Peter Paul, and Mary

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary died a couple weeks ago, and I’ve been taking a deep dive into their music really for the first time. I’ve always had an appreciation for the hits of theirs that I knew and played, but I never learned their history or followed their careers much. They started out in the Greenwich Village scene at the beginning of the ‘60s, and they celebrated the traditional folk music that even predated Bob Dylan and many of the ‘60s folksingers and songwriters. Of course, they recorded many songs of Dylan’s and other newer writers - often bringing the writers to greater prominence through their recordings and popularity. They were very articulate, especially Peter, and when they began to get into the civil rights and justice issues of the decade they became very outspoken on social issues. Their arrangements were usually very simple and acoustic - concentrating on their vocal harmonies more than elaborate instrumentation although their later albums were more produced than their early ones. In an interview about the famous Newport festival where Dylan went electric, Peter said about acoustic music, “living authentically with a sense of really being true to some value system..is inherent in the acoustic nature of this music.” He stressed that being acoustic was important to the intimate sharing of the music. I equate it to what Nanci Griffith once said about how a great song can be related by just one voice and one instrument. I try to approach that when I perform solo, trying to find the essence of each song. For Peter, Paul and Mary there was always a softer touch to their music that was reflected in their arrangements although Mary especially could really belt out a song when she wanted to. I often discounted their music because of what I perceived as a lack of “edge” due to their soft delivery, but as I’ve been taking this deep dive into their music I’ve grown to really appreciate the intricacy of their playing and singing and their passion for the music. So Wednesday I’ll pay tribute to them and the great songs they sang.

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What have I been up to?

Last week I had 11 senior facilities, and I enjoyed every one. We mostly did songs by Elvis and Peter, Paul and Mary because of Elvis’ birthday and Peter Yarrow’s death the previous week. It was an interesting mix. I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was hopeful songs again, and it was a very fulfilling night of great songs and good people. What a way to start the year!

Friday night I played instrumental guitar music at the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs again, and I had a lot of fun coming up with new arrangements of songs I had never played instrumentally. It’s always interesting to see what songs catch the ear of the diners, and I even had a request to repeat a song, the theme to the Ken Burns’ Civil War documentary, “Ashokan Farewell”. It’s a great and moving song.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and there were some really good requests and a lively chat stream. A good time was definitely had by all.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I always look forward to seeing the folks, especially when the weather is cold and miserable. I know how much it cheers them up, and I’m happy to help.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the music of Peter, Paul and Mary as I wrote above. I’m really looking forward to sharing this music, and I’d love to have you in the audience if you want to relive those memories of when you first heard their music.

Friday night 5:30-8:30 I’m back playing instrumental guitar music at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant. This has turned into a gig that I really enjoy, and I think you would enjoy it too if you’d like a great meal with a beautiful view of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak beyond and some tinkling guitar music by me. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. We have some high times on these shows, and you never know where it’s going to go. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are healthy and happy. Big hugs and howls to anyone who is in need of comfort.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Peter, Paul and Mary songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Friday, January 24, 5:30-8:30 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, January 26, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Kindness

If it’s anything like last time, we’re heading into a contentious time with a change in presidents. Our country is so divided that people are always uneasy when they meet and have a conversation of any depth. But even in brief interactions or while driving you can feel the tension that is based on the news and politics of the day. I honestly have given up on expressing angst anymore. The pandemic taught me that nothing is worth the stress of rushing or arguing when everything can be taken away so easily. The only thing that really matters is the kindness we show towards others and ourselves. I encourage you to go out of your way to help others. It not only makes them feel good, but it will make you feel good too. And when you feel tension starting to build within yourself, take a deep breath, count to 10, change the subject, or just walk away. We are not the feelings and emotions that churn within us. Just let them go, and do something kind for someone else. Take the time to look at a situation from outside yourself. Get outside and experience the broader world and expand your mind. Learn to meditate. There are so many ways to live in the world and maintain kindness.

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What have I been up to?

Last week I had 9 senior facilities, and it felt so good to start the new year spreading kindness through music. It’s always a privilege, and I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was playing hopeful songs, and it went so well that we’re going to do another batch this week. I don’t know why it doesn’t occur to me more often to uplift my audience with hopeful songs.

Friday night I played instrumental guitar tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs. It was great fun, and I even had several friends come out to hear me and chat a bit.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and it really turned into a best-of show with so many classic tunes. It was a night to remember! I’m so thankful for these folks!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to seeing all the folks at each one. It’s a blessing, and I know it.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be hopeful songs once again as I wrote above. This will be a good night of uplifting and celebrating life. Come on out if you can!

Friday night 5:30-8:30 I’ll be playing instrumental guitar tunes at the Grand View restaurant at the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs. I’ve been adding new tunes every week to my instrumental repertoire, and some nights I even improvise tunes on the spot. Come out for dinner and some music if you can. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. This is always a really good time with good folks and great requests. I’d be happy to take yours too. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. I do have an interesting online show coming up on February 2nd that will be broadcast live from my friends Deann and Matt’s house. That will be a mix of favorites and special tunes for Groundhog Day. 

I hope you find some words you can use in my message about kindness. I do like to ramble sometimes, and I hope it’s useful. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Hopeful songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 15, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Friday, January 17, 5:30-8:30 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, January 19, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Hopeful

It’s a new year, and I always like starting out with a good attitude and disposition, so I’m starting the year with hopeful songs again. I do this every year, and I have to admit that some years I’m not as hopeful. That’s when it’s time to take stock and meditate on my purpose and path. That’s part of the reason I do hopeful songs. They reconnect me. But as I look through my list of hopeful songs they sometimes feel corny or hokey. That’s when I have to let myself “go there” to that place where I find hope and comfort from even the corniest of songs. Many of us get the after-holiday blues a little bit - especially on cold and dark winter days. (We’re having one of those as I write this with a cup of hot Genmai-cha green tea with roasted rice.) But music and meaningful lyrics pull me right up when I’m feeling a little blue - especially if they’re songs that I have delighted in at other times of my life. They remind me that “there is a crack in everything - that’s how the light gets in” as Leonard Cohen wrote in his song “Anthem”. So no matter what the new year brings, I approach it with hope and a purpose to spread hopeful songs and ideas that will maybe help others.

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week even with New Year’s Day in the middle of it. I played fun party songs before New Year’s Eve and then hopeful songs starting with New Year’s Day. Actually, my facility on Friday was celebrating Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday, so I did a bunch of Elvis songs that day. That was fun! I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was actually Tuesday so we could celebrate New Year’s Eve. It was a blast, and it became a mini-theme show about time with the requests that came in. We celebrated the new year at 8:00 mountain time with a countdown, and then the rest of the night was more party songs and some meaningful ones including “Auld Lang Syne”. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

Friday night I played instrumental guitar tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant. I played the Fender Acoustasonic guitar that I had played at the senior facility for Elvis songs that can get both acoustic and electric tones, so that allowed me to play some electric jazz and rock ’n’ roll tunes at the restaurant too. It was fun, and the folks were very complimentary.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and there were a few new songs as well. It was a very good time with good friends.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I think I’ll continue with the hopeful songs I’m playing for Wednesday for these folks as well. I often ponder if I should do more uplifting songs for my senior facilities. I usually go with the flow and take requests too.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be hopeful songs as I wrote above. I have a pretty good list although I’m always finding songs I hadn’t heard or considered before. It’s a fun thing to find these and relay them. Come on out and get a little hope and inspiration!

Friday night 5:30-8:30 I’lll be back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes again. You’ll note that it’s a half hour earlier than before. I’ll do the rest of my dates for the winter at this time. I’d love to have you come out and enjoy a good meal and my noodling on the guitar. Reservations are usually required unless you’d like to sit at the bar or in the one two-top table in the bar (right next to me). 888-994-3156

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests once again. I’ve now been doing online shows for 14 years, and I love doing them. The last 5 years have been on Facebook and on my website. I have such a wonderful group of folks who frequent my shows, and I love them all. Come join in with us!

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That’s it for this week. I can’t believe it’s a new year. I haven’t messed up writing “2025” on anything yet!

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Hopeful songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 8, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing instrumental guitar tunes

Where:  Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in the Grand View Restaurant. 888-994-3156

When:  Friday, January 10, 5:30-8:30 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, January 12, 7-8:45 pm mountain time