As I’m running around like crazy and wondering where the days go, I keep coming back to images I have in my mind or in my picture collection of the wild places I have loved over the years. The wild places have always represented peace and serenity in a way that is hard to explain. They’re timeless, powerful, stark, and beautiful. They soothe my soul and make me realize just how small a part of the universe I am, but that also I AM a part of that universe. I’m not only made of the stuff the universe is made from, but I also seem to have the soul of the universe within me. That seems odd, I know, but when I am in the wild places I feel at home and a part of everything. When I was a kid I wrote a song that talked about my feeling related to the rocks, the flowers, and the trees. This is almost a Native American understanding of the world, but I don’t think it’s altogether untrue. I do share an existence with the rocks and trees, and in many ways we are dependent upon each other for our survival and continuation. And I guess there must be something in this that I tune into when I am in the wild places, and that’s why I feel so peaceful and at home there. I’m sure there is much more to it, but that is what comes to me this morning.
So onward and upward. Where am I this week?
First, I won’t be at the Yellow Pine for the weekly barbecue. They have a private group that rented out the whole ranch. We had a great group to start out the season last week, with many staying late and dancing as well as sharing many songs and stories. I even had a gal who is great singer and DJ from Oklahoma named Tish Agee sit in. Those of you from the Oklahoma City area may know her as Tracy Thomas. You may hear me on the Oklahoma Opry as a result of that contact in the future. Anyway, the barbecue goes weekly (except this week) until mid-August, and if you’d like to come you need to make a reservation with the Yellow Pine at (719) 742-3528.
Friday I will be at the La Veta Inn 6-9. The Inn is undergoing a management change, and so is in a little state of flux for a few weeks as they work through the changes. It looks like the future will be bright, and I’m looking forward to being part of it. The food is great and the place is being spiffed up, so it is a good place to be!
Saturday I have a new/old venue to introduce you to. It’s a place I’ve been playing for a few years as part of the Boy Scout rafting trips I’ve been playing private dinners for, but it’s new to you as a place I play. The place is the 8 Mile Bar and Grill at Echo Canyon Rafting on the north side of Highway 50 near the entrance to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. They have a really nice indoor/outdoor cafe that I think you’ll like. If you want to know more about it, visit http://www.raftecho.com/8-mile-bar-grill. I play 5:30-7:30, so please come out if you can.
Also, we are having a special concert of the Song of Pueblo oratorio next week on Wednesday at El Pueblo History Museum to debut our new song, "Bojon Town" about the Slovenian community in Pueblo. This is a wonderful song that really celebrates the Slovenian community, and our new accordionist, Alan Polivka, really does it up well, so come on out if you can. Call the museum for tickets - (719) 583-0453.
That’s it for this week. I hope you are enjoying your summer, and I hope you are getting out into the wild places.
Best always,
Tom
Details:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta. (719) 742-3700
When: Friday, June 20, 6-9 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing
Where: 8 Mile Bar and Grill, 45000 W. US Hwy 50, Cañon City. (719) 275-1558
When: Saturday, June 21, 5:30-7:30 pm
Monday, June 16, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Taking Time for What Really Matters
Things are getting crazy, and I have to thank our little cat, Nisi (pronounced nee-see), for my topic this week. As I was scrambling around this morning, she demanded that I hold her and pet her. She won’t accept “No!” for an answer, and she also wants my full attention while I'm petting her or else she’ll bite me. That sounds kind of extreme, but it’s also kind of a relief to be forced to put down my angst and preoccupations for a few minutes. I guess you could say it’s even a little like meditation. And showing love to another on this old world is what really matters in the end, isn’t it? So I chuckled and picked her up and held her and stroked her and talked to her for several minutes. When she finally got down she must have thought I needed more, because a minute later she got back up on my desk and climbed in my arms again. Nice to know that even our pets care for us - even if it may seem that it’s just for them in the moment. So as this summer gets crazy I will endeavor to remember the things that really matter - family, friends, pets, and slowing down to spend time on those things. I hope you can do the same.
And that brings me to my weekly gigs. I have a full slate as the summer ramps up.
Wednesday I will be playing a fun event called Sip, Savor, and Stroll from 5-7 in the Sister’s Courtyard in the shopping center between Elizabeth and Greenwood on 5th Street in Pueblo. This is a Downtown Association event featuring 80/Twenty Wines, The Wine Gear Store, Springside Cheese, and Sister’s Courtyard and Tea Room, and will feature wine, chocolate, and cheese tastings, along with other specialties. It should be a blast! Come on out if you can.
Thursday I start the summer season playing the barbecue 6:30-8:30 at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch in Cuchara. I have been playing the weekly summer barbecue at the Yellow Pine since 2001, and it is one of my most enjoyable gigs - held in an old rustic barn that just oozes with old-Colorado history. (The drive up the Cuchara Valley is the worth it alone!) It’s Texas-style barbecue with chicken, brisket, ribs, corn on the cob, potato salad, tossed salad, rolls. lemonade, sweet tea, and homemade peach cobbler and s’mores (around the campfire out back) for dessert along with my music. Sometimes we open up the floor for a little two-stepping after dinner. It’s great fun and usually packs out. If you want to be part of it you need to reserve early, usually a week in advance at least - (719) 742-3528. Sometimes you can sneak in if they have room, but you have to at least let them know by Monday of the week you want to go, as they base their cooking on how many have reserved. If you can make it, I think you’d really enjoy it!
Friday I’m back at the La Veta Inn 6-9, hopefully on the beautiful patio. They didn’t get open last week in time for the weekend, so I had to cancel, but hopefully everything will be up and running this week. I’ll let you know if I hear that it won’t be as soon as I know. This is a wonderful place where I’ve spent some beautiful evenings on the patio enjoying the company of good friends, music, and memories.
Saturday I have off, although I may go to a house concert at the home of David Enke in La Veta for Don Conoscenti. DonCon is from Taos and one heck of a player, and he is a treat to see. The show is at 7 at David’s house - 722 E. Francisco in La Veta with a price of $15 at the door. Clips of DonCon’s music are on his website - http://donconoscenti.com.
Sunday I’m playing a private party for some friends in Pueblo West that will be a lot of fun as well. I’m looking forward to it!
That’s it for this week. Check my calendar on my website - http:/tommunch.com - for dates further out than that.
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for Sip, Savor, and Stroll
Where: Sister’s Courtyard, 517 W. 5th, Pueblo. (719) 543-9463
When: Wednesday, June 11, 5-7 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where: Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara. 719-742-3528
When: Thursday, June 12, 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 13, 6-9 pm
And that brings me to my weekly gigs. I have a full slate as the summer ramps up.
Wednesday I will be playing a fun event called Sip, Savor, and Stroll from 5-7 in the Sister’s Courtyard in the shopping center between Elizabeth and Greenwood on 5th Street in Pueblo. This is a Downtown Association event featuring 80/Twenty Wines, The Wine Gear Store, Springside Cheese, and Sister’s Courtyard and Tea Room, and will feature wine, chocolate, and cheese tastings, along with other specialties. It should be a blast! Come on out if you can.
Thursday I start the summer season playing the barbecue 6:30-8:30 at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch in Cuchara. I have been playing the weekly summer barbecue at the Yellow Pine since 2001, and it is one of my most enjoyable gigs - held in an old rustic barn that just oozes with old-Colorado history. (The drive up the Cuchara Valley is the worth it alone!) It’s Texas-style barbecue with chicken, brisket, ribs, corn on the cob, potato salad, tossed salad, rolls. lemonade, sweet tea, and homemade peach cobbler and s’mores (around the campfire out back) for dessert along with my music. Sometimes we open up the floor for a little two-stepping after dinner. It’s great fun and usually packs out. If you want to be part of it you need to reserve early, usually a week in advance at least - (719) 742-3528. Sometimes you can sneak in if they have room, but you have to at least let them know by Monday of the week you want to go, as they base their cooking on how many have reserved. If you can make it, I think you’d really enjoy it!
Friday I’m back at the La Veta Inn 6-9, hopefully on the beautiful patio. They didn’t get open last week in time for the weekend, so I had to cancel, but hopefully everything will be up and running this week. I’ll let you know if I hear that it won’t be as soon as I know. This is a wonderful place where I’ve spent some beautiful evenings on the patio enjoying the company of good friends, music, and memories.
Saturday I have off, although I may go to a house concert at the home of David Enke in La Veta for Don Conoscenti. DonCon is from Taos and one heck of a player, and he is a treat to see. The show is at 7 at David’s house - 722 E. Francisco in La Veta with a price of $15 at the door. Clips of DonCon’s music are on his website - http://donconoscenti.com.
Sunday I’m playing a private party for some friends in Pueblo West that will be a lot of fun as well. I’m looking forward to it!
That’s it for this week. Check my calendar on my website - http:/tommunch.com - for dates further out than that.
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing for Sip, Savor, and Stroll
Where: Sister’s Courtyard, 517 W. 5th, Pueblo. (719) 543-9463
When: Wednesday, June 11, 5-7 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing at the Barbecue
Where: Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara. 719-742-3528
When: Thursday, June 12, 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 13, 6-9 pm
Monday, June 2, 2014
Travels
Well, I'm back from travels to Arizona last weekend, and it was another experiment in life on the road. We did some things right - new friends, great times with old friends, great gigs, cool travel stops, and some things wrong - too many burgers, not enough sleep, not enough exercise.
First the things done right. We met so many great people - from members of the Cowboy Artists Association, to great guitar pickers and singers, to Navajo artisans, and to the families I got to spend time with playing at the wedding reception on Saturday. We got to see old friends - Steve and Ann, Deb and John, Jan and Corey - what great fun it was to reconnect with you all! I had two great gigs - the house concert at Steve and Ann's that was more fun than I could have imagined, and the wedding reception with some young folks who really have it together and are off to a great start. We also had some cool travel stops - seeing the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert for the first time in many years, seeing Canyon de Chelley which I've wanted to do for my whole life, and seeing Mesa Verde again for the first time in many years, and then making the drive over the San Juans which never cease to amaze me with their sheer awesome beauty.
Then the things done wrong. It is so hard to eat right on the road. Sometimes we take a cooler with a bunch of fruit and veggies to munch on as we roll along, but this trip we didn't, and that means we were at the mercy of the fast-food gods, and they don't treat you very well even if you're trying to think healthy. I know we can lick this (no pun intended.) Then it is so hard to sleep well on the road. Different beds in different rooms with strange noises (even though we travel with a white-noise app to mask the sounds) can really lead to some short nights. Driving late or playing late doesn't help this, but I'm sure we could get a rhythm if we were disciplined. Lastly not enough exercise. I do travel with weights and an exercise mat so I can do 45 minutes or so every morning, but sometimes sleep is more important than exercise (or it seems so anyway.) I did get a couple days in, and we did do quite a bit of walking a couple days, but I know this is something we can improve on.
But all in all the travels were good, and I'm so thankful to all who helped make them successful!
So I'm back in town for a while and raring to go! What's up this week?
Thursday I have a new gig that is the spiritual successor to Music and Munchin' on Main. It's called "City Center Eats," and it's going to be at El Pueblo History Museum outdoor plaza at 301 North Union in Pueblo from 11:00 to 2:00. They'll have several food trucks there with great food, and I'll be providing the music, so come on down!
Then Sunday I'm doing the very special Summer in the Park series 2-5 at the Feed Store Park in Westcliffe. This is a beautiful outdoor amphitheater where they do a series of talented performers all summer. It's outdoors, so dress for the weather (hot or cold) and bring a comfortable chair (there are some chairs there as well if you forget.) The Feed Store is at the west end of the main drag, and just a block or so north. I have had some very memorable shows there in the past couple of years, and I expect this one to be too! There's more info here - http://www.westcliffefeedstore.com/the-park/.
So that's it for this week. There are so many great places to play this summer, and so many wonderful people to see, so come on out if you can!
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: City Center Eats at El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union
When: Thursday, June 5, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing a concert in the mountains
Where: The Feed Store Amphitheater, 116 North 2nd Street, Westcliffe. 719-783-2771
When: Sunday, June 8, 2-5 pm
First the things done right. We met so many great people - from members of the Cowboy Artists Association, to great guitar pickers and singers, to Navajo artisans, and to the families I got to spend time with playing at the wedding reception on Saturday. We got to see old friends - Steve and Ann, Deb and John, Jan and Corey - what great fun it was to reconnect with you all! I had two great gigs - the house concert at Steve and Ann's that was more fun than I could have imagined, and the wedding reception with some young folks who really have it together and are off to a great start. We also had some cool travel stops - seeing the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert for the first time in many years, seeing Canyon de Chelley which I've wanted to do for my whole life, and seeing Mesa Verde again for the first time in many years, and then making the drive over the San Juans which never cease to amaze me with their sheer awesome beauty.
Then the things done wrong. It is so hard to eat right on the road. Sometimes we take a cooler with a bunch of fruit and veggies to munch on as we roll along, but this trip we didn't, and that means we were at the mercy of the fast-food gods, and they don't treat you very well even if you're trying to think healthy. I know we can lick this (no pun intended.) Then it is so hard to sleep well on the road. Different beds in different rooms with strange noises (even though we travel with a white-noise app to mask the sounds) can really lead to some short nights. Driving late or playing late doesn't help this, but I'm sure we could get a rhythm if we were disciplined. Lastly not enough exercise. I do travel with weights and an exercise mat so I can do 45 minutes or so every morning, but sometimes sleep is more important than exercise (or it seems so anyway.) I did get a couple days in, and we did do quite a bit of walking a couple days, but I know this is something we can improve on.
But all in all the travels were good, and I'm so thankful to all who helped make them successful!
So I'm back in town for a while and raring to go! What's up this week?
Thursday I have a new gig that is the spiritual successor to Music and Munchin' on Main. It's called "City Center Eats," and it's going to be at El Pueblo History Museum outdoor plaza at 301 North Union in Pueblo from 11:00 to 2:00. They'll have several food trucks there with great food, and I'll be providing the music, so come on down!
Then Sunday I'm doing the very special Summer in the Park series 2-5 at the Feed Store Park in Westcliffe. This is a beautiful outdoor amphitheater where they do a series of talented performers all summer. It's outdoors, so dress for the weather (hot or cold) and bring a comfortable chair (there are some chairs there as well if you forget.) The Feed Store is at the west end of the main drag, and just a block or so north. I have had some very memorable shows there in the past couple of years, and I expect this one to be too! There's more info here - http://www.westcliffefeedstore.com/the-park/.
So that's it for this week. There are so many great places to play this summer, and so many wonderful people to see, so come on out if you can!
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: City Center Eats at El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union
When: Thursday, June 5, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing a concert in the mountains
Where: The Feed Store Amphitheater, 116 North 2nd Street, Westcliffe. 719-783-2771
When: Sunday, June 8, 2-5 pm
Monday, May 26, 2014
Hitting the Road
I love being on the road. There's something so free and peaceful about gliding over the open road. That's why I wrote the song, "The Road." I just get mesmerized while seeing the great spaces of our country. Someday we hope to spend more time on the road playing house concerts and festivals. That's our long-term plan anyway. The summer is the perfect time to do it! The road is also a spiritual and metaphoric experience. How many books and movies have been written about epic journeys. It just appeals to our psyche - the freedom and the adventure. I love it!
This week I'm playing two gigs in Arizona. Friday evening I'm playing a house concert at the home of Steve and Ann Atkinson in Prescott. I met Steve and Ann last year and got to spend time with them last fall when I played the Sharlot Hall Music Festival. Steve is a wonderful western artist, and Ann has recently committed full time to promoting and managing Steve's art business. I'm blessed to know these two wonderful people. Saturday night I'm playing for a wedding reception in Sedona for two people I met last fall in Prescott while at the same festival I mentioned above. This should be great fun, and I'm really looking forward to hitting the road and playing for some new faces.
That's all for this week. I'll keep it short and sweet.
Best always,
Tom
This week I'm playing two gigs in Arizona. Friday evening I'm playing a house concert at the home of Steve and Ann Atkinson in Prescott. I met Steve and Ann last year and got to spend time with them last fall when I played the Sharlot Hall Music Festival. Steve is a wonderful western artist, and Ann has recently committed full time to promoting and managing Steve's art business. I'm blessed to know these two wonderful people. Saturday night I'm playing for a wedding reception in Sedona for two people I met last fall in Prescott while at the same festival I mentioned above. This should be great fun, and I'm really looking forward to hitting the road and playing for some new faces.
That's all for this week. I'll keep it short and sweet.
Best always,
Tom
Monday, May 19, 2014
Excitement and Memories of Summer
It's the last week before Memorial Day, and Memorial Day always signaled the start of summer for me as I was growing up. Our family would typically spend the weekend somewhere camping and boating. The weather wasn't always great, but our spirits were always high and full of expectation for an exciting summer. We were always looking forward to weekends at the lake where we had a trailer and could go sailing or motor boating and skiing. Or we might be looking forward to spending a week or two in the mountains where we could hike and explore. It seemed like every week was a new adventure!
That's probably why I still look forward to summer so much. Not only do those memories hang on, but I've made new memories of fun places where I get to meet new people and experience the joy of life. I really do cherish the opportunities that are just waiting out there! And I have a lot of them this summer, and I'm sure there will be many more yet unseen. I've already shared some of them with you, so I won't go over all of the places I get to be this summer. But I hope you get as excited as I do. I know that there will be hot days when we are looking forward to the Fall, and I know there will be times when the tourist traffic and bustle will aggravate us as we try to get to and fro, but in all of this there is the sizzle of something in the air that only summer can bring. It can be a marathon, but it is so worthwhile!
Before I get to the weekly gigs I have to tell you that we have a new friend to add to our Song of Pueblo roster. Unfortunately Linda Amman will no longer be playing with us - to everything there is a season, and our season with her has now ended, but we have someone to be a fourth player for us that Linda says is "Poyfect!" - Alan Polivka. Alan is an accordionist extraordinaire who also plays bass with his left hand as Linda did on the keyboard. He isn't trying to fill her shoes, but he does a masterful job in his own right with his own take on many of our songs. I think you'll enjoy him! Our one public performance (so far - stay tuned) will be on June 25th, 7:00 pm at El Pueblo History Museum when we debut our new song - "Bojon Town." This is a celebration of the Bojon community in Pueblo. We'd love to have you come see the show and especially to hear the addition of the new song, so make your plans now and call El Pueblo History Museum for tickets - (719) 583-0453.
Also I got to play a wedding at Philmont Scout Ranch this past weekend, and I wrote a wedding song for the couple that you might enjoy. Here is a link to an mp3 that you can listen to, and I'll also paste in the lyrics. There are many references to places at Philmont that are special to the couple - Katy Cox and Jesse McCallon. It was a beautiful event on the lawn of the Villa Philmonte, and I was honored to be part of it!
http://tommunch.com/ShareMyLife.mp3
Share My Life
It was a magical time at a magical place
Mountains so high, stars in your face
People to meet, from all over the world
One special guy, one special girl
Meeting by chance, lighting a spark
Reaching out, a shot in the dark
I'll be your friend, together we'll grow
Where it will lead, how can we know
So we hiked to Lover's, we two-stepped so light
We saw falling stars, in the deep mountain night
And we fell in love, and I said be mine
as the sun rose, on the Tooth of Time
So I ask you now, will you share my life
We can walk together, husband and wife
We will share our dreams, 'til the end draws nigh
Through the good and bad, as the years go by
As the light descends on this beautiful day
Bless our friends, this we pray
Here with our families, and the mountains above
We start a new journey, in this HOmE we love
So I ask you now, will you share my life
We can walk together, husband and wife
We will share our dreams, 'til the end draws nigh
Through the good and bad, as the years go by
Will you share my life
Come share my life
Come share my life
℗ © 2014 Tom Munch
So where am I this week?
Friday I'll be back for one more time before the summer at Magpies 7-10. I have a bunch of family coming into town from all over the country, and the place will be buzzing with excitement, so I expect this will be an outstanding night of fun! I hope you can make it!
That's it for this week. I hope your summer starts off with a bang!
Best always,
Tom
That's probably why I still look forward to summer so much. Not only do those memories hang on, but I've made new memories of fun places where I get to meet new people and experience the joy of life. I really do cherish the opportunities that are just waiting out there! And I have a lot of them this summer, and I'm sure there will be many more yet unseen. I've already shared some of them with you, so I won't go over all of the places I get to be this summer. But I hope you get as excited as I do. I know that there will be hot days when we are looking forward to the Fall, and I know there will be times when the tourist traffic and bustle will aggravate us as we try to get to and fro, but in all of this there is the sizzle of something in the air that only summer can bring. It can be a marathon, but it is so worthwhile!
Before I get to the weekly gigs I have to tell you that we have a new friend to add to our Song of Pueblo roster. Unfortunately Linda Amman will no longer be playing with us - to everything there is a season, and our season with her has now ended, but we have someone to be a fourth player for us that Linda says is "Poyfect!" - Alan Polivka. Alan is an accordionist extraordinaire who also plays bass with his left hand as Linda did on the keyboard. He isn't trying to fill her shoes, but he does a masterful job in his own right with his own take on many of our songs. I think you'll enjoy him! Our one public performance (so far - stay tuned) will be on June 25th, 7:00 pm at El Pueblo History Museum when we debut our new song - "Bojon Town." This is a celebration of the Bojon community in Pueblo. We'd love to have you come see the show and especially to hear the addition of the new song, so make your plans now and call El Pueblo History Museum for tickets - (719) 583-0453.
Also I got to play a wedding at Philmont Scout Ranch this past weekend, and I wrote a wedding song for the couple that you might enjoy. Here is a link to an mp3 that you can listen to, and I'll also paste in the lyrics. There are many references to places at Philmont that are special to the couple - Katy Cox and Jesse McCallon. It was a beautiful event on the lawn of the Villa Philmonte, and I was honored to be part of it!
http://tommunch.com/ShareMyLife.mp3
Share My Life
It was a magical time at a magical place
Mountains so high, stars in your face
People to meet, from all over the world
One special guy, one special girl
Meeting by chance, lighting a spark
Reaching out, a shot in the dark
I'll be your friend, together we'll grow
Where it will lead, how can we know
So we hiked to Lover's, we two-stepped so light
We saw falling stars, in the deep mountain night
And we fell in love, and I said be mine
as the sun rose, on the Tooth of Time
So I ask you now, will you share my life
We can walk together, husband and wife
We will share our dreams, 'til the end draws nigh
Through the good and bad, as the years go by
As the light descends on this beautiful day
Bless our friends, this we pray
Here with our families, and the mountains above
We start a new journey, in this HOmE we love
So I ask you now, will you share my life
We can walk together, husband and wife
We will share our dreams, 'til the end draws nigh
Through the good and bad, as the years go by
Will you share my life
Come share my life
Come share my life
℗ © 2014 Tom Munch
So where am I this week?
Friday I'll be back for one more time before the summer at Magpies 7-10. I have a bunch of family coming into town from all over the country, and the place will be buzzing with excitement, so I expect this will be an outstanding night of fun! I hope you can make it!
That's it for this week. I hope your summer starts off with a bang!
Best always,
Tom
Monday, May 5, 2014
Happy Mother's Day / A look ahead at the summer
May is upon us again, and I'm sure some of you are celebrating Cinco de Mayo today. I've been doing Spanish tunes for the past couple of weeks to help celebrate this with my gringo Spanish, but I've also been singing songs for mom. I got to spend last weekend with my mother (which was great since it was also my birthday), and it seems that there's never enough time to catch up and really spend quality time together. My mother keeps reminding me that she may not be here too much longer. I know that, and I cherish every moment I get to spend with her - especially since my dad's been gone for almost nine years now. Mom and I spent time reminiscing and eating and visiting some of her favorite places in town. It was too short as always. She even arranged for me to sing at church a couple times which was a treat! So make sure you think of your mom this week - especially on Mothers Day. If you're fortunate enough to still have her in your life, then give her a call, tell her you love her, and get together with her if you can. I'm not afraid to say it - I love my mom!
I have a busy summer coming up, and I wanted to give you a heads-up if you're a planner so you can make some of my gigs if you'd like. You can check my schedule at tommunch.com for any of these gigs with details on locations and times. I update it continuously.
•La Veta Inn - I'll be playing here many Fridays this summer 6-9, starting the first week in June.
•Magpies - I'll be here May 23, 7-10 for a last blowout evening before the summer kicks in.
•Yellow Pine - I'll be playing the weekly Thursday barbecue June 12 to August 14, 6:30-8:30.
•Arizona - I'm playing a house concert in Prescott May 30 and a wedding in Sedona May 31.
•City Center Eats - I'm playing this lunch event on June 5, 11-2 at El Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo.
•Feed Store Concert - I'll be playing the Summer in the Park series June 8, 2-5.
•8 Mile Bar and Grill - I'll be playing June 21, 29, July 12, 27, and August 3 - times vary.
•Red River - I may be playing a concert on top of the ski area lunchtime July 12.
•Philmont - I'm setting up a concert for July 12, 8-10.
•Westcliffe Stampede Rodeo - I'll be playing the dance July 19, 9-1 with the band Midnight Rain.
•Coyote Creek Concert - I'll be playing a concert July 2, 7-9 at Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth, CO.
•Gold Rush Days - I'll be playing August 9 and 10, 11-3, for this annual festival in Buena Vista, CO.
There will be more, but that's enough to look forward to for now. I'm excited to have so much to do this summer!
So what does this week bring?
Friday I'll be at the La Veta Inn 6-9 for pre-summer gig. I know there will be many friends out for this, and I'm looking forward to sharing some great music and laughs as we look forward to the summer. Come out if you can!
That's probably enough for one week. Be good to each other, and come see me when you can.
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta. 719-742-3700
When: Friday, May 9, 6-9 pm
I have a busy summer coming up, and I wanted to give you a heads-up if you're a planner so you can make some of my gigs if you'd like. You can check my schedule at tommunch.com for any of these gigs with details on locations and times. I update it continuously.
•La Veta Inn - I'll be playing here many Fridays this summer 6-9, starting the first week in June.
•Magpies - I'll be here May 23, 7-10 for a last blowout evening before the summer kicks in.
•Yellow Pine - I'll be playing the weekly Thursday barbecue June 12 to August 14, 6:30-8:30.
•Arizona - I'm playing a house concert in Prescott May 30 and a wedding in Sedona May 31.
•City Center Eats - I'm playing this lunch event on June 5, 11-2 at El Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo.
•Feed Store Concert - I'll be playing the Summer in the Park series June 8, 2-5.
•8 Mile Bar and Grill - I'll be playing June 21, 29, July 12, 27, and August 3 - times vary.
•Red River - I may be playing a concert on top of the ski area lunchtime July 12.
•Philmont - I'm setting up a concert for July 12, 8-10.
•Westcliffe Stampede Rodeo - I'll be playing the dance July 19, 9-1 with the band Midnight Rain.
•Coyote Creek Concert - I'll be playing a concert July 2, 7-9 at Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth, CO.
•Gold Rush Days - I'll be playing August 9 and 10, 11-3, for this annual festival in Buena Vista, CO.
There will be more, but that's enough to look forward to for now. I'm excited to have so much to do this summer!
So what does this week bring?
Friday I'll be at the La Veta Inn 6-9 for pre-summer gig. I know there will be many friends out for this, and I'm looking forward to sharing some great music and laughs as we look forward to the summer. Come out if you can!
That's probably enough for one week. Be good to each other, and come see me when you can.
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta. 719-742-3700
When: Friday, May 9, 6-9 pm
Monday, April 14, 2014
Tough Questions
I had some errands to run today, and I came across three separate people on the street asking for help. This always puts me in a quandary. I know most of us are not that far removed from needing help ourselves. One serious illness or injury or misfortune could land any of us on the street in a shorter time than we'd like to believe. And with this in mind a part of me instantly reaches out to these people - believing that somehow we are all one and that our caring for each other is what makes us human. But then another part of me also realizes that there are those who would use this situation to take advantage of caring people. And I've seen this happen to good people I know - helping someone who turns out to be a not-so-nice person on the run, and that help aiding that person to escape the law. But a part of me still believes that things happen for a reason, and that there is goodness that protects those who let themselves be open and caring, so I guess I'll keep on taking each situation as it comes - leaning towards helping whenever I can. (By the way, I didn't give anything today in these three situations. The timing and situations just didn't feel right.) So how do you act in these situations?
My heart is heavy with these questions, but I press on.
A quick note for Song of Pueblo fans: we won't be doing the May 2nd show. There will be a press release issued soon with details about our summer season. Stay tuned!
Friday I'll be back at Magpies 7-10. The season is winding down for Magpies. We usually only go through April, although this year I think we'll do the first Friday of May as well if this next Friday is well-enough attended. I'm going with a western theme which I'm really looking forward to. I had originally planned to do more old country songs, but I think I may throw in some western swing and some cowboy tunes as well, so this will be a lot of fun and something different than what I usually do at Magpies. I do love a lot of different styles of music, and I like to stretch my legs and air out the songs from these different styles from time to time. So if western is your thang, then come on out and hear some great tunes! (I'll mix in some other favorites so those who don't like western songs won't suffer too much.:-)
Hope to see you soon,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, April 18, 7-10 pm
My heart is heavy with these questions, but I press on.
A quick note for Song of Pueblo fans: we won't be doing the May 2nd show. There will be a press release issued soon with details about our summer season. Stay tuned!
Friday I'll be back at Magpies 7-10. The season is winding down for Magpies. We usually only go through April, although this year I think we'll do the first Friday of May as well if this next Friday is well-enough attended. I'm going with a western theme which I'm really looking forward to. I had originally planned to do more old country songs, but I think I may throw in some western swing and some cowboy tunes as well, so this will be a lot of fun and something different than what I usually do at Magpies. I do love a lot of different styles of music, and I like to stretch my legs and air out the songs from these different styles from time to time. So if western is your thang, then come on out and hear some great tunes! (I'll mix in some other favorites so those who don't like western songs won't suffer too much.:-)
Hope to see you soon,
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, April 18, 7-10 pm
Monday, March 31, 2014
What You Fill Your Head With
I had a realization this evening (Sunday) that was brought home to me while watching something on TV. When I fill my head with bad thoughts and ideas then I tend to act on those bad thoughts and ideas. I've found this before, and it may be function of my age and place in life, but I really find that I inhabit a similar space in my head to what I involve myself in the world around me. I've heard it said before that we create our own reality, and I think this is tied up with what we're reading and talking about and experiencing in our world. So of late I've tried to fill my time with the music and reading material, entertainment and people that I want represented in my own thoughts and actions. It works, and it also helps me understand other people better when I see meanness and cruelty. I know this is pretty simple, but I won't argue with success in my own life. Do you see this too?
So what am I up to this week?
Friday I'll be at Magpies 7-10, and I thought it might be fun to do some of my favorite songs from the 1930's. These are tunes that I grew up with, and many are very close to my heart. (I may do a few 1920's and 1940's as well.) Of course I'll mix in other favorites, so everyone will hear something they like. I may even bring out the old archtop guitar to get the authentic sound of the era. So please come out if you can.
That's it for this week. Be good to each other, and I hope to see you soon.
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, April 4, 7-10 pm
Monday, March 17, 2014
Uncertainty of Tomorrow
Life is throwing me some curves again - nothing big, but I'm amazed at how those curves always throw me at first until I get some perspective. I watch how everyone from friends to big companies and government entities deal with change. We get this idea that things stay the same more than they change in life, but that really isn't so. In the past few years we have had so many companies go under or come from nowhere to succeed, and we have had so many friends and loved ones move in and out of our lives or pass on, and somehow we forget these things very quickly. I guess that's the way we protect ourselves from loss and uncertainty. The truth is that we really don't know what tomorrow or even the rest of the day will bring. At first that scares me, but then I see it as a tremendous release just knowing that the world is open to every possibility every single day. Yes, we seem to live in patterns and habits that we think are set in stone, but the truth is that even these patterns and habits can and do change in very short time. I actually kind of like the challenge of learning a new pattern or habit and the excitement that the unknown can bring. I still believe that everything works out in the end - whether in this plane of existence or the next, so I'm never that afraid, and I always have to draw back from my instantaneous fears and remind myself of that. I hope you do too!
So what does this week bring?
Tonight (Monday) I'm at the La Veta Inn 6-9 for St. Patrick's Day. It should be a great time! I'll have my green Fender Strat electric in tow as well as a fine acoustic guitar to accompany all the fun and beautiful Irish songs I know, and I'm wearin' the green, so I'm rarin' to go! If you're in La Veta tonight please come out!
Friday I'm back at Magpies 7-10, and I'm hankering for John Denver tunes, so I'll be doing a bunch of favorites in my second set - like "Rocky Mountain High," "Country Roads," "Annie's Song," "Back Home Again," "Darcy Farrow," "Lady," "Poems, Prayers, and Promises," and gosh! That's almost a whole set right there. I'll sneak in any other favorites you and I might have. John Denver's music was the first I learned on the guitar and played around the campfire, so I know a bunch! It should be great fun, and I hope to see you there!
That's enough for this week. I hope you all are well and happy. I raise my glass and offer a hearty "Slainte!" (To your health!)
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta. 719-742-3700
When: Monday (St. Patrick's Day!), March 17, 6-9 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, March 21, 7-10 pm
So what does this week bring?
Tonight (Monday) I'm at the La Veta Inn 6-9 for St. Patrick's Day. It should be a great time! I'll have my green Fender Strat electric in tow as well as a fine acoustic guitar to accompany all the fun and beautiful Irish songs I know, and I'm wearin' the green, so I'm rarin' to go! If you're in La Veta tonight please come out!
Friday I'm back at Magpies 7-10, and I'm hankering for John Denver tunes, so I'll be doing a bunch of favorites in my second set - like "Rocky Mountain High," "Country Roads," "Annie's Song," "Back Home Again," "Darcy Farrow," "Lady," "Poems, Prayers, and Promises," and gosh! That's almost a whole set right there. I'll sneak in any other favorites you and I might have. John Denver's music was the first I learned on the guitar and played around the campfire, so I know a bunch! It should be great fun, and I hope to see you there!
That's enough for this week. I hope you all are well and happy. I raise my glass and offer a hearty "Slainte!" (To your health!)
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta. 719-742-3700
When: Monday (St. Patrick's Day!), March 17, 6-9 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, March 21, 7-10 pm
Sunday, March 2, 2014
American Music!
I've been doing songs to celebrate Mardi Gras for the last couple of weeks, and it has me thinking about American music, and how much that music was influenced/created by the melting pot of New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta. What was it about New Orleans that brought about such an exciting creativity? Was it the mixture of so many cultures - French, Spanish, Indian, English, South American, African? Undoubtedly, but there must also be something in the water and also the adventure that the river and the sea and the strangeness of that below-sea-level city oozed to make jazz, blues, and eventually country and rock music be either birthed or influenced by that region. Of course European and particularly British music also influenced American music, but you have to know that that fertile delta of the Mississippi made American music what it is today - especially the African music that favored the blue notes that created blues and jazz. You can spend a lifetime wrapped up in this music and never get enough of the sultry feeling that music from the region possesses. It's wonderful! I hope you can celebrate it too with a little music inspired or created in New Orleans and some cayenne-spiced victuals to round you off. Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good times roll!
And I'll be celebrating a bunch of wonderful Mardi Gras music at the La Veta Inn 6-9ish on Mardi Gras (Tuesday.) They're throwing a little party, and I'm going to "bring it" with my best Mardi Gras and party songs. It's going to be a blast!
Then Friday I'll be at Magpies 7-10 with a few Mardi Gras leftovers and a little Irish music to prime the pump for St. Patrick's Day. In fact, lets feature Irish tunes for the middle set of the night. Wow! I love doing those! Slainte! Hope to see you there!
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing for Mardi Gras!
Where: La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta. 719-742-3700
When: Tuesday, March 4, 6-9 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, March 7, 7-10 pm
And I'll be celebrating a bunch of wonderful Mardi Gras music at the La Veta Inn 6-9ish on Mardi Gras (Tuesday.) They're throwing a little party, and I'm going to "bring it" with my best Mardi Gras and party songs. It's going to be a blast!
Then Friday I'll be at Magpies 7-10 with a few Mardi Gras leftovers and a little Irish music to prime the pump for St. Patrick's Day. In fact, lets feature Irish tunes for the middle set of the night. Wow! I love doing those! Slainte! Hope to see you there!
Tom
Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing for Mardi Gras!
Where: La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta. 719-742-3700
When: Tuesday, March 4, 6-9 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing
Where: Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo. 719-542-5522
When: Friday, March 7, 7-10 pm
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