Looking Back

It’s that time of year when we look back on the year gone by and try to make sense of what happened, put a bow on it, and bid it adieu. My year has been relatively good. Of course there has been angst in the country and the world with so many changes politically. I don’t talk about politics here though. We lost a lot of good people in the world, and many of those were people who were making their mark in my formative years. That affects me a lot because they were people I looked up to who were examples of excellence and creativity. They will be missed. My health has been okay although every year adds a couple more aches and problems that remind me that I won’t be here forever. I didn’t have any big career milestones, but I wasn’t looking for any at 64. It was enough to be able to sing “When I’m 64” with authenticity. I do tend to forget lyrics more easily and to get lost in the middle of a song though. Sometimes that’s pretty comical when it’s not scary. I like how we can settle into a comfortable state in later years with some wisdom and calm. I’d hate to think that there should be panic at this point. I wrote several years ago about purpose and living your life based on that. My purpose in life has changed over the years. I still think I’m here to provide peace, stability, and encouragement to others with music, but I think the relevance of that is changing as music is more readily available. This past year has shown me that people still appreciate live music and what I’m doing. I do think that having joy in everyday moments is very important, and this past year has shown me that I could pursue that even more. It takes very little  for me to find joy. When I was at Yosemite this summer to attend my nephew’s wedding nearby I definitely found joy in pushing my physical endurance to hike like I haven’t in years to enjoy some unbelievable beauty. I find joy in our pets and in shared moments too. Life can be very uncomplicated when we let it be so. So was it a good year looking back for me? Yes, with some consideration for the bad things that happened too. How about you?

——

What have I been up?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and it was a wonderful week of Christmas songs and smiles for the most part - even the day after Christmas where people were still in the spirit. One of my facilities did have Covid in it, and that put a damper on family visits there though. I had hoped that wouldn’t happen.

My Wednesday online show was a meaningful night with lots of great Christmas music. Many more people than I expected were ready to share their Christmas Eve with me singing songs and stories. It was so special!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some really good ones including some surprises. Folks were ready to move past Christmas songs, and I really enjoyed the comments and spirit.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week including 2 on January 1st. I sometimes take New Year’s Day off, but this year I thought it would be fun to share a fun and uplifting morning and afternoon with my seniors. I’m looking forward to it!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be a New Year’s Eve party of upbeat and exciting songs. I’ll have a countdown clock that will hit 0:00 at 8 o’clock mountain time to ring in the new year in style for those who don’t want to stay up until midnight. I always do a fireworks background with bursting colors and beauty to complement the wild songs and atmosphere. Come on out if you’d like to celebrate with me.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’m sure there’ll be some great songs to start the new year. This group is so honest and engaging, and we always have a good time. You’re always welcome!

——

That’s it for this week. I can’t believe we’ll be starting the year 2026. I never would have pictured that it would be like this for good and for bad. What a wild world we live in.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of party songs for New Year’s Eve

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

When:  Wednesday, December 31, 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, January 4, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Sacred Week

The week of Christmas has always felt sacred and special to me. When I was young it was filled with mystery and mysticism. The baby in the manger, angels, and Santa Claus were full of magic and curiosity. I delighted in the stories and twinkling lights and special songs. That last few days before Christmas and until New Years just felt like a space where no one could intrude on family and personal space. It still feels that way to some extent. Everything shuts down mostly, and folks focus on what really matters for a few days. It’s actually a relief in today’s world where we are bombarded with news and announcements every day. I’m not sure what still makes it feel that way for me. Perhaps I buy into the training I got from my childhood when I was taught by the culture, the church, and from my parents that it was a special time of peace and stillness. That was related to both the story of the baby Jesus and the mystery of Santa Claus. They both were powerful and seemingly unknowable. Maybe it’s because it has been a tradition going back to before Christianity when the solstice had a real effect on peoples’ psyches with the shorter days and interesting alignments. Or maybe it’s just because the days are short and the nights are long so there’s more time to ponder and contemplate life. However I look at it there is plenty of reason for the sacred feeling I still get as we approach Christmas. It does fade pretty quickly once Christmas is over though, so that is why I still encourage people to let themselves get into it while it’s here. I hope you are doing just that, and I do wish you a Merry Christmas and the best of holidays.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 14 senior facilities last week, and it was a wild ride of Christmas cheer in every way. There were parties and special moments galore. I love getting to play for these folks.

My Wednesday online show was doing Christmas hymns, and there was so much deep spirit shared. So many of those songs are favorites and really get to that sacred quiet place that Christmas is so good at.

Friday night I played for the state legislators again at the CSG West legislative academy graduation at the Broadmoor, and it was so much fun getting to entertain these folks and then have them sing along and join me for a bunch of tunes after the graduation. I really enjoy playing for them each year.

Sunday my online show was favorites and requests, and it was a nice mix of Christmas and regular songs with even a Gordon Lightfoot song that I had never played before. It was so sweet!

——

What am I put to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities scheduled for this week although one adult daycare cancelled due to low attendance on Friday. I will enjoy getting to play for these folks in this sacred week.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Christmas favorites on Christmas Eve, and I’m sure there’ll be some repeated songs from previous Christmas shows. This will be a catch-all of every kind of Christmas song meant to make anyone who tunes in happy and ready for a good Christmas Day. Come on out if you have the evening free and would like some Christmas cheer.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’m sure there’ll be some good songs as we approach New Year’s Eve and all the excitement it generates as well. You’re always welcome to tune in. I will also be doing a New Year’s Eve online show, and I’ll write more about it next week.

——

That’s it for this week. I haven’t mentioned it before this week, but Jen and I do make wall calendars each year mostly for ourselves of the best of the sunrise pictures I take each morning. If you think you might like to have my pictures gracing your wall I would be humbly honored. They are printed on demand and can be ordered here - 

https://www.lulu.com/search?page=1&q=Tom+Munch+&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and are healthy and happy.

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Christmas favorites

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

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

Christmas Church

 I have so many memories of Christmas at church throughout my life. When we were kids I remember singing in the children’s concert at church. Each age-group got up in the front of the whole church to sing several songs, and for most of us it was our first experience in front of an audience. It was exciting to dress up and know that our parents were watching us. Then I remember getting to go to the midnight candlelight service that started at 11:00 at night and let out just as Christmas Day began at midnight. One year it had just started to snow as we left the church, and it felt so sacred. Eventually I was in the church youth choir for the early service. Our director had us learning and singing lots of new songs that were interesting and challenging. I still have one song that comes back to me from time to time about Mary and Joseph that I’ve never heard again. In high school I sometimes would sing with the adult choir at the later service as well. Then when I was in college I sometimes sang with the choir at my college church although I mostly sang on my own or in a band that was sponsored by the church. When I would go home from school I would sometimes sing with the adult choir at my home church. Eventually when I was on my own I would be asked to play and sing for different churches wherever I lived. Sometimes it would just be solo special songs and sometimes it would be leading the congregation in song. I still do that from time to time. I really love the old hymns. They just seem so special and bring back such strong memories. They are sometimes kind of stodgy though, especially in the lesser-known verses. For some reason they really packed in the dogma and church doctrine that I think went over most folks’ heads. I guess that’s just part of the charm although the big words sometimes don’t flow very well. But it’s all good. Do you love old hymns as well?

——

What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week including a Christmas family dinner party that was a lot of fun. It is so rewarding to spread some joy in this season.

My Wednesday online show was doing fun Christmas songs, and there were so many! We really had a good time, and I had a lot of people tune in.

My Friday concert at Society Hall in Alamosa with my friend Don Richmond sitting in went so well! We had a sweet crowd of real music lovers who were ready for some Christmas spirit. Thank you again to Don, Ruthie, Robear, Brian, and everyone there at Society Hall who puts on these great shows!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and we did a good mix of Christmas songs and other favorites. I love this group so much!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 14 senior facilities this week, and this will really be the busiest week of Christmas songs and stories. I can’t wait to share these times with these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Christmas hymns, and this will be a very special night of wonderful old tunes that everyone can sign along to. Come on out and share a meaningful time.

Friday night I’m playing for a group that I get to play for once a year composed of state representatives from all over the western U.S. as they graduate from a week of learning to be better legislators. It’s at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and they have me come in to entertain during drinks and dinner as well as to lead some singing after dinner with western songs that everyone can sing along to. It’s always a really good time, and I’m so encouraged by the sharpness of everyone I meet there.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s always the highlight of my week as friends gather and surprise me with great requests. I’m sure there’ll be some Christmas songs as we round the corner to Christmas week. Come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you’re having a nice holiday season full of goodness and joy as the old song says.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Christmas hymns

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

When:  Wednesday, December 17, 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 21, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Fun Christmas

We are now in the second week of the holiday season, and I’m thinking about all the fun things that people do at this season. There are concerts, parties, tree lightings, special treats, ice sculptures, pageants, secret Santas, gifts, and so much more. We have the capacity for so much energy and excitement and creativity. It is so uplifting to see the outpouring we are capable of no matter what is going on in the world. I think that it is the cure to all our woes and injustices. Our spirit is truly indomitable. It is an ancient drive within us that really comes out for these holidays. I love it! For myself I have been enjoying how much the music of the season brings joy and enthusiasm. There are sincere emotions of caring and magic that permeate the tunes I get to share. Of course there are lots of Christmas songs that are full of doctrine and depth that most people don’t even recognize, but there are also light-hearted songs of frolicking in the snow and sharing just plain fun. We don’t let ourselves have mirth and joy as often as we really need to, and I intend to inject as much of this pure happiness as I can this season. Please join me in making people smile, laugh, and enjoy the moments that make this season special.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and most of them were ready to hear Christmas music. That’s great, and I enjoyed playing so many sweet tunes for them including some of the Victorian and Olde World songs I sang for my Wednesday online show.

Tuesday I played for a Pueblo Newcomers luncheon for a really great group of folks. I was a little rusty on a couple Christmas tunes, but it went really well. What a genuine gathering of friends!

My Wednesday online show was playing what I ended up calling “Victorian and Olde World songs” since I played some French and Ukrainian songs as well British tunes. I think the group really enjoyed it, and I did several new songs to me that I will definitely keep in rotation.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some really good ones. I don’t think the folks were ready to hear as many Christmas songs as I was ready to play, but I snuck them in and brought a little Christmas spirit to the evening. It was fun!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, including a Christmas party. It should be a good week of bringing the holiday spirit to so many folks!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be fun Christmas songs, and there are so many! This will be a really special night of goofy and upbeat songs that I think everyone will enjoy. Come on out if that sounds good to you!

Friday night at 7:00 I’m playing a Christmas concert at Society Hall in Alamosa with my good friend Don Richmond sitting in. This should be a wonderful show with lots of good vibes and Christmas cheer. If you’re in the Alamosa area or if you’re up for a drive I’d love to have you there! 

You can find more about it and buy tickets here - 

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/societyhall/1946076?brid=DONwkUJc6TIkezIyuc878g

The show will also be broadcast live on their Facebook page if you would like to watch and listen but can’t be there in person - 

https://www.facebook.com/societyhall

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and as we near Christmas Day I’ll be mixing in more Christmas songs with the requests so that we get all the great Christmas songs in at least once. I’d love to have you in the audience if you’re up for it!

——

That’s it for this week. I can’t believe how fast the season is flying by. I hope you’re enjoying it and drinking in all the fun and excitement the season brings.

Best,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Fun Christmas songs

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch with Don Richmond sitting in

What:  playing a Christmas concert

Where:  Society Hall, 400 Ross Ave, Alamosa, CO

When:  Friday, December 12, 7:00 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 14, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

'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.

——

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!

——

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.

——

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

——

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