Every Year

In early December every year I take stock of my frame of mind and Christmas spirit. This year is not as worrisome as last year before we had vaccines for COVID, but of course we’re still not out of the woods with that. We haven’t had any snow and little cold weather here in southern Colorado to put us in the mood for Christmas. We’ve done our decorating, and I’m doing Christmas shows for my senior facilities now. Still I find that I’m having to push myself a little to get into the sparkling magic that always overtakes me for Christmas. Traditions and their emotions are amazing things that we have created to move us through seasons and times of plenty and want. It’s easier for me than it is for many who struggle through this time of year with expectations of joy and letdowns of sorrow. We should always know that we are loved and that nothing can ultimately separate us from the joy of life and being. Dwelling in those thoughts can bring the spark that lights each celebration of tradition with wonder and excitement. I hope this season finds you with fullness in your heart for your loved ones and those you meet in your day.

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What have I been up to?

I had 6 senior facilities last week, but one had to be cancelled for COVID again. This is certainly a tough time for folks to not have visitors and entertainment. The one I had on Saturday I hadn’t been to since September, so it was so great to see them again.

My Thursday online show doing Bing Crosby tunes was a lot of fun. The time I spent preparing and studying his songs was almost as cool as playing the songs for the audience. I can get lost in that era pretty quickly.

My online show on Sunday was also very nice with so many good friends and good requests. I love playing for these folks.

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What am I up to this week? 

Tuesday will be a busy day with shows for the Newcomers group in Pueblo and also for the Legislative Academy of the Council of State Governments that I haven’t played for in two years at the Broadmoor. These are both wonderful groups of folks that I’m honored to play for.

Thursday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be a howling theme. I’ll feature songs about coyotes and wolves and howling dogs that we’ve used for our 8:00 howling for healthcare workers that we’ve done since COVID started. It should be a fun night. I’m not saying that we’ll howl in every song, but it’ll be fun to do all these neat songs I’ve learned over the past two years.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests I continuously work on for folks. I’ve picked up a lot of Christmas requests lately, and I’ll be mixing in some of these even though I’ll be doing holiday songs for the next couple Thursdays after this one. This season is so short and there’s no way I can get in all the great Christmas songs that I know and have been requested.

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That’s it for this week. I put the wrong date for my La Veta Mercantile concert next week in my last blog. It’s actually 7:00 Saturday, the 18th and not the 16th as I had written. I hope you’ll come out if you’re in the area. Stay safe and enjoy this holiday spirit - even if you have to open your own heart to the magic.

Best always,

Tom

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Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of howling songs 

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

When:  Tuesday, December 9, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

When:  Sunday, December 12, 7-8:30 pm mountain time