Monday, August 29, 2022

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

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