Monday, June 29, 2020

Going with the Flow

Jen and I sat in on a church service yesterday where the lesson topic was transition. We broke out in groups to discuss the lesson, particularly what kind of difficult barriers we had met in our life and how we had gotten through them and transitioned to something new and better. When it was my turn I realized that I have never really had any big barriers in my life that I have recognized because I’ve always gone with the flow.  I figured that things and people came into my life for a reason, and that I should incorporate them somehow into my life. Of course, this is easier when you’re self employed and can take opportunities as they happen. This has carried me on my own for almost forty years, but this Spring I was pretty much stopped in my tracks as many of us have been with the virus and it’s consequences. I’ve gone with the flow a little bit - doing more music online and trying to come up with clever ways of doing music. But I can’t deny that I don’t have a real path in my mind now. Maybe that’s what going with the flow is really about. Maybe we take life and turn it into joy with love in all situations. I know my purpose is to give, and maybe that can always be done with words, music, and pictures regardless of what is happening and how it provides a livelihood. It is strange to be in the middle of it though. Do you feel it too?

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What have I been up to?

My private online campfire for the Don K Guest Ranch staff and guests went really well. It was so good to see familiar faces from 20+ years ago, and the music and stories were really flowing.

My senior facilities outdoors with distancing are hitting the right spot with my residents, and I’m so happy to help the few I can.

My Facebook concert went very well on Sunday although I felt a little lousy after not getting enough sleep and then working on our broken sprinkler system in the 100-degree weather. It was still a lot of fun, and I SO appreciate all the wonderful folks who give me a chance to cheer them and take away all our troubles with music.

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What am I up to this week?

During the week I have several senior facilities scheduled - performing outdoors at a safe distance. It will be a fun but relatively uneventful Independence Day.

Sunday 7-8:15 mountain time I’m back to Facebook Live for another online concert. I enjoy these so much, and people really say that it means a lot to them. I’m happy to have a chance to play and give to some since of normalcy and comfort. I imagine I’ll do something patriotic with the Fourth of July holiday having just happened without fireworks.

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That’s it for this week. Keep on keeping on as best you can. We’ll all get through this virus time one way or the other. Patience is a lesson we will all have to learn. Know that we all share our humanity and our love that sustains us in this world and beyond.

All the best,

Tom

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Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert from my home
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Sunday, July 5, 7-8:15 pm mountain time

Monday, June 22, 2020

Owning a Song

I had a good friend hire me to record a few songs for her to put on a CD. It’s something I do on occasion for folks, and sometimes involves learning a request or two. (If you ever would like this kind of thing let me know.) Sometimes it’s a challenge if a song doesn’t fall under my fingers or fit my voice very well either from pitch or technique. When I was much younger and without near as many hours performing songs I would really struggle with a song that I didn’t know very well or was awkward on the guitar or on my voice. I had a house gig at a resort hotel in Pueblo West, Colorado, where I had some long-term hotel guests who were in the area on an extended contract. One man in particular was very adept at picking up on whether a song fit me and whether I could own a song. He would give me a silent look from the bar when I nailed a song or when I floundered. It gave me incentive to work on my approach to songs in general and my details on certain songs. Owning a song takes getting inside the song to see what the meaningful phrases are, the signature melodies and licks, and the character that the singer needs to play. That's how Joni Mitchell looks at a song. She says that she is an actor who must play a part in the story that is the song. I don’t quite look at it that way, but I do condense the song down to its essence so I can approach it with an honest take on what the song is about and what rhythms it expresses. It is a challenge and it is a lot fun as well. And it’s the same kind of sensitivity that helps us get along in life - seeing every situation as new and worthy of our time and effort. You just have to love enough to give it your all.

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What have I been up to?

My senior performances last week were a lot of fun. I forgot to mention last week that I had two in person on Sunday before my online show as well. I’m starting to see a few more smiles than I have in previous weeks, and that’s a great relief. Some of these folks have had to be so isolated for their own safety during the virus that they are literally dying of loneliness. It’s a blessing to me to be able to make a difference for them.

My Sunday Facebook Live concert was great fun as well. I did some songs for Father's Day and some favorites in addition to a bunch of requests. You can always watch these after the fact on my Facebook pages facebook.com/tom.munch and facebook.com/TomMunchFans/ and my website - tommunch.com/photos-videos.

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What am I up to this week?

Tonight I’m playing a private online campfire for previous Don K Guest Ranch staff and guests where I played campfires weekly during the summer for ten years 1989 to 1999. These online reunions are just a blast, and getting to play for these folks in a virtual campfire like we used to do under the stars will be a highlight of the summer for me. I’d like to do these for some other groups I’ve had the pleasure to be a part of over the last 40+ years as well if anyone's interested.

I have a couple more senior facilities outdoors and socially distanced this week.

Sunday will be my Facebook Live Concert again 7-8:15 mountain time. We’ve been stretching these to 8:30 a few times, so I may just start saying 7-8:30 so folks don’t feel pressure to be done at 8:15. Let me know if this is something you’d like. You can tune in on Facebook facebook.com/tom.munch or on my website tommunch.com/photos-videos.

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That’s it for this week. I’m still thinking about doing some theme nights with different groups and genres. I love so many styles of music, and I’m really getting a hankering to play more of late. If there is a particular night you’d prefer for this please let me know.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert from my home
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Sunday, June 28, 7-8:15 pm mountain time

Monday, June 15, 2020

Love

I’m trying to write a song about the protests and the state of our world. I believe that we’ve never been through a more trying time. I tend to beat the drum for love pretty regularly, but the reason is that I think that love is the defining force in our life. What else matters at the end our lives other than that we loved and had the love of family and friends in our lives? And that is what I think we’re ultimately doing with all these protests. When you have love in your heart and mind you treat others with respect. When you love others as you love yourself then you prefer them in every instance. This also carries over to our pets, to our things, and ultimately to everything in the world. Love is an attitude, a force, and a way of seeing every interaction in our lives. But it doesn’t have to mean we sacrifice ourselves. Love is for ourselves too as members of the human race and the universe. I subscribe to the idea that love is the one force in the universe that flows to all of us from whatever divine presence you believe in. Opening ourselves to this love causes it to flow more freely to all we encounter. It doesn’t deplete us, it just makes us overflow with love even more. Having this idea helps us to understand why we should love others of different ethnicity or gender or beliefs. We all are part of this love that flows throughout the universe, and the idea that we are separate is just the illusion that we feel as an individual in this life. If we can see and understand this then we have no reason for fear or judgement or hatred. This life is an adventure in sharing and understanding this love while we are here. If we treat it this way then we will not have all the anger and angst and pain we now know.

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What have I been up to?

My senior facility gigs went well last week. One was outdoors on Tuesday which was cold and breezy while my audience was socially distanced inside with windows open. It was so good to see folks I haven’t seen in three months! The other one was a Friday Zoom call with 50 or so folks. We had some difficulty getting the muting and unmuting working right, but everyone had a good time.

Sunday was my Facebook Live show with a lot of folks tuning in. I did all requests that tended toward mellower love songs. I cherish these performances so much. I love being in the flow of a song and sharing that flow with friends. It helps everyone retune their brains to the peace in the music.

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What am I up to this week?

I have a couple online senior facilities this week and one in person outdoors with social distancing. I’m trying to set more of these up as facilities decide they can do them safely.

Sunday is my Facebook Live concert at 7:00 mountain time again. I mentioned at last week's concert that I didn’t know how long these would continue when I started them. I’m happy to do them as a service to myself and others. Please join in if you can whether on Facebook at facebook.com/tom.munch or on my website at tommunch.com/photos-videos.

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That’s it for this week. I know my writing got a little bit woo-woo above, but I hope you’ll indulge me for the cause of love. I really do believe it is all that matters in this life. Be safe and be well.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert from my home
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Sunday, June 21, 7-8:15 pm mountain time

Monday, June 8, 2020

Anguish and Uncertainty

On Saturday Jen and I spent the majority of the day working on the yard, the weeds, and the trees on our property. We were driven inside a couple times by storms and high wind. After the first storm we noticed that there were broken eggs beneath the big cottonwood tree behind our house where the two red-tailed hawks have nested since February. We had some really strong gusts, and evidently one of these had actually scooped eggs out of their nest and dashed them to the ground. We soon noticed one of the hawks frantically flying back and forth from tree to tree and letting out a panicky repeated cry of anguish. She kept this up for most of the afternoon even through another storm. Sunday we heard her again, and even this morning I took a video of her as we left for our sunrise walk at 5:00 still telling the world of her pain. I can only imagine what she is going through. In a way we are all going through loss and uncertainty with the virus and the anguish over the mistreatment of our fellow humans that has resulted in protest and unrest. It’s comforting to share pain with another creature on our earth and the knowing that life is worth it even when everything suddenly crashes around us. We have it in us to be better, and with love comes wisdom and understanding that gives us perspective to deal with the angst and questions. Keep love in your heart always as we live through these uncertain times.

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities last week were interesting. I hope that I am being safe and smart playing for them. I would never want to cause any sickness by something I might bring into a facility. Most of these are set up so I don’t need to get anywhere near any of the folks or do more than set up outside at a distance from them. The joyless gazes I see are very disheartening. These folks are so dejected by the isolation and solitude that has been necessary to protect them over the last three months. There is no easy answer, and even with all the joy and good spirit I could share through my music I felt like I barely made a dent. One of my facilities even had to cancel a remote show because they’ve had an outbreak and have to do regular deep cleaning and isolation. This virus is just so dangerous. Please keep them in your thoughts.

Sunday was my album release party on Facebook Live for my new “Back to the Old Country” album. I had a wonderful group of folks, and I think the songs from the album were comforting in their familiarity. Hopefully a lot of folks will find continuing joy in the recordings. You can hear the album on all the download and streaming services, and you can purchase one on my website for $15 plus $3 shipping at tommunch.com/albums.

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What am I up to this week?

I have a couple senior facilities this week - one in person with social distancing and one online. I’m hoping they’ll be a help to those who are there.

Sunday at 7:00 mountain time is my Facebook Live concert again. I’ll be back to doing requests although I may do a little bit of a theme for part of it. Sometimes these Sunday nights are my saving grace after some dimmer days. I live for spreading joy through music.

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That’s it for this week. I’ve been spending some days in a daze and trying to write through the worries all around. You know that I’m always grounded, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some ponderings now and then.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert from my home
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Sunday, June 14, 7-8:15 pm mountain time

Monday, June 1, 2020

Are We Awakening?

I am at a loss of what to write today. Even after an enjoyable show last night on Facebook I am left with a gnawing in my heart over all the angst in our society and the violence in our country. The virus is taking a heavy toll on our spirits and our livelihoods, and the added stress of our lashing out at each other shows how close we are to breaking. I know the dark night can’t last forever. I witness and share it in the sunrise every day. And I have taken to listening to nature sounds and doing quiet meditation to try to bring more peace and meaning into my own life. My hope is that we are awakening to something better. We need each other, and yet we are forced to be apart by an invisible virus tornado that destroys things without our consciousness of its presence. I say it over and over to myself and to you: we are all part of each other in so many ways - from the tiniest particle to the broad swath of our existence on this planet to the spirit that infuses our bodies. We just can’t see it. I have dedicated myself to trying to spread peace and understanding, and I hope you know your purpose too.

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What have I been up to?

Last Monday was an unbelievable day - 8 hours straight of music to benefit Feeding America. I can’t believe I made it through and was even stronger towards the end. To top it off there were no breaks. It felt so good to know I was connecting with so many friends and contributing to a swell of love and giving to help so many. I can’t know for sure how much was raised because the money that came in from my website concert feed wasn’t tracked, but on Facebook we raised just under $3000. I put in 8 hours of time which at my standard concert rate would be $900, and I estimate that on my website we must have raised at least another $500+. So I’m going to say we raised $4500 to help those who are going hungry across this country. I hope it was much, much more. I’m tempted to do it again just for the sheer joy of giving and playing so much, but I was so exhausted after the show and the next morning that I don’t know if I could for a time. Maybe the next holiday?

During the week I recorded several more shows of many genres to share with my senior facilities. I don’t know if they’re getting a lot of play, but at least I’m putting them out there, and its keeping my chops up a bit.

Sunday night was my Facebook Live concert, and it was a blast as always! I had a bunch of friends tune in, and the variety of requests was pretty broad and included a few healing songs as well to help ease the angst we all felt as a result of the dark week with the injustices, protests, and riots we all saw and some participated in. It is so gratifying to know that the music that comes through me can help others feel better, and many are so gracious with their thanks and sharing.

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What am I up to this week?

I am going to try to play for several senior facilities either outside on the lawn or in a parking lot while they gather with masks and social distancing outside or from their room windows. I’m not ready to go back to any regular venues I play in the summer, but I think it’s safe enough to play for my seniors if they can listen in a way that is safe for them. It’s not too extreme to say that some folks are dying of loneliness during this virus, and if I can help in any way then I will.

Friday I won’t be doing a First-Friday Facebook Live show for Bistoro. They are closed to reconfigure and do some construction with a well-deserved grant they’ve been working on getting for some time.  I’m very happy for them and look froward to celebrating when they reopen!

Sunday is my Facebook Live concert again 7-8:15 mountain time. I always say how much I look forward to this, and this Sunday will be a special one as it will be the release of my new album, “Back to the Old Country”. I’ll tell stories about the songs on the album, and I’ll share some tidbits about the songs themselves. I’m proud of this album as it makes its way into the world with its simple songs of love and loss. I hope it makes a good impact on people. It was a labor of love. Please tune in if you can. I’m sure I’ll have some time for some requests as well after I do the songs on the album. If you want to get the album now it is available on all the download and streaming sites, and I have 1000 of the CDs to peddle as well. You can order them from my site - tommunch.com/albums.

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That’s it for this week. Please be safe and send out prayers and positive energy to all those who help and heal and try to make the world a better place. Also send out to those who hate and fear. We’re all part of each other.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert from my home
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When:  Sunday, June 7, 7-8:15 pm mountain time