Writing

I’m getting the urge to write songs again, and I’m always curious what motivates me to write. I know that others feel that writing helps them work through issues that they’re dealing with. Some writers say they have a responsibility to put ideas out into the world to try and make a difference. Some just like to tell stories about interesting people or occurrences. I think I’ve had all those motivations before. Each listener interprets a song differently though, so sometimes the intention put into a song is not what the listener gets from it anyway. Some writers are intentionally vague in their lyrics so that their listeners can read more meaning into the song. I’m reminded of an interview with Paul Simon and Bob Costas. Bob liked the phrase in one of Paul’s songs, “The cross is in the ballpark” and envisioned several different meanings from it. Paul just said he liked the way the words fit together, and it didn’t have any specific meaning. I think I’m being motivated now to spread some sort of peaceful message of hope and love. It seems we could all use a little of that today. We’ll see if I get any completed songs from it this go round. Writing is not always easy or quick.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and one had to cancel due to a COVID outbreak. A couple others were in active outbreak status, but they were still allowing outside visitors and vendors. This COVID thing is definitely not over. Even Philmont Scout Ranch has had to tighten their restrictions due to a number of cases.

My Wednesday online show of Motown songs was great fun. It is so refreshing to do songs with infectious rhythms in them. I was dancing as I played.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine barbecue was a little slower than last week, but I still got to see some old friends and play some great songs. I even brought out a couple more guitars for a little variety.

My Sunday online show was a huge variety of songs from all over the spectrum. We have such a great group of folks, and the respect and care they show for each other is astounding.

——

What am I up to this week?

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the songs of James Taylor. I first starting learning James’ songs in high school, and I instantly connected with his acoustic guitar riffs and easy style snd writing. This will be a sweet night, and I encourage you to tune in.

Thursday will be the Yellow Pine barbecue again 6:30-8. There are seats open most weeks, so if good Texas barbecue in a historic western barn with my music in the mountains sounds good to you, then come on out. Reservations should be made ASAP at 719-742-3528.

Saturday 11-2 I’ll be at the SPACe Art in the Park in La Veta, Colorado. This is a great annual event that I’ve missed with the pandemic, and this year will be the first time back in a couple years. Expect some wonderful food and art while you hear my music filling the park. It’s right there at the park on Ryus Avenue - the first right after the tracks on the north end of town.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I can’t say enough about how special these evenings are with friends and music. Come on out if you can.

——

That’s it for this week. Wish me well as I write. I hope you are enjoying your summer and that you are safe and healthy.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of James Taylor songs

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

When:  Wednesday, June 29, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, June 30, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for SPACe Art in the Park

Where:  Ryus Ave as you enter on the right - just across the tracks in La Veta 

When:  Saturday, July 2, 11 am - 2 pm

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, July 3, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

What's Right

I’m reading a novel that is stirring my sense of right and wrong - which is one of the things that good stories should do. They actually say that good fiction helps our empathy for each other. It always fuels my curiosity for why people don’t do what’s right. In my life it has always been obvious why it’s best to do what’s right - it benefits everyone, and it makes life more worthwhile. But some people are driven toward contrariness either from abuse they’ve suffered or a general unhappiness with life, I guess. I know that some folks see people like me as idealistic and naive, but I believe you get out of life what you put into it for the most part. Life can beat you down, but if you continue to give out of a spirit of love you will eventually find a smoother path. When you give in to fear and begin to hate and doubt others, then your life becomes a misery. You just have to believe. 

——

What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went very well last week. There seem to be less COVID cases, and I’m hoping we’re maybe in an easier period for a while. 

My Wednesday theme show was doing the music of Michael Martin Murphey, and it was sweet reconnecting with his tunes. He was one to the first musicians whose music I learned when I first started playing.

The Thursday barbecue at the Yellow Pine was fun and crazy - especially for the first one of the season. Everyone is really ready to get out and have a good time. It was great to see so many folks whom I haven’t seen since last summer.

Friday night I played at the Pueblo Riverwalk as part of their summer music series, and although it was a little warm it was great playing outdoors for some of the Pueblo friends I haven’t seen in quite a while. I need to play in Pueblo more often.

Saturday was a retirement party for a friend whom I have been playing for since my days at the Pueblo West Inn 30 years ago. It was a wonderful evening. Congratulations again, Debbie! It was a wonderful party.

Sunday was my online favorites show, and after a full week of gigs and fun it was good to be surrounded by my online Munch Bunch. We had such a good time!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. You just have to see the faces and hear the stories.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be Motown songs again. We haven’t done Motown songs since a year ago in March, and they are so fun and danceable. This will be a blast. Come on out!

Thursday I’m back at the Yellow Pine barbecue 6:30-8, and I’m expecting it to be just as good as last week if not better. I’d love to have you if you are in the area. As always it’s held in an 1890s barn in Cuchara, CO, with Texas barbecue and my music, and it’s best to call in a reservation ASAP - 719-742-3528.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I’m having a harder time finding the time to learn a lot of new requests, but I’m doing my darnedest during this busy season. We always have a great time, and you’re always welcome.

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you’ll take a deep breath and consider what’s right in every situation - keeping love and respect in your heart.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Motown songs

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

When:  Wednesday, June 22, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, June 23, 6:30-8:00 pm

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 26, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Busy

It’s that time of year when things get very busy in a hurry. I honestly thought things would still be slower this year with virus cases on the rise. I like riding the bucking bronc of busyness, but it’s amazing how quickly your priorities change daily. All the little moments of stolen joy get replaced by big swaths of going and going with many detailed moments of fragmented thoughts. It’s pretty wild. I don’t mind, but I still need to sneak into some peaceful slow times for at least a few minutes. Luckily the busyness takes me to some beautiful summer places where I can drink in a lot of natural relief in just a brief glance. Getting lost in some peaceful spaces in our minds always helps too. I’ll keep this short since today is busy too. I hope you are well and happy. 

——

What have I been up to?

I forgot to mention my senior shows last week. I had eight of them, and they all went very well including a new one in Colorado Springs that I enjoyed. Unfortunately two of them were in outbreak status. This virus is still very much a concern. I’m seeing it every week. 

My Thursday online show doing state songs again went very well. There were some really special songs in there. The audience was up for a great time too!

My concert Saturday with Ellyn Washburn at Philmont went a little different than planned. Ellyn got called away to help at one of the camps, so I played the show solo. It went really well all the same, and it was great to get to meet the current staff and spend time with them. I’m always inspired to see younger folks with so much gumption and life!

The Sunday private party was blast with several Munch Bunch folks. 

My Sunday online show doing favorites was actually comical at one point. I’d had very little sleep, and so I was a little goofy. At one point I swiped the screen and dragged my image off the green-screen background so that all the audience could see was the top of my hat in one corner. It took me a minute to figure out what I had done and drag my image back up and centered. I’ll have to try that in the future for a special effect.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week. I’m looking forward to all of them! I’m hoping for less COVID cases for all.

We go to Wednesdays for my online theme shows until the middle of September, and this Wednesday 8-10 mountain time we will be back to one of our early theme shows - Michael Martin Murphey. I’ve loved his music ever since the first time I heard “Wildfire” and “Carolina in the Pines”. I learned many tunes in his early career and have played them often. I guess my timing is good since he just announced that he has a new jazz album out with his son Ryan. Come on out and enjoy his music!

Thursday 6:30-8 I’m starting the season at the Yellow Pine Barbecue. This is something I look forward to every year. I’ve talked about it often. It’s a Texas-style barbecue in an 1890s barn with my music and lots of family fun. I’d love to have you in the audience, so make your reservations early at 719-742-3528 and come on up to Cuchara for a swell evening.

Friday 6-7:30 I’m playing at the Pueblo Riverwalk on the Flood Wall Stage. That’s the area by the boathouse between Union and Victoria. It should be a nice time, and I hope to see some Pueblo folks out. This is not where I thought I would be on the north end of the riverwalk, so take note if you plan to come.

Saturday I have a private party that I’m looking forward to. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests that we always enjoy. I have such a stellar group of folks who come out to join in the camaraderie. Join us!

——

That’s it for this week. Today is a s busy as ever. Take care, and I hope to see you soon.

All the best,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Michael Martin Murphey songs

Where:  Tom Munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, June 15, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, June 16, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing

Where:  Flood Wall Stage at the Pueblo Riverwalk, Pueblo.

When:  Friday, June 17, 6-7:30

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

Where:  Tom Munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, June 19, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Helping

I’m thinking today about those who help and what prods us to help. Helping is usually a selfless act, and as such it is good for the giver and the receiver. There is no doubt that, even when the helping is hard work, there is a satisfaction in being there for someone else. It is also gratifying for the person being helped if they can accept the giving without feeling any obligation. Two examples happened this weekend and one coming up. First, on Friday I noticed a nail in my tire while driving through Kansas. I didn’t dare pull it out and have it go flat on the spot, so I googled a tire shop and drove a short distance where I explained my problem. A minute later a guy pulled out the nail and said it didn’t cause a leak. I offered to pay him, but he wouldn’t take it. It occurred to me as a drove off that I probably insulted him by offering to pay him, and then the lesson hit me that a grateful thank-you is sometimes better than money. Second, I spent the weekend in Nebraska playing a couple gigs and staying with my sister and niece. It was great to see them, and I usually try to be handy and fix things around the house for them if I can. (My granddad used to do this when he and grandma used to visit back in the day.) There were some frustrations in fixing some of the things (as there often is), but it felt so good to help. I know that it meant a lot to them as well. Lastly, this week is the birthday of Bob Deskin, one of my most-valued Munch-Bunch supporters and friends. Bob helps every chance he gets, and it is such a pleasure having his help and working with him. He started the map of the Munch Bunch and also made the playlist spreadsheet of all of the shows since the fall of 2019 including weekly updates. So I encourage you to help when you can. It’s good for you and them! Just put some good energy into the world!

——

What have I been up to?

I had seven senior facilities last week. They all went very well even though one of them was on outbreak status, and I could only sing for them “unplugged” in the halls. 

My Thursday show was doing songs about states and was loads of fun! We actually didn’t end up doing songs just about states, and there are so many songs out there that we’ll do another show. 

On Saturday I did a short and a long show for the Good Sam’s RV Nebraska State Rally in Hastings, Nebraska, and it couldn’t have been better. The theme for the rally was “Camping at Christmas”, and it really felt surreal seeing Christmas decorations and costumes although my shows were a mixture of all kinds of music including Christmas songs. So much fun! Great group of folks!

My Sunday show was done live from my sister’s house, and I did the show on my iPad to simplify the connection and the setup. It looked and sounded quite different, but everyone really enjoyed it. Maybe I should simplify more often!

——

What am I up to this week?

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing songs about states again. We only scratched the surface last week, and everyone really enjoyed it. So this week we’ll do some more great songs about different states.

Saturday 8-10 I’m playing a concert at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for staff and visitors. I always look forward to playing at Philmont, and Ellyn Washburn will be there and will sit in and be featured as well. It should be a great time!

Sunday 12-3 I’m playing a private party for a good friend and Munch Buncher that should be wonderful. I’m really looking forward to it.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I’ll be rolling in from my earlier party, so there should be some great energy in the air.

——

That’s it again for this week. There’s so much going on every week this summer, and I hope you have as fine a time as I hope to have. 

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

When:  Thursday, June 9, 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 12, 7-8:30 pm mountain time