Missing Togetherness

I’ve noticed something about everyone starting to get back to our new normal - we’re not as together as we were during the uncertainty of the pandemic. It’s a good thing that we feel we can be more adventurous and free, but it has left me a little wistful for the comfort and unity that we experienced when we realized how much we need each other. I’ve written before on how much we really are intertwined in our lives, and the time of the pandemic made that very real to us. I hope we don’t forget that as we move forward. That was one of the better things about the time we spent together apart. You see this happen in many times of universal despair in history. People pull together when they recognize that they need each other’s support and caring. So my hope and prayer would be that we spend a little time in contemplation of what we’ve lost and what we’ve gained in this stressful time. That knowing look that we gave each other of uncertainty and comfort was something we should cherish and remember when things get busy and scattered. I will try to as much as I can.

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities were very enjoyable last week. Once again it’s wonderful to see faces I haven’t seen in so long. 

My Tuesday online show playing country music was a blast. We did songs from several decades. It was a special group of folks too!

Thursday at the Yellow Pine sported a thunderstorm that brought everyone indoors for some high-energy dancing and reveling. It’s amazing the excitement that a little weather puts into us. 

Our niece’s wedding on Saturday had a thunderstorm too that drew the festivities to a close right after they cut the cake and had a couple dances. It was still a beautiful occasion if too short. 

My Sunday online show for Independence Day was playing a lot of patriotic songs along with some fine requests. Again, we have such a good group of friends that I cherish.

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What am I up to this week?

My Tuesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be playing campfire songs. Summer memories are peppered with nights around the campfire singing songs we all know from childhood, so we decided that would be a good theme for an evening together. Come on out if you’d like to join in!

Thursday 6:30-8 I’m at the Yellow Pine for the weekly barbecue. I think they can sneak in a couple more people a week even though they are officially booked for all the Thursdays of the year. Call by Tuesday morning at the latest to see if you can get in. 719-742-3528

Saturday I’m playing a memorial in Cuchara followed by a reception that I’m doing with Dennis Mills on bass. Dennis and I haven’t gotten to play together for a couple years, so it’ll be nice to share the stage again. 

Sunday morning I’m playing for Cuchara Chapel at both the 9:30 and 11:00 services. It’ll be great to see all the folks in the valley who love to come out to greet each other in the old log chapel on a summer Sunday morning.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be playing the favorites and requests we have come to know and love. I’m not having much time to learn requests with things returning to normal, by I bring out a couple when I can. Come join in if you can.

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That’s all for this week. It will be a very busy one. I intend to give an extra thought to old friends, and to extend a hand when I might pull back as I remember what we’ve gone through and how much we need each other.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of campfire songs

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

When:  Tuesday, July 6, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, July 8, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for chapel services

Where:  Cuchara Chapel, 16400 CO Hwy 12, Cuchara, CO

When:  Sunday, July 11, 9:30 and 11 am

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

When:  Sunday, July 11, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Consciousness

 I’m working through some headier topics today. One of the recurrent themes I come back to is just where our consciousness comes from. We all know we have a brain, but what we don’t know is where our our consciousness resides. Science tells us that our firing neurons and synapses generate our thoughts and consciousness, but there are now many studies that show people who have thoughts and experiences even when their brains are damaged or shut down. If that’s true then our consciousness must be somehow outside our brain. Most spiritual religions believe this. Religion and science have mostly disagreed. This often was a result of the persecution that science endured from the church early on. But science has come back towards more spiritual thinking with quantum physics and the understanding that there are more curious properties in our universe than we previously thought possible. Maybe there is an interaction in our world and universe that is a force outside our current understanding of physicality that is where our consciousness lives independently. I have a conviction that there is great truth in this. I’ve been reading more books along these lines, and I think we are in the infancy of understanding how it all works together. Eventually I think we will find out that science and religion or spirituality are two sides of the same coin. The things that we think are woo-woo spirituality will be explicable through science, and the things that we think are purely scientific will be likewise understandable through spiritual principles. Buddhist monks seem to think this. They give recognition to scientists for discovering what they’ve known for millennia about interaction and forces of the universe. So maybe our consciousness does reside outside of our brain in the quantum realm in a way that is completely understandable by science. I can’t wait to find out more!

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities last week went great. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to do all of them because of the lack of gas at gas stations with the truck driver shortage, but I was able to get gas and get around to all of them.

My Tuesday online show doing ‘70s songs was great fun! I didn’t do as much rock and roll as I had thought I would do, but the flow went more towards folk rock again. It was all good. I had so many good friends along for the ride.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine was a little different than the previous week. They’re all different with a variety of folks and a variety of songs, and it was so good to see many old friends and meet some new ones. It’s wonderful to be part of that community in the summer.

My Sunday online show was a special one because it was online and also in-person with several folks because we filmed it from Deann and Matt Pujol’s house. We had lively conversation along with good food and memories. The online audience was a blast too!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 6 senior facilities this week, and it seems that we are slowly returning to some sort of normalcy. Most of them are still wanting mask-wearing which I am very used to at this point. It’s just wonderful to be able to provide this encouragement to the community again.

My Tuesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing country music this week. I will probably do some of the songs from my “Back to the Old Country” album, but I’ll also do some newer ones including a couple brand-new songs I’m performing at my niece’s wedding this Saturday.  I don’t do country music very often at my online shows which is not very representative of what I usually play out and about. I didn’t really grow up with country music, but I really love it and am looking forward to playing some for you on Tuesday.

Thursday 6:30-8 is the Yellow Pine Barbecue once again. It will be crazy fun since it’s Fourth of July week. They’re pretty much booked for every Thursday this summer, but I think they can squeeze in a couple people if you’d like to go. It’s good barbecue in a great location in the old barn with my music that you can listen and dance to. Call by Tuesday morning at the latest to book. 719-742-3528

Saturday is Jen’s brother’s daughter’s wedding, and I’m looking forward to seeing her family and playing the songs I learned for her and her guy!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing the favorites we always do on Sundays with a twist because it’ll be Independence Day. If you want a less explosive evening listening to music with good friends then come on out! This is always important to Jen and me because we have pets that are very fearful of the sound of fireworks.

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That’s it once again for this week. I will be pondering what I wrote about up-top all day as I weigh the headier aspects of life. I hope your summer is going okay, and I hope COVID is not still touching you in a significant way. Be safe, and I hope to see you soon.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Country songs

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

When:  Tuesday, June 29, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, July 1, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

When:  Sunday, July 4, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Music of Our Youth

 I’m doing an online show tomorrow night playing ‘70s songs, and that has me thinking about music of our youth and how it shapes us and stays with us throughout our lives. I was exposed to a lot of different music when I was young. My dad played the piano, and he grew up listening to the hit parade in the ‘30s, so he played a lot of old standards from that era all the way through the musicals of the ‘50s and ‘60s. My siblings were older than me, and they listened to everything from folk music to rock and roll to Motown. My interest was in the folk-rock music of the ‘60s and ‘70s once I started playing ukulele and then guitar, but I heard everything that was on the local AM radio too. The attitudes and lyrics in those songs shaped me in ways I can’t really know. I still have snippets of those songs run through my head at odd times with their messages of hope or love. We all have had the sensation when hearing a song from our youth of instantly being back in a place and time with friends we have sometimes long forgotten. It’s a very endearing thing, and I can tell you that it works for the rest of your life - as evidenced by my seniors who often come out of their dementia for a few moments when hearing a favorite song from their youth. I really do think that music has some magical elements that reach into our spirit and mind in profound ways, and in combination with strongly imprinted memories from our youth that music can be very powerful. So I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with some songs of my youth from the ’70s, and if this speaks to you then come on out and share in the fun.

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What have I been up to?

I had a bunch of senior facilities last week. Once again it was great to see folks I hadn’t seen for 16 months, and it was sad to miss some who were no longer there. Little by little they are all coming back as the virus wanes.

My Tuesday online theme show doing summer songs was very fun. There are so many wonderful songs about summer, and it was a joy to play them with this fantastic group of folks. I had thought that maybe we would have less people tuning in since we switched the theme show from Thursdays to Tuesdays, but we actually had more people than we average on Thursdays.  

The Yellow Pine Barbecue on Thursday was a packed house with many old friends. The barbecue is being provided by a separate person from the Yellow Pine - Steve Palmer. It’s just as good as ever, and the evening was perfect. It appears that almost every week is already almost fully reserved, so if you want to come out for any of the next 8 weeks you’d be smart to call today to reserve the date you’d like to come.

My Sunday online show was also a lot fo fun. It was Father’s Day, so of course we did a couple father songs, but we also did a bunch of other favorites including The Rolling Stones, Jerry Jeff Walker, and even Fleetwood Mac. I love the folks so much who come out to join in!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 5 senior facilities to play for this week, and if I can get gas it’ll be great to see all the folks. We have a truck driver shortage in the area, and so several of the stations have run out of gas. This was exacerbated by people panicking and making on a run on the stations to fill up. It’ll work itself out, but hopefully I won’t have to cancel anywhere because I can’t get gas. I’m currently almost on “E” and am hoping to find some gas after I write this.

My Tuesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing the aforementioned ‘70s songs. This will be great fun, and I’d love to have you. If this appeals to you then join in on Facebook or on my website. The links are below.

Thursday I’ll be back to the Yellow Pine Barbecue 6:30-8. Again as I said above they are almost booked for every week this summer, so if you’d like to come then call to book ASAP. The number is 719-742-3528. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 will be doing the favorites that are such a good time. You are always welcome, and I’d love to see you. This week will be extra special because we are doing it live from Deann and Matt Pujol’s house in Pueblo. Deann was going to put together a watch party, and I said, “Why don’t we do the whole show from your place?” So that’s what we’re doing. I can’t tell you how special it will be to see some of the local friends in our group.

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So that’s it for this week. It seems we may be out of the woods with COVID unless a new variant gains a lot of strength. It feels so good to be over the worry and strife although I’m still happy to take whatever precautions are necessary to keep everyone safe - especially the seniors I am privileged to play for.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of ‘70s songs

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

When:  Tuesday, June 22, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, June 24, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

When:  Sunday, June 27, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Summer

 Well, it’s summer. I’m not sure how to feel about summer this year. It has meant so many things over the years to me. It was exciting as a kid to look forward to all the outdoor activities and fun places to go and see. We’d go fishing or boating or driving on a trip or just playing in the neighborhood. As a young adult it still had those kind of activities, but there was also the opportunity to work at an exciting place with other people my age who were full of life and enthusiasm for what lay ahead. As I got into my career the summer became my main time to work as a musician with lots of cool places to play for wonderful people. That has been the rule for me for more than 35 years, but when COVID hit that all stopped. And now this summer things are opening back up, but there is not the unabashed feeling of freedom and possibility I used to look forward to. Every situation holds some uncertainty and questions over whether to wear a mask and whether to give a hug or even attend or perform at a big gathering. And on top of that there is the fear that someone will cause trouble. It’s a crazy time that is so much different than even 10 years ago. I attended a memorial service over the weekend, and even that seemed awkward and somehow foreign to me. So life has changed somewhat, and it’s not all bad, but I do find myself again wondering what comes next. I’m just glad that my music gives me purpose, and I will continue to try to spread joy and meaning to those who will listen.

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities last week went very well. One of them was for folks I haven’t seen in over a year. It took me a minute to remember all their requests and get back in the flow with them, but once I did it was really cool.

The studio work for hire I did last week went very well. It’s so gratifying to create something you know will bring joy to the listener. Unfortunately the amount I made was almost exactly the amount it took to get our car worked on. Oh, well. Easy come, easy go. It was a great experience.

My Thursday online show was doing sailing, ocean, and beach music, and there were some sweet tunes played and even sweeter folks in the audience. It was so much fun.

My Sunday online show of favorites turned into a bunch of old rock tunes - many of them requested that night. I forget how much I enjoy these tunes, and luckily I was able to rise to some rock energy for the most part.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities to play for this week, and 3 of them I haven’t played for since before COVID last year. It will be great to see them, and of course there is much caution still taken by all of the facilities in different measure. 

My online theme show moves to Tuesday 7-8:30 mountain time this week through the middle of August so I can play the Yellow Pine Barbecue on Thursdays, and this week the theme will be summer. There are some wonderful summer songs that express the free and easy feeling of the season, and I’m really looking forward to immersing myself and my audience in them. Please tune in if you can!

Thursday 6:30-8 mountain time will be the first Yellow Pine Barbecue for the season and the past two years. The barbecue is such a fun time with good friends. If you’ve never been it’s held in a barn built in the 1890s at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch just a half a mile or so north of the beautiful mountain village of Cuchara, Colorado. It’s a traditional Texas-style barbecue with all the fixings and my music as the entertainment. There is usually a campfire with marshmallow roasting and s’mores outside while I entertain for the diners and dancers inside. You need to make reservations by Tuesday morning so they can order enough food. The number to call is 719-742-3528. It’s a blast!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites that we play as always for the great group of folks who join in almost every week. This is the highlight of my week, and I look forward to hopefully seeing you there.

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That’s it for this time. I can’t believe it’s summer already. I’ve been working outside on the trees and weeds almost every day, and it’s great to be working outside although the heat and hard work does wear me out while it also makes me feel so alive. I hope you’re enjoying your summer so far. Be safe, and I hope to see you soon.

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:  Tuesday, June 15, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara.  719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, June 17, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

When:  Sunday, June 20, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Slow Down

I’ve been thinking of the changes that have happened in me and in the world with the pandemic. One of the things I have really appreciated has been the slowing down of life. I don’t feel the need to speed to get to a gig. I don’t feel the need to rush through my day. I’ve realized that life is not really worthwhile when I’m feeling pushed and not savoring simple things. I don’t want to compete or impose my will or agenda on other people. Life is much better when I really find joy in other people and the moment where I find myself. So do I feel the need to speed back up to where I was before the virus? I don’t think so. Maybe I’ll have to make a conscious choice to stay slowed down. I don’t know. I do know that I learned something during the pandemic that I don’t want to forget. Life is much more enjoyable when I don’t feel I have to get into a jostling frame of mind with each moment. I’ll try to remember that when someone is tailgating me on the highway, or when I feel I have to get something done RIGHT NOW.

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities were good shows last week - some in-person and some on Zoom. I don’t think I’ll ever have the full schedule I had before the pandemic of senior homes, but that might not be a bad thing although I really do feel it’s a worthwhile way to spend my time.

My Thursday online show was songs about the sky, and it turned out really well. We had a little smaller group of folks, but everyone was into the theme and the songs.

Sitting in with Bill Hearne and Don Richmond and bass player Brett Davis on Saturday night in Alamosa went well too. Bill has such a genuine energy and drive on stage that really carries the audience. 

My Sunday online show was some neat favorites that I enjoyed as well. I can’t say enough about how special these nights of interaction usually turn out. Some really good people have contributed to making this a time of building up every week.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 3 senior facilities this week - all in-person. One of the facilities I haven’t visited since March last year, so it will be great to see how many folks I know.

I’m in the studio on Tuesday doing work on a song I mentioned before for a writer. It’s fun to put my spin on someone else’s song and lend my talents. I don’t do very much of this.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time is doing songs about sailing, the ocean, and the beach. My good friend Donna Dodaro Kemper suggested this show theme, and it will be a nice summer show to get into all of freeing magic of being on the water. Please tune in if you can.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing favorites and requests as always. We will never run out of great songs to sing at these shows, and the giving and kindness from my audience is something to behold. I’m so thankful to have gathered such a stellar group of folks to my shows.

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That’s it for this week. Next week I start the Yellow Pine Barbecue on Thursday nights and shift my online theme night to Tuesday. I don’t know if we’ll continue to get a big group of folks out for the theme night, but I’ll keep doing them until it is no longer feasible. I love to play and sing. Take care, and I hope you find joy in slowing down like I have.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs about sailing, the ocean, and the beach

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

When:  Thursday, June 10, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

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

When:  Sunday, June 13, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

The Sky

My Thursday show this week is songs about the sky, so I thought I’d reflect on what I get from the sky in my life. I’ve always been enamored of the sky. It expresses so many different conditions and moods. I’ve worked outdoors enough at times that I had to plan my days around the weather and what the sky was doing. The patterns of the clouds, and the quality of the light always affects my feelings about the moment I’m in. And that’s not even to mention the night sky when I feel a part of the entire cosmos as I gaze at distant worlds. It’s truly full of magic and mystery to me, and it gives me a connection to the timelessness of the world and each moment in our lives. The sky has enchanted writers throughout time, and you have to know that there are countless songs that mention the sky as it relates to the weather or the enormity of the world and our place in it. So this week I’ll try to play songs that express the poetic qualities of the sky. It’s just part of the magic that makes this life such a rewarding experience.

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What have I been up to?

My senior shows went really well. It’s so good to feel like I’m getting into the flow of pre-pandemic in a small way.

My studio time got rescheduled to next week, but I’m looking forward to being in that creative and meticulous space.

My Thursday show was very relaxing and peaceful - coming back to the favorite songs I’ve recorded over the past 40 years. When I’m really in promotional mode I tend to tire of playing the songs I have recorded (anything can get old, I guess), but after not having played these for a long while they are old and dear friends that I can’t wait to get reacquainted with. My wonderful audience was of the same mind.

My Sunday show was a lot of favorites I hadn’t played in quite a while as well, and the interaction with everyone present made it into a night to be remembered. I’m truly blessed by everyone who gives of their time and kindness.

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What am I up to this week?

I have several senior shows this week which I’m looking forward to. One is still remote on Zoom, but the rest are finally in-person unless something changes.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing songs about the sky as I wrote about above. I’m really looking forward to it, and I hope you’ll join us if you can.

Saturday I’ll make a jaunt over to Alamosa to see my friend Bill Hearne play with Don Richmond at Society Hall at 7:00. I’ll probably sit in for a couple tunes. Come by if you’re in the area. It should be a great show!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests that I’ve grown to enjoy so much. The audience is such an integral part of these shows, and I’m gratified each week to see how well we all support each other and the music.

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That’s it for this week. I’ll start the weekly barbecue at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch on June 17th, and I have several other gigs I’m lining up including hopefully a show at the La Veta Mercantile. Visit my calendar page to see what I’m up to - http://tommunch.com/calendar. Take care, and I hope to see you online or down the road soon!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs about the sky

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

When:  Thursday, June 3, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

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

When:  Sunday, June 6, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Rejuvenation

It’s amazing what time in the outdoors will do for you. I know it’s a recurring theme for me, but it’s worth saying again. Nature has a way of retuning our expectations and making us aware of ourselves and the truths of this world. In nature we can find belonging and order. Nature shows us how interconnected we are to the land and the creatures around us. There is an understanding of the timelessness and also the preciousness of life and our time here. Just listening to the birds and feeling a blade of grass in your hand can make you feel the rhythm of the earth and our place on it. I encourage you to be in and with nature if you can in your day. I’m writing all of this because I really feel rejuvenated this morning after our walk in the prairie and a couple days in the mountains.

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What have I been up to?

My senior shows went very well last week, and one was packed with retirees who absolutely drank in all the music I could give them. It was so gratifying.

My Thursday show doing Beatles music was a blast too. I was little off kilter for the first couple tunes, but once I dialed in we connected to the spirit of the Beatles and their genius.

My Sunday show was way too much fun as well. There were a couple new songs and some old favorites that really hit the spot. I love these folks and this music!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 3 senior shows this week which should be great. 

I have some studio time working on a project for some folks up north. 

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 will be playing songs off of my albums. I have several folks who want to hear some of my interpretations and originals, so this week we will do those. I’m really looking forward to playing some songs I haven’t had a chance to play for a year or more. Here is my album page on my website if you’d like to see what I’ll draw from - everything except the Christmas album. 😉 https://tommunch.com/albums

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 will be favorites and requests as always. I hope some more frequent visitors can come back this week as I have some songs I’ve learned that I’m anxious to play for them. We always have way more joy than should be allowed!

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That’s it for this week. Things are beginning to book up, so I’ll have more to write about as the weeks progress. We’ve had a lot of rain, so I’m just hoping I can also keep up with weeds and housework too. Now where did that rejuvenation go that I was so full of when I started this page?!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs off my albums

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

When:  Thursday, May 27, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

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

When:  Sunday, May 30, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Pulling Back or Pushing Forward

 This past week with the CDC saying that vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks or practice social distancing except in certain crowded or healthcare environments has really thrown me into a quandary. Part of my thoughts are on the different life I’ve established over the past year - staying closer to home and not traveling so much, and part of my thoughts are on the possibility of returning to the life I had - driving several hundred miles a week to 10-15 gigs all over the area. I’ve had a taste of a different kind of life, and there many parts of it I enjoyed. I’m still the most useful and fulfilled when I’m creating and performing music, so that won’t change, but I can see that maybe I could sculpt the next few years a little more instead of mostly flowing with presented opportunities as I have done over most of my life. I’m sure many people are weighing their futures too. This has been a time of deep introspection and winnowing our lives down to what’s important. I don’t feel ready to make any decisions today, but I can tell that I really need a deep dive into myself to see what’s next. I’m not full of any particular ambition. I just want peace and love to fill my life and those around me - with music all around that.

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities were very enjoyable last week. I only had a couple, but one of them was playing for folks I hadn’t seen since a year ago in February, and it was a grand reunion!

My Thursday online show was doing songs about mountains, and I so enjoyed visiting some of my favorite songs over my lifetime. The mountains have really influenced me over the years. I’m glad I get to live close to them.

My Sunday show online was also very gratifying with good friends and some wonderful songs. I started to run out of gas towards the end of the show, but I still managed to end with a flourish. Highlights for me included new songs by Graham Nash and Bill Staines.

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What’s up this week?

I have three senior facilities this week including a new one I haven’t played for before, so there will be some new faces and an introduction to a new group. That’s always fun!

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 will be a return to the Beatles. We did a Beatles show last November, and I promised I’d return to the Beatles for a bunch more of their tunes. This Thursday’s the night! I love the Beatles music, and it will be a really good time. Come on by!

My Sunday show online 7-8:30 will be favorites and requests as always. I’ve been getting some pretty adventurous requests lately, so if I can actually work them up it will be very entertaining to watch me deliver them. I say that knowing I may really fall on my face or chicken out on them. I’ve never really said “No!” to a challenge though, so come on out and see if I can pull them off.

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That’s it for this week. I’m still deciding if I should switch my Thursday show to Tuesday when we come to the start of my Yellow Pine Barbecue shows on Thursdays in mid-June or just stop the online Thursday show the for the summer. I’ll announce it soon. It’s another in my factors I talked about above - what to do next?

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Beatles songs

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

When:  Thursday, May 20, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

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

When:  Sunday, May 23, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Longing

 One of the most frequent feelings in my week is one of deep longing. It’s something I feel in many situations as I go through my day. I feel it when I first rise in the day and give my pets a little love before I dress for our sunrise walk. I feel it when we hit the path and gaze at the mountains, the moon, or the horizon. I feel it when I see friends or family or receive a text from them. I feel it when I pick up my guitar and start a song. I feel it when I hit the road for a destination. It is always just a deep desire to know the situation and reach for deep involvement in every aspect of whatever I’m doing. I guess it’s kind of a savoring of life in all its forms, and I can best describe it as longing because that is the kind of pull it puts on me. I’m sure it comes from something ancient and eternal within me - a desire to reconnect with the essence of life itself. I know it sounds a little wacky, but I suspect you might feel it too. I’m going to ponder on it this week and see where it leads me - maybe to a song. It is ultimately love.

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What have I been up to?

Last week I had several more senior facilities to play for since they are opening back up to entertainment. It’s great to see the folks, and I’m remembering what it’s like to schlep around equipment again!

My Thursday show playing songs by the Neils - Neil Young and Neil Diamond - was loads of fun. The audience really got into it, and I did too. There are some real favorites there!

My Sunday show playing favorites was really satisfying. Several of the songs were pretty difficult to remember the details on, but I think I did okay. Once again the folks were full of energy and goodwill, so it was the boost everyone needed.

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What’s up this week?

I only have a couple senior facilities this week, but one of them I haven’t seen the folks since last year so I’m really looking forward to it.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be playing songs about mountains. Mountains have been a big part of my life - like a giant magnet pulling at me ever since I was a child. We’ll be doing songs that talk about mountains and their affect on people - longing, majesty, and mystery.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be playing the favorites and requests that we always come around to once a week. This is such a special group of friends that get together every week to celebrate each other and the music that fills our souls. Come on along!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you have lots of longing.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs about mountains

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

When:  Thursday, May 13, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

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

When:  Sunday, May 16, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Rainy Days

We’re having a rainy day here in southern Colorado. It’s the kind of day where you want to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book while you watch the rain drip off the roof as the clouds drift over the mountains. I feel the pressure of Monday things to do.  As Beau and I walked before sunrise in the mud and blowing rain I felt my spirits dip ever-so-slightly with the rain and grey weather. The prairie is greening, and the rain brings life and hope always, but it also asks us to slow down and have some downtime. My favorite rain has always been the afternoon showers I experienced when I worked in the mountains. If you planned it right you could have camp set up just in time to take a nap in your tent during the rain or be inside in a tin-roofed cabin where you could hear the rain patter on the roof and windows. Afterwards the freshness of the rain permeated the land and the trees with a wonderful smell and the feeling of rebirth and new life. So I shake off the dip in spirit and put off for just a moment the work I have for the week while I greet the new week and write you my thoughts. There is always so much to look forward to and be joyful for!

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What have I been up to?

My senior shows went well last week. Hopefully they will be able to lift more restrictions as our numbers get better in Colorado and all around.

My Thursday night online show doing ‘60s songs went very well. Of course there is a huge catalog of great ‘60s tunes, so we were definitely not at a loss for requests and songs to sing. We will have to do another ‘60s night or more to make another pass at some more great songs.

I did a Saturday night online show that I didn’t write about last week for guests and staff of the Don K Guest Ranch where I played for 8 years or so in the ‘90s. It was great to see so many folks and share some great memories and songs.

My Sunday night online show went very well too with lots of friends and fans. I’m blessed to have such a variety of friends and a variety of music to play.

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What am I up to this week?

I have senior shows almost every day this week as facilities are allowed to open up more. Many of these folks I haven’t seen in over a year. One of my shows will still be online until restrictions change.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing songs by the Neils -  Neil Young and Neil Diamond. I figured this would be an interesting mix of tunes by these two seemingly-unrelated artists. I think the chemistry will be very exciting, and I invite you to join in!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing the favorites and requests I love to do. It’s Mother’s Day, so I’ll be doing at least a couple songs to honor mothers including the mother song I wrote last year titled “How Did You Know?” Come on out for an evening of music and friendship!

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That’s it for this week. Now it’s time to have a cup of tea and figure out if I can play hooky from my work for a little while longer. ;-)

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of ’60s songs

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

When:  Thursday, May 6, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

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

When:  Sunday, May 9, 7-8:30 pm mountain time