The Sky

My Thursday show this week is songs about the sky, so I thought I’d reflect on what I get from the sky in my life. I’ve always been enamored of the sky. It expresses so many different conditions and moods. I’ve worked outdoors enough at times that I had to plan my days around the weather and what the sky was doing. The patterns of the clouds, and the quality of the light always affects my feelings about the moment I’m in. And that’s not even to mention the night sky when I feel a part of the entire cosmos as I gaze at distant worlds. It’s truly full of magic and mystery to me, and it gives me a connection to the timelessness of the world and each moment in our lives. The sky has enchanted writers throughout time, and you have to know that there are countless songs that mention the sky as it relates to the weather or the enormity of the world and our place in it. So this week I’ll try to play songs that express the poetic qualities of the sky. It’s just part of the magic that makes this life such a rewarding experience.

——

What have I been up to?

My senior shows went really well. It’s so good to feel like I’m getting into the flow of pre-pandemic in a small way.

My studio time got rescheduled to next week, but I’m looking forward to being in that creative and meticulous space.

My Thursday show was very relaxing and peaceful - coming back to the favorite songs I’ve recorded over the past 40 years. When I’m really in promotional mode I tend to tire of playing the songs I have recorded (anything can get old, I guess), but after not having played these for a long while they are old and dear friends that I can’t wait to get reacquainted with. My wonderful audience was of the same mind.

My Sunday show was a lot of favorites I hadn’t played in quite a while as well, and the interaction with everyone present made it into a night to be remembered. I’m truly blessed by everyone who gives of their time and kindness.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have several senior shows this week which I’m looking forward to. One is still remote on Zoom, but the rest are finally in-person unless something changes.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing songs about the sky as I wrote about above. I’m really looking forward to it, and I hope you’ll join us if you can.

Saturday I’ll make a jaunt over to Alamosa to see my friend Bill Hearne play with Don Richmond at Society Hall at 7:00. I’ll probably sit in for a couple tunes. Come by if you’re in the area. It should be a great show!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests that I’ve grown to enjoy so much. The audience is such an integral part of these shows, and I’m gratified each week to see how well we all support each other and the music.

——

That’s it for this week. I’ll start the weekly barbecue at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch on June 17th, and I have several other gigs I’m lining up including hopefully a show at the La Veta Mercantile. Visit my calendar page to see what I’m up to - http://tommunch.com/calendar. Take care, and I hope to see you online or down the road soon!

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs about the sky

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Thursday, June 3, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, June 6, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Rejuvenation

It’s amazing what time in the outdoors will do for you. I know it’s a recurring theme for me, but it’s worth saying again. Nature has a way of retuning our expectations and making us aware of ourselves and the truths of this world. In nature we can find belonging and order. Nature shows us how interconnected we are to the land and the creatures around us. There is an understanding of the timelessness and also the preciousness of life and our time here. Just listening to the birds and feeling a blade of grass in your hand can make you feel the rhythm of the earth and our place on it. I encourage you to be in and with nature if you can in your day. I’m writing all of this because I really feel rejuvenated this morning after our walk in the prairie and a couple days in the mountains.

——

What have I been up to?

My senior shows went very well last week, and one was packed with retirees who absolutely drank in all the music I could give them. It was so gratifying.

My Thursday show doing Beatles music was a blast too. I was little off kilter for the first couple tunes, but once I dialed in we connected to the spirit of the Beatles and their genius.

My Sunday show was way too much fun as well. There were a couple new songs and some old favorites that really hit the spot. I love these folks and this music!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 3 senior shows this week which should be great. 

I have some studio time working on a project for some folks up north. 

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 will be playing songs off of my albums. I have several folks who want to hear some of my interpretations and originals, so this week we will do those. I’m really looking forward to playing some songs I haven’t had a chance to play for a year or more. Here is my album page on my website if you’d like to see what I’ll draw from - everything except the Christmas album. 😉 https://tommunch.com/albums

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 will be favorites and requests as always. I hope some more frequent visitors can come back this week as I have some songs I’ve learned that I’m anxious to play for them. We always have way more joy than should be allowed!

——

That’s it for this week. Things are beginning to book up, so I’ll have more to write about as the weeks progress. We’ve had a lot of rain, so I’m just hoping I can also keep up with weeds and housework too. Now where did that rejuvenation go that I was so full of when I started this page?!

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs off my albums

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Thursday, May 27, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, May 30, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Pulling Back or Pushing Forward

 This past week with the CDC saying that vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks or practice social distancing except in certain crowded or healthcare environments has really thrown me into a quandary. Part of my thoughts are on the different life I’ve established over the past year - staying closer to home and not traveling so much, and part of my thoughts are on the possibility of returning to the life I had - driving several hundred miles a week to 10-15 gigs all over the area. I’ve had a taste of a different kind of life, and there many parts of it I enjoyed. I’m still the most useful and fulfilled when I’m creating and performing music, so that won’t change, but I can see that maybe I could sculpt the next few years a little more instead of mostly flowing with presented opportunities as I have done over most of my life. I’m sure many people are weighing their futures too. This has been a time of deep introspection and winnowing our lives down to what’s important. I don’t feel ready to make any decisions today, but I can tell that I really need a deep dive into myself to see what’s next. I’m not full of any particular ambition. I just want peace and love to fill my life and those around me - with music all around that.

——

What have I been up to?

My senior facilities were very enjoyable last week. I only had a couple, but one of them was playing for folks I hadn’t seen since a year ago in February, and it was a grand reunion!

My Thursday online show was doing songs about mountains, and I so enjoyed visiting some of my favorite songs over my lifetime. The mountains have really influenced me over the years. I’m glad I get to live close to them.

My Sunday show online was also very gratifying with good friends and some wonderful songs. I started to run out of gas towards the end of the show, but I still managed to end with a flourish. Highlights for me included new songs by Graham Nash and Bill Staines.

——

What’s up this week?

I have three senior facilities this week including a new one I haven’t played for before, so there will be some new faces and an introduction to a new group. That’s always fun!

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 will be a return to the Beatles. We did a Beatles show last November, and I promised I’d return to the Beatles for a bunch more of their tunes. This Thursday’s the night! I love the Beatles music, and it will be a really good time. Come on by!

My Sunday show online 7-8:30 will be favorites and requests as always. I’ve been getting some pretty adventurous requests lately, so if I can actually work them up it will be very entertaining to watch me deliver them. I say that knowing I may really fall on my face or chicken out on them. I’ve never really said “No!” to a challenge though, so come on out and see if I can pull them off.

——

That’s it for this week. I’m still deciding if I should switch my Thursday show to Tuesday when we come to the start of my Yellow Pine Barbecue shows on Thursdays in mid-June or just stop the online Thursday show the for the summer. I’ll announce it soon. It’s another in my factors I talked about above - what to do next?

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Beatles songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Thursday, May 20, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, May 23, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Longing

 One of the most frequent feelings in my week is one of deep longing. It’s something I feel in many situations as I go through my day. I feel it when I first rise in the day and give my pets a little love before I dress for our sunrise walk. I feel it when we hit the path and gaze at the mountains, the moon, or the horizon. I feel it when I see friends or family or receive a text from them. I feel it when I pick up my guitar and start a song. I feel it when I hit the road for a destination. It is always just a deep desire to know the situation and reach for deep involvement in every aspect of whatever I’m doing. I guess it’s kind of a savoring of life in all its forms, and I can best describe it as longing because that is the kind of pull it puts on me. I’m sure it comes from something ancient and eternal within me - a desire to reconnect with the essence of life itself. I know it sounds a little wacky, but I suspect you might feel it too. I’m going to ponder on it this week and see where it leads me - maybe to a song. It is ultimately love.

——

What have I been up to?

Last week I had several more senior facilities to play for since they are opening back up to entertainment. It’s great to see the folks, and I’m remembering what it’s like to schlep around equipment again!

My Thursday show playing songs by the Neils - Neil Young and Neil Diamond - was loads of fun. The audience really got into it, and I did too. There are some real favorites there!

My Sunday show playing favorites was really satisfying. Several of the songs were pretty difficult to remember the details on, but I think I did okay. Once again the folks were full of energy and goodwill, so it was the boost everyone needed.

——

What’s up this week?

I only have a couple senior facilities this week, but one of them I haven’t seen the folks since last year so I’m really looking forward to it.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be playing songs about mountains. Mountains have been a big part of my life - like a giant magnet pulling at me ever since I was a child. We’ll be doing songs that talk about mountains and their affect on people - longing, majesty, and mystery.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be playing the favorites and requests that we always come around to once a week. This is such a special group of friends that get together every week to celebrate each other and the music that fills our souls. Come on along!

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you have lots of longing.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs about mountains

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Thursday, May 13, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, May 16, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Rainy Days

We’re having a rainy day here in southern Colorado. It’s the kind of day where you want to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book while you watch the rain drip off the roof as the clouds drift over the mountains. I feel the pressure of Monday things to do.  As Beau and I walked before sunrise in the mud and blowing rain I felt my spirits dip ever-so-slightly with the rain and grey weather. The prairie is greening, and the rain brings life and hope always, but it also asks us to slow down and have some downtime. My favorite rain has always been the afternoon showers I experienced when I worked in the mountains. If you planned it right you could have camp set up just in time to take a nap in your tent during the rain or be inside in a tin-roofed cabin where you could hear the rain patter on the roof and windows. Afterwards the freshness of the rain permeated the land and the trees with a wonderful smell and the feeling of rebirth and new life. So I shake off the dip in spirit and put off for just a moment the work I have for the week while I greet the new week and write you my thoughts. There is always so much to look forward to and be joyful for!

——

What have I been up to?

My senior shows went well last week. Hopefully they will be able to lift more restrictions as our numbers get better in Colorado and all around.

My Thursday night online show doing ‘60s songs went very well. Of course there is a huge catalog of great ‘60s tunes, so we were definitely not at a loss for requests and songs to sing. We will have to do another ‘60s night or more to make another pass at some more great songs.

I did a Saturday night online show that I didn’t write about last week for guests and staff of the Don K Guest Ranch where I played for 8 years or so in the ‘90s. It was great to see so many folks and share some great memories and songs.

My Sunday night online show went very well too with lots of friends and fans. I’m blessed to have such a variety of friends and a variety of music to play.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have senior shows almost every day this week as facilities are allowed to open up more. Many of these folks I haven’t seen in over a year. One of my shows will still be online until restrictions change.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing songs by the Neils -  Neil Young and Neil Diamond. I figured this would be an interesting mix of tunes by these two seemingly-unrelated artists. I think the chemistry will be very exciting, and I invite you to join in!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing the favorites and requests I love to do. It’s Mother’s Day, so I’ll be doing at least a couple songs to honor mothers including the mother song I wrote last year titled “How Did You Know?” Come on out for an evening of music and friendship!

——

That’s it for this week. Now it’s time to have a cup of tea and figure out if I can play hooky from my work for a little while longer. ;-)

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of ’60s songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Thursday, May 6, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, May 9, 7-8:30 pm mountain time