Morning at the Lake

I'm reminiscing again today because the cool breeze I was greeted with this morning outside our house brought back a summer memory that washed over me in a rush.  When I was a kid we had a trailer on a lake in central Nebraska where we would spend many weekends.  It wasn't fancy - just a house trailer we could sleep in and use as our base for boating, fishing and exploring the lake.  It had a great big porch we could even sleep on with screens and storm windows, and my folks bought a bunch of old mattresses to lay out on the porch so we could have sleepovers with a bunch of friends if we wanted to.  There are so many things I could tell you about the lake, but the main thing I'm thinking about today was just how it felt in the morning walking down to the shore and feeling that breeze - that grand breeze in my face with the faint smell of lake water and the promise of an exciting new day!  I may have been looking forward to taking the rowboat out to a new cove or fishing along the bank of trees in the cove where we pulled our boat in.  Our next-door neighbors on both sides were interesting characters, and one of them used to make German chocolate cakes for me which I still love to this day.  (I had convinced her to quit smoking when I was 6 or 7, and she was so grateful that she made me cakes!)  Whatever the adventure, the smells of the grass and trees and water, the sights of the sunlight dancing on the lake and greenery, and the sounds of red-winged blackbirds, frogs, and splashing water were heaven to a young boy.  I also remember walking in that breeze at night down to the point to listen to the waves lapping the shore.  It is so vivid in my mind to this day!

But enough reminiscing for now, what am I up to this week?

Thursday I'm back at the Yellow Pine 6:30-8:30 for the barbecue.  We only have two weeks left for this summer for the barbecue, and there have been many great memories with old and new faces.  If you'd like to be a part of it, then by-all-means call and make a reservation - 719-742-3528.

Saturday and Sunday I'm back in Buena Vista for the annual Gold Rush Days celebration 11-3 both days.  (I'm usually a little flexible with my time to fit into the activities during the weekend.)  This is a really fun festival with all kinds of fun things to do and vendors with great items and food.  I bring an EZ-Up craft tent and set up in the grass on the south end of McPhelemy Park near the waterfall with chairs and benches for folks to sit and enjoy the park and my music.  It makes a fun getaway in the cool mountains with some fine folks.  If you're hankering for a nice day in the mountains, you can't do much better than this!

So that's enough for this week.  I hope you're enjoying your summer, and I'd love to see you if you can make it out!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, August 8, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at Gold Rush Days
Where:  Buena Vista at McPhelemey Park (on the west side of the highway in the center of town)
When:  Saturday & Sunday, August 9 and 10, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Lightning!

This is the season for beautiful and frightening lightning!  Lightning has fascinated me since I was a child.  I've been so close to countless strikes, from house hits to nearby trees.  I remember when I was a kid in Nebraska watching lightning hit the back fence and arc over the gate.  Then it hit a truck and welded the hood shut outside where I was eating at the Philmont dining hall when I was in high school.  It took out a bunch of appliances and one whole circuit of our rental when Jen and I were first together.  I've seen a giant tree just seconds after a big strike that was splintered into thousands of little match-stick-sized bits of wood with the smell of electricity and ozone (I'm guessing) in the air.  I have a photographer friend now who delights in sharing wonderful lightning shots he takes all over the country.

But the most amazing and terrifying experience I had with lightning was when I was working at Philmont as a ranger in the summer of 1979 after graduating from high school.  I was responsible for a crew of 14 (or so) Boy Scouts for their hiking trek of a week and a half.  We had several memorable experiences, but the most memorable for me was about half way through the trek.  Our itinerary that day took us over Mt. Phillips, a reasonably tough climb with great views and an extended ridge trail leading down to Sawmill camp that night.  I had arranged to pick up several treats for my guys that day (watermelon, Doritos, and soda) that I could hike up to the mountain ahead of them and surprise them with.  These kind of things taste so good after you've eaten dehydrated food for a week, and there was enough snow still on the summit that I could have the soda and watermelon chilled for the guys.  The scouts really enjoyed and appreciated them when they got to the top, and we had a good time taking photos and eating lunch at the summit.  Then we began the ridge trail, and I'm sure you can guess what happened next.  Even though I had seen the approaching thunderstorm, I figured we would have enough time to get off the ridge and into the uniform trees down the other side before we had any lightning striking around us.  We did, but this was a particularly intense storm with a lot of dry lightning, and the least fit kid in the group began to exhibit signs of hypothermia.  (If you don't have experience with hypothermia, the body core temperature drops to a dangerous level that can kill if you don't get dry clothes, warm fluids and at last resort, external heating to the sufferer - at that time the recommendation was getting into a sleeping bag with the sufferer and wrapping your body around them to warm them.)  I knew he had gotten sweaty and chilled and needed to be changed into dry clothes at least on his upper half ASAP!  I had spaced the crew out so we wouldn't attract lightning as a group, but now we had to gather around the suffering boy and hold a tarp or poncho over him while we changed him into dry clothes.  The lightning struck very, very close to us, and I was just sure that the Albuquerque Journal would have a headline stating that several Boy Scouts had been struck by lightning due to the ineptitude of their ranger and leader, Tom Munch.  We got him changed and moving at last.  Luckily we weren't struck by lightning and the boy recovered fairly quickly as we dispersed again and rushed down the mountain.  I swear I felt the hair on my neck stand at least once as the static electricity built up, but the bolt never came.  As a side note, the kid who got hypothermia was profoundly affected by the experience of the trek, and he was definitely a changed and more mature young adult when we parted ways.  As another one of the trek members stated, "Some saw the mountains, some REALLY saw the mountains."  He REALLY saw the mountains.

So that's a few lightning stories from me.  Be safe in the electricity-filled wilds as you enjoy one more month of summer!

So what does this week bring me for gigs?

Thursday I'm at the Yellow Pine for the barbecue 6:30-8:30.  We had a great group again last week, and even a nice little rain shower in the middle of the evening.  I so much enjoyed the folks who came!  I encourage you to come out for the evening sometime before we're done on August 15th.  The number to call to make a reservation is 719-742-3528.

Friday I'm back at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  I can't say enough about how beautiful the evenings are on the patio at the Inn.  There have been many special nights this summer already, and we have several more to enjoy.  I'd love to share it with you if you'd like to come.

Sunday I'm back at Shadow Hills for brunch 10-1.  I'm going to every other week at Shadow HIlls for the next couple months.  I just have a lot of gigs this summer, and they wanted to try a different schedule to see how it went.  Come on out for brunch if you can.

So that's it for me this week.  I forgot to mention that I spent a couple days with family in the mountains over the weekend, and I also got to hear and sit in with Don Richmond and the Rifters in Red River, NM.  I was a thrill!

See you soon!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, August 1, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, August 2, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for brunch
Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603
When:  Sunday, August 4, 10 am-1 pm

Seeing Family

I don't know how your summers usually go, but this is the time of the year that my family converges on the mountains, and I try to steal a few days out of my schedule to cram in a quick visit.  I always wish I had more time, but that's never how it turns out for me since the summer is my busiest time.  Still, I love to see how much the kids have grown (they're all mostly adults now) and find out how everyone's year is going.  They usually go on great hikes and day trips that I miss out on, but I get to sing a few songs with them and reminisce a bit over a day or two that I cherish and look forward to.  I'm sure some of you do similar things in the summer.

Last week's concert at Philmont was a wonderful time full of old friends and new faces and shared memories.  I was lucky to get to see so many friendly faces.  And later in the week I got a surprise from an old friend from Georgia who shocked me with a visit and also with attending my gig in La Veta and the dance with the band on Saturday night in Westcliffe.  On top of that I got to have a good visit with Texas songwriter Vince Bell whose music I love.  You may have heard a few tunes of his that Lyle Lovett recorded a couple albums back.  What a week!

And this upcoming week will have some great surprises as well!

Thursday I'm at the Yellow Pine for the barbecue 6:30-8:30.  Last week we were finally able to have an outdoor fire where the guests could roast marshmallows and make s'mores, so I made a s'more for the first time in many, many years.  It was fun and tasted pretty good!  If you'd like to come to the barbecue, call 719-742-3528 by Wednesday to make a reservation.  It's always a good time in the old barn.

Friday we're doing the Song of Pueblo oratorio at El Pueblo History Museum starting at 7:00.  I always look forward to doing this show and reconnecting with the local history in such a meaningful way.  If you've never seen it or want to see the changes we've made for this year, please come out.  I'd suggest getting tickets or at least reserving them at El Pueblo in case it's sold out - 719-583-0453 / 301 N. Union, Pueblo.

Saturday I'm back at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  Last week we got rained out on the patio after an hour, but we had a marvelous time sharing songs and watching the rain out the window in the rustic restaurant.  I even had my friend from Georgia (Rick Jordan) do a couple numbers that knocked the socks off everybody.  Come on out if you're in the area.

So y'all have a good week, and I hope to see you soon!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 25, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch with Johnny Watson, David Enke, & Linda Amman
What:  playing, singing, & telling the history of Pueblo at the Song of Pueblo oratorio
Where:  El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union, Pueblo.  719-583-0453
When:  Friday, July 26, 7:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Saturday, July 27, 6-9 pm

Blessed Rain!

As I'm writing this it is raining all around - not here yet, but soon - I can FEEL it!  I love the rain!  I have so many great memories of being holed up somewhere with the rain coming down outside - from high in the mountains in a cabin to sitting on a big porch in college or sleeping in a tent.  The smell and the chill and the rebirth that rain represents is a blessed event.  It is literally new life falling from the heavens.  Of course it brings misery sometimes in the form of flooding and muddy muck that's hard to drive or even walk in.  I can remember walking in the darkness down a muddy road at night with the trebled weight of the earth clinging to the soles of my boots.  But it is nothing but a godsend to the dry land around these parts, and I welcome it tonight.  One of my favorite memories is playing cards in a cabin with the rain falling on the tin roof drumming a soothing and mesmerizing rhythm that lulled me and made everything seem right with the world.  Ahhhh…I do LOVE the rain!

So what's up this week?

Monday I'm heading down to New Mexico to play a concert at Philmont Scout Ranch.  I wrote about this last week as well, and now that I have put together my setlists and made my preparations I am even more excited.  I have put together a list of songs and stories that just thrill me to be able to play!  I just know it will go by too fast, and I want to savor every moment.  If you're around Philmont tomorrow night I'll be in the Staff Activities Center (SAC) Baldy Pavilion at Camping Headquarters from 8-10.  If it rains I'm sure we'll be indoors nearby, so just look for the activity and listen for the music and come join us!

Thursday I'm back at the Yellow Pine for the barbecue 6:30-8:30.  Last week we had to cancel due to a mixup with the guests at the ranch, but this week will hopefully go off without a hitch.  My apologies if you had booked last week and then had it cancelled.  Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation by Tuesday night if you want to come.

Hey - I can hear the rain coming down outside now!

Friday I'm at the La Veta Inn 6-9ish.  We had another great outing last week with some fine folks and good friends at the Inn.  Wow! Just wow!

Saturday night I'm playing with the Atomic Fireballs under the name "Midnight Rain" for the Westcliffe Stampede rodeo dance 9-1.  We chose this name years ago to play under at this event, and it has stuck all these years.  The rodeo dance has to be experienced to be believed.  All the unused energy from the rodeo gets poured out on the dance floor in a flurry of dancing and frivolity that is just a gas.  We give it a shove and start the pandemonium and then ride the wave for the rest of the night.  It's a heckuva time!  Come on out if you can.

That's it for this week.  Well, I have most of my regular Alzheimer's and nursing gigs as well as another show for the rafting scouts on Sunday, but that's another story.  I hope to see you soon!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing a singing a concert for staff and alumni
Where:  Staff Activities Center, Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico
When:  Monday, July 15, 8-10 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 18, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, July 19, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch & the Atomic Fireballs
What:  playing for the Westcliffe Stampede rodeo dance
Where:  Westcliffe Rodeo Grounds (north of town)
When:  Saturday, July 20, 9 pm - 1 am

Yearning for the Mountains

It's that time of year when I really yearn for the mountains.  It has been a blessing and (I suppose) a curse ever since I was a very young boy.  I inherited my love of mountains from my grandfather and my mother for sure.  They spent summers starting in 1930 working in the mountains of New Mexico - seeking the cooler temperatures and scarcity of mosquitoes and snakes - unlike their home in Oklahoma.  My mom even used to guide horse trips way up into the mountain lakes around Mt. Wheeler.  When I was young we spent quite a bit of time in these mountains either hiking or exploring in my granddad's Jeep or my dad's Bronco.  (We even drove over a lot of old Colorado passes in my folks' 1960 Ford station wagon when I was an infant.)  I can tell you stories of sleeping in tube-tents at timberline at Bull-of-the-Woods or even climbing to the top of Baldy Mountain when I was but 6 or 7 years old.  The smell of the trees, the sound of the marmots or the wind in the aspen leaves, and the feel of the breeze on a mountaintop thus became part of my soul early on in ways that I cannot explain or understand.  When I reached my teens I got to work in the mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch - teaching backpacking and hiking in many breathtaking places.  As a young man in Colorado I explored many places west of Pueblo.  When Jen and I were first together we always had some sort of four-wheel-drive vehicle we could get into the high country in, and we hiked a lot of passes and beautiful spots.  But we have let go of the four-wheeling for practicality's sake mostly in recent years - it's expensive to either have a third vehicle for four-wheeling or to have one of our two main vehicles be a rugged, gas-eating machine.  That said, our feet and legs still work just fine for hiking, so we make time to get out and enjoy the wild lands - not as much as we might like, but we still know the value of the spirit of the mountains and their rejuvenating elixir.

So how about you?  Do you yearn for the mountains and the wild places?

And where does this week take me for gigs?

Wednesday I'll be sharing history and songs for a Boy Scout group from Pennsylvania after they raft the Royal Gorge at Echo Canyon Rafting at 5:30.  This is a private gig, but if you happen to be at Echo Canyon you can listen in from the porch in the front.

Thursday I'm back at the Yellow Pine in Cuchara for the barbecue at 6:30 after a week off for Independence Day.  I so enjoy these weekly barbecues and the fine folks who come out to the old barn for a night of barbecue and music.  It's a great time which you can be part of if you'd like.  Just call 719-742-3528 by Monday night on the week you'd like to attend to make reservations.  (I realize this is a little late for this week, but Jo Anne might still take your reservation if you call now!)

Friday I'm back at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  We've lucked out and been able to be on the patio almost every week, and it has been spectacular!  If you're in the area I'd love to have you there!

Saturday I have another session with a rafting group at Echo Canyon.

Sunday I'm back at brunch at Shadow Hills 10-1.  We had another great group of folks last week, and I even had a friend I hadn't seen in 30 years from college stop in to say "Hi!"  What a treat!

Sunday I also have a group of rafting scouts in the evening at Echo Canyon.

Monday (a week early, I know, but this is important) I have a special concert at Philmont Scout Ranch in the Staff Activities Center (SAC) at Camping Headquarters at 8:00.  I really enjoy getting to play for the staff at Philmont and share old memories, and this year will be doubly special because it's during the annual reunion week for alumni staffers as well, and there are several folks coming who are dear friends and musicians to boot!  It will surely be a night to celebrate and remember!

So it's quite a full week ahead, and I'm looking forward to it!  Be well, and I hope to see you somewhere down the road.  Life is good!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, July 11, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, July 12, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for brunch
Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603
When:  Sunday, July 14, 10 am-1 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing a singing a concert for staff and alumni
Where:  Staff Activities Center, Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico
When:  Monday, July 15, 8-10 pm

Independence Day Memories

I can't believe it's July already.  And it's much cooler this week which is a wonderful change.  And I've been singing patriotic songs and thinking about fun things we did on Independence Day in the past.  When we were kids we didn't need an excuse to blow things up, but firecrackers were great for planting in ant hills and taking apart old toys.  The family firework lighting in the evening was always great fun too.  We usually lit them at a lake where we could watch the folks on the other side of the lake fire theirs off and reflect in the water towards us while we did the same for them.  Of course the fireworks seemed to be pretty simple (fountains, Roman candles, and bottle rockets) compared to the elaborate displays you can see nowadays.  They were still pretty and fun to light off!  One of my favorite memories was the year we came back from a trip along the interstate in Nebraska.  All the little towns along the Platte river and the I80 were north of the highway just far enough that you could see them from the interstate easily, and each town's firework display was like a moving light show as we drove along the interstate.  It was really special!  Then when I married Jen we started going to our local town's display where we had some memorable nights watching the beautiful colors dance in the sky as we shared our new life's beginning.  Today we have pups that are very frightened of the sound and fury, so we mostly stay at home with fans running to mask the sound of any fireworks in the neighborhood.  The displays on TV are fun to watch though, so we appease our pyromaniac tendencies and love of the colors that way - we just keep the sound down so the pups don't get shaky.  So I hope you have a lovely Independence Day, and I'll be out playing all around the holiday.

So where am I playing this week?

Wednesday and Friday I'll be at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  I'll tell you again, I've had some really great folks down there with some beautiful nights on the patio.  I really get a chance to be "in the moment" in this space and time, and it's a great place to be of an evening.  Come on down if you can!

Thursday the Yellow Pine is taking the week off from the barbecue since there's so much going on in town, so I'm thinking of going to the rodeo in Cimarron, New Mexico during the day.  A lot of old Philmont friends still go down every year, and I'm looking forward to seeing them and catching up and maybe picking a few tunes too.

Friday I'm at the La Veta Inn 6-9 like I mentioned on Wednesday above.

Sunday I'm back at Shadow Hills for brunch 10-1.  We had a spectacular time last week with old friends and very yummy food!  This week should be just as good, so come out for brunch if you're in the area.

I have some private gigs in the cracks like playing for the rafting Boy Scout groups like I do ever summer, so I'm plenty busy.

That's it for this week.  Have a great Independence Day, and Happy 237th Birthday to our great nation!

Tom

Details:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Wednesday, July 3, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, July 5, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for brunch
Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603
When:  Sunday, July 7, 10 am-1 pm

Gosh - More Fires!

More fires!  Gosh, can't we get a week without more of these in Colorado and the West?  And so many are near places I'm playing - first burning the building at the Royal Gorge, then burning the area south of Philmont where I'm playing in July, then burning near Prescott, AZ where I'm playing this fall, and then burning the east Spanish Peak near La Veta and Cuchara.  I'm beginning to think either someone is targeting me or else I'm bad luck!  Seriously though, it's not about me.  My heart goes out to all those who have lost homes and had real scares dealing with these fires.  I know it has become part of living in the West, but we'd sure like a break for a while.  The only good thing is watching everyone pull together and help each other out.  It brings my heart joy to see how good we can be to each other when the political arena wants us to be at each other's throats.

But I don't want to get into that.  Let me tell you where I'll be playing this week because it's a big week for me, and I want to spread the joy of music to as many folks as I can.  (That's what I'm here for I believe.)

Tuesday (tomorrow night as I write this) I'll be doing a concert in Veterans Park in Cañon City from 7-9.  This is an annual summer concert series, and I've been honored to play it for several years now.  It's a great chance to stretch my legs for all the Cañon folks I get to play for in so many venues and also for some visitors.  This will be particularly special for me since it is happening in the wake of the Royal Gorge Park burning two weeks ago.  I plan to share some memories from my years performing up there, and I also will be singing the song I wrote for the bridge workers when I performed up there - "Let's Build a Bridge."  If you come be sure to bring a lawn chair and a light jacket.  Sometimes the bugs are "bugging" as well, so you may want some insect repellent.

Thursday I'm at the Yellow Pine Barbecue in Cuchara 6:30-8:30.  Last week was the first week of the season, and what a blast we had even though some nerves were frayed with the fire burning on East Spanish Pike.  It was a very special night nonetheless, and I intend to make this Thursday just as special.  If you want to come, then you need to call ASAP to make a reservation since they base their food order on the number of reservations and also because they sell out most weeks.  The number is 719-742-3528.  The old barn awaits!

Friday I'm at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  I can't believe how many wonderful nights we've had in the patio under the stars (and last week the Super Moon!)  It's been just a heckuvalotta fun with some great folks and memorable tunes.  This week promises more of the same.  Come on out!

Saturday is the first of three Song of Pueblo oratorios for the summer at 7:00 at El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union in Pueblo.  What can I tell you if you've never seen the Song of Pueblo?  It's like watching a Ken Burns documentary live and in person.  Four of us sing, play,  and narrate while breath-taking still images and video dance across the screens to give you a true sense of the history of southern Colorado and Pueblo.  I'm the musical director, and I'm so proud of this production!  This year we have added new narration and lighting changes as well as all-new video and stills.  It's the best Song of Pueblo yet!  We'll have our new (as of last year) albums with the current group for sale, and of course we'll be happy to sign them to make them a special memento.  If you want to come, then you need to buy tickets at El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union, Pueblo ASAP.  We do accept walk-ins the night of the show, but it is frequently sold out, so I'd recommend getting your tickets beforehand.  I hope to see you there!

Sunday I'm playing brunch at Shadow Hills in Cañon City 10-1.  I've told you several times about the brunch at Shadow Hills.  It has great views, great food, and my music for the bargain price of $10.95.  How can you go wrong?

So after reading above at the week I'm about to dive into, I'm not sure I can keep up with myself, but here goes!  Hope to see you out and about!

Always sincerely,

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing in concert
Where:  Veterans Park in Cañon City (west end of town on Hwy 50)
When:  Tuesday, June 25, 7:00-9:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, June 27, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, June 28, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch with Johnny Watson, David Enke, & Linda Amman
What:  playing, singing, & telling the history of Pueblo at the Song of Pueblo oratorio
Where:  El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union, Pueblo.  719-583-0453
When:  Saturday, June 29, 7:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for brunch
Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603
When:  Sunday, June 30, 10 am-1 pm

Memories of the Royal Gorge Bridge

I have a heavy heart this week with the burning of the buildings at the Royal Gorge Bridge last Tuesday.  I spent so much of my last 24 years in one capacity or another doing music and history shows at the bridge, and it is a shock to have all those stages and buildings where I spent so much time burned to the ground.  I've looked at the pictures and videos many times now that show the grey patches of concrete and ash that remain now where gazebos and restaurants and shops once stood.  There are things in life that just defy your ability to comprehend them, and I will always hold the memories and pictures of these places dearly in my mind.  The gazebo alone on the south side I figured I had done 4000 shows - combining the history show with my solo and band performances.  I started playing in that gazebo in 1989.  Then they built a stage on the north side where the zip line is now where I performed a few hundred times, and then I also played with the band a dozen or more times at the Juniper Junction picnic area on the south side, and of course I can't forget all the gunfights I helped with at the mountain man camp.  (The zip line is still functional, but they tore down that stage to put in the ticket booth and concessions for the zip line.)  And I have tramped all over that park over the years.  That is all gone now.  They say it looks like a moonscape in person, and I believe them.  Only four buildings remain with the aforementioned zip line and Sky Coaster.  But they will rebuild and make it better, and I'm sure it will be improved from the mixture of different generations of buildings that existed before.  Still, it marks a passing of an era that I will not forget.

We had one more weekend booked with the band at the Royal Gorge Bridge that has been cancelled at the end of July.  I guess I'm lucky that this isn't a summer I was booked seven-days-a-week up there or I'd be scrambling to find gigs for the rest of the summer.

So I guess we move on and hold our memories dear.

What does this week bring?

Thursday I start the summer season at the Yellow Pine 6:30-8:30.  This is a community barbecue that is nothing if not a blast!  I see such wonderful folks at these events, and it feels so much like family that I really look forward to returning every year!  If you've never been, it's a Texas-style barbecue in an old barn at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch which is located in Cuchara, CO just before you reach town on the east side of the road.  They serve brisket, chicken, ribs, corn-on-the-cob, pinto beans and pork, potato salad, tossed salad, rolls, and homemade peach cobbler for dessert.  It's yummy and so much fun.  Afterwards you're welcome to roast marshmallows around the fire and make s'mores.  I play in the barn for the listening pleasure during dinner, and afterwards it quite often turns into a little dancing and hooting and hollering on the old wood barn floor.  It's just a great time all around.  You need to make a reservation by Tuesday at the latest if you want to come because they order food based on the reservations.  The number is 719-742-3528.  I hope to see you there.

Friday night I have a private event at Pueblo Community College.

Saturday night I'll be a back at the La Veta Inn 6-9 in La Veta, CO - hopefully on the patio if the weather permits. The last two weeks there have been fine weather and even finer folks, and we have had some memorable moments.  Come on out!

Sunday I won't be at Shadow Hills.  I wrote last week that I'm going to playing a little less there - about half the dates overall.  It will be kind of random until August when I'll start doing every other week there, so check my schedule or my emails to make sure I'm there when you come.

I'll tell you about Tuesday next week too so you can plan ahead.  I'll be doing the big Concert in the Park in Cañon City Veterans Park 7-9.  I have been playing this for several years now, and it's always a wonderful evening sharing the sunset and the green grass and trees with you all.  I get to stretch my legs a bit in this concert venue, so you'll hear a little different take from my other gigs.  Bring a lawn chair and maybe some bug spray so you can enjoy the open air on the lawn.

Oh, and the Saturday after that is the Song of Pueblo at El Pueblo History Museum starting at 7:00!

That's it for now.  Be good to each other and this old earth, and I hope to see you out and about.

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528
When:  Thursday, June 20, 6:30-8:30 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Saturday, June 22, 6-9 pm

Running to Catch Up and a Few Changes

Whew!  This week is kicking me already, but I'm running full speed to catch up or stay ahead - I'm not sure which I'm doing so far.  The heat is causing part of it, and little changes in my calendar and conflicts in life are contributing too.  Nothing is bad though, and I know that a few bumps in the road just remind me how fortunate I am to have the life I have and friends and relations to love.  I've met so many interesting and genuine people over the past weeks and months, and I have to pinch myself often that I get to cross paths with so many worthwhile folks.  It's something that always amazes me.  People are so creative and resilient, and it drives my belief in humanity and the ways of love and life to be out in the world.  Life is good...life is good!

So what does this ruminating lead me to this week?  I have some interesting new bookings and gig changes coming up.

First, I'll be playing a concert July 15th from 8-10 at my old stomping grounds of Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.  I played at Philmont last year and had such a good time that I decided to ask for it again.  So I'm playing during a big staff reunion week and a 75th anniversary year that should be a blast!  Philmont meant so much to me when I was a teenager, and it has launched so many youths on exciting lives full of adventure and success, and it's a pleasure to get to connect with these past and future folks with whom I share so much - love of mountains, love of history, camaraderie of hiking and sharing campfires and good music.  I can't wait!  I'll tell you more as we get closer to the time.

Second I'll be playing fewer brunches at Shadow Hills.  They're going through some changes and have asked me to lighten their load a bit.  I'm not sure if it will affect their business, but I'm always the person to go with the flow and seek to be a benefit and not a hindrance, and so I'll be there basically every other week, but you can check my calendar or follow my blog posts to see when I'll be playing there.

Third, the Yellow Pine is starting a week later than I had originally stated which was this week on the 13th.  Instead we'll start next week on the 20th at 6:30.  Also they won't be doing a barbecue on the 4th of July which would be a Thursday that would fall into our normal schedule.  There's just too much going on in Cuchara that day.  So I may make a 4th of July run to the mountains or a visit to Philmont for the rodeo and all the folks who return to Philmont each year for an impromptu party.

That's probably enough changes for now.  Where am I this week?

Friday I'm back at the La Veta Inn 6-9 for what hopefully will be a wonderful night on the patio.  The last couple weeks have been beautiful nights under the stars with a fire in the outdoor fireplace and good friends to share music and stories with.  I hope you'll be part of the evening some night.

Sunday I'm at brunch at Shadow Hills 10-1 for Fathers Day.  There are so many great songs for Dad, and I can't wait to share them and some good food and beautiful views with the crowd at the View Restaurant.  Come on out!  And Happy Fathers Day!

That's it for this week.

Tom

Details:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Friday, June 14, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for brunch
Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603
When:  Sunday, June 16, 10 am-1 pm

Times with Old Friends

I had an old friend visit this past week, and it reminded me how fast life passes by. I hadn't seen him in 33 years, and we picked up pretty quickly where we left off. It's amazing how many things change and how many stay the same. And it really made me think of the paths we choose and the paths that are chosen for us.  I've always been a "go-with-the-flow" kind of a guy, and that approach has led me to some more interesting places than I thought I would go.  I can't help but wonder what other places I would have seen if I would have been more aggressive in my career as well.  I guess we all do.  Anyway, as long as I'm making music and making people happy I think I've succeeded in my goals.

So this is a very busy week for me.  Let me tell you what I'm up to.

Friday I'm playing for the big Anniversary Party 6:30-7:15 at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo.  They have me on the Paseo overlooking the courtyard where the Festival Friday bands play, so if you're attending the event you will see me playing my little tunes on the balcony.

Saturday I'm playing the Boats, Bands, and Barbecue event in Pueblo 12-2 on the Acoustic Stage. I'm not exactly sure where this stage will be set up, but if you come to the main stage at Main and Alan Hamel I'm sure the Acoustic Stage will be somewhere close by. 

Saturday I'm also playing at the La Veta Inn 6-9. I've been getting wonderful folks in La Veta so far, and I always enjoy playing there - especially on the patio like we did last Friday. It's still a little chilly by 9:00, but we're tough right?

Sunday I'm back at Shadow Hills for brunch 10-1. I've missed the last two weeks there, so I'm anxious to see the staff and great regulars I enjoy so much. 

Come out to one of these venues if you can. I always love seeing you and getting to share memories and good times!

Tom

Details this week:

Who: Tom Munch

What: playing and singing

Where: Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center on the Paseo, 210 N. Santa Fe Ave, Pueblo, CO

When: Friday, June 7, 6:30-7:15 pm

Who: Tom Munch 

What: playing and singing

Where: Boats, Bands, and Barbeque, Main and Alan Hamel, Pueblo, CO

When: Saturday, June 8, 12-2 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing

Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700

When:  Saturday, June 8, 6-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What: playing and singing for brunch

Where:  Shadow Hills Golf Course, 1232 County Rd 143, Canon City.  719-275-0603

When:  Sunday, June 9, 10 am-1 pm