Monday, July 29, 2019

Getting Along

I’m approaching a more delicate topic with my usual mind-frame today - getting along.  I spent last week with lots of different people - old friends, family, and new acquaintances.  If you’ve read my thoughts in the past you’ll know that I see the world pretty plainly.  I believe that love is the most important thing and that ultimately we are all interconnected - scientifically and spiritually.  But in the world there are many mind-frames.  So when I interact with other people I look into their eyes and try to see where they are in their journey in this life.  Some are angry and distant - reflecting a world that has been unfair to them and has made them suspicious and fearful.  Some are warm and are instantly relatable - like an old friend I’ve shared many moments with over a lifetime.  No matter what the situation, I try to not be guarded, sharing the joy of living and a respect for all.  When there are disagreements I try to rise above them and see our interconnectedness.  When there is agreement I try not to talk about issues and others.  Instead I focus on the person and try to share in our lives and experiences.  In this current culture where we thrill at poking and prodding for a reaction it is more difficult to get along.  But I believe in the end we will see that it is worthwhile and that our differences make us stronger and more fulfilled.  Love is always the goal.

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What have I been up to?

Monday at the Royal Gorge Bridge was a beautiful day - much cooler and fun all around.  Unfortunately, one of the sound engineers we have worked with several days has had to end his summer work with a foot infection that has caused him to have his leg amputated below the knee.  We wish him the best as he heals and adapts.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine was a really cool day too.  There were many friendly faces and even a visit from Daniel Market whom I’ll be playing a few gigs with in August and early September.

Friday was a wonderful concert at Philmont Scout Ranch during the annual reunion where hugs were all around and music that warmed our hearts and memories was in abundance.

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What am I up to this week?

Monday 12:30-4:30  I’m at the Royal Gorge Bridge with my bass-playing friend Dennis Mills.  We are having a great time learning new songs and interacting with the visitors there, and I’d love to have you if you’re up for a Royal Gorge visit.

Thursday 6:30-8ish I’m at the Yellow Pine for the Barbecue.  I say “8ish” because the ending time is never the same - when folks are dancing and making requests we go longer.  Either way it is a great experience with good food in the great old barn accompanied by my music.  If you’d like to be a part of it call 719-742-3528 for a reservation by Tuesday.

Friday 6-9 I’m at Bistoro for the wonderful atmosphere and food that Joette, Pellumb, and their staff put out in their lovely establishment.  It is a true pleasure to be part of their Bistoro family.  Please support them and their support of live music and artistic living and eating.

Saturday I have two private parties in Cuchara that will have me jumping all day with great friends.

Sunday 7-8:15 MDT is my First-Sunday Online Living Room Concert.  I LOVE doing these concerts from my living room.  It is my chance to play for those who can’t make it to my gigs because of proximity or scheduling.  Some people just prefer the homey vibe and intimacy.  Either way I’d love to have you tune in from whatever screen you happen to be in front of.  Just point your browser to concertwindow.com/tommunch  at 7:00 mountain time and sit back and listen.  You can even comment on the chat window or send me an email or text if you like.

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That’s it for this week.  I so enjoy life and the opportunities I have to share music and friendship with so many folks.  Getting along is just the start.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who: Tom Munch and Dennis Mills
What: playing and singing
Where: South side of the Royal Gorge Bridge on the big stage
When: Monday, July 29, 12:30-4:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the barbeque
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, August 1, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing
Where:  Bistoro, 109 Central Plaza, Pueblo. 719-696-9672
When:  Friday, August 2, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a concert from my living room
Where:  online at https://concertwindow.com/tommunch
When:  Sunday, August 4, 7-8:15 pm MDT

Monday, July 22, 2019

Looney for the Moon

I had an interesting week in which I got completely swept up in the anniversary of the first moon landing. So what captivated me about the moon landing anniversary? Well, many things. For one it was a return to what seems like a simpler time, although I know there was a heck of a lot of turmoil in the world at the time. It was also a time of coming together for the whole world to unite and realize that humans are capable of big dreams and accomplishments far beyond our squabbles. But the biggest thing for me was how it made my heart soar for the stars - not just for adventure, but a strange longing and a knowing that we belong out there. I have flying dreams (and I know many folks do) where I zoom across the land above snow-capped mountains and up into the jet-black night dotted with stars and galaxies. I’ve said before that I think we are tied to the universe in spiritual and physical ways that we don’t understand. We are made of those stars, and somehow they are our home. The astronauts on Apollo 11 and many other missions talked of having mystical experiences and epiphanies about life and their place in the cosmos. So this last week I watched and read countless things about that first landing with a fascination that is hard to explain. Joni Mitchell said it well: “We are stardust. We are golden. We are billion-year-old carbon.”

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What have I been up to?

Monday, Tuesday and Friday were fun days at the Royal Gorge Bridge playing music with Dennis Mills. One day we even dedicated a whole hour to songs about the moon!

Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was a lovely night with old friends and a cool and big family who rented out the whole ranch.

Sunday was playing at the First United Methodist Church in Castle Rock. I really enjoyed meeting and talking to the folks and sharing my music. I sang several of the songs that I wrote for Cuchara Chapel services that I hope to include on my upcoming album.

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What’s up this week?

Monday 12:30-4:30 I’m at the Royal Gorge Bridge with Dennis Mills on the big south-side stage. The weather could get interesting today, so I know it will be an eventful day.

Thursday 6:30-8:30 I’m at the Yellow Pine Barbecue. These nights at the Yellow Pine have been very special, and I’d love to have you if you’d like to come. Call 719-742-3528 for a reservation by Tuesday.

Friday 8-10 I’m playing at Philmont Scout Ranch at a concert for current and former staff. I always love playing for the folks there!

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That’s it for this week. I’ll be reveling in the moon all week.

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who: Tom Munch and Dennis Mills
What: playing and singing
Where: South side of the Royal Gorge Bridge on the big stage
When: Monday, July 22, 12:30-4:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the barbeque
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 25, 6:30-8:30 pm

Monday, July 15, 2019

What Is Real?

I was listening to a podcast this morning on our walk that brought up the question of “What is real?” It got me thinking just how flexible the answer can be. I have written before that reality is what we choose and what we make of it. I still believe that and see it in the world. In all kinds of situations people decide what is real and then act on it. It’s what the idea of science sought to define once and for all, but it’s also what science ultimately blew apart with ideas of quantum physics and a world that doesn’t obey physical laws at the smallest levels. In some instances we see people using reality distortion - people telling us that we didn’t see or read what we thought we did, or people inspiring us to feats beyond our abilities. In the end we agree together what reality is, and that fits into the physical laws of the universe as we experience them. This agreement takes some push and pull to figure out. It can leave us feeling individually confused - asking daily what is real. For me it really doesn’t matter as long as we deal with each other in love and an awareness that we are all in this together. Love each other, and reality will work itself out.

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What have I been up to?

Monday was a hot day at the Royal Gorge Bridge - both weather-wise and musically. We had some nice folks roll through, and we did have to stop for rain at one point too.

Thursday was a sweet night at the Yellow Pine. I had some old and new friends come out which made it very special.

Saturday the book signing and dance in Cuchara was a blast. The old community center has a magic that is so much fun to tap into. Memories of dances 50 years ago spurred us into music and dancing nirvana.

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What am I up to this week?

Monday, Tuesday and Friday 12:30-4:30 I’ll be playing at Royal Gorge Bridge with my bass friend Dennis Mills on the big stage on the south side of the bridge. It should be a stellar time, and I’d love to have you visit if you’re up for an afternoon at the Royal Gorge.

Thursday 6:30-8:30 I’m back at Yellow Pine Barbecue. These nights are so rewarding and enjoyable, and having friends there makes it even better. Call by Tuesday for a reservation if you’d like to be a part of it - 719-742-3528.

Sunday I’m doing something different. My agent friend Terri booked me to play for two church services (8:30 and 10:00) at the First United Methodist Church in Castle Rock. The church is very music oriented, and they often feature outside musicians in their services. This will be a treat. So if you’re in the area come on out.

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That’s it for this week. I’m still thinking about what I wrote above about reality. I think someday we’ll all understand, and that not-knowing is part of what this life is supposed to be about.

Best always,

Tom

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Who: Tom Munch and Dennis Mills
What: playing and singing
Where: South side of the Royal Gorge Bridge on the big stage
When: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, July 15, 16, and 19, 12:30-4:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the barbeque
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 18, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing for two church services
Where:  First United Methodist Church, 1200 South St, Castle Rock.
When:  Sunday, July 21, 8:30 and 10:00

Monday, July 8, 2019

In the Zone

A curious thing is happening to me that happens every summer – I’m getting in the zone when I’m playing. I’ve been playing for three straight weeks at more gigs than I can count. Doing all this playing has made my fingertip calluses rock hard and my voice strong with a little edge. It also puts me into an almost dream-like state from lack of sleep and blurring together of gigs. This dream-like state makes me feel different things when I’m performing and seems to give me a weird kind of spiritual connection to the audience. It’s actually pretty cool although it’s also a bit trippy. I tend to forget that this phenomenon can and does happen. I’m sure that musiciansm who tour for long periods of time or actors who do a long run of theater shows experience this too. People working on intense projects for a period of time, or even candidates in the heat of a long political campaign probably see this as well. It lets me go on extended interconnected songs and moments of oneness with the audience that are magical and, yes, spiritual. I’m sure there is a very profound scientific and metaphysical reason for this that we’ll someday know and understand. I just enjoy being caught up in it!

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What have I been up to?

Last Monday and Wednesday were fun days at the Royal Gorge Bridge with Dennis Mills. Monday we had to stop for rain and thunder for almost half the gig, but we had great people to play to, and it was beautiful.

Thursday for Independence Day was a huge night at the Yellow Pine Barbecue. There were so many good friends and big smiles and dancers! It was the one-year anniversary of the fire that devastated so many homes in the area and the miracle of the rain that saved the Yellow Pine and the town of Cuchara. Folks were emotional and thankful.

Friday was a sweet night at Bistoro with good friends and new faces. Yes! Love these folks!

Saturday was a run down to New Mexico to play at Red River Ski Area for a Music on Top concert. I ended up playing inside with rain that nixed the deck stage, and it turned into an acoustic gig when the power went out for the valley and the next one over. It was still a blast, and the difficulties made for a memorable camaraderie. I had a bunch of family out which made it extra special.

Saturday night was a concert at Philmont Scout Ranch that was very enjoyable. I had some surprise attendees and some surprise songs with Ellyn Washburne sitting in that really made the night.

Sunday I played Art in the Park in La Veta for a mellow, contemplative, and appreciative crowd. It was a highlight of my week. I got to do all kinds of songs that I dearly love.

Sunday night was my First-Sunday Online Living Room Concert, and it was a good one. I opened it up to requests, and the audience picked some great songs!

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What’s up this week?

Monday 12:30-4:30 I’m back at the Royal Gorge Bridge with Dennis Mills. We are gelling in a very neat way in our duo that I’d love to have you hear. I’m getting to play a lot of electric guitar which is a treat.

Thursday 6:30-8:00 I’m at the Yellow Pine Barbecue for another fun night in the old barn. We are into the heart of the summer now, and the nights there are very special. I’d love to have you there. If you want to come, please call by Tuesday to make a reservation at 719-742-3528.

Saturday 7:00-9:00+ at the Cuchara Community Center I’m playing for a book signing for Gary Bridges and Justin Toll followed by a dance with Dennis Mills that should be a really fun night. I think it may be one of the best nights of the summer in Cuchara.

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That’s it for this week. I’m glad to have a week that’s a little slower this week. It will be great to have a night at home with Jen and the pets. We’ll see if I can stay in the zone!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who: Tom Munch and Dennis Mills
What: playing and singing
Where: South side of the Royal Gorge Bridge on the big stage
When: Monday, July 8, 12:30-4:30 pm

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

Who:  Tom Munch followed by Tom with Dennis Mills
What:  playing a book signing and dance
Where:  Cuchara Community Center, Cuchara
When:  Saturday, July 13, 7:00-9:00+ pm

Monday, July 1, 2019

Spirituality

I have a hard topic this morning, but it’s also joyful. I write a lot about philosophical and spiritual matters. I truly believe that we are all connected at our deepest levels - both scientifically through physics and spiritually through consciousness. I believe that love is the most important thing in the universe, and  that fear is the antithesis. I believe that our culture needs love more than ever now, and that we have divisions that are driven by fear. I was reminded of this during the past week in many ways, but two instances were more direct than ever. First, I listened to parts of the
Democratic debates. The candidate Marianne Williamson directly stated that love and fear were the two driving factors in our culture today. That jumped right up in my path. I don’t like mixing spirituality with politics, but she is talking about much of the same things as I am. The idea that spirituality could be the core of a candidate was something that didn’t occur to me somehow. Second, I had an old acquaintance who recently has been accused of wrong-doing come to me for support and music. I don’t think things happen randomly in this life, and it occurred to me that this was an opportunity for love instead of fear. We all are connected, and supporting him through music and friendship was what I chose to do. In both the debate instance and the acquaintance instance I was given demonstrations of my beliefs. That was profound for me. I am trying to live out my convictions and my truth.

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What have I been up to?

Last week was a whirlwind.

Monday, Tuesday, and Friday were all fun days at the Royal Gorge Bridge. It got a little warm on Friday, but Dennis Mills and I had fun swapping tunes and interacting with the folks from all over the world.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was another group of fine folks and fun songs.

Saturday night the outdoor concert at Lucy’s in La Veta was a small but very intimate group. It was very enjoyable.

Sunday turned into a house concert of sorts at the Cuchara Mountain Park opener. As it rained outside lightly we shared favorite tunes in the warmth of the day lodge. Jan Davis even brought his bass and sat in. It was a lovely evening.

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What am I up to this week?

Monday and Wednesday 12:30-4:30 I’m at the Royal Gorge Bridge with Dennis Mills for this Independence Day week. It should be a great time.

Thursday 6:30-8:30 I’m at the Yellow Pine Barbecue again. Since it’s July 4th and Independence Day I’ll be pulling out the patriotic spirit and doing some old and new favorites. It should be fun. If you’d like to be part of it call to make a reservation by Tuesday at 719-742-3528.

Friday 6:00-9:00 I’m at Bistoro in Pueblo for our first-Friday monthly. I really enjoy playing in this friendly place full of friends and memories. Please come out if you can.

Saturday 12:00-2:00 I’m playing for the Concerts on Top concert series in Red River, New Mexico, at the top of the ski area. I’ve done this for a few years every summer now, and you couldn’t pick a more beautiful spot to play music than on the deck of the ski area big above the town. It’s always magical.

Saturday evening I’m also playing a concert at Philmont Scout Ranch outside Cimarron, New Mexico.  I love playing for the younger folks and old friends at Philmont every summer. It’s a highlight of my summer.

Sunday 11:00-1:00 I’m at the park in La Veta for Art in the Park.  This is always a great time on July 4th weekend in La Veta, and I look forward to it!

Sunday 7:00-8:15 I’ll be back at home for my First-Sunday Online Living Room Concert. After a stellar week like I’m about to have I will be in fine form for an eclectic evening in my living room sharing tunes. This is my opportunity to play for those of you who are too far away or unable to come to one of my outings. Please tune in if you can on whatever screen device you have handy at concertwindow.com/tommunch.

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That’s it for this week. I can’t believe all the opportunities I have to play in the summertime. I hope you are enjoying your summer, and Happy Independence Day!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who: Tom Munch and Dennis Mills
What: playing and singing
Where: South side of the Royal Gorge Bridge on the big stage
When: Monday and Wednesday, July 1 and 3, 12:30-4:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbeque
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 4, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing
Where:  Bistoro, 109 Central Plaza, Pueblo. 719-696-9672
When:  Friday, July 5, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing
Where:  Concerts on Top at Red River Ski Area
When:  Saturday, July 6, 12 pm - 2 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing for Space Art in the Park
Where:  Ryus Ave as you enter on the right - just cross the tracks in La Veta
When:  Sunday, July 7, 11 am - 1 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a concert from my living room
Where:  online at https://concertwindow.com/tommunch
When:  Sunday, July 7, 7-8:15 pm MDT