This week I start the Yellow Pine Barbecue once again that runs weekly on Thursday nights in Cuchara, Colorado. It’s hard to believe it, but I’ve been playing these weekly barbecues every summer since 2001 except for a couple years when it changed hands and when it had to be closed for fire or Covid. How did I find myself playing for a weekly barbecue night in the cool old Yellow Pine barn every summer? Well, I think it all started because I worked one summer at a cowboy camp at Philmont Scout Ranch where I felt the need to learn all kinds of old cowboy songs so I could be as authentic as possible while playing for the nightly campfire we played after the chuckwagon supper. I found cowboy songbooks in the historical library at the University of Nebraska. That library was recognized as the one of the finest historical libraries in the country, and I drank-in the old cowboy songs. Then when I was playing clubs in Colorado I happened across a staff member of the Don K Guest Ranch near Wetmore, Colorado, who said they were looking for someone to play at their weekly campfire. I hadn’t done much campfire singing since Philmont, and I jumped at the chance. I played at the Don K for 7 or 8 summers in the 1990s, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet the guests and to sing the old cowboy songs plus all kinds of other campfire songs by the likes of John Denver and Michael Martin Murphey. A few years later the Don K sold to a private family who didn’t want to run it as a guest ranch, and I was approached by the the then-owner of the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch while I was playing at the La Veta Inn in La Veta, Colorado. He said he did a weekly barbecue at the old barn just up the road in Cuchara and asked me if I’d like to play for the folks there. I had played in Cuchara at the ski resort when I first moved to Beulah, Colorado, in 1985. It sounded great, and I fell in right away with the wonderful folks of Cuchara. I love the atmosphere of the barn and the sweet mountain air. The people are very kind, and I’ve played just about everywhere in Cuchara by now. You are always welcome, and I think you’ll feel at home too!
——
What have I been up to?
I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they were all very enjoyable. I love seeing and sharing time and songs with all these folks.
My Wednesday online show was playing songs by the Eagles, and it was so good to relive all the memories of hearing those songs in so many situations. They were so much a part of our lives.
My Sunday online show was very sweet too. There were a lot of requests, and we did some songs for Father’s Day as well.
——
What am I up to this week?
I have 14 senior facilities this week, and that is as many as I’ve ever done in one week. That’s okay because I love playing for them so much!
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing songs by The Beach Boys as well as other surf songs. This is all to honor Brian Wilson who passed last week. I’d love have you if you’re a fan of The Beach Boys.
Thursday 6:30-8 I start the season for the Yellow Pine Barbecue as I wrote of above. IIt’s a great time in the old barn with my music and great barbecue. We have a new barbecue company this year, and I’m anxious to taste their best! Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now.
Friday night 6-9 I’m at the Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. It’s such a beautiful place with great architecture and amazing view of Garden of the Gods and Pike’s Peak. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.
Sunday brunch 11-2 I’m also at Garden of the Gods Club in the Grand View Restaurant playing instrumental guitar tunes. The food and view are so good, and you can listen to me tinkling the strings while you dine. Reservations are at 888-994-3156 or you can usually sit at the bar or the small table near me in the bar.
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. This is always a highlight of the week, and I’d always love to have you if you’re free.
——
That’s it for this week. You can see that it will be a marathon!
Best always,
Tom
——
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of Beach Boys and surf songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, June 18, 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, June 19, 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, June 20, 6-9 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, June 22, 11 am -2 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Sunday, June 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
No comments:
Post a Comment