing Company Taproom, 181 S Purcell Blvd, Pueblo West, 719-647-8864
When: Friday, July 21, 6:00-9:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing an outdoor concert
Where:  I Love Lucy's Place RV Park, 226 W. Grand Avenue, La Veta. 719-742-3252
When:  Saturday, July 22, 6:30-8:00 pm

Spontaneity

I had an interesting thing happen to me on Saturday that was unexpected and opened me up to new things - which is always good.  I had a friend text me on Friday to ask if I could play for her son’s wedding the very next day.  She is a very spontaneous and creative kind of person, so it didn’t surprise me to get a request like this from her.  I haven’t booked myself so solidly this summer that I don’t have space for surprise gigs like this - a somewhat planned intention since I’ve missed out on some great things in the past from being too buttoned up.  The whole event was just wonderful - from the people to the venue to the experience.  Everyone was so loving and genuine, and the food so simply yummy, and the experience so real and sincere.  It reminded me how great this life is and how many facets there are in the human experience.  I need this, and am grateful to my friend, Alma, for asking me to be a part of their familia for the evening.  Go out and live, friends.  There is wonder everywhere!

What have I been up to?

Independence Day was a lot of fun.  I got to play outside for different parties, and the fireworks didn’t spook the pets too much or keep us awake too late.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine was packed!  We had so many great folks and such a fun night of music and dancing.  Can’t wait for this week.

Friday night was a fun reception playing with the Atomic Fireballs.  The evening was beautiful in Westcliffe with the almost-full moon, and it was great trading licks with the guys in the band.

Saturday was the surprise wedding and reception I wrote about.  Congrats to Ahizer and Victoria!

Sunday was a great practice for our Cuchara Valley trio and also playing for the rafting Scouts at Echo Canyon.

What’s up this week?

Tuesday I’m playing for the Scouts again at Echo Canyon.  It’s fun playing old mountain favorites and historic songs to inspire them on their way to a great adventure in the mountains at Philmont.

Thursday 6:30-8:30 is another wild night at the barbeque at the Yellow Pine.  I forgot to tell you that they had a couple bears hanging around in the pond and in the barns, so the night was full of electricity.  I even saw a fox, a ring-tailed cat, and several deer on the drive out.  Was a night full of wildlife.

Saturday 1-4 I’m playing at the Bull Moose in Guffey outside.  I haven’t played in Guffey in a couple years, and it’ll be good to see the folks up there again and share some tunes.  Come on up if you’d like to spend a relaxing afternoon in the mountains with some good company and music.

Saturday night I’m also playing for another group of Rafting Scouts.

Whew!  That’s a pretty busy week, and next week gets even busier.  I hope you’re enjoying your summer, and I hope to see you sometime.

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbeque
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 13, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing
Where:  Bull Moose, Guffey.  719-689-4199
When:  Saturday, July 15, 1:00-4:00 pm

Happy Kitty and Independence Day!

I’m a little groggy today from lack of sleep. We got a new kitty last Monday, and she really fit into our family instantly. This is a wonderful thing, but she also sleeps with us which is taking a while to adjust to, and so our sleep is not as solid as it might be. We'll adapt, but in the meanwhile we’re not sleeping as much. We’ve named the kitty “Tuzi” which is part of the Apache word tuzigoot, which means “crooked water”. The meaning of the word doesn’t really have anything to do with the personality of our kitty - we just like how it sounds and how it suits a cute little cat. She had a rough go of her first six months. Someone very badly declawed her and left her front toes permanently deformed and disfigured. Then she got pregnant, which is not that uncommon for a cat under six month (needless to say, spay and neuter pets). But she also wound up on the street as a stray and then at the shelter where she got a serious infection as a result of the miscarriage - probably because she was too small to give birth. So she has a shaved belly from being spayed and walks a little tentatively on her misshapen front toes, but she gives us lots of love and accepts the same in return. And she got along immediately with our big dog Beau, so we really couldn’t ask for more. The declawing actually works out well with Beau's eye disease which could be aggravated by a claw scratch in the eye. And all this makes me thankful, which is a good way to feel for Independence Day. Our founders really were trying to establish a new way of living on earth when they started our nation. We’ve had a lot of struggles, but overall it has been a worthwhile experiment that has bettered our world. Happy Independence Day,  everyone! You can see pictures of Tuzi on my Facebook page.

What have I been up to?

Tuesday was a great group of Scouts to play for at Echo Canyon Rafting! They were from Georgia and Pennsylvania.

Thursday was a fun crowd at the Yellow Pine Barbeque. We had a good turnout and a beautiful night.

Saturday was a huge crowd at Art in the Park in La Veta. I saw so many friends and acquaintances from over the years. It was a blast!

Sunday the chapel in Cuchara was packed for services with Don Pike presiding and my music before and during.  Thanks to Eldaa for setting all this up and providing great piano music as well!

Sunday night was a good group of old and new friends for my online concert. I did a different mix of songs with some old favorites and a few surprises. Thanks to all who listened in and contributed.

What am I up to this week?

Independence Day I’m playing a couple of parties at nursing facilities which should be a lot of fun. I don’t talk about these much, but it’s a joyous way to give back to the community.

Thursday 6:30-8:30 I’m at the Yellow Pine for the barbeque. We’re full on in the season now and enjoying all the regular Cuchara folks and travelers as well. The old barn never looked better, and the s'mores by the fire and the dancers to my music have never been better. Come on out if you can. Call 719-742-3528 for reservations.

Friday night I’m playing a wedding reception with the Atomic Fireballs. I always look forward to playing with the guys and stretching my legs on acoustic AND electric guitar.

Sunday I’m getting in a practice with Dennis and Trudy to prepare for some upcoming dates for our trio in Cuchara that I’ll be talking about soon.

Sunday I’m also playing for another group of rafting Scouts.

What’s on the horizon?

The weekend of the 15th and 16th I’m playing in Guffey at the Bull Moose and then with the band for the Westcliffe Stampede rodeo dance. The following weekend I’m at PDubs in Pueblo West and then at Lucy's RV Park in La Veta for an outdoor concert. Details are on my website http://tommunch.com. Of course I’m at the Yellow Pine for the duration of the summer for the Thursday barbeque.

That’s all for now. I hope you’re having  lots of fun this summer.

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

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