250 Years of Music

This week we celebrate 250 years of independence here in the U.S. on July 4th. It has been an interesting 250 years. It hasn’t been easy, and we have struggled through a lot of good and bad from so many different perspectives. Most of us know our history from a broad understanding ranging from the start where we broke away from England with a fresh look at how to run a country to our struggles with westward expansion, slavery, big business, wars, and worldwide dominance. All of it is based on that little promise of what we could be that Thomas Jefferson so eloquently stated 250 years ago - “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It’s so hard to get inside the heads of those who lit our flame of independence and those who helped build our country over these last 250 years. But music often reflects the populace in a very revealing way. I love historical music. I love the way it speaks to what people were feeling at different points in history. When I sing these songs I’m able to step inside the shoes of the people who wrote and sang these songs. Music is so powerful in this way. From “Yankee Doodle” to “Sweet Betsy from Pike” to “All Quiet Along the Potomac” to “The Charleston” to “Born in the U.S.A.” I can feel what people were going through in these times of history in a very direct way. This Wednesday I’ll do an online show featuring 20 or so songs from American history that bring me closer to understanding what my forebears were going through during different glimpses of their lives over the past 250 years. It should be enlightening!

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they were all very satisfying with good songs and good folks. I love playing these shows, and I’ll definitely miss them when it comes time to retire.

My Wednesday show was doing songs by Canadian songwriters to celebrate Canada Day. I think everyone was pleasantly surprised by how many great songs come from our Canadian brothers and sisters. We’ll have to do it again sometime.

Thursday night at the Yellow Pine barbecue was also a wonderful night of good food and good people. We were not full up although I know this week will definitely be hopping before the 4th of July.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some really diverse requests. This group really knows some good music!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 6 senior facilities this week, and I’m sure I’ll be doing some of the songs I’m doing from my Wednesday online show for these folks too. This is definitely a great time of the summer.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from 250 years of American history as I wrote above. I’m having a great time putting together this show, and I’d love to play for you too if you’d like to join in. 

Thursday night 6:30-8 I’ll be playing the barbecue at Yellow Pine Guest Ranch in Cuchara, CO, and it should be a really fun night of tunes and yummy barbecue. We do the barbecue in a historic barn built in the 1880s, and it has all the fixin’s including brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausage with corn on the cob, rolls, potato salad, ranch-style beans, pickled onions, jalapeños, peach cobbler with ice cream and roasting marshmallows by the fire for s’mores. I play music for listening and dancing, and I take requests. It’s just a blast! Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now.

Friday 11-2 I’ll be playing after the Independence Day parade in La Veta in the gazebo at the park on Ryus Avenue for Art in the Park. I’ve done this for many years, and it always makes for a perfect day under the big trees enjoying good food and cool crafts and art with my music. I’d love to see you there!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s always a highlight of the week. Good friends and good vibes just flow out of this show. Come on out and join in the fun.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day if you’re in America and that you’re 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 250 years of American history

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

When:  Wednesday, July 1, 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, July 2, 6:30-8 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for SPACe Art in the Park

Where:  Ryus Ave as you enter on the right - just across the tracks in La Veta 

When:  Friday, July 3, 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, July 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Canada

I’m going to play an online show on July 1 for Independence Day that highlights meaningful songs over the U.S.’s 250 years of existence. When I mentioned this to my online group one of my Canadian friends said that July 1 is Canada Day. So I decided that it would be fun to do a show of Canadian songwriters and Canadian songs this next Wednesday ahead of Canada Day. My family on my mother’s side emigrated from the old country to Canada where they lived for a generation before coming to the U.S., so I’ve always considered that I had a Canadian heritage. I’ve only been to Canada once. In 1967 my family went to Montreal to go to Expo 67, which was kind of a world’s fair and also a centennial celebration for Canada. We had so much fun, and all my family has great memories of being there, and so I have a very fond affection for Canada. I also highly respect the musicians, artists, and actors who have come from Canada. The arts are definitely cherished and supported in Canada, and I’ve always really been drawn to this as well. Our bucket list definitely includes a couple trips or more to Canada when I retire. So I will really enjoy playing Canadian songs and songs by Canadian artists for this show. 

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What have I been up to?

I had 15 senior facilities last week, and they were all a blast! I mostly did summer and father songs to celebrate summer solstice and Father’s Day. I think the folks really enjoyed it.

My Wednesday online show was summer songs again, and they were great fun too. It’s such a fun topic to dive into.

Thursday night at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was not as well attended as we hope for, but it was a good group of folks who were so attentive and into the food and music. There was a pretty sunset as we were wrapping up too, so overall it was a great evening.

My Sunday online show had so many sweet requests both for Father’s Day and everything else that I’m so grateful for. What a kind and thoughtful group of folks we have!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I’m sure we’ll be playing summer songs and some patriotic songs with Independence Day coming up. I may play some other themes too if folks are up for it. There is such a great energy at this time of year. I’m even playing for a 100th birthday this afternoon!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Canadian songwriters and Canadian songs as I wrote about above. Some of my favorites songs from Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, and Ian Tyson as well as others will definitely be included. Come on out!

Thursday 6:30-8 I’m playing the barbecue at Yellow Pine Ranch once again, and I always look forward to being in the great ambience of the old barn and the kind folks of Cuchara. It really is a fun evening of good food and music. I’d love to have you there if you’d like a pretty drive into the Cuchara Valley and an evening you won’t forget. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as ever, and it’s always the highlight of the week starting with a Zoom get-together a half hour before and then the show. Everyone is so caring and supportive, and they welcome everyone who tunes in. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. Life is so crazy in the summer, but I’m drinking it all in. I hope you are too!

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of summer songs

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

When:  Wednesday, June 24, 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 25, 6:30-8 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 28, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Serving Others

I am realizing things in my life as I look back. I’m not sure really what I intended when I started this journey. In some ways I was very sure of my path and in others I was totally oblivious. I think that’s part of youth. You have to be fairly self-assured or you don’t have the gumption to set out into the unknown. I had a good heart and a little bit of awareness that I would come into later in life, but I was arrogant enough to blunder often. I had musical gifts that I knew how to use, and I was fortunate to find outlets that benefited others. Musical talent like all talents can often be misused. Anything that draws adulation and admiration can really mess a person up if they aren’t mature enough to handle it gracefully and responsibly. I’m sure I didn’t always deal with the attention in a good way. But like I said, I was fortunate that some of the gigs I got were playing for folks who really needed the boost and reassurance that a little music could give them. Luckily I had enough awareness to realize that this was a good thing, and over the years I’ve come to know that this is a worthwhile service I can give to others. So while I never set out to serve others, I now dedicate most of time to this. There is still a dose of pride in there that I can’t let go of, but for the most part I can succeed if I concentrate on each situation in the right frame of mind. It’s even harder as I contemplate retirement because I know I’ll be finding different ways to serve as I let go of my current service. That will be necessary though as I can’t keep up the pace with age and the need to dedicate more time to family. Isn’t life interesting as we progress through it?

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What have I been up to?

Last week I had 8 senior facilities, and I enjoyed every one as I sang mostly songs for summer and Father’s Day. This is a great time of year for music with all the sweet topical tunes.

My Wednesday online show was doing summer songs too, and it was so much fun that we’ll do it again this week. Everyone had a blast!

Thursday I played the first barbecue of the season at Yellow Pine Guest Ranch. We had a good crowd and perfect weather for some great barbecue food and music. I got several requests, and I got to meet several new families. I look forward to the rest of the summer!

I had a 60th anniversary party on Saturday at a winery in Penrose that went great! The anniversary couple were very sweet and danced to several tunes. I hope to play there again.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some great requests and friendship shared. I love this group.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 15 senior facilities this week, and I’m sure I’ll sing some songs for dads and have some good memories with the folks. This is part of my service to others.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be summer songs again because there are so many good summer songs we haven’t gotten to yet. It should be a really good time, and I’d love to have you tune in if you can.

Thursday night 6:30-8 I’m back at the barbecue at Yellow Pine, and I know it’ll be great time. The old historical barn is so picturesque and so welcoming, and we always have such a good time. I’d love to have you come out too if yummy barbecue and roasting s’mores and dancing to my music sounds like fun to you. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I always get such great songs requested and such kind folks and good vibes for these shows. You’re always welcome too! Just log on and tune in.

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That’s it for this week. I have so many great gigs coming up, and I’ll let you know about them as they approach. I hope you have a great week ahead!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of summer songs

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

When:  Wednesday, June 17, 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 18, 6:30-8 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 21, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Summer

I like to wait to play summer songs until the summer solstice, but this year our June has started out really hot so I’m going to celebrate summer this Wednesday for my online show. Summer has always been the crazy season for me. I’ve written about it before. I love all the activities and the warm weather that lets us get out into nature - especially in the mountains, but the fast pace and the heat really beat me up. I’ve always risen to the occasion and have run as fast as I can to enjoy it all, but sometimes I wonder what a tropical beach with a cool drink and a nice spot in the shade would be like. We had a trailer on a lake in Nebraska when I was a kid, and my folks had a porch built across the side facing the lake with screened windows that could all be opened. Some of those evenings and nights when we’d open those windows and sit on the porch to play cards or listen to the frogs and birds down by the lake with the waves gently lapping the shore were pretty magical. I think I’ve mentioned before that we would even walk down to the point at the end of the peninsula in the moonlight some nights. Alternately I can remember sitting out in the evening on a porch in the evening to watch the sun go down over the mountains in the summertime. Summer has all that crazy activity juxtaposed with peaceful moments of warm beauty. Not to mention all the wonderful trips and opportunities summer brings. It makes all the extra work tending to lawns and greenery and all the running worth it. So let’s welcome summer with gusto and get to the running!

What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and they were all loads of fun. I was singing summer songs, and I think everybody had a good time. I say it all the time, but I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show was songs of 1976, and it was a continuation of the good times we had the week before with this year of tunes and memories. I think everyone enjoyed it.

Saturday night I did an online show of songs from my days at Philmont Scout Ranch for a bunch of folks I’ve known for decades. It was a great time of reminiscence and stories with all the good music we sang back in the day. 

My Sunday online show was a special one at my friends Deann and Matt’s house. They always do such a great job of hosting, and it’s so great to play in front of a live audience as well as my online audience. The added energy and presence there couldn’t be beat!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities to play for this week, and I’ll be playing summer songs and some Father’s Day songs as well as we approach Father’s Day. It’s about time to play some these outside on nice mornings.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be summer songs as I wrote of above. This should be a really good show with all kinds of enthusiasm. I love riding the wave! Come on out if you can!

Thursday night 6:30-8 I start the summer season at Yellow Pine Ranch in Cuchara, Colorado, for the barbecue. This is one of the premier things I get to do in the summer, and I so look forward to seeing all the familiar faces in Cuchara and playing in the old barn for the listeners and dancers. I’d love to have you there too if some Texas-style barbecue in a beautiful barn in the mountains with my music and a little marshmallow roasting around the fire sounds good to you. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. 

Saturday night I have a private party at a winery in Penrose, Colorado, that I’ve never been to. This sounds like a wonderful event.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I know it’ll be a good time with good folks. These Sunday nights never disappoint! Come on out and join in the fun.

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That’s it for this week. Take a couple deep breaths and let the summer begin!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of summer songs

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

When:  Wednesday, June 10, 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 11, 6:30-8 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 14, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Done

I’ve had a weird compulsion all my life that I’ve never been able to understand. It’s the feeling that I want to be done with whatever my current activity is, whether that’s a short project or a trip or, I suppose, life’s journey in certain ways. I don’t know know if that’s because I want the satisfaction of having finished something and checked it off the list, or alternatively because I’m lazy and don’t want to continue to work hard to finish something. I know that the journey (and then the reflection) is the important part of every goal we set. That has born out in my own life countless times, and yet I still have the desire to be done with almost everything I take on. Is that strange? I have always kept to-do lists, and I think this is a good practice, but I also know that those who let life flow without being enslaved to a list are often much more happy. It’s like taking a road trip where you don’t really have a destination. You have a general plan, but if you see something interesting along the way you can stop and having a totally new and wonderful experience. In some aspects of my life I will do this. For instance, I usually figure that people are placed in my path for a reason, and I take the time to find out what they’re about and how that relates to my life. Often this allows me to have more empathy for every person in the world, and I see something special about each person. In general I guess that I could have accomplished more in my life if I had a defined plan that I stuck to, but I have taken some detours that have enriched me although they limited my “success”. So as I explore this idea of “doneness” I see that even though I desire it I still often am willing to stop and smell the roses. I’m just one big contradiction! How about you? Do you want to be done?

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, but one ended up being a double-booking so I had an unintended day off which was a pleasant surprise that let me get some stuff done. I enjoyed all of the facilities I did play, and there were some wonderful moments. I love these folks!

My Wednesday online show was playing songs from 1976, and there were so many good songs. Everybody kind of assumes that 1976 was mostly disco music, and disco is not everyone’s favorite genre, but there were so many other types of songs that we all loved. I still have many great songs left from that year to do, so we’ll do 1976 again this week.

Saturday I had scheduled to play an online concert for Philmont folks, but I had mistakenly booked a gig in Cuchara for June 30 that was supposed to be for May 30. I explained my mistake in the update I put out when I realized it. I’m grateful that the event contacted me on Friday to confirm or I would have missed it. So I played in Cuchara at Cuchara Mountain Park for their Green Chili Cook-off. I had friends come down from Colorado City and up from Trinidad to see me, and it was great to see them as well as seeing all the fine folks from Cuchara whom I haven’t seen since last summer. The green chili was great, and the vibe was really special. I got to do songs on my Favorites list that I haven’t played in a long time.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was a huge variety of really neat songs. The Munch Bunch really knows how to request a wide swath of song styles!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’m sure I’ll be playing summer songs and songs for Father’s Day as well even though it’s 3 weeks off. I’m looking forward to seeing everybody.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from 1976 as I wrote above. I love diving into these years and reliving the era through memories that the songs bring back to life. Come on out if you can. The bicentennial year was a good one!

Saturday 7-9 mountain time I’m doing an online show (again) of Philmont songs for Philmont alumni to celebrate the start of another season at the scout ranch. This is what they call “Scatter” when the staff goes out to the backcountry to set up for the summer. It’s an exciting time for the staff and for us old alumni who remember our time there fondly. If you’re Philmont alumni and would like to relive some of those times you are welcome to join me at my Tom Munch Philmont Songs Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176893032692370/ or on my website tommunch.com/online-concerts. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, except this week I’ll be doing it live from my good friends Matt and Deann’s house. It’s so different doing these shows with folks in the room where I’m recording it, and Deann always does such a great job entertaining and hosting the show. She’s making a playlist based around the theme of “life” and is taking requests from the Munch Bunch to help put it together. It should be really entertaining, so tune in if you can!

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That’s it for this week. Next week I start playing the Yellow Pine Barbecue on Thursdays, and I start doing parties and other fun events. I can’t wait! 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 1976 songs

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

When:  Wednesday, June 3, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing an online concert of Philmont songs

Where:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176893032692370

When:  Saturday, June 6, 7-9 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests from Matt and Deann’s house

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

When:  Sunday, June 7, 7-8:45 pm mountain time