Christmas Season Starts

I’m starting Christmas season with enthusiasm and a little earlier than I usually do this year. I’ve found that I usually have to pace myself, but I’ve also found that the season is over before I know it. So this year I’m doing a Christmas kickoff show before December even starts on this Wednesday, November 30th. I haven’t gauged my Christmas spirit yet this year. Every year I comment on how I feel about Christmas as the season starts. I still feel a sacredness at this time that is based on childhood experiences and mystical stories. When I think of those I am still transported into the magical feelings I get every Christmas season. I rely on the ability to do that, and I think it comes from a truly genuine place inside each of us. It sounds like a Hollywood utopian image of Christmas, but I think it is based on a communal unity that we each sense. Of course it’s tied up with all the commercialism and complexity that Christmas has become, and so it’s kind of camouflaged and a little tarnished. I wonder if this is how a lot of people feel about Christmas. Either way I always encourage people to open up to the season and let themselves enjoy it. It can be a wonderful time if we let it.

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and some of them were really ready for the holiday season. The caution around COVID has lifted for some, but I’m still being careful. I did lose one of my residents at one facility who was a real fireplug. He will be missed.

My Wednesday online show of thankful songs was very enjoyable with a good mix of tunes that expressed thanks from a lot of different directions. The group really seemed to have a good time.

My Sunday show of favorites and requests was a little heavier than usual, but we had a great group of folks with some fine requests. This is such a stellar group of people.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and most of them will start wanting to hear Christmas tunes. I need some new Christmas jokes to tell as well. I’m looking forward to them.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the Christmas kickoff that I mentioned above. Last year my audience wanted Christmas songs almost every week, so I figured we’d start off with a bang to get us in the spirit. Come on out if you’re ready to embrace the season.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These shows are always really special, and the goodwill really shows and flows. You’re always welcome to join in.

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That’s it for this week. Don’t forget that I have Christmas shows on December 10 at 7:00 at the La Veta Mercantile, and December 17 at 7:00 at the Bell Tower Cultural Center. These will be really fun and very festive! I’ll give more details as they arrive. Meanwhile I hope you can get in the spirit, get your Christmas cards going, and look forward to a great holiday season.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Christmas songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 30, 7-8:45 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, December 4, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Thankful for Community

We had a tragic mass shooting just up the road from us in Colorado Springs on Saturday night, and one of the biggest things that has come out in interviews with the people affected is that it wasn’t a place, but a hub where people shared each others lives as a community. There are many communities in our lives like that - from social clubs to churches to even jobs to some extent. I belong to many communities, with my online concert community being the most vibrant at present. Community is very important. A recent study I heard said that more people, especially men, have less close friendships nowadays, and that really affects our well-being and self awareness. So belonging to a group where you can express yourself and be accepted is a very good thing, and it’s something I am so thankful for. In this life all we can do is to put ourselves out in the world with all our good will and shortcomings and hope that we find kindred spirits who understand us and give of themselves as well with gratitude. Giving of yourself is an act of faith, but it is also a confidence that we are part of a continuum of positive energy and spirit. That’s really what community is all about. So for this week of Thanksgiving I am pondering on that and wishing you the best of Thanksgivings!

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and I really enjoyed every one. They are all communities that are fun to plug into even if only for a brief time.

My Wednesday online show of Willie Nelson songs was such a good time. Some of Willie’s songs are so insightful and melodic. It was a real pleasure. And our group really shined.

My Sunday online show of requests and favorites was a wonderful evening too with several songs that were new to me. I can’t believe the depth of musical knowledge and love these folks have.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week which is more than I usually have on a holiday week. I’m looking forward to every one of them. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be thankful songs for Thanksgiving. This will be a fun topic to explore in song, and I have a few surprises I think everyone will enjoy. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. Being that it’s after Thanksgiving I’ll be open to starting to sing Christmas songs although I’ll save most of that for a special Christmas show or two. I’m looking forward to the group dynamic during the holidays! Come join in!

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That’s it for this week. Remember that I do have two Christmas shows coming up - December 10 at 7:00 at the La Veta Mercantile, and December 17 at 7:00 at the Bell Tower Cultural Center. I’d love to see you at either or both if you’re in the area. Viva la community!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of thankful songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 23, 7-8:45 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, November 27, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Willie Nelson

When I think of great songwriters I often overlook Willie Nelson, and that’s a big mistake. When you consider the breadth and depth of Willie’s albums over nearly 70 years it is astounding how many great songs he’s written and recorded. Of course he has his own style that’s often caricatured, but you can’t deny the authenticity and genuine care he puts into writing and performing a song. I have more than 30 songs of his that I regularly perform, and some of my very favorites are on that list like “Hands on the Wheel” and “Crazy”. Willie is one of those rare writers who can express something simply yet profoundly. And he also has the ability to cover and make a song his own like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Stardust”. I can’t count the number of times I’ve performed “Stardust” just to have someone say how great a Willie song that is. They’re surprised when I tell them that Hoagy Carmichael wrote it in 1927. And of course he’s legendary for his help with Farm Aid and his own concerts in Texas. So Wednesday I’ll perform his songs, and it’ll be a pleasure!

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities to play at, and unfortunately one of them went out of business, so I won’t be playing there anymore. Luckily I’ll see most of the folks from there who have now relocated to other facilities in the area.

My Wednesday online show of Bob Dylan songs was a wonderful time, and as expected everyone was surprised how many great tunes they knew and didn’t realize that Bob had written. 

My Sunday online show was also a great time, and people kept me on my toes with some fine 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. The continuity and good will that we generate with each other at each of these shows is so rewarding.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing the tunes of Willie Nelson as I wrote about above. I’ll probably play a nylon-string guitar to get that Willie sound that everyone knows so well. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’m sure there’ll be some new tunes and some old favorites. We’ll be doing it live from Deann and Matt Pujol’s house, so it’ll be extra-special! I’d love to have you join in if you can.

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That’s it for this week. I do have Christmas shows coming up soon - December 10 at 7:00 at the Mercantile in La Veta and December 17 at 7:00 at the Bell Tower in Florence. Put them on your calendar and come on out!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Willie Nelson songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 16, 7-8:45 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, November 20, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Making an Impact

I’m doing the music of Bob Dylan for my Wednesday show, and it has me thinking of the kind of writing that makes an impact in the world. I think that anyone would say that Bob’s music touched a lot of people, especially in the ’60s. As I make my list for the show and listen to his songs, it’s amazing at how many still resonate, and how many have been recorded and re-recorded. It’s not uncommon to hear a great song cover that sounds brand new just to find that Bob Dylan wrote and recorded it several decades before. Bob’s version may sound different than the cover version, but the quality of the writing and the power of the message is undeniable. I heard Joan Baez once say that Bob was not aware of how sophisticated and deep his writing was. That may be, and that makes his music even more impressive. So Wednesday I’ll do a bunch of his songs. It should be a night to remember. 

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What have I been up to?

All my senior facilities were wonderful last week with no problems with COVID except that I had an exposure to COVID over the previous weekend that I found out about mid-week and had to be extra careful about. I think we’re all tired of the vigilance, but we have to keep on keeping on.

My Wednesday show of John Prine songs was so rewarding. It was just wonderful to bask in his brilliant songwriting. Everyone enjoyed it.

My Sunday show of favorites and requests was a sweet time too. I honestly just build speed and then hang on ’til the end with all the requests coming in and the positive energy flowing from everyone.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities again this week, and there is even one that I haven’t been to since before the pandemic, so that will be a wonderful reunion with some good folks. I’m looking forward to it!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing the Bob Dylan songs I talked about above. This will be a fine experience, and I’d love to see you if you can make it.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I don’t say enough how many great songs I’ve had the opportunity to learn and play due to the requests from folks in these shows. There are dozens of super tunes I’ve gotten to do! Come on out if you can!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are well and happy. There is a general angst in the air this week with the elections, and hopefully it will all work out for the best - no matter what side we’re all on. It’s hard to live with the divisions we have nowadays.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Bob Dylan songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 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, November 13, 7-8:30 pm mountain time