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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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