'Tis the Season

It’s the start of the holiday season, and I’m ramping myself up for all it brings. Every time it rolls around I get caught up in it if I let myself. I always say that the season is here and gone so fast so you have to dive in head-first and enjoy it before it’s gone. And this morning I was reminded to experience it with joy as I watched my old dog Beau gallivanting across the prairie with giddiness this morning as we walked for sunrise. He doesn’t know it’s the holiday season - although he does know what Christmas presents are, and he can sense the excitement that fills the air. I think he was mainly excited for the smell of coyotes and rabbits in the area, but he reminded me what it’s like to live in the moment no matter what season it is. I can always use that reminder. I try to pace myself so that the spirit lasts all through until Christmas Day. We don’t do as many traditional activities and put out as many decorations as we used to, but we like to watch holiday movies and get to the mountains to cut a tree if we can. I’ll play as many Christmas songs as I can. (I have about 225 when I can remember how they all go.(-;) This year I am learning some older Christmas songs from Britain and Europe. I love these historical songs that reflect a different time and traditions. I like to see what the solstice traditions are too. I even wrote a song called “Winter Solstice” last year that picked up on these ancient celebrations with the rhythms of the earth. So I hope you are starting the season out well, and I will write more as the season progresses.

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What have I been up to?

Last week I had 9 senior facilities scheduled, but 3 had to cancel due to illness or lower census the day after a holiday. I was sorry that folks had to deal with illness over a holiday. I hope they heal well. I enjoyed spreading a little thankfulness to those I got to play for, and they seemed to be grateful for it.

My Wednesday online show was playing thankful songs, and there were some really good songs requested and played that put us in the Thanksgiving spirit. It was loads of fun.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was a really neat show with lots of variety and most of the regulars who are so kind and suppåortive.  I love these evenings!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and I’ll be playing Christmas songs if they’re ready for them. I know it takes some people a week or so after Thanksgiving to get in the spirit, but as I said above it’s important to get in that spirit and enjoy the season. I know that some folks are a little down at this time of the year too, so I’m always sensitive to that.

Tuesday I’m playing for the Pueblo Newcomers group lunch as I have done many times before. This is a wonderful local club dedicated to introducing folks to the community and giving them activities to do in the area. We’ll get to do some Christmas caroling and special tunes.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be playing British Victorian Christmas songs. I wrote a little about these above, and I’m anxious to get to play them for everyone. They’re fun and inspiring. Come on out if this sounds like your kind of Christmas music.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be playing favorites and requests as always, and I’m looking forward to seeing what songs everyone is in the mood for. There are a few December songs that I always love to sing, and I’m sure there’ll be some Christmas spirit thrown into the mix too. This is the time of year that I don’t mind repeating favorites. I’d love to play for you too if you’d like to tune in.

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That’s it for this week. Don’t forget that I’m playing a Christmas concert with my good friend Don Richmond at Society Hall in Alamosa of Friday the 12th at 7:00. That’s going to be a very special night that I’m really looking forward to. You can find more about it on their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/share/1AxX92v7Nb/

I hope you are healthy and happy,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of British Victorian Christmas songs

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

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

Thankfulness

It’s time once again for the holiday that goes by too quickly and is almost unnoticed - Thanksgiving. It is a great holiday though since it encourages us to try to understand what being thankful is all about. I just went through all my Thanksgiving blog posts for the past 7 years, and I realize that I still don’t understand true thankfulness. I don’t think that I have ever been in such need that I felt the overwhelming gratitude that someone feels when they are rescued from poverty or a calamity. I’m not saying that I want to be rescued like this so that I can understand it though - sometimes we get what we ask for! We each have different paths to hike in our lives, and for some reason mine has been relatively easy - or at least that’s the way it seems. I have had very strong optimism for my whole life. Part of that comes from being raised in a mostly stress-free way without a lot of need, but it also comes from my childhood when I had an experience that I have written about before where I almost drowned and somehow gained an understanding that this life is not all there is. As such I’ve never really feared life or dying. That has been a blessing, but it also removes the impetus to push hard when difficult times come. I think that everything happens for a reason, but I’m not sure what this experience meant for me. As it relates to thankfulness, it makes me feel part of something bigger which gives me wisdom that thankfulness is at the core of our existence. Feeling thankful has been a learning lesson for me though. I’ve had to learn to say “Thank you!” and “You’re welcome!” as a reflexive thing even when I don’t have the emotion of thankfulness. I’m not saying I never feel thankfulness, but sometimes I’m deep in thought and have to break out of it to be in the moment and show my gratitude. I’m kind of like the kid who has to be reminded by his mother to say “Thank you!” when he or she receives a gift. But I keep trying to be in the moment and show my thankfulness. Now you won’t believe me when I say “Thank you” for reading my musings and listening to my music and for being part of my life. I really do mean it. I don’t say it enough, but I do understand how much the giving and interaction of every person in my life has blessed me and buoyed me up. I try to do the same for everyone I meet. How about you? Do you say it often and understand thankfulness in your life?

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What have I been up to?

I had 14 senior facilities last week, and I played thankful songs and Thanksgiving songs for them all. It’s a good purpose to encourage the folks with these kinds of songs. Everyone needs it in their lives.

My Wednesday online show was songs about dancing, and it was so much fun! I was dancing as I was playing, and I know that many in the audience were doing the same!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some songs I haven’t played in a long time as well as a new Kris Kristofferson song. I really got into it although for some reason I was struggling with getting the words right on many of the songs. Oh well! Just an off night, I guess. We still had a good, if goofy, time.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week. 2 have cancelled with either Covid or not enough folks coming in to an adult daycare facility to justify my coming. I will do some more thankful songs and Thanksgiving songs to help celebrate the holiday.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be thankful songs. This is a fun group of songs to do with such good spirit. I really look forward to it, and I hope you’ll join me if thankful songs sound like something you’d like to hear this week.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I have another new song to learn that was requested to do as well as starting to get into the winter and holiday spirit. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. Once again I need to mention that I will be doing a special Christmas show with Don Richmond sitting in at Society Hall in Alamosa on December 12th at 7:00 pm. You can find more about it on their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/share/1AxX92v7Nb/

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and I hope you are healthy and happy.

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 26, 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 30, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Dancing

Dancing is one of the most wonderful things we do as humans in my opinion. There is something primal and spiritual about moving your body in a rhythmic motion that expresses joy and connection to the earth and spirit. Going all the way back to our ancient ancestors there are instruments, drums, and traditions of group and individual dances. There is just something innate in our being that makes us want to move in a rhythmic and repetitive way to a beat. I do it unconsciously when I play music. It seems to hook me into the very ground I stand on. I know that some religions do not see it as proper, and I guess I understand why they say that, but to me it is a very lovely and even holy thing. I can’t say enough of how it makes you feel like you’re plugged into life. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s just tapping your toes to couple and group dancing, every form that moves you is enough to trigger that joy.

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they were all very sweet. I did songs for Veterans Day, and thankfulness, and the Edmund Fitzgerald (since it was the 50th anniversary of its sinking on the 10th). The folks really appreciated it.

My Wednesday online show was playing songs about flying, and it was a fun one. Who knew there were so many great flying songs? Everyone really enjoyed it.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was another really fine show with great requests and a couple new songs. I love this group so much!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 14 senior facilities this week, and I think I’ll be playing mostly thankful songs for Thanksgiving. There are so many nice tunes about being thankful, and a healthy dose of gratitude is a good thing to keep in our minds.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about dancing, and I’ve been pulling songs out of my list for a couple days that really fit the bill. I’m up to 58 so far. This includes songs where dancing is the major part of the song’s topic to songs that are traditional dance favorites. It should be a blast. Come on out if this sounds like a good time to you.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’m sure it’ll be very nice like it often is. These Sunday nights are always very special with lots of good folks in attendance and good tunes in our ears.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are making memorable holiday plans and that you are healthy and content.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs about dancing

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

When:  Wednesday, November 19, 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 23, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Flying

I’m doing a show Wednesday on the theme of flying, and that has me thinking about flying on planes, in dreams, with birds, and in metaphor. To start with I’m not a good flyer on a plane. When I was a kid I loved flying. I flew with a school group to Washington, D.C., for the bicentennial and also with another school group to Europe a couple years later. Both those trips were great fun on planes without a lot of drama, but at some point I rode on a really bumpy flight down the Front Range of Colorado that permanently messed up my equilibrium. I’ve never been the same. Now when I fly I am dizzy and disoriented for almost a day after I settle back on terra firma. Maybe I’ll get over it. I’d like to. Then there’s flying in dreams. I used to have dreams on a regular basis where I would fly. Sometimes it would be flying over an ancient snow-covered mountainous landscape at night with the cold wind in my face. Sometimes it would be simply lifting off in a crowd and floating by the ceiling. Sometimes it would be holding someone’s hand to help them lift off as well. I never made much of these dreams other than loving the free and weightless feeling although I know some spiritual writers say that this is some sort of spiritual evolution. On flying with birds I mean mostly the thrill of watching birds soar on the breeze so graceful and effortless. It is so wonderful to watch a bird ride a thermal updraft or dive at high speed. Mesmerizing! Lastly flying has always been used metaphorically to symbolize the ultimate feeling of freedom and grace. I guess it is because humans are earthbound without the help of wings. I’ve always felt that the sky and the expanses of the universe are our true home. I love when flying is used in poetry, literature, and songs to express this longing for timeless peace and happiness.

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed them all. I mostly did songs for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving - thankful songs. Those are really fulfilling to play. I know it was meaningful for the folks.

My Wednesday online show was songs from 1945, and they were so neat to do. I love singing these oldies, and I don’t get as much chance to do them as I once did. I know the group liked them. They had a contest to see how many they knew.

Friday I thought I might be playing at the Garden of the Gods Club, but they decided to not do any music for November and December and the slower months of the year. I have mixed emotions about that. I enjoy playing instrumental tunes on the guitar although it’s really not my forte. We’ll see if and when I’ll be back there.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and it was a good one with lots of great requests and a couple new tunes. This is consistently the most meaningful night of the week for me with the great interaction and tunes.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I’m sure I’ll be playing more songs for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving - especially since I’ll be playing a veterans breakfast on Veterans Day as well as a couple other tribute shows that day. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing flying songs as I wrote of above. This is going to be a nice mix of songs about all the elements I wrote about - planes, dreams, birds, and metaphors. It ought to be a blast. Come out if you can.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I always say it’s the highlight of the week because it is. The songs and camaraderie are just great. Tune in if you’d like a relaxing evening of friendship and music.

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That’s it for this week. I do have an exciting concert coming up in December in Alamosa. My good friend Don Richmond has asked me to play a Christmas show at Society Hall on December 12th from 7 to 9. Don will be sitting in on all the instruments he plays, and it should have a lot of the elements of my Christmas album that we recorded together almost 25 years ago. I don’t know the ticket price yet, but I know the sound and the vibe will be great if you’d like to come up to Alamosa for this show. More details to come. 

Happy Veterans Day, and I hope you’re healthy and happy.

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of flying songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 12, 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 16, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Choosing

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we approach our lives on a daily basis. There is so much going on in the world and our individual lives at present - and always. It’s so easy to wake up and immediately see our lives as a chore and the world as a mess. But we have a choice. No matter what is going on in our lives we have a choice every morning in how we approach it. It’s not just about being positive, but it’s about whether we smile through our struggles and joys. It’s about seeing the beauty of something simple in the midst of tragedy. It’s really about choosing to love each moment no matter what is going on. It’s about not letting anyone tell you how to feel about anything. I’ve seen so many people in my life who are really living hard lives with physical problems and hardships who are so loving and caring and always smiling. Many of them aren’t deeply religious or involved in any real reason to have this attitude. They just choose to make the best of every moment. It’s as simple as that. Just choose to smile and love. What else is there?

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and it was so much fun playing Halloween songs for most of them. I only had one facility where they thought the Halloween songs were too spooky and dark. I sometimes see them that way too, but I try to play mostly fun songs. I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was playing Halloween songs again, and there were some really good ones. Mostly they were fun ones although I did a couple favorites that were hair-raising. It was fun!

Friday I played instrumental tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant for a smaller crowd. I think a lot of people were home for trick-or-treaters or going to parties. It was still a good time, and I did several arrangements of Halloween songs.

My Sunday online show was favorites and request as always, and it was a wonderful night of requests with a couple songs about time thrown in for the time change on Sunday. What a great group!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and we’re far away enough from Thanksgiving that I probably won’t play songs for Thanksgiving although I do have a good list of thankful songs. Hmmm…maybe I’ll do more of those since they’re very uplifting for the most part.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from 1945 to continue my series of doing songs by 10-year increments in the past. We’ve done 1975, 1965, and 1955 so far. I thought about 1985, but I really don’t know enough songs from that year. 1945 was a great year for music - especially once the war was over. Some of the songs are timeless, and I love playing them. I think you will really enjoy it!

I may be at the Garden of the Gods Club on Friday 6-9. The schedule hasn’t been finalized as of this writing. Contact me if you’re thinking of coming out to verify I’ll be there.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and request as always. These are always very special nights of friendship and music. Come on out if you can.

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That’s it for this week. I’m looking forward to the holidays although I’m definitely not ready for winter yet. It’s supposed to be in the mid-80s today which just seems wrong. I’ll probably stay inside although I did do some yard work this morning (it’s Sunday as I’m writing this). There are always branches to pick up and something to be done outside. I hope you are healthy and happy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of 1945 songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  possibly playing instrumental guitar tunes

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

When:  Friday, November 7, 6-9 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, November 9, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Ghost Story

It’s Halloween again, and I’m thinking about spooky and fun memories over the years. Let me tell you a ghost story that happened to me when I was 18. It was towards the end of summer while I was working at Philmont Scout Ranch in the mountains of northern New Mexico. Philmont is a huge ranch in the mountains that is owned by the Boy Scouts that I have mentioned before. It has dozens of camps set over a 50 mile or more stretch of mountains that is dedicated to all kinds of activities that the boys and girls with their leaders can participate in as they hike over what is usually a 10-day backpacking trek. The activities range from riding horses to building railroad tracks to climbing logging poles to climbing rocks to riding mountain bikes to tying flies and fishing and on and on. Some of the areas are very historic, based on mining or ranching or railroading and more. The camp I was working in at the end of my 18th summer was in a mining district that boomed and busted around the turn of the century. Thousands of people had lived and worked around Baldy Mountain and the ore it produced, and one of the mines on the north side of the mountain, the Aztec Mine, was being used for mine tours at a nearby camp that had been owned by a Frenchman named Henry. The camp was called French Henry, and it consisted of a few old cabins and concrete foundations of the old mining operations that took place there. The camp was unlike other camps on the ranch in that it didn’t have campsites for the scouts to stay in. We were only a place to stop and learn about gold panning and to take a tour of the mine and mining foundations after they climbed Baldy Mountain. The accepted tradition at that camp was that old French Henry still walked the hills of that area as a somewhat friendly ghost that many staff members over the years had seen or heard. I was a ranger that summer who guided the crews of scouts and their adult advisors for the first couple days of their trek until they had the necessary training to be turned out on their own. Many of the seasonal staff could be shifted around at the end of the summer as the season wound down and staffers went back home for school or jobs. I was offered at the end of the season to work at French Henry for a couple weeks as the crew-load slowed down and scout crews were on the trail and not needing rangers. One of the first nights I was there the other 2 staffers at the camp loaded the burros with their panniers to head over at the end of the day to pick up our food allotment for the week from the camp on the south side of the mountain where the commissary truck would drop it off for us. I stayed behind since I wasn’t needed for that. The other 2 guys had worked the whole summer at our camp, and as they left they told me that they had seen and heard French Henry that summer a few times, and that I shouldn’t be afraid as he was friendly and wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t bother him. So I was settled in at the table in the cooking cabin with my guitar as I was working on some new songs I was learning. The cooking cabin was a rectangular building with a porch across the front of it with steps coming up that sat on a hill a few yards from the stream. It was one room with a dividing wall with an opening across one end that housed a storage area for our dried food and cooking gear. The main part of the room had a table and sink and wood stove that we cooked on. There were 2 doors on the cabin - one on each end with a screen door attached. One door led to the storage area and one to the main part where I sat at the table. The other 2 guys had been gone a half hour or so when I heard the footsteps of someone coming up the steps and across the porch towards the other door into the storage area. Since we didn’t have any campsites for scouts to stay in I figured it might be someone who was lost, so I called out, “Who’s there?” There was no answer, and the next thing I knew the screen door was opening into the storage area which I could see clearly through the opening in the wall into that area, and then the door closed by itself and the footsteps continued deeper into the storage area. I saw no one! Well, you can bet the hair stood up on the back of my neck, and I said timidly, “Is that you, Henry?” There was no answer again, and so I pondered what to say or do next. I remembered that the guys said that he would probably not bother me, so I said, “I won’t bother you if you don’t bother me.” Again there was no sound, and so I went back to playing the guitar quietly to break the silence while I continued to listen intently for any sound. It was probably 10 minutes later when the footsteps again sounded across the storage area to the screen door which opened and closed, and then I heard the footsteps sound across the porch and down the steps and into the night. I sat there frozen as I thought about what had just happened. I didn’t see or hear him again while I was there for the remainder of my time that summer. Now it’s possible that the guys who went to pick up the food with the burro had rigged a string to the door and had doubled-back and were tapping under the porch and the storage area just to mess with me, but I choose to believe it was the ghost of French Henry since the guys did return later at the proper time it should have taken with the allotment of food on the burro. So that’s my ghost story. I haven’t been back to that camp since then although I’d love to someday. Pretty spooky, huh? I don’t doubt that there are spirits who have unresolved dealings in their lives who probably hang around this plane of existence although I sure hope I won’t feel a need to do so when I’m gone. All this is to prime you for a fun and spooky Halloween. I’m doing a Halloween show online on Wednesday which I’ll talk about below.

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What have I been up to?

I had 12 senior facilities last week, and I did Halloween songs for most of them if they were in the mood. It was loads of fun with a little spookiness thrown in for good measure.

My Wednesday online show was Halloween songs, and it was just a hoot. I had a good group of folks out, and we did some classic Halloween songs as well as some unexpected ones. I think everyone had a good time.

My Sunday online show had some wonderful requests and new tunes, and it was so gratifying to provide an evening of meaning and enjoyment for a great group of folks. I love this group.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week including one in Colorado Springs where I haven’t played in many years. It should be a good week with many more Halloween songs and even a Halloween party on Friday that I’ll dress up for.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time this week will be Halloween songs once again. I have about 80 more songs on my Halloween list that we haven’t gotten to that are either creepy or kooky. It’ll be a blast. I’d love to have you if you’re in the mood for some Halloween fun.

Friday night 6-9 I’m back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. Since it’s Halloween I’ll be playing Halloween songs on the guitar mixed in with my regular instrumentals. It should be a great time, and I’d love to have you there as well if you’re up for a tasty meal in a beautiful location. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or at the small tables near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I know it won’t disappoint for good music and good friendship. Come on out if you can.

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That’s it for this week. It’s getting cold in the mornings here and I’m looking forward to the time change on Sunday (don’t forget to fall back) when there will be a little more light at 5:00 for my morning walks and picture-taking with Beau. 

Best to you,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Halloween songs

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

When:  Wednesday, October 29, 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, October 31, 6-9 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, November 2, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Making Music

I’ve been thinking a lot about music and performing. I’ve been playing professionally now for 45 years or so, and I’m realizing that the kind of music I play and like will probably not be created much longer - at least not like I do it. It appears that much of live music at the top levels is helped by pre-recorded tracks and at least partially lip-synched vocals instead of sung live (and probably has been for longer than I realize). The music in the studio is also so thoroughly corrected for pitch and tempo that it’s not very organic anymore. It appears that a lot of new music will be written and performed by Artificial Intelligence as well. All things change, so I’m not surprised, but it does make me realize that my method of performing and writing will be irrelevant fairly soon. I’m sure I can still do most of my performing online and for my senior homes for the near future, but I don’t think it’s worth recording and pursuing much new music. That’s okay. I had kind of given that up during the pandemic. Truth be told, I’m very glad I’m not starting out doing music now. Even before AI and so many advances there were becoming less ways to make a living from purely recording and performing. I think that music will always have some importance in our culture, but I don’t know if it will be as homegrown. It has been more controlled by copyright and lawyers over the last 100+ years than most other forms of creativity. I’ve tried to stay away from that as much as possible. I suppose I’m really sounding like a curmudgeon today, but I guess I’m just a little worn and threadbare. I’m having a harder times keeping all the balls in the air as I juggle my day and as ai perform. Jen keeps talking about our lives and how we need to travel and do some of the things we’ve always talked about before we’re too old to do them. I think that’s part of my current outlook. So as much as I love making music, I think I probably won’t make as much over the next few years. Don’t fret though if you’re a fan. I’m not doing anything immediately. I’m just mulling over how to make music today.

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and I had fun doing either Halloween songs or some of the Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson songs I was doing for my Wednesday online show. It was really fun because these songs are so lively and exciting. 

My Wednesday online show was doing Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson songs, and they were very enjoyable. They’re so short that I was able to fit in 32 songs in the evening instead of my usual 20. I think everyone really got a kick out of it. 

Friday I was back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. It was as packed house, and I played Halloween songs and a lot of singer-songwriter songs that drew a good reaction. 

Saturday I played an online concert for Philmont that was really rewarding. The night just seemed to click in every way, and the audience got into it with reminiscences and great requests. 

Sunday night my online show was as wonderful as always with lots of kind and supportive folks and plenty of good songs. This group is very special.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 12 senior facilities this week, and they’re going to be a blast with the Halloween tunes I have planned. I’m brushing up on some of the songs I’ve learned over the last couple years, and I’m looking forward to seeing the folks. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Halloween songs, and I’m going to do 2 shows for this Wednesday and next Wednesday. Come on out if you would like to hear some goofy and spooky tunes. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’ll say it again, I love this group and these great requests. You’re always welcome!

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you are making some fun Halloween plans even if it’s just Trunk or Treat at your church. 

Best to you!

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Halloween songs

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

When:  Wednesday, October 22, 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, October 26, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Oldies

I’m doing songs by the Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson for my Wednesday online show, and it takes me back to when I first started really getting into oldies music. I grew up as many baby boomers did with a local AM radio station that played a variety of everything popular that was being released. I was in Nebraska in my formative years, and we only had a few radio stations we would listen to - the local station KRGI, the Omaha station WOW, and at night the Oklahoma City station KOMA. They played a good mix of tunes, but it was mostly whatever was current, and so I didn’t hear oldies very often unless it was from the records we had. I took me until I was on my own in the mid 1980s to be exposed to stations that played a lot of oldies, and it was then that I really heard a lot of especially late 1950s and early 1960s music. I can remember when I was living and working in Dallas that we would listen to a station at work that would frequently play the Everly Brothers, Ricky Nelson, and others like Buddy Holly or Roy Orbison. This was also the time when CDs were first coming out, and I really started collecting CDs of oldies music. It was a thrill to pick up a greatest hits or a boxed set by the likes of Elvis or Robert Johnson. Yes, I really got into the blues at this time too. I even bought a boxed set of Hank Williams and listened intently to his great writing. As a solo performer I couldn’t pull off a lot of the music of the 1980s by pop singers or rock bands, and so I learned a lot of oldies. I still love the oldies I listened to and learned at that time. They bring back a lot of memories of really listening and absorbing the melodies, harmonies, and riffs. There is such joy and innocence in the raw sound of that era. So Wednesday I’ll celebrate the sounds of the Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I really had fun doing Halloween songs for most of them. There are just so many kooky and creepy songs for Halloween. I think they really enjoyed it!

My Wednesday online show was train songs, and there were some really good ones. I had a good group of folks come out, and I got a bunch of requests.

I played on Saturday for the Littleton Museum Harvest Festival, and it was a great event even though it threatened to rain much of the time. It was a grand Fall day, and I had lots of families in the audience including my brother and sister-in-law and several nieces and nephews with their little ones. It’s so much fun to watch the little kids laugh and dance to the music. I played mostly Halloween songs for these folks.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some good ones. I love this online group so much, and they are so supportive and interactive with each other and with me. It’s a joy!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I think all but one will want to celebrate Halloween with some fun and spooky songs. I love ti!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be playing the songs of the Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson as I wrote above. There are so many great songs by these guys, and I’m really looking forward to singing and playing them. Come on out if you can!

Friday 6-9 I’m back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing guitar instrumentals. This is a pretty gig with a great view and nice folks. You’re always welcome too. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or at the small tables near me in the bar.

Saturday night 7-9 mountain time I’ll be playing an online show of Philmont tunes for Philmont friends and staffers. If that’s you then tune in and hear some Philmont songs and stories.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as per usual, and I’m sure it’ll be a wonderful night of friends and music. You’re always welcome to this too!

——

That’s it for this week. We’ll have the first freeze around these parts before you know it, and then we’ll be celebrating Halloween. I hope you are able to enjoy this fun season.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson songs

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

When:  Wednesday, October 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, October 17, 6-9 pm 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing an online concert of Philmont songs

Where:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176893032692370

When:  Saturday, October 18, 7-9 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, October 19, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Trains

I’m playing a show of train songs this Wednesday to celebrate the narrow gauge trains in the mountains in the Fall here in Colorado. There is something so majestic and nostalgic about trains and riding on them. I’ve ridden the one in Colorado from Durango to Silverton, and I’ve ridden the one in the Royal Gorge. I have ridden trains back East as a kid that I still remember fondly. We have driven over Cumbres Pass in Colorado on the way to Chama past the beautiful little train that runs from Chama to Antonito. I have read and watched many shows and stories about trains in the East and the Old West as they built the country and brought folks all over the map as part of Manifest Destiny. I have sung so many songs from all over the world celebrating trains. Trains are just a magical part of our history that is an expression of industry and romance. The clickety-clack can be perfectly captured in a song by the rollicking beat - especially on guitar. It seems that everyone has an affection for these mighty iron beasts. We even watched a cool video on YouTube about the Cog Railway that goes up Pikes Peak. It’s on a channel from a guy that calls him self The Carpet Bagger. It’s a good channel that’s worth checking out if you want someone who makes interesting mellow travel videos on almost a daily basis. Check it out!

——

What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and they were all a lot of fun as I started doing Halloween songs. I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show was songs I’ve never done on my online concerts before. There was quite a variety as well as a couple surprises. I think everyone really enjoyed it, and it was a bigger audience than I expected.

Friday night I played instrumental guitar songs at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant for a packed house. I did a few Halloween songs and a bunch of Fall songs as well as my regular instrumental tunes. Folks seem to enjoy it quite a bit.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was a very fulfilling night with good friends. These shows are always special.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I really love playing the fun Halloween songs in October for them. There are usually big smiles and lots of toe-tapping.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be train songs as I wrote above. There are so many great tunes on this list, and they have every kind of Americana emotion you can imagine. I’m even learning some spooky train songs for Halloween that I’ll play. Come on out!

Saturday 11:30-1:30 I’m playing at the Littleton Museum Harvest Festival in Littleton, Colorado. I’ve played this festival for several years now, and it’s always great fun. They have me set up in the pumpkin patch in the back of the museum grounds where they have dozens of pumpkins and gourds for families to purchase and take home in their little red wagons. It’s great family fun with lots of other activities and horse and mule-drawn wagon rides. The admission is free, and I’d love to see you if you’re in the Denver area.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I so enjoy this evening of tunes and good friends. You’re always welcome to join in!

——

That’s it for this week. Fall is moving right along. We’ll get our first freeze soon, and hopefully the snow will hold off until after Halloween. I hope you are healthy and happy.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of train songs

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing at the Littleton Museum Harvest Festival

Where:  Littleton Museum, 6028 S Gallup St, Littleton, CO, 303-795-3950

When:  Saturday, October 10, 11:30 am -1:30 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, October 12, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Enjoy It

As I was driving home from closing our family cabins over the weekend I saw that the aspen trees were starting to change color for the Fall on the high mountain slopes. Jen and I always try to get out at least once at this time of year to enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons. It’s a reminder to enjoy life no matter what life presents to you. It’s so easy to get bogged down in our routine that we fail to appreciate the little things around us that no one can take away. I have to remind myself of this quite often. I feel obligated to take care of all the mundane things in my life that just have to be done, and I forget that I need to find joy in simple pleasures - even if it’s just for a moment or an afternoon. It’s crazy that I should need reminding, but I often do. Maybe it’s just the way that humans are built. We tend to focus on what’s bothering us when it often doesn’t matter. This is not to say that we should be irresponsible. That’s too easy to do. But it is an admonition to remember what you value in life whether it’s a simple pleasure in your day or a trip you’ve been meaning to take. Just make the time to do it. We’ll go the mountains this weekend again!

——

What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed seeing and singing for all the folks so much. It’s a pleasure and a privilege.

My Wednesday online show last week was playing Fall songs, and there were some great ones. I had a really good audience requesting some wonderful tunes, and everyone had a good time.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and I had a continuous line of good requests to sing. It was just one of those nights with everyone really contributing.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’ll still be singing Fall songs and then transitioning to Halloween songs as October starts. This is such a fun time of year to sing the goofy and spooky songs of Halloween.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs I’ve never done for my online shows. You wouldn’t think there would be many songs I know that I haven’t sung over the past 6 years of Facebook shows and 14 years over all my online shows, but there surely are. It’s always fun to pull these out and sing them. Come on out and join in the fun!

Friday night 6-9 I’ll be playing at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant once again. I enjoy these instrumental guitar evenings a lot, and I’d love to play for you if a nice meal in a beautiful location with my music sounds good to you. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or at the small tables near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests per usual, and it’s always a great time on these evenings. Tune in if you can, and think of a couple songs you’d like to hear!

——

That’s it for this week. Don’t forget if you’re in the Denver area that I’ll be playing at the Littleton Museum next Saturday 11:30-1:30 in the pumpkin patch for their Harvest Festival. It’s free and a lot of fun. I hope you’re healthy and happy.

Best always,  

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Never-Done songs

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

When:  Wednesday, October 1, 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, October 3, 6-9 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, October 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Fall

This Monday, September 22nd, is the first day of Fall this year, and it’s always been my favorite season. It’s like a welcome and relaxing reward for a summer of hard work at a fast pace. My favorite trips have been taken in the Fall driving cross country or just into the nearby mountains to see the leaves change. I think I’ve written about this before, but my only disappointment with the Fall season is that there aren’t more joyful songs about it. I should probably try to write a couple. I admit there’s a little bit of melancholy as well as we wrap up summer events and clean up our gardens and yards. We always close our family cabins and get them ready for winter about this time each year. It’s definitely getting colder up in the mountains. The forecast for this weekend when we’ll be there to close at 8400 feet altitude is a high of 65 degrees and a low of 34. That’s not too bad. And back to the music of Fall, there are some wonderful songs even if they aren’t all joyful. Some of my favorites are: “Appalachian Melody” by Mark Heard, “Four Strong Winds” by Ian Tyson, “The Reach” by Dan Fogelberg, “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire, “There Is a Time” by The Dillards, and “Urge for Going” by Joni Mitchell  - just to name a few. I’m sure you have some favorites too. Our earth sometimes feels like a giant crank turning a wheel very slowly, but inevitably. It’s a thrill to watch the seasons change along with it. Do you have any favorite stories or traditions in the Fall?

——

What have I been up to?

I had 13 senior facilities last week, and I had wonderful times at all of them. It’s hard to express how fulfilling it is to share music with people who are so appreciative and deserving. 

My Wednesday online show was songs about birds, and there were some great ones. I had a fairly big audience, and everyone interacted and enjoyed it. Good times!

Friday night I was at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant, and I even had a couple of my sisters come down from Denver to have dinner and listen to me play. It was a special night.

Saturday I had a Philmont reunion in Colorado Springs at a friend and fellow Philmont staffer’s house. We had great conversations and a little music too.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some great ones. These nights are always worthwhile and mutually supportive for me and the audience. It’s great to be part of such a kind and genuine community.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I am looking forward to all of them. Looks like I’ll be in 4 different towns and cities. I can’t wait!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Fall songs as I wrote above. I’ll do the songs I listed above plus a whole lot more, and I’ll be taking requests. It should be a good time, and I’d love to have you if you’d like to tune in.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’ll be bringing some good energy back from closing the cabins in the mountains so it’ll be a wonderful show. You’re always welcome to join in!

——

That’s it for this week. I’m just two weeks out from playing for the Littleton Museum Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 11, from 11:30 to 1:30. I play in the pumpkin patch, and it’s always a great time. If you’re in Denver please put it on your calendar. It’s a free event, and it will be beautiful.

I hope you are healthy and happy,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Fall songs

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

When:  Wednesday, September 24, 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, September 28, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Birds

We’ve been having a great late summer and early fall with the birds in our trees with visits from several hawks and owls as well as doves and pretty little birds too. Unfortunately one of the prettiest little yellow birds, probably a warbler of some type, collided with (we think) a window and died on our back patio. That happens sometimes. Many times these are birds that a hawk is chasing. Usually we don’t get any smaller birds when the hawks or owls are around though. The hawks and owls alternately nest in our trees most winters, and we often see them returning occasionally during the summer and fall as they are hunting or training their young. They are fascinating to watch, and I often photograph them when I can get a good shot. The owls we get are great horned owls, and the hawks are Cooper’s hawks. We used to get a lot more quail at our house too, and I do still see them around the neighborhood where the birds of prey aren’t hunting. They are so much fun to watch as they scurry across the prairie with their young. We even got to see a roadrunner a few years back. At one place we lived we had tiny burrowing owls. They were a thrill to see. When I used to go to fish at the river I would hear and see little chickadees with their distinctive “twee-dee” call. Of course we see robins especially in the spring, and western meadowlarks call from the fields when I walk Beau in the early summer mornings. I’m not very good at identifying birds, and so I can’t tell you what many of the birds we see are. I know that we do get bluejays occasionally too. I even have a bluejay feather in my walking hat now that I found earlier in the summer. I love to see the birds, and I’m even more fascinated when I see the explanations of how dinosaurs were related to birds. It’s so comical to imagine a dinosaur strutting like a bird I’m watching. And this is all related to my Wednesday online show where I’ll do songs about birds once again.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and they were all good fun as always. It’s such a privilege to sing for these folks.

Wednesday I played for the Senior Safari at the Pueblo Zoo, and it was another stellar event though a little warmer than we might have liked. There were folks from all over the community and from most of the senior facilities I play for. Big thanks to the zoo and the attendees and to all the folks who sponsored the event and especially to Dave Feamster from Little Caesars pizza who was celebrating his birthday.

My Wednesday online show was songs about animals to go along with my show at the zoo. It was a blast, and we did so many interesting songs about animals. I think the audience really enjoyed it.

Friday I played a Centenarians’ Celebration that was such an honor to be a part of. There were many folks close to, at, or over 100 years old in attendance, and I did songs from 1925 and from the 20s, 30s, and 40s to help celebrate.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some really good ones. I love playing for the Munch Bunch and these wonderful evenings we share.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 13 senior facilities this week, and I look forward to playing for them all. I’m mostly doing fall songs now, and I try to not do too many of the sadder fall tunes. I still don’t know why so many of the fall songs that are written are more melancholy. I’ll write more about that next week when I sing fall songs.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be bird songs as I mentioned above. Who knew there were so many songs about birds?! It’ll be a good time. Come on out if you can.

Friday night 6-9 I’m back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant once again playing instrumental guitar tunes. I enjoy these gigs a lot, and I love to see who comes out to the restaurant as I try to read the crowd and catch their ear. Come out if you’re in the mood for fine dining with a beautiful view and my music. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or at the small tables near me in the bar.

Saturday I’ll be at a Philmont Oktoberfest party dubbed the “Philtoberfest” in Colorado Springs. If you’re a Philmont alumni-type person I hope you’ll be there too. I’ll probably play a few tunes for singing along as part of the festivities.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’m sure we’ll have a grand audience with some good requests. You’re always welcome to tune in. It’s easy, and you’ll be made more than welcome.

——

That’s it for this week. The year is flying by. I hope you are healthy and content.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of bird songs

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

When:  Wednesday, September 17, 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, September 19, 6-9 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, September 21, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Animals

I’m playing Wednesday for the Senior Safari at the Pueblo Zoo, and that has me thinking about animals. It’s always a thrill to go to the zoo to see the animals. I haven’t been to a lot of zoos as an adult although I do remember many that I saw when I was a kid. I think my favorite zoo is the Desert Sonoran Museum in Tucson. The way there that many of the animal habitats are set up so you can see the animals on their level and then in their den and then also from above really opens my eyes to the life of many desert species. I love the Southwest, and this is a great way to see the animals of the area. I’ve also really enjoyed seeing animals in my everyday life, whether it is our pets or the wild animals living in our neighborhood. I think you gain some important insights about life when you live with animals. You see how they live and interact. You see their young and understand the cycle of life. You feel much more a participant in the life of our earth. And most importantly, I think, you learn empathy for other beings. That is so worthwhile. I know that celebrating animals in song will be a very good thing!

——

What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and they were all wonderful. It’s always a pleasure to play for them. 

My Wednesday online show was playing more songs from 1964, and it was a fun night of tunes. This was such a pivotal year for the country and the world. 

Friday I played Garden of the Gods Club, and there was an event going on plus a packed restaurant, so it was hopping. I knew several people as well including the musicians who were playing the event.

Sunday my online show was favorites and requests, and it was a good one. These evening always turn into something special.

——

What am I up this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and they should all be fantastic. I start doing Fall songs in earnest this week, and there are a lot of good ones. 

Wednesday 10:30-1 I play the Senior Safari at the Pueblo Zoo. This is a great event for seniors, and I’ve been playing for it since 2001. I get a lot of folks from my senior facilities as well as  folks from the community.  If you’d like to come it’s free admission for seniors all week, and on Wednesday when I play there is free coffee and donuts in the morning, and then there’s pizza from Little Caesar’s. There are senior vendor tents all around who sponsor the event, and then when I’m done playing at 1:00 there is bingo. Of course you can go see all the animals and exhibits whenever you’d like, and there are also docents bringing animals out for everyone to see. It’s a really fun day, and I’d love to have you there if you’re a senior. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing songs about animals of all kinds. It should be a really good time, and I’d love to have you if you’re free. 

Friday I’m playing a Centenarian’s Celebration that should also be a great time honoring many folks who have turned 100 or more. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I know there’ll be some great requests. There always are. I learn new songs almost every week as well. Come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. I can’t believe it’s already September. I hope you are healthy and happy. 

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who: Tom Munch 

What:  playing for the Senior Safari

Where:  Pueblo Zoo

When:  Wednesday, September 10, 10:30-1

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of animal songs

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

When:  Wednesday, September 10, 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, September 14, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Summer's End

Well, another summer is drawing to a close. I still really enjoy the summer season although I do feel worn out often with so much more work that the season brings. I love “rising to the occasion” and pushing myself every summer though. There’s something invigorating about all the summer adventures, and I’m amazed at the well of energy that always seems to be available to me when I need it. Fall offers me the chance to slow down, and I cherish that along with the beauty of the earth as it goes to rest for winter. This last hurrah of summer over the Labor Day weekend has always been bittersweet, and I have written of it annually. I go back to childhood memories of walking a dried-up lake after a summer of irrigation or one last trip to a lake with my dad for a sailboat race. There is a sadness and also a sigh of relief on Labor Day that has always been there for me. I love it, but it also puts me deep into myself. Of course I love to go into deep thought and reflection. It is a meditative state that brings peace and relaxation. I guess overall that’s how I see the Labor Day weekend and the coming Fall. Happy Labor Day!

——

What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and they were all very rewarding. Amazingly one had a Covid outbreak, and it’s something they’ve been dealing with since June. I even rescheduled them back in June because of it. Now they’re almost in the clear.

My Wednesday online show was songs of 1964, and it was a crazy show with the show’s online feed crashing at one point that sent me into a tizzy trying to figure out how to get back on. I finally was able to reconnect with a different browser, but it took several minutes, and I lost a couple people who never were able to get back on the show. The songs were a blast though, and there’s so many more left so we’ll do more 1964 songs this Wednesday. 

Friday night at Garden of the Gods Club was a wonderful night with appreciative folks and beautiful weather. I had one patron at the bar who was a guitar player, and he had lots of requests and fun memories to share.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some really good ones. Every one of these nights turns into something special.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and they should all be great opportunities to share music and encouragement. I say it often, but this is a great privilege to play for these folks, and I never take it for granted.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be more songs of 1964, and I know this will be a blast. I still can’t believe how many songs I’ve learned from 1964 over the years. It was a truly great year for music. Come on out if you can!

Friday night I should be back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant. The schedule hasn’t been confirmed yet, so if you want to come you might want to check with me before you make a reservation. I should know by later today. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small tables near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I really look forward to it. We always have such a good time, and my Munch Bunch audience is so supportive of me and each other. You’re always welcome!

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you have a nice Labor Day and transition into Fall.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of 1964 songs

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

When:  Wednesday, September 3, 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, September 5, 6-9 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, September 7, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Time of Change

I’m doing songs from 1964 on Wednesday, and I’m struck by how much that year marked a real change in the world. Of course, President Kennedy was assassinated in November of 1963, and that marked an end to some of the innocence the country felt at the beginning of the 1960s. In 1964 so many things happened. President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law.  The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show to start the British Invasion.  The  US increased its involvement in Vietnam.  China made its first nuclear test. The most powerful earthquake ever in the US struck in Alaska. Sidney Poitier won the first Oscar for an African American. The surgeon general first said that smoking was hazardous to people’s health. Cassius Clay beat Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion. Young men burned their draft cards to mark the first resistance to the Vietnam War. The movie “Mary Poppins” came out. The Moog synthesizer was introduced. The Berkeley Free Speech Movement started. The Catholic Church passed Vatican II. The Ford Mustang came out, and Martin Luther King, Jr. was awarded the Noble Peace Prize - just to name a few important things. Looking through the music of that year there was definitely the start of a harder edge to the music with more blues and rock ’n’ roll and less melodic pop. The charts were dominated by the Beatles, but there were also hits by the Animals, the Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Kinks. I was hearing this music as a kid and also hearing the news on the radio and TV, and there was definitely an energy that couldn’t be denied. As a baby boomer I think it was one of the most important times of the last century. At least it shaped what the US would become, and the music influenced me in ways that I still feel. I’m looking forward to playing a bunch of it!

——

What have I been up to?

I had 15 senior facilities last week, and even though it seems like a lot of shows, it didn’t feel like it. Every one was a lot of fun with great tunes and big smiles.

My Wednesday online show was songs about the mountains, and it was a wonderful evening of tunes and friends. Mountain songs are some of my very favorites.

Friday night was a little different at Garden of the Gods Club. They had an event going on outside  on the lawn and in the restaurant, so they had me play outside under an umbrella by the Rocks lounge with soft rain coming down. It turned out to be really cool with some very kind and generous folks listening on the patio. Since it was for the lounge I got to sing instead of just playing instrumental guitar tunes, and I really enjoyed that.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and there were so many great requests and sweet songs. It was more of a mellow night that was very gratifying. I love this group.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I know they will all be really special. I love playing for these folks so much.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs of 1964 as I mentioned above. Do a search for songs of 1964 and you’ll see how much fun it’s going to be that night with so many great songs. Come on out!

Friday night 6-9 I’m back at the Grand View Restaurant at Garden of the Gods Club playing instrumental guitar tunes. After last week’s different setup I look forward to playing guitar tunes again. You’re always welcome there. The view is unbelievable, and the food’s pretty tasty too. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small tables near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s a night I look forward to every time with so many good folks and so much good music requested. Being that the next day is a holiday for Labor Day I think it’ll be a crazy night. Come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. I always think of this as the last week of summer, and that makes me a little sad, but it also means that we are headed towards my favorite season - Fall!

Best,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs from 1964

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

When:  Wednesday, August 27, 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, August 29, 6-9 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, August 31, 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.

Time of Change / Wednesday Online 1964, Friday Garden of the Gods Club, Sunday Online Favorites and Requests

Hello,

I’m doing songs from 1964 on Wednesday, and I’m struck by how much that year marked a real change in the world. Of course President Kennedy was assassinated in November of 1963, and that marked an end to some of the innocence the country felt at the beginning of the 1960s. In 1964 so many things happened - President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law, The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show to start the British Invasion, The US increased it’s involvement in Vietnam, China made its first nuclear test, the most powerful earthquake ever in the US struck in Alaska, Sidney Poitier won the first Oscar for an African American, the surgeon general first said that smoking was hazardous to people’s health, Cassius Clay beat Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion, young men burned their draft cards to mark the first resistance to the Vietnam war, the movie “Mary Poppins” came out, the Moog synthesizer was introduced, the Berkeley Free Speech Movement started, the Catholic church passed Vatican 2, the Ford Mustang came out, and Martin Luther King, Jr. was awarded the Noble Peace Prize - just to name a few important things. Looking through the music of that year there was definitely the start of a harder edge to the music with more blues and rock ’n’ roll and less melodic pop. The charts were dominated by the Beatles, but there were also hits by the Animals, the Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Kinks. I was hearing this music as a kid and also hearing the news on the radio and TV, and there was definitely an energy that couldn’t be denied. As a baby boomer I think it was one of the most important times of the last century. At least it shaped what the US would become, and the music influenced me in ways that I still feel. I’m looking forward to playing a bunch of it!

——

What have I been up to?

I had 15 senior facilities last week, and even though it seems like a lot shows, it didn’t feel like it. Every one was a lot of fun with great tunes and big smiles.

My Wednesday online show was songs about the mountains, and it was a wonderful evening of tunes and friends. Mountain songs are some of my very favorites.

Friday night was a little different at Garden of the Gods Club. They had an event going on outside  on the lawn and in the restaurant, so they had me play outside under an umbrella by the Rocks lounge with soft rain coming down. It turned out to be really cool with some very kind and generous folks listening on the patio. Since it was for the lounge I got to sing instead of just playing instrumental guitar tunes, and I really enjoyed that.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and there were so many great requests and sweet songs. It was more of a mellow night that was very gratifying. I love this group.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I know they will all be really special. I love playing for these folks so much.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs of 1964 as I mentioned above. Do a search for songs of 1964 and you’ll see how much fun it’s going to be that night with so many great songs. Come on out!

Friday night 6-9 I’m back at the Grand View Restaurant at Garden of the Gods Club playing instrumental guitar tunes. After last week’s different setup I look forward to playing guitar tunes again. You’re always welcome there. The view is unbelievable, and the food’s pretty tasty too. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small tables near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s a night I look forward to every time with so many good folks and so much good music requested. Beings that the next day is a holiday for Labor Day I think it’ll be a crazy night. Come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. I always think of this as the last week of summer, and that makes me a little sad, but it also means that we are headed towards my favorite season - Fall!

Best,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Mountain songs

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

When:  Wednesday, August 27, 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, August 29, 6-9 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, August 31, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Mountains

I’m planning a show on mountains today for my Wednesday online show while I’m listening to a book about John Mackay, an Irishman who became one of the richest men in the world in the  California and Nevada mountains during the Gold Rush in the mid-1800s. I mention him because I can only imagine what the Sierra Nevada mountains looked like in those days. I love the mountains and I always have. I was exposed to them when I was a baby and my family would spend time in the summers at my grandfolks’ cabins in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico. The mountains were magical and powerful to me - full of history and mystery. I fancied myself a mountain man or a miner roughing it in those mountains in the days of Kit Carson and John Bridger. Their beauty and their sheer forbidding nature captivated me. I would explore on my own for hours as I bushwhacked and drank in all the sights and smells around me. The first time I got to actually climb a mountain was with my family at probably 5 or 7 years of age. We made a family backpacking trip to climb the highest mountain in New Mexico - Wheeler Peak at 13,167 feet. We actually passed by Wheeler Peak on that trip to climb the peak next to it called Old Mike - mistaking that mountain for Wheeler which had a much gentler summit. We didn’t make that mistake again, and I figure I’ve climbed Wheeler almost a dozen times over the years. But I’ve thrilled at the mountains everywhere I’ve encountered them. I can never resist wanting to climb to the top (unless it’s a very rocky, technical climb requiring ropes and climbing gear). There is an inexplicable awe and wonder when you stand at the top of a mountain and gaze far off into the distance below. And the view of the mountain from its base is easily as awesome. And that’s why I love singing songs about mountains. They just have a draw that is irresistible.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and  thoroughly enjoyed singing and playing for them all. They really got into it - especially where I had birthdays with folks near and over 100 years old.

Wednesday I played a party up in the mountains that was beyond beautiful! The Cuchara Hermosa gals are the best!

Friday I played a dance in Cuchara with my bassist friend Dennis Mills that was packed with good folks who danced up a storm. It was the best dance we’ve ever played.

Saturday night I played the Pueblo Riverwalk, and it rained on me at about the third song and got my equipment pretty wet. (I should have planned for that.) No worries though. I packed up the equipment, and it stopped raining shortly thereafter. So I just played unplugged and acoustic for the remainder of the time for some good old friends who came out to hear me. It turned into a beautiful evening. Big thanks to everyone who came out!

My Sunday online show was very gratifying with some great requests and new tunes. I never know what these shows will be like, and this one did not disappoint. It’s great to be part of such a wonderful community.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 15 senior facilities this week, and I know they’ll all be full of laughs and smiling faces with great tunes. I love playing for these folks so much.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be mountain songs as I wrote of above. There are so many great songs that express that wonder I talked about, and I can’t wait to play them. Please come out if you can!

Friday I’m back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. I enjoy these evenings a bunch, and I’d love to play for you too if you’d like to join me. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small tables near me in the bar.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and these evenings are always so worthwhile. Come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you are healthy and happy these last two weeks of summer.

Best always,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Mountain songs

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

When:  Wednesday, August 20, 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, August 22, 6-9 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, August 24, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Owls

I just finished a book on owls called, “What an Owl Knows” by Jennifer Ackerman, and it happened that the great horned owls came back to our trees just as I was finishing the book. We have had birds of prey winter in our trees almost every year for the past 10 years or so. We either have Cooper’s hawks or great horned owls. They both fascinate us. The Cooper’s hawks are small hawks who hunt birds and rodents. The great horned owls hunt the same as well as cats and small dogs. They both scare away the song birds, quail, and doves who used to frequent our house and for who we used to put out bird seed, suet cakes, and water. That’s okay although we do miss the small birds. Owls are amazing to watch and live with. They leave pellets and bones around on the lawn and roof that are a little macabre sometimes. When they fly over our heads they are nearly silent and always a surprise. They don’t usually interact with us other than staring at us when we walk under them in a tree or flying off if we come too close. In the book the author would even have some species of owl who were annoyed who would fly over and knock off a person’s hat or thump an arm as they flew by. Typically we will have a pair that we assume are the same couple that have been living in our trees or in another tree a mile or so away where we walk often. They will have one owl born to them each year that we don’t see until it is nearly full grown and able to fly. The young owls don’t hoot. They make a weird screech that seems to say, “Help me, I don’t know what to do.” We often see one or both of the adults with the young owl. I saw the young owl yesterday with one of the adults in our trees. The young one was screeching while the adult just watched. They are so majestic and also kind of menacing with their piercing stare. It is a joy to have them around. It’ll be interesting to see whether it will be owls or hawks wintering in our trees this year.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I played a huge variety of songs including some of the boat songs I played for my Wednesday online show. I enjoyed entertaining and encouraging them all.

My Wednesday online show last week was playing sailing and boat songs, and there were so many good ones. I had a nice crowd who were very engaged.

Thursday was the last barbecue of the season for the Yellow Pine. It was a packed night with lots of folks I knew, and the weather was good even though it stormed a bit to the north. I’ll miss these Thursday evenings in the old barn. It was a great season!

Friday I played instrumental guitar tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club for the diners. It was a warm night with lots of interesting folks. I played a lot of moon songs to honor the full moon.

Saturday afternoon I played a family reunion at the Yellow Pine for a nice family. It’s fun to play these kinds of gigs for good folks.

My Sunday online show was a great night of tunes for a good audience of friends and new folks. There were some really interesting requests including some new tunes for me from Van Morrison, Neil Young, and Zac Brown.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I think I’ll be playing more songs for August events like the fair and kids returning to school. I was surprised to see a school bus this morning on our walk. It seems like school starts earlier every year.

Wednesday I’m playing a private party in Cuchara for the Hermosa women’s group. I’ve been playing for this group of wonderful women for almost 30 years. 

Friday night 7-9 I’m playing a dance with my bass-player friend Dennis Mills at the Cuchara Community Center. We have played several of these dances over the years, and it’s always a really good time with everyone coming out for a night of friendship and dancing. It’s free admission, and you just can’t beat the inviting atmosphere and good vibes in the old community building. I’d love to have you there.

Saturday night 7-8:30 I’m playing at the Pueblo Riverwalk at the north end of the riverwalk by the big fountain past Brues Alehouse. They call it the Gateway Stage since it’s in the Gateway Plaza where they have all the western statues of the Goodnight-Loving Sculpture Trail and the Chuckwagon Play Area. It’s a beautiful area, and the nights can be pretty special. I’d love to have you come out to this as well if you’re in the Pueblo area.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I know it’ll be a good night of fun and meaningful songs. It ALWAYS is. Come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. Summer is winding down quickly, and I’m gracefully if not sorely landing. I hope you are healthy and happy.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch and Dennis Mills

What:  playing a free dance of country and rock and roll

Where:  Cuchara Community Center, 16500 State Highway 12, Cuchara, CO

When:  Friday, August 15, 7-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing a free show

Where:  Pueblo Riverwalk Gateway Stage in the Gateway Plaza, Pueblo, CO

When:  Saturday, August 16, 7-8:30 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, August 17, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Feeling Free

My show on Wednesday will be sailing and boats, and those things represent adventure and freedom, so I thought I’d write about feeling free. Most of my life (and I imagine yours too) has been watching the pendulum swing in my life from doing things that stem from responsibility or obligation to those things that come from a desire to feel free. Many times during my day I do things that are little moments of freedom within my obligations. For instance, I’ll be going to a job that I know will be difficult, but I enjoy the act of driving and the chance to listen to something I love on the drive. And while I’m walking in the morning for exercise and health I am also doing something kind and loving for and with my dog Beau and am enjoying the sunrise and taking photos I can share with others to brighten their day. Meanwhile I am loving the feeling of being in my body and breathing the fresh air as I become part of the natural world all around me. Later I am doing some household chore because I know it will give me the free time later to enjoy a movie and a bowl of popcorn. These are small things, and I also see that being able to take a vacation or a trip brings me that same feeling of freedom in a much bigger way. That chance to experience the wider world without my home worries is marvelous. One of my favorite songs of the 1960s was a song by the Monkees called “I Wanna Be Free”. It was a very simple song that Davy Jones sang, but it reflected that yearning that we all feel. It was mostly a love song, but that wasn’t the part that grabbed me. It was the words about being free like the birds, the waves, and the wind that enchanted me. So on Wednesday I’ll do songs about sailing and boats - capturing that wanderlust and desire for freedom that we all feel.

——

What have I been up to?

I had just 5 senior facilities to play for last week, but I loved playing for every one of them. I say it often, but the chance to take these folks on a journey through song is so gratifying.

My Wednesday online show was playing campfire songs, and it was just as much fun as I thought it would be. I had my campfire-scented candle to put me in the mood with a mountain campfire scene behind me, and it was a blast. I think everyone who came out really got into it.

Thursday was a packed barn at the Yellow Pine Barbecue, and it was so good to see so many familiar and new faces. There had been a big rainstorm the day before that had washed rock and logs over the road, and so it was kind of exciting wondering if there would be another storm on Thursday that would strand me up there for a while. There was a storm but it wasn’t that bad. It was a really fun night!

Friday night I was back at the Garden of the Gods Club to play guitar tunes for the diners. Every night is a little different up there, and I got to see some old friends again and play some unique tunes.

Saturday I had a last-minute surprise when I was asked if I could play with the Atomic Fireballs (my old band) for a gig at the VFW in Penrose. I took them up on it, and it was a great time and something I haven’t done in quite some time. None of the original band members were in the band except for one person who sang with us occasionally, but everyone who did play was an old acquaintance or person I had heard great things about. I’m not saying I want to start playing with a band on a regular basis, but it was sure fun getting to sit in and to play some lead guitar with old and new friends. Thanks, everyone!

My Sunday online show was great too. I was a little tired, but I had a good crew of folks who gave me lots of requests and energy. I love this group!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and it will be a good time playing songs for August and all this month brings. I usually do a produce or fair or end of summer theme for shows in August at my facilities.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about sailing and boats as I wrote above. I’m so entranced when I am out on the water being driven by the wind and the waves. This will be a sweet show of freedom. Come on out!

Thursday night 6:30-8 I’m back at the Yellow Pine for the last barbecue of the season. It’s always a little bittersweet ending another season of barbecues up there. I enjoy them so much. I expect it’s already sold out, but if you want to come call 719-742-3528 to see if there are any spots left and make a reservation now.

Friday night 6-9 I’m once again at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. I’ll probably try some new tunes as I read the crowd. I almost played Ozzy Osborne’s “Crazy Train” as a mellow instrumental last week. It’s so much fun to surprise the diners.

Saturday night I have a private party that’s a family reunion that I’m looking forward to.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as per usual. This is often the best gig of the week with interesting tunes and great folks in attendance. Come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. I’m still riding the wave of summer, and it’s about to deposit me on the beach - hopefully gracefully. I hope you’re having a good summer and are healthy and happy.

All the best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of sailing and boat songs

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

When:  Wednesday, August 6, 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 7, 6:30-8 pm

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, August 8, 6-9 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, August 10, 7-8:45 pm mountain time