Live Video

I’ve been doing live concert videos online since 2011 with the last 5½ years being on Facebook and also embedded on my website from Facebook. The places where I posted them before 2019 have all gone defunct, and Facebook changed their policy on keeping videos online this Spring to just 30 days. Before that they were up all the way back to 2019. I don’t know if very many people were going back to listen to my old shows, but they aren’t available anymore. I did save them all to my hard drive so they aren’t completely gone. As a result I’m going to go back to the old shows and playing some of the themes again starting with Chuck Pyle. Chuck is someone I met over 40 years ago when I was playing in Red River, New Mexico, at a steak house called Texas Reds. I’d play Thursday to Saturday, and Chuck would come in some weeks on his road trips to play on Sunday. All the locals who didn’t have to work on Sundays would come in to dance to Chuck’s solid right-hand two-step beat. Chuck and I became friends over gear talk as musicians do. He was doing mostly original tunes, and I was doing mostly covers. He played over two Klipsch home speakers stacked on milk crates powered by a clean amp fed by a little Tascam mixer. His sound was so pristine and full. His rhythm was impeccable, and his fingerpicking had it all - bass, rhythm guitar, and leads backing up his clever lyrics. I was fingerpicking with fingerpicks, but I was doing a lot of strumming too. Chuck even gave me a backhanded compliment one night from the audience when I played one of his tunes by saying, “Nice strummin’!” We stayed in touch over gear for many years until I crossed paths with him again about 10 years later. I had heard a couple albums he had done in the meanwhile where he had polished his style even more, and I decided then to incorporate some of what he did in mixing bass, rhythm, and lead on the guitar without fingerpicks. This is a style I still use on many songs I play. Chuck passed at the age of 70 in 2015, and I was honored to be asked to play for several tribute concerts at Swallow Hill in Denver. I’m pleased to keep his music and memory alive. He had a wonderful vibe that he called “Zen Cowboy”. As far as the live video, I may try to find a place where I can continue to offer the old concerts. YouTube may work although they frown on having copy-written music posted there as a rule.

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What have I been up to?

I had 12 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed them all. A couple of them were back to masking for different illnesses, and I send out my best to them as they struggle to get everyone well.

My Wednesday online show was songs for Earth Day, and there were some good ones. It’s so good to honor the world we all live on. It’s pretty resilient although we don’t treat it right most of the time. The audience seemed to really like it.

Friday night I played Garden of the Gods Club, and it was so much fun riding the energy of the diners as I picked up all kinds of songs. Some old friends came out, and it was good to see them and play for them. It was my birthday, and they bought me a birthday drink that I shared with them at the end of the night.

Saturday I played a private gardening luncheon, and it was great to hear the gardening stories and play for them.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there was a lot of fun and some new tunes. I played my train whistles and a little guitarron for a little novelty. Everyone had a good time. Love these folks!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and I hope that they are all well. I’ll probably start playing songs for Mother’s Day now that we are moving into May.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Chuck Pyle songs, and I’d love to have you hear and celebrate his music. His music is full of images of the West with beautiful melodies and harmonies with his intricate guitar parts and infectious beat. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and it’s always a wonderful evening tunes and friendship. Come on out if you can!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re enjoying the Spring and are healthy. Time marches on, and it’s important to always keep perspective and joy.

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Chuck Pyle songs

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

When:  Wednesday, April 30, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

When:  Sunday, May 4, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Earth Day

I’m thinking about Earth Day as I write this on the day before. I watched a really good presentation on public lands in the US the other day that really stuck with me. It was a non-partisan look at the history and benefits we all get from pubic lands as well as the amount of money they make for economies all over the western US in particular. It was put together by former National Park Service superintendent, Walt Dabney, and it’s a talk he’s been giving all over the country to encourage people on all sides to support our public lands. I’ve enjoyed our public lands in many different ways over my years - from hiking and biking to fishing and four-wheeling. I can’t tell you how many vacations I’ve taken that were mostly to destinations in national parks and monuments. They are a resource in so many ways that most of the country uses and don’t really exist in most of the eastern states and south in Texas. I encourage you to watch the video and consider supporting our public lands too. It’s a non-partisan thing we can all get behind, and it’s good for the earth to boot. Here’s the link - https://youtu.be/K7U7rHlLTPk?si=edr44ojp4dd-_z3P.

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed them all. One of them required mask-wearing for an RSV breakout, but it didn’t dampen their spirits too much. I don’t mind singing in a mask, and it doesn’t seem to affect the intelligibility of the songs as long as I turn up the volume and the treble a bit on the mic. I love these folks and the opportunity to give them encouragement and entertainment.

My Wednesday online show was songs from 1965 again and it was a lot of fun. It’s amazing how much these songs still mean to everyone.

Friday night I played at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant, and I had a nice group of folks including a nice young couple with their daughter and their parents who were really friendly and kind. Their daughter asked for lots of requests, and I enjoyed getting to know them a bit. There was a lot of snow that day, so the drive home from Colorado Springs was pretty treacherous though.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it didn’t disappoint with some different requests than we’ve done in a long time. I always look so forward to these evenings of great interaction in the comments and sweet, sweet songs.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 12 senior facilities this week including a special performance Sunday at one facility where the TrikeTreks folks of Pueblo will bring out their trikes for rides for the seniors. It’s a very cool event, and it’s looking today like the forecast is for nice weather that day. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs for Earth Day which is Tuesday. There are so many good songs that celebrate our beautiful earth and our lives on it. This will be a cool show. Come on out!

Friday night 6-9 I’m back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. It’s my 64th birthday that day, so I’ll probably play the Beatles’ “When I’m 64” a few times for fun. Come on out if that sounds like a good time to you. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.

Saturday I’m playing a private luncheon for a women’s group that should be fun with Spring songs.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and who knows what songs we’ll play? These Sunday evenings are so fulfilling in every way with friendship, good tunes, and great engagement from the audience. I’d love to have you there as well!

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That’s it for this week. I need to mention that Facebook is not hosting my live videos past 30 days now, so if you were going back to previous shows to watch them they won’t be there after 30 days. I have saved them all to my hard drive, but I don’t have a place to post them online currently that will handle royalties, and if I did they would be missing the comments from the shows. I’m sorry for this. It was especially a nice way to look back at the feelings we had during the pandemic as the music supported us all. Everything changes though, and it was sure good while it lasted.

I hope you are healthy and content.

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Earth Day songs

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

When:  Wednesday, April 23, 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, April 25, 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, April 27, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

1965

This Wednesday I’m doing an online show of music for 1965 again, and I wanted to talk about 1965 a bit. I see 1965 as a transitional year - especially in popular music. The Beatles had been introduced to America in 1964 but in 1965 they came out with their “Help!” and “Rubber Soul”  albums which took a harder edge and more introspective and creative writing. Groups like the Rolling Stones with their blues-influenced sound began to have more hits. Of course, the United States was embroiled in the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement, and this had included an escalation of the war and the Voting Rights Act in 1965. More unrest in the country was reflected in the music including songs like “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire and “Universal Soldier” by Donovan. There were still soft pop hits like “Hang on Sloopy “ and “Game of Love”, but increasingly there was more use of dirty and distorted guitar and organ sounds that more closely represented the feelings of the country. We just weren’t as innocent anymore. I was too young to remember much about this year other than what was on the radio and what my older siblings were listening to. I heard lots of Beatles and Motown and even 45s like “This Diamond Ring” by Gary Lewis and the Playboys spun on our little portable “suitcase” record players. I liked what I heard, and I’m sure it led me to become a musician even though it took me another 8 years before I got my first stringed instrument and started to play this music. I never would have thought that I would be playing it 60 years later with such fervor. How about you? What are your recollections of 1965?

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities to play for last week, and they were all such a joy. I played a lot of Spring songs, but also there were many who wanted to hear some of the songs from 1965 that I was playing for my online shows. I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show was 1965 songs as I wrote above, and it was just what I had hoped for - lots of reminiscence and great tunes. The audience really got into it as well.

Friday night I played instrumental guitar tunes for the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant, and it was kind of a laid-back crowd this time. I threw in some rock numbers, but they didn’t respond as much as some nights. I mainly played Spring songs. It was a beautiful and warm evening with the big glass-wall doors wide open to enjoy the beautiful view.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and the group was into a wide variety of tunes including John Denver, Bob Dylan, Glenn Miller, and Chuck Pyle - pretty diverse. Everyone seemed to enjoy it even though we were missing some regulars due to lack of sleep or work. I even had 4 new tunes I’d never played before. I love these folks.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’ll continue to play some Spring songs and also Easter songs although I have only have a few of those. It’s always a thrill to set up and play for my seniors.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be 1965 songs again as I wrote above. I have a list of 75 or so songs from that year, so there are plenty of good ones left to celebrate and enjoy. Come on out if you’d like to hear them and join in!

Friday night 6-9 I’m back at the Garden of the Gods Club playing instrumental guitar tunes in the Grand View restaurant. I’m sure I’ll have fun pulling out some surprises and maybe a couple Easter tunes. Come on out if you’d like a great meal and view with some guitar noodling on my part. 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, and I seem to have a renewed energy for these Sunday shows that I can’t explain. I’m diving in with gusto! Come on out if you can.

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That’s it for this week. We’ve had a little bit of a heat wave so we’re working on the yard more to get ready for summer. There’s never a dull moment in this life when you’re engaged in it. I hope you’re enjoying it and 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 1965 songs

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

When:  Wednesday, April 16, 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, April 18, 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, April 20, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Music and AI

I watched a video by Rick Beato on YouTube this morning that once again brought up in my mind that the future of music may not involve singers and players like me. Rick is about my age, and he has been in the music business at a top level for all his life and knows what he’s talking about. I believe that music is a gift, and I’ve always felt that it was my purpose to use it for the benefit of those around me in whatever way I could. That sounds high-minded for sure, but it’s a joy to be in service to something bigger than myself. This morning I realized that people like me probably won’t be necessary to write music and probably perform it very soon. If you watch this video (https://youtu.be/JSswFa8Ta1k?si=4ttepIuMsZTYp_ZT) where Rick Beato plays some current AI music created from simple prompts or descriptions of what each song should be, you will see that the quality of the recordings and even the chord structure and lyrics are so close to what is currently popular that it is astounding. He concludes by saying that people won’t be able to hear the difference and won’t mind listening to this AI-generated music. I would say the same thing after I listened to it. Some of the chord progressions and lyrics were more clever almost randomly than what current songwriters come up with for pop and country songs. Of course this is not a live performance by a live person, but if in the future it isn’t necessary for a song to be written and recorded by a real person, then will there be anyone trying to perform them live anymore? I would hope that AI would be a tool to inspire and work out tough passages for musicians instead of a way for non-musicians to create music, but it sure doesn’t look like we’re headed that way. And of course writing and art are following similar paths. The creative arts that have made the books, songs, and artwork that we have cherished for centuries may no longer be an expression of our culture and our dreams and struggles that is created by people. It boggles my mind to think of it. How about you? Listen to the video above and tell me what you think.

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, but 1 outdoor show had to be rescheduled for weather since we had a storm come in on the weekend. I enjoyed playing Spring songs for my facilities, and they really enjoyed them.

My Wednesday online show was Spring songs, and it was honestly a lot of fun. There were some great requests, and I know the audience loved the thoughts and songs about Spring.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and what a nice night it was with lots of great requests and a new song or two. This group of Munch Bunchers as they call themselves is so supportive and sincere. It’s a pleasure to know them and play for them.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m sure I’ll be playing more Spring songs including rain and flower songs. This is just a great time of the year with all the new growth and excitement in nature all around us.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from 60 years ago this time - 1965. I love songs from this year including songs from the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, the Sound of Music, and Roger Miller just to name a few. I’ll probably write in my blog about 1965 next week to talk more about this great year in music. It will be a really fun evening, and I’d love to have you in the audience.

Friday night 6-9 I’ll be back at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. Take note that I’m playing a half hour later now that the sun goes down later with the time change and the days growing longer. I’d love to have you if this sounds good to you. 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, and it’s always a good night of wonderful songs and good camaraderie. These nights are very special to me. Come on out if you can.

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That’s it for this week. I know it has been a tense time for a lot of folks with the volatility in the world and the markets, but I hope you are doing well and are healthy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of 1965 songs

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

When:  Wednesday, April 9, 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, April 11, 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, April 13, 7-8:45 pm mountain time