I have a a concert in Pueblo on Saturday night that I’m putting a lot of effort into, and it has me thinking about all that’s involved in putting together a show. I truly love getting the chance to play to a listening audience in a beautiful space. The most interesting part for me is putting together the playlist for the show. What do I want to say? What do I want the mood to be? Who will I have in the audience? These are all things that I think of as I contemplate the show. I usually start with a big list of my favorite songs that I have been doing or have written or learned recently. This is at least twice as long as the time I have allotted for the concert. I consider the tone and the audience here. What is my overall topic or emphasis of the show? Are there any favorite songs that I need to do - “hits” if you will. Am I going to do any requests I may get before the show? (I usually don’t do requests because I’ve found that it usually throws off the flow of the night.) How many fast and slow songs do I need to do to keep the energy up? Do I have good songs to open and close each segment? Is there a storyline that will carry through the show? What keys are the songs in and will they fit together well? How much practicing do I need to have each of the songs polished and ready? Will I bring multiple guitars for different tunings or different textures like a 12-string guitar or electric guitar? I have done enough shows to remember shows that surprised me that my song order and choice went over so well and others that seemed to flag halfway through the show. So I have made a preliminary list for this coming Saturday show, but I’ll be testing it this week at my senior facilities to see how songs come across. Plus I’ll just be trusting the muse, the evening, and the audience since it’s always up to the energy of the night too. Anyway, I thought I would share with you all the things I think about when making up a show. I’m SO looking forward to it!
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What have I been up to?
I had 9 senior facilities last week, and they were all wonderful. Several of the facilities were having me play for their monthly birthday celebration, and since it was my birthday last week it was doubly fun. I love playing for these folks.
My Wednesday online show was one-hit wonders from the 1950s, and it was so much fun. There are some great songs on this list, and I think we did them up proud. I love getting the chance to play these.
My Sunday online show had some great requests and favorites. I’m finally settling into my new opening song called “Here We Go”, and it gave the right energy to the night to make it a good one. I love the folks I get to play for on these shows.
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What am I up to this week?
I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I will start playing Mother’s Day songs this week. This is always a wonderful time of year when we get to sing some old favorites for moms.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about rain since it’s that time of year, and we just had a really rainy weekend in southern Colorado. Of course, I’m aware of the storms that wreaked havoc on so many places in the last few days, and my heart goes out to everyone who was affected. I remember well the tornado that ripped through my hometown when I was 19 that damaged my parents’ house and many others including the one I was visiting. It definitely took a long time for the town to rebuild and establish some normalcy again.
On Saturday from 7-9 I’m playing the concert I wrote of above at the Center for Inner Peace in Pueblo. This is a great venue for a concert with good people and sweet acoustics. I’m going to bring out the best songs I know for this show, and I think it should be a very nice evening of music. I’d love to have you in my audience if you’re in the area that night. Here are the details: May 4th at 7:00 in Pueblo at the Center for Inner Peace, 740 West 15th Street, Pueblo, suggested donation of $20 at the door, doors open at 6:30.
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and every one of these Sundays turns into a fine evening of music and interaction. I love my online audience. Come on out!
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That’s it for this week. I’m so looking forward to this week - especially the concert on Saturday night. I hope your week goes well, and I hope you’re well and happy.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of rain songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, May 1, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing a concert of fine tunes
Where: Center for Inner Peace, 740 West 15th Street, Pueblo.
When: Saturday, May 4, 7-9 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, May 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
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