Vive la Difference

My Wednesday show will be doing the music of two bands who incorporated traditional brass and woodwind sounds into rock and pop songs in a relatively different way than they had been used before. Chicago and Blood, Sweat, and Tears brought a texture that was rich and sounded great on the new stereo systems of their day. The horns blended with the guitar, bass, piano and organ in a very satisfying way. They both featured distinct vocals too and great songs that have stood the test of time. It makes me think of how often in life the differences become the strengths that make us love something in our lives. Think of ‘sweet and sour’ or ‘sea salt and chocolate’. We tend to think that we want sameness, but it’s the contrast that makes so much of life worthwhile. Melding two things together even experimentally helps us find new ways to look at life and appreciate our time here. That’s what life is all about after all. 

——

What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed every one of them. I did have the sad news that one of my favorite people who had just turned 100 was very sick and on hospice. She died a couple days after I was at her facility. I’ll remember her fondly whenever I’m there or when I sing her favorite songs like “Memories”, an old song from 1915 by Egbert Van Alstyne and Gus Kahn. 

My Wednesday online show doing campfire songs was so much fun. Some of those old songs are pretty corny, but they bring back such wonderful memories of singing around the campfire. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it.

Thursday night at the Yellow Pine barbecue was full of good friends and good times. The summer is going by too quickly. Thanks to everyone who came out to share an evening in the grand old barn.

Sunday morning at Cuchara Chapel was very special too. It’s always so beautiful in the mountains at the rustic old log chapel. It truly is “The Little Brown Church in the Vale”. 

My Sunday online show was broadcast from our family cabins in the mountains of northern New Mexico with all my siblings in the audience. It was so good to see everyone and share a little piece of my family upbringing and camaraderie with my online audience.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have just 4 senior facilities this week since I usually have no monthly repeating gigs scheduled in a 5th week of the month. That’s okay. It gives me time to get my car serviced and catch up with family. I’ll enjoy the folks at the 4 facilities I have.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing the songs of Chicago and Blood, Sweat, and Tears as I wrote above. I love these songs so much. My brother Jim introduced me to BST, and there are several songs that just send me - especially with the vocals of David Clayton Thomas. I even got to meet them when they played at the Colorado State Fair and were eating in the restaurant where I was playing. My sister Jane turned me on to the music of Chicago, and their songs have been a soundtrack for me through the years - particularly the first few albums. I know you probably wouldn’t guess that these songs sound good just with guitar and voice, but if you have the passion for them they ring true. Please tune in if you can.

Thursday 6:30-8 will be the next-to-last Yellow Pine Barbecue of the season. I enjoy these so much, and it’s a great way to spend an evening eating good food with good folks and good music in a beautiful place. I’d love to have you if you can make it. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. 

Friday 6-9 I’m playing in the Grandview Room at the Garden of the Gods Resort and Club. I was booked for this by a friend, and I think you have to be a member to come, but if you are a member then I’d love to see you!

Sunday morning I’m playing the 9:30 and 11:00 services at Cuchara Chapel in Cuchara, Colorado , one more time. I’ve been enjoying filling in for Peggy who has been doing the music for these services for several years now while she’s on vacation. This week is the traditional yearly service where we memorialize those who’ve passed before we start the service. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be back at home doing favorites and requests. These are always special nights with great songs and friendship. Tune in if you can.

——

That’s it for this week. I can’t believe July is almost gone. Where does the time go? I hope you are healthy and happy.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Chicago and Blood, Sweat, and Tears songs

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

When:  Wednesday, July 31, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, August 1, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grandview Room. 888-994-3156

When:  Friday, August 2, 6-9 pm 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for chapel service

Where:  Cuchara Chapel, 16400 CO Hwy 12, Cuchara, CO

When:  Sunday, August 4, 9:00 and 11:00 am

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 4, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Campfires

I’m writing this week about campfires. I’ve always been mesmerized by a good campfire. There’s something primitive and spiritual about sitting around the campfire sharing stories and songs. It has to go all the way back to our first ancestors who gazed into the burning embers of a good campfire. I love everything about it - the warmth, the light, the smell, the crackling sound, and the mystery that watching the flames lights in my soul - I think you know what I mean. There is just a comfort and a timelessness to feeling the experience of a fire near you with the warmth on your front and the chill on your back. I even have a candle with the scent of campfire that I get out just to sniff occasionally. I have a lot of fond memories of sitting around a campfire at places I’ve camped or played at over the years. Many songs I sing mention sitting around a campfire with the wonder and peace it brings. There’s the new-to-me “Mountain Song” by Flatland Cavalry or “New Mexican Cowboy” written by my old friend, Curt Rom. There’s also “Colorado” by Chuck Pyle and the old cowboy song, “I’d Like to Be in Texas for the Roundup in the Spring”. And my song, “Stories to Tell” has a line expressing that the “dreams that burn in our hearts” are like the “amber embers” that burn when the campfire is just right. A campfire is just a magical thing that I cherish in my life. Do you have any memorable moments around a campfire? I’ve got stories a-plenty!

What have I been up to?

I had 13 senior facilities last week, and every one of them was meaningful. I’ve taken to picking some interesting themes at some of my shows lately that really go on a journey with my folks like cattle-drive songs or songs by a particular obscure songwriter that the folks have never heard of. It ends up being a very fun hour.

My Wednesday show was doing blues tunes again which was a blast. These songs just have a fire and a passion that is great to be a part of. The audience seemed to get into it too.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was a good night with lots of familiar faces. All the cabins had been rented for one family’s reunion, and they were such a good audience in addition to the locals and regulars. And the barbecue was smokin’!

Sunday morning I provided the music for both services at Cuchara Chapel in Cuchara, and it was a rainy a thunderous morning that was remarkable with a good lesson by Clayton Oliphint.

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests as always, and there were some good ones! I did something different in playing a nylon-string guitar all night on songs that I’ve never played that way before. I love playing for these evenings of good friends and fans.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to every one. I say it all the time, but I love playing for these folks so much. It’s good to feel like you have a purpose, and these shows make me feel my purpose in such a real way.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing songs from the campfire as I wrote above. There are so many fun songs that fit the campfire environment from camp songs to old cowboy songs to sing-alongs, so this should be a really fun show. I’d love to have you there!

Thursday 6:30-8 is the Yellow Pine Barbecue once again, and we only have 3 barbecues left so each once is very special. I’d love to have you come out if some good barbecue in an old 1890s barn with my music sounds good to you. It’s always a very good time with a campfire off the porch and fruit cobbler in the belly and maybe roasting a marshmallow or two. It’s a piece of that campfire spirit I wrote about above. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. There were still seats available the last time I checked.

Sunday morning I’m playing the 9:30 and 11:00 services at Cuchara Chapel in Cuchara, Colorado. These are always very nice mornings in a beautiful place with good folks. Come on down in you’re in the area.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be broadcast from our old family cabins in northern New Mexico with my brothers and sisters in the audience. This will be a mostly family-favorites show with a few requests from one of the places I love best. I’d love to have you tune in and listen if you can!

——

That’s it for this week. The summer is rushing by, and I’m trying to squeeze every last drop out of it. This last week of July has always had some favorite memories for me. 

I hope you’re happy and well.

Best always,

Tom

——

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, July 24, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, July 25, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for chapel service

Where:  Cuchara Chapel, 16400 CO Hwy 12, Cuchara, CO

When:  Sunday, July 28, 9:00 and 11:00 am

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

When:  Sunday, July 28, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Fear

I’m writing this on Sunday after there was an attempt on former President Trump’s life the day before. I’m not sure how to react to the news of this attack. I don’t agree with either of our political parties fully. I have committed my life to living a life of peace and respect for everyone and everything in our world. The one thing I do profess to in my life is that fear is never the answer in any situation, and that love should always be the path. I know this is simplistic, but it is my guiding rule.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and it was so good to see all these folks. I did have one facility that had a flu outbreak so that I had to wear a mask and play in a different wing where the folks weren’t isolated. At least now we’re all used to wearing masks.

My Wednesday online show was playing traveling songs, and it was a good show with lots of fun songs. I think everyone really had a good time.

The barbecue at the Yellow Pine on Thursday was a good time too with friends from even my high school years. I always love playing for these evenings.

Friday was a dance at the Cuchara Community Center that I played with my friend Dennis Mills. It was well-attended, and we really shined. It’s so much fun when it all comes together.

My Sunday online show was a lot of fun too even though the shooting incident was on folks’ minds. It’s good to have community when things happen that throw us off.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 13 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. One of them is a family night that’s always fun. I love playing these shows.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be blues tunes again since we had such a good time a couple weeks ago with them. Come on out if you enjoy the blues.

Thursday night 6:30-8 will be the Yellow Pine Barbecue once again, and I’m looking forward to it. These nights in the old barn sharing songs and good food and friendship are so much fun. I’d love to have you if you’re in the area. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now if it sounds good to you!

Sunday morning I’m playing both the 9:30 and 11:00 services at Cuchara Chapel in Cuchara, Colorado. I always enjoy helping out with these services in this beautiful location. If you’re in Cuchara or would like to take a drive in the mountains for a nice morning service I’d love to have you there.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These nights always turn into a worthwhile time. Tune in if you would like to join in.

——

That’s it for this week. The summer is half over by my count, and I’m really loving it so far. I hope you are healthy and happy.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of blues songs

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

When:  Wednesday, July 17, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, July 18, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for chapel service

Where:  Cuchara Chapel, 16400 CO Hwy 12, Cuchara, CO

When:  Sunday, July 21, 9:00 and 11:00 am

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 21, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

I try to make my emails interesting and informative, but if you ever want to be removed from my mailing list, just reply and ask to be removed - no offense.

Traveling

It’s that time of year when so many people pack up and head for the high country or the extended family visit or state and national parks. Hitting the road is such an intoxicating adventure! Jen and I haven’t made a big trip in several years, but we sure have some great memories of traveling all over the West and Southwest and even Maine in the East. There’s nothing like planning a trip and then getting in the car and heading out on the open road. I even wrote a song about it called “The Road”. There’s the magic of seeing everything along the way as well as meeting different people and getting to see family and old friends. We’ve always been the types that like seeing different parks and monuments. Learning about history and geology and getting to get out and hike and explore is fascinating. I tend to bring too much stuff - always wanting to bring a little equipment in case I can play a gig somewhere along the way. That makes getting in and out of motels a little more difficult. We’d love to try the RV route sometime, but we haven’t worked up the gumption yet to really look at them in person or consider renting one sometime to see what it’s like. The main thing is just to feel the freedom of being on the go and without the usual pressure of daily life at home. Of course it’s hard to come back home to all of that stuff that hasn’t been done for as long as you’ve been gone, but while you’re gone it’s all a distant thought that’s whisked away with the beauty of the moment. You can really live in the present in a very real way. So here’s to traveling - whether by car or boat or plane!

——

What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week including 2 on Independence Day which was a blast. I wore red and blue with a stars and stripes bandana on my guitar and my goofy (maybe cool?) flag boots showing. I love playing for these folks and creating an hour of just plain fun.

My Wednesday show was blues tunes to celebrate some American music for the holiday. There are so many great blues tunes, and everyone had a good time. We’ll do some more very soon.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was great fun too with a packed house and lots of big smiles and happy dancing feet. I love playing these shows in the old barn with the great atmosphere and barbecue. We even recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “God Bless America”. 

Saturday at Art in the Park in La Veta was a grand time too with perfect weather and all those good folks I get to see in this special place. This is an event I look forward to all year long.

My Sunday online show was full of good tunes and folks including some new tunes that were really cool. I was pretty bushed by the end of the night, but the group kept me going.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and now we get to ride the energy of the rest of the summer with all the good memories of summer in tow. I talk and sing about fairs and gardening and fishing and all the good stuff that summer holds. It’s exhilarating!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be traveling songs as I wrote about above. There are some great songs about traveling, and I’ve already received some fine requests that I’m looking forward to playing. Come join me and the group as we celebrate the magic of seeing new things and new faces all over the globe.

Thursday 6:30-8 will be the Yellow Pine Barbecue in Cuchara, Colorado, once again, and I have several friends coming this week to have a mini reunion there. I expect it will be a night to remember for years to come. I’d love to have you there as well, and hopefully there’s still room for you. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. It’s a sweet time with great food, old-barn atmosphere, singing and dancing, and roasting marshmallows around the fire.

Friday night 7-9 I’m playing a dance with my good friend Dennis Mills on bass at the Cuchara Community Center in Cuchara, Colorado. These dances are so much fun in the old rec building on a beautiful night in the mountains. Dennis and I have some great old rock and roll and country tunes that really get the toes tapping and the blood pumping. I’d love to have you there.

Saturday Jen and I will take the day to celebrate our 33rd anniversary which is on the 12th.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and we’ve had some really great nights recently with such good friendship and tunes. I’d love to have you join us anytime you can. 

——

That’s it for this week. The summer is flying by, and occasionally I just have to sit and enjoy a moment. Life goes by so fast. I hope you’re enjoying it, and I hope I get to see you soon.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of traveling songs

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

When:  Wednesday, July 10, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing a dance with Dennis Mills on bass

Where:  Cuchara Community Center, 16500 CO Hwy 12, Cuchara, CO

When:  Friday, July 12, 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, July 14, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

The Blues

I thought I’d write a little about what the blues is all about to me - both musically and philosophically. I didn’t “get” the blues when I was a kid. I mean that I didn’t hear it on the radio or really understand what it was about. Like most white kids in the US I probably heard it from the British Invasion rockers more than from the true creators of the blues. I can remember doing a blues tune in the college swing choir band and thinking that it was really exotic. If I had been a guitar student who studied scales and listened to different music styles to understand them I probably would have connected earlier, but I grew up with the same AM radio pop that most midwestern kids heard in addition to the old standards that my dad played on the piano in the evening. Dad’s piano playing did expose me at least to the great jazz chords and blue notes that are shared with so many blues songs. I wonder if you have to have some hard times to really “get” the blues. I finally began to understand them when I was on my own and was playing some blues tunes in a band in addition to getting my first real blues recordings like a Robert Johnson box set or Muddy Waters and several early blues compilation records. It was then that I would listen for hours and be enchanted just like I had been to folk rock when I started playing acoustic guitar in the mid-70s. It was the sound and emotion that I was hooked by. The guitars and vocals just wailed with an intensity that I could relate to. I still hadn’t had enough hard times in my life to really “get” the blues, but I was on my way there. There really is a shared misery and resiliency to the blues that is cathartic just like the old Greek tragedy plays. Just like most folks of my age I’ve definitely had enough heartache and trouble in my life at 63 to at least reach the place inside where I can express the blues with some authenticity. I think that’s why the British Invasion musicians could “get” it - they had plenty of angst coming out of the war in the British Isles at a young age. And of course the blues is really about those special blue notes and scales that came from African instruments that so many African Americans were trying to recreate on western instruments. Their pain and musical culture came through and influenced American music to create jazz and blues. So I’ll do blues tunes on Wednesday to celebrate Independence Day. What more American music could there be? It’s born and bred here.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they were all so worthwhile. There are special moments in these gigs every day that remind me why I’m here. We even had a 100th birthday last week at one facility!

My Wednesday online show was doing Beatles tunes, and it was so much fun. These songs were with me from the first time my sisters put on a Beatles record in our house when I was 3. I think the audience loved it too.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was a blast too. There were several familiar faces, and we had a great time doing tunes and dancing. Funny thing though, all these recent press stories about tipping have really changed how people feel about it. Musicians used to be a logical choice to tip, and now I think people aren’t sure if they should. Please tip your musicians - especially if they do a special request for you. Most of them make less money than you might guess.

The private house concert that I did on Saturday was great fun too. A big storm rolled in with close lightning, so I ended up unplugging and doing most of the show acoustically. It made it so much more intimate, and the blowing rain outside added an energy that was felt by everyone. What a night!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and I had a good group that really asked for songs with good energy and fire. I had gone to heavier strings on one of my Strats, and it was fun  experimenting with the tones I was getting in addition to the acoustic 6 and 12 string guitars I played. The Munch Bunch was strong!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week including a couple on Independence Day, and I know the energy will be so high for all of them. It’s so much fun to ride the summer and holiday energy with these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be playing blues songs as I wrote above. This will be a dynamic night of songs, and I know it’ll be a night to remember. Come on out if you’re free.

Thursday 6:30-7 will be a packed night at the Yellow Pine Barbecue on Independence Day. I expect it will just be crazy fun. It’s probably sold out, but you might still be able to squeeze in. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. It will be a fantastic way to celebrate the 4th. Remember that I’m doing these barbecue shows through the 8th of August every Thursday if you can’t get in this week.

Saturday 11-2 I’m playing in the gazebo in Railroad Park on Ryus Ave in La Veta for SPACe Art in the Park. This is always a super celebration of art and music in La Veta for the holiday weekend. They have a great town parade at 10 as well if you want to come early. I love playing this event! Come on out if you want a fun Saturday.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I have several new tunes I’m trying to work up in between all the gigs I have going this week. It should be a blast, and I’d love to have you tune in!

——

That’s it for this week. There’s so much going on, and I’m going to try to get down to see my family in the mountains this week too as they celebrate my nephew’s engagement to his girlfriend. What a wild time this summer! I hope you’re well and happy.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of blues  songs

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

When:  Wednesday, July 3, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

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

When:  Thursday, July 4, 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 6, 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 7, 7-8:45 pm mountain time