1956

In keeping with my decade shows it’s time to do songs from 50, 60, and 70 years ago, starting with 1956. 1956 was a great year for music. Rock and Roll was in full swing with great hits like “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley, “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins, and “Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino. There were some more mellow songs too like “The Wayward Wind” by Gogi Grant, "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" by Doris Day, and "Memories Are Made of This" by Dean Martin. I know easily 30 songs from this year that I’ve played for years. It was also an interesting year for historical events. Here are a few from Wikipedia.

Southern congressmen reject desegregation

Videotape comes out

Grace Kelly becomes Princess of Monaco

Women become Methodist preachers

The Montgomery bus boycott happens

First snooze alarm clock invented

Marilyn Monroe marries Arthur Miller a week after he appears before the House Un-American Activities Committee

President Eisenhower starts interstate highways

A U-2 spy plane flies over Soviet Union

SS Andrea Doria sinks

“In God We Trust” becomes national motto

Hard disk is invented

Transatlantic cable opens

Cecil B. DeMille’s “Ten Commandments” comes out

The Soviet Union invades Hungary

‘Wizard of Oz’ is broadcast on TV for the first time

Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash) get together at Sun Studio for the first and last time in history

That’s quite a list of events that are still echoing throughout our world. It makes me feel like we’re not in quite as dramatic a time as we think in 2026. I love to dive into history to get a feel for what was going on when so many great tunes were being recorded and released. Nothing happens in a vacuum, and knowing what was going on in the minds of the songwriters and musicians of that year really connects me better to their songs. I’m trying to make an appropriate backdrop for the show and put myself in the right frame of mind to deliver these songs. It should be fun!

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and I played a mix of Easter, Spring, and fool songs for most of my folks. Everyone really seemed to enjoy it. I always say I love playing for this audience, and I really do.

My Wednesday online show was playing fool songs for April Fools’ Day, and it was a lot of fun picking out and singing songs that fit the theme. As I said last week, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being willing to be a fool for love or anything else that’s worthwhile.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some really meaningful and great requests. I love playing these Sunday night shows.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’ll be playing spring, April, and 1956 songs for most of them. It’s such a joy to bring music to people that is uplifting and enjoyable.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from 1956 as I wrote above. I expect this to be a night to remember with lots of great songs of the era. Come on out and celebrate the year with me!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I have a couple new songs to learn as well. It’s always a joy to play and interact with such a great group of folks. I do a Zoom gathering a half hour before the show at 6:30 mountain time if you’d ever like to chat some. Here’s the meeting link - 

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7759127796?pwd=MZ55WfXnEkOSi3bztfvmMlbe2oCpoN.1

Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. Spring is really hitting our area now with things starting to bloom and the prairie greening up. I even saw baby great-horned owl known as an owlet yesterday. I hope you 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 songs from 1956

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

When:  Wednesday, April 8, 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, April 12, 7-8:45 pm mountain time