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 

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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