Friends

I’m thinking today about friends and their influence on our lives through the years.  I’m anticipating talking to an old friend this afternoon whom I haven’t talked to in 40 years.  I was corresponding with his wife, and I told her that there are things I still do every day that reflect a conversation or an experience I had with this friend, and that amazed me.  Part of this is because we are so affected in our formative years by all the things we see and take in, and part of this is that wise habits and lessons we learn from our friends become lasting as we see their value in everyday living.  Of course, it’s hard to see in the moment that these things are what will stick with us for all time, but when we reflect on them we can trace them back to a moment when they struck us in what might have been an ordinary situation.  I’m in the midst of writing a song that will include this old friend’s name with a lesson of helping others instead of playing a trick on them.  At the time I thought that he was missing a chance to have some fun, but he saw through to the core of the matter.  Fun at someone else’s expense doesn’t really build and encourage the other person or the friendship.  Even when it’s playful it still runs the risk of alienating the other person and is really unnecessary.  That’s a valuable lesson to learn at any point in our lives, and is one that I am reminded of every time I try to be “clever” instead of just doing something helpful in the first place.  Thank you to my friend “Grinner” for teaching me this lesson, and I’m looking forward to catching up with him.

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What have I been up to?

Last Saturday was great fun playing a concert at Wildwood Sounds in Del Norte.  Steve and Konnie have a wonderful and comfortable listening room that is a musician’s dream to play in.  Thank you so much!

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What am I up to this week?

Friday 6-9 is the first-Friday evening at Bistoro that I look forward to every month.  The food, atmosphere, and vibe that these folks put out is so special, and if you haven’t experienced it I encourage you to!  Call 719-696-9672 for reservations.

Sunday 7-8:15 MDT is my First-Sunday Online Living Room Concert on Facebook Live.  The first outing of this on Facebook went really well once I figured out the interface, and this month I’ll do it from a larger screen so I can follow the comments better.  Please tune in if you can. facebook.com/tom.munch

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That’s it for this week. Cherish your friends, and thanks for your friendship!

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing
Where:  Bistoro, 109 Central Plaza, Pueblo. 719-696-9672
When:  Friday, November 1, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a concert from my living room
Where:  online at facebook.com/tom.munch
When:  Sunday, November 3, 7-8:15 pm MDT

Driving Dynamics

I wanted to write about driving dynamics today. What do I mean by that? Well, maybe driving politics and psychology would be a better title. I, like everyone else, pride myself on being a good driver, but I fight it, and it speaks to something bigger in my psyche. For instance, in my experience most people drive a little above the speed limit as a habit. I tend to do this too, but I don’t like to bunch up with everyone else, so I drive a little faster until I find a bigger break in the traffic or else I go a little slower to find that break. When I’m going faster I feel more in control, but that can be a losing proposition when everyone starts to go faster. It almost escalates into a dangerous competition. Alternatively, I find that if I go slower I feel unsafe when I’m being overtaken by faster traffic that is often not careful or considerate. As far as something bigger in my psyche, I want to be as peaceful and as loving as I can be in my dealings with others. Being more in control is sometimes a boost to my ego that is not as peaceful and loving. But being slower does not lend itself to peace either when I’m concerned about my safety along with the others riding with me. I can’t control the thoughts or actions of others. We’re each making our individual journeys through this life, and it’s not my place to tell others to be more peaceful and loving, but what a wonderful place it would be if we all were. I’ll go on trying - hoping that an act of fairness or kindness can encourage someone else to do the same.

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What have I been up to?

Saturday I played at the Windsor Hotel in Del Norte for diners and dancers. It was fun, and I had some wonderful folks come out. I don’t travel that much for these kind of gigs, but it was a good time. I got some pretty sunrise pictures on Lookout
Mountain with the “D” on it for Del Norte the morning after as well.

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What am I up to this week?

Saturday 7-9ish I’m back in Del Norte for a concert at Wildwood Sounds. This is kind of a house concert setting in an old American-Legion-type hall. I’ve been wanting to play here for several years, and I thank my friend Daniel Market for setting up this gig. Come on out if you’re in the area.

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That’s it for this week. I’ve been having fun doing a lot of spooky Halloween songs. This is a fun season. Take care, and I hope to see you soon.

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing a concert at Wildwood Sounds
Where:  850 Grand Ave, Del Norte, CO 719-657-4757
When:  Saturday, October 26, 7-9 pm

Joy

I wanted to write about something today that I often deny myself - joy. I know that sounds odd for me to say that I deny myself this, but it’s true. I find myself purposely going out of my way to not let myself be joyful. I’ll make myself miserable instead of filling my world with happiness sometimes. So why do I find myself not being joyful? I’m not really sure. Sometimes being cross or ornery or a downer is some sort of self-punishment, I guess. We get this idea that we’re not worthy from example or from teachings we were exposed to as children. I tell myself that I’ve let go of this over the years, but it still creeps in. When this happens I try not to dwell on it. I know it’s not really me. I remind myself that I am part of a magnificent world in a magnificent universe, and that all creatures are worthy of love and deserving of joy. It’s so easy to smile. It lifts our spirits, and it brings joy to others around. Sometimes just putting on a smile can lift my whole persona. And then I put joy and love into the world, and I am rewarded tenfold or more. It’s pretty simple, I’ve found. How about you? Do you find yourself denying yourself joy?

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What have I been up to?

Monday was my first day in the studio on my next album. Don and I had to catch up and get in the zone before we could record anything, and then we spent the afternoon capturing the first song. I think you’ll like it. It’s what I’ve been calling my Neill Diamond Buddhist song. I have several more songs ready to record, and I’m writing a bunch before my next session in November.

Saturday I played the Littleton Museum Harvest Festival and had a blast. I played a variety of fall and Halloween songs for the families and friends who came.

Saturday afternoon I also recorded a song  in Denver that a friend wrote and that I contributed the music, guitar and voice to. It’s based on a Chuck Pyle idea that I think you’ll like. More about it later.

Sunday was playing for Cuchara Chapel, which was also very nice. I love the folks up there!

Sunday evening I played my first online concert on Facebook, and it turned out pretty well (after a restart because I couldn’t see comments on the screen.) Many kind friends tuned in, and it was great to welcome many Facebook friends I’d never played for before. I’m really looking forward to the next one the first Sunday of November. I’ll figure out how to work the comments better there too by then.

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What am I up to this week?

Saturday night 6-9 I’m at the beautiful Windsor Hotel in Del Norte, Colorado. I’ve never played this venue before, and every indication is that this will be a most enjoyable evening with some great folks. Check out their website - windsorhoteldelnorte.com. If you’re in the area or would fancy a night at a classic historic hotel with great food near the Fall colors, then come on out!

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That’s it for this week. I’m loving the Fall now that the temperature has cooled down a bit. Take care of yourself, and spread joy wherever you can.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing
Where:  Windsor Hotel, 605 Grand Avenue, Del Norte, CO, 719-657-9031
When:  Saturday, October 18, 6-9 pm

Creating

I’ve been in the studio all day with my good friend Don Richmond, and it feels so good to be recording what I’ve been writing over this past year. I wrote several years ago about what it’s like to be creative. It’s like opening the floodgates on the energy of the universe. I instantly feel purpose and flow. Sometimes in this life it’s easy to feel stagnant, and it’s important to feel engaged and vibrant. Of course, there are always doubts about the music and lyrics, but the energy of the creative process usually takes those away. I hope you are creating somehow in your niche of the world. It’s good medicine.

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What have I been up to?

Last week was a whirlwind.

Friday I played at Bistoro to an appreciative group of friends for our first-Friday monthly outing. That place feels so right.

Saturday was the Chuck Pyle tribute at Swallow Hill in Denver, and it was a packed house. It’s such a gratifying thing to share a space with other accomplished musicians to honor someone we loved so much.

Sunday was my show at the La Veta Mercantile with Gordon and Richard of the duo Close N Counter, and it was a joy. I got to play a bunch of Jazz standards on my own as well as a few guitar songs with Gordon and Richard that were a delight.

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What am I up to this week?

Monday was the studio I’m writing from now. I’m working on my next album, and it feels good to say that.

Saturday 11:30-1:30 I’m at Littleton Museum for their Harvest Festival. If you’re in the Denver area please come check it out. It sounds like a lot of fun.

Sunday 7-8:15 MDT is my First-Sunday Online Living Room Concert on the second Sunday this month.  I’ll be doing this on Facebook Live this month for the first time.  Hopefully it will work well.  Here’s the link - facebook.com/tom.munch

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That’s it for this week.  I hope you feel joy in your day and get to experience a little creativity this week.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing for Littleton Museum Harvest Festival
Where:  Littleton Museum, 6028 S Gallup St, Littleton, CO, 303-795-3950
When:  Saturday, October 12, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a concert from my living room
Where:  online at facebook.com/tom.munch
When:  Sunday, October 13, 7-8:15 pm MDT