50 Years Ago

I’m doing songs from 50 years ago for my theme show on Wednesday, so I thought I’d reminisce a little on that year. In the bigger world we had the Olympics with Mark Spitz and terrorist attacks, President Nixon visiting China, Spiro Agnew resigning, the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl, “American Pie” and “Candy Man” on the radio, and “The Godfather” and “Diamonds Are Forever” in the theater. In my smaller world I was moving from 5th to 6th grade, my niece Pam was born, I was helping my sister Jane crew for my dad on our sailboat in races, I started playing the clarinet, and I got to slow-dance with a girl for the first time. I was a pretty typical kid - probably a little more cocky than a lot of kids because things came relatively easy for me. We had a lot of kids my same age in my neighborhood, so we were always playing football or whiffle ball or with frisbees or riding bikes. It was pretty idyllic. Weekends we’d go to a trailer on a lake an hour away so our dad could sail his small sailboat and we could either help sail or explore the lake ourselves in a rowboat. We’d go to the mountains for a couple weeks each summer as well to see our grandfolks and have outdoor adventures. Music was always playing on the radio in the house and the car, so we knew all the latest songs. I still have memories of certain songs playing while driving certain stretches of highways or skating at the skating rink. These songs were a huge backdrop for the culture at the time, and that’s why they still mean so much to us and why I think it will be fun to concentrate on that one year and the songs we remember. 1972 - it doesn’t seem that long ago, and yet it seems a million years ago too.

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities scheduled last week, and unfortunately one had to cancel for another COVID outbreak. The others were so enjoyable. I can’t say enough how worthwhile it is to give and interact with folks in the community.

My Wednesday online show of “spinning the wheel” and doing songs at random from my huge song library was a blast. My rule that it had to be a song that I hadn’t done before at a show was a little surprising to the audience, but that made it a night of discovery and a lot of new tunes for many. All in all, it was a memorable night of songs and interaction.

My Thursday show that I mentioned last week playing for a community event in Walsenburg for the Puentes group was very nice too. They are seeking to unite the different southern Colorado communities in a way that fosters support and common goals, and it was a wonderful night of planning and new friendships.

My Sunday online show of favorites and requests was a blast as always with a lot of great songs being suggested and played and many more leftover for the future. We always have such a great group of folks who support each other and my music. I even dug out the banjo and played a couple tunes on it as well as the piano, which I didn’t end up playing until the last song for a bit. I may dig out some of the other odd old instruments I have just for the fun of it.

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What am I up to this week?

I have only 6 senior facilities this week because it’s the fifth week of the month, and so my monthly repeating facilities don’t happen to fall on a fifth week. That’s okay. We had to have our air conditioner and heater replaced last week, and I have some work to do to finish up with that. I’m also working on a possible fiction book with a good friend, and I want to spend some time brainstorming about that.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the above-mentioned songs of 50 years ago in 1972. This was a great year for songs, and I’m looking forward to playing them! Come on out and reminisce!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time of favorites and requests should be a blast this week. Being that it’s Labor Day weekend I’m in hopes that a lot of folks will be relaxing on Sunday evening with no work Monday and will be up for a fun night of songs. If that’s you then come on out!

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That’s it for this week. I’m still really enjoying doing online shows, but I’ve had several folks ask where I’ll be playing this fall and winter where they can come see me in person so I’m thinking about scheduling some. I do have a few interesting public gigs like the Senior Safari at the Pueblo Zoo from 11-1 on September 14th, the Deer Print in La Veta from 6-8 during Oktoberfest on October 1st, and the Littleton Museum Harvest Festival from 11:30 to 1:30 on October 8th. I’d love to see you if any of those places line up with your life. Until then, thank you for your friendship and for your time.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing a an online concert of songs from 50 years ago

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

When:  Wednesday, August 31, 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, September 4, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Choices

I’ve had a couple interesting exchanges this week about life and the directions we take, and it has me reflecting on the choices we make. We make a lot of decisions in our lives that shape where we go and where we end up. Early on I had some big adventures that gave me the gumption to shoot for whatever I wanted in life. I’ve always been a little more subdued in my choices, but I had the confidence to not shy away from challenges. That said, when I had the chances to go for the “big time” in music I held back, realizing that I would have to give up more than I wanted as far as privacy, freedom, and autonomy. Still I have taken a few higher-profile gigs to see what that life would have been like. Those have been fun, but I always realized that I was more interested in making music than I was in having fame or making lots of money. I can remember phrases like, “Bloom where you’re planted” although I also heard phrases like, “A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships were made for.” It’s funny how we take these things to heart. These past two years of the pandemic have made me realize that I could reach people everywhere from my own home base, and I’ve grown contented with that - doing my shows from the house over the internet. I don’t ever plan to retire, but I’m glad to know that I can always make music that reaches people where they are. What else is there?

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and they all went very well. It’s hard to express what it feels like to contribute to these people’s lives. It’s very special.

My Wednesday online show of songs about music and singing went just as well or better than the first show I did with this theme the week before. We have such a great group of folks who tune in.

My Thursday evening playing for the Hermosa folks was very nice. It was so good to see all those folks. They always make me feel welcome and at home.

My Sunday request show was very sweet as always. I love these Sunday nights!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I am looking forward to all of them as always.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be a spin-the-wheel event where I’ll randomly pick songs from my songbook (laptop) where I have over 4700 songs to choose from. There will be some real surprises and some diversity that will be so much fun. Come on out!

Thursday I’m playing for an event for a project called Puentes (Spanish for Bridges) that seeks to unify different southern Colorado communities for the common good of all. My good friend Sandy Dolak has put this together in Walsenburg, and I’m proud to lend my music to it. I’ll let you know how it goes.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These evenings are always special, and I’d love to have you join in as well.

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That’s it for this week. I hope to see you soon.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing a second online concert of songs about songs and singing

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

When:  Wednesday, August 24, 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, August 28, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Joy of Singing

Since our show this week is part two of songs about music and singing, I thought I would write about the joy I find in singing. There is just something about vocalizing alone or with others that is so joyful. It’s something that comes physically from the deepest part of your core that then comes out in a melodious (hopefully) sound that expresses your individuality and feelings. And many of the songs written about music and singing reflect this joy. And yes, there is also pain and every other emotion expressed in singing, but I guess it’s just the purest way of making music that I can think of, and so I find joy even in singing painful songs. It’s an all-engaging full-body activity! I think that’s why people tune in to watch my online shows. It’s joyful to watch someone feeling that amazing flow of music coming through them. I hope you can enjoy it too!

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and there were some really nice moments at all of them.

Tuesday was my online theme show about music and singing, and it was so much fun. That’s why we’re doing it again!

Wednesday was the dance I played with Dennis Mills at the Cuchara Community Center. It was a blast with so many great folks coming out to dance and support us.

Thursday was the last Yellow Pine barbecue for the summer, and it was sad as always to end the summer series, but it was also a great evening. We will have one more event up there for the public on September 8th. That’s our AA (Appetizers and Alcohol) evening that we always do the the first Thursday after Labor Day. That’s a bring-your-own event where everyone shares appetizers as a final farewell to summer. I’ll write more about that on the week it occurs.

Friday I played poolside at the Pueblo Country Club and had a very nice group of mostly families listening to my music as they swam and relaxed. I had some very nice comments.

Sunday I played the final Cuchara Chapel service of the summer which was outside for COVID reasons, and it was very nice. Hopefully they can do indoor services next summer, but I’ll help them make a way to broadcast the sound to the outdoors for people in case there are still COVID concerns.

Sunday evening was my online show of requests and favorites, and even though several regulars couldn’t make the show we still had a very nice group of folks with some great requests.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. Hopefully we won’t have any serious COVID outbreaks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the second show of songs about music and singing that I wrote about above. There are so many great songs that fit this theme. Come on out and join in with the group in listening, commenting, and watching!

Thursday I’m playing an event for the wonderful Hermosa group in Cuchara that I have played for many times. I’m writing about it in case any of my Hermosa friends are reading this blog. I’d love to see you!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests that I always love to play for our Munch Bunch Group. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. I honestly thought I’d be more worn out after last week was so busy, but I guess I have a few more good years of doing so much music. I hope I never stop!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing a second online concert of songs about songs and singing

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

When:  Wednesday, August 17, 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, August 21, 7-8:30 pm mountain tim

Clutter

Jen and I watched a TED Talk on clutter a day or so ago, and it has me thinking more about clutter. Some of the points in the video were revealing about why we have clutter in our lives - from unexpected events leading to taking in stuff or breaking our routine of organizing and getting rid of stuff. But there is more to it for me. Often I have clutter because I don’t have the time to deal with stuff or the place to put stuff. Every project of going through things that have stacked up on a desk or accumulated on a shelf takes a block of time that is often hard to find. I’ve always liked the idea that you can just do a few minutes of going through stuff, but often it means spreading stuff out and stacking it in piles to take the next step. If you take time for that then often you don’t have time to finish and have to leave some of those piles out, and I can point to several of those piles over the years that lasted for weeks or months. And for me the organizing of my stuff has also made a map in my brain that corresponds to where everything is in my office or whatever space I’m going through. As I age those maps become fuzzier as my brain gets fuzzier. I’ve definitely gone to buy something I needed and then realized I already had one on the shelf I bought a couple years ago. My space is actually pretty well-organized at present where I mainly work, but I confess that there is storage and drawers that I could go through. I’ve heard several friends mention in discussions about this topic that a good fire would cure their woes. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone though. I have made rules at some points of my life to help me - like: 1) If I haven’t used it in 5 years, then out it goes, or 2) If it doesn’t fit in this keepsake box then it goes to charity. Sometimes those help, but not always. Such a struggle! So how about you? How do you deal with clutter?

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and only one was affected by COVID. At that facility I had to play in the halls because they couldn’t gather residents together for an event. I enjoy playing for and interacting with these folks so much!

My Wednesday show about campfire songs was really fun. We even sang “Kumbaya” if you can believe that - and enjoyed it! There is just something about gathering around the campfire (I had one on the screen behind me.)

Thursday at the Yellow Pine barbecue was a great group of folks, and it was good to see them all! 

My Sunday show doing favorites and requests was wonderful as well. We settle into such a nice rhythm of give and take in our group that it is a joy to just be a part of.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I only had one cancel for COVID. I hope everyone at that facility does okay and recovers quickly.

Tuesday will be my online show 7-8:30 mountain time with the theme of songs about songs and singing. My good friend Deann came up with this theme idea, and there are a lot of good songs to be sung. Come on out and see what we come up with!

Wednesday 7-9 I’ll be playing another free dance at the Cuchara Community Center with my friend Dennis Mills on bass for the community. These dances are always fun, and hopefully we won’t have a rain storm just before the dance that scares away the dancers this time. If you’re in the area please come out and enjoy the evening with us!

Thursday 6:30-8 will be the final barbecue of the summer at the Yellow Pine. I’m always sad to wrap these up, but I know we’ll do a special potluck and BYOB night the first Thursday after Labor Day at the Yellow Pine, so I’ll get to be there one more time even if it’s not the regular barbecue. I’d love to have you come out if you can so we can make the last night a gangbuster event! Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528 if you’d like to come.

Friday 5-7 I’m playing poolside at the Pueblo Country Club, so if you’re a member or member’s guest please come on out and enjoy the evening with some music.

Sunday 11-12 Im playing outdoors for the Cuchara Chapel in the park next to the chapel. The chapel has struggled with many members getting COVID this summer, and so they’ve had hardly any services. This one will be outdoors so at least we can get one service in before the season ends. Please come out for this special memorial service in you’re in the area.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I cherish these evenings of interaction with my wonderful friends and followers. Come on out if you have if you can.

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That’s it for this week. I’m looking at the clutter on my desk and contemplating whether I have time today to deal with any of it! 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch and Dennis Mills

What:  playing for a free dance put on by the Cuchara Valley Recreation Program

Where:  Cuchara Community Center, Cuchara

When:  Wednesday, August 10, 7-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, August 11, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing for the Cuchara Chapel virtual service

Where:  In the park next to Cuchara Chapel, Cuchara

When:  Sunday, August 14, 11 am - 12 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, August 14, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

August

It’s August 1st, and that makes me reflect on summers gone by and what August always means. Nowadays it means that school is about to start for many, but that wasn’t the case when I was growing up. Most of us had the full month to enjoy unless we had to go back early for sports or marching band. But beyond those memories long ago it means different things outdoors. The weeds and flowers are heading towards Fall already, and even with it being really hot today the morning started out with a different tinge that presages Fall. There is just something in the air that July is the heart of summer, and August is starting to head down the other side of the hill. In the mountains the berries have already come and gone in early to mid-July, and the monsoons are starting to dry up. I’m sure we have a few more storms and hot days left as always, but it feels different now. The sun is coming up a half hour later, and there is a different shade to the light before the sun rises. I have had some pretty big adventures in August, but it always seemed like I was rushing to get them in before the door closed somehow. And that’s as it should be. I’m just amazed when I reflect that every month feels different within each season. Hope your August is good!

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went well last week. At least there were no COVID closures although they are still just as vigilant - especially with some reports of increasing virus.

I did my theme show on Tuesday so I could do a senior facility luau on Wednesday, and the theme was names again. It turned out to be a really fun show with great requests.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine barbecue went very well too with even a visit from a friend from high school whom I hadn’t seen since way back then. 

Friday I did a show at an amphitheater at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies at Estes Park that went really well. It had rained harder that day, but the skies were clear and beautiful for the show. Thank you to everyone who made that happen and the new folks I got to meet. I even got to go on a sunrise hike to a beautiful point above the camp the next morning, and then I did a Facebook Live video on the way down that many people tuned in to before 7:00 am.

My Sunday request show went very well too with lots of great requests in the moment.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them!

Wednesday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be campfire songs. We haven’t done a campfire show this year yet, and it’s a fitting way to spend a summer evening with friends. I heard that some friends are going to watch around their outside fire pit. Should be fun! Come on out.

Thursday 6:30-8 I’m at the Yellow Pine barbecue again. We only have two more of these shows this summer, and this adds to the August feeling for me. It’s always such a good time with such good food. I’m even doing emcee duties this week with the owner out of town. Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528 if you’d like to come.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the requests and favorites with good friends that I always look forward to. These nights are so special. I’d love to have you I the audience.

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That’s it again for this week. I hope you are healthy and are enjoying your summer.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of campfire songs

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

When:  Wednesday, August 3, 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, August 4, 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, August 7, 7-8:30 pm mountain time