Heart Songs

This Thursday I’m featuring favorite songs from my albums - what I used to call “heart” songs. My musical history has been interesting. I started out in the ‘60s and ‘70s listening to whatever was on the radio like most of us do, I suspect. When I started playing songs myself on the ukulele and eventually the guitar I tended towards more acoustic folksy tunes - partly because I was playing an acoustic guitar and not an electric guitar, but also because I was drawn to popular folk-rock musicians like John Denver and Michael Martin Murphey. I eventually got electric guitars and played in rock and roll bands, but I never really learned all the tricks of getting a great rock or blues tone with all the assorted amps and pedals. I was still drawn to the pure, woody sound of acoustic instruments and the music they were more associated with. By the time I got to the late ‘80s and early ‘90s I was specializing my interests as radio and the music industry was starting to develop more niches and categories of music. My draw was in the acoustic singer-songwriter vein since that was kind of literary and reflected more of how I fancied my music. I learned and eventually recorded many of these songs that I loved on the albums that I released in the late ‘90s and into the new century. I have performed these songs while promoting my albums a lot over the years, but since the pandemic started I haven’t had a chance to play them much at all, and I really miss them. So this Thursday I’ll  do a show that’s dedicated to these wonderful gems and old friends that are part of my life. Sometimes it’s fun to come home!

——

What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went very well last week. Hallelujah, I didn’t have any cancellations! Maybe we’re coming out of this long COVID tunnel? We did Mardi Gras songs and started the Irish celebration for St. Patrick’s Day.

My Thursday show was doing colors songs. There were a lot of sweet songs about rainbows and individual colors from all over the spectrum. It was a blast!

My Sunday show was doing favorites and requests as always. We did a brief Zoom before the show which was a lot of fun! We’ll do more of these in the future. Watch this space and the Munch Bunch Facebook Group for dates and times.

The Munch Bunch Facebook Group had quite bit of activity. I don’t really know where this Group will go, but right now it has been rewarding getting people together on this page. We created a map of where people are watching the online concerts from. We also created threads about how people met me and each other and what their stories are and what instruments they play. I encourage you to get on if you’re on Facebook and join in the camaraderie. There are some amazing people in our Group.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have nine senior facilities scheduled this week. Hopefully they will all go well with no cancellations for weather with snow coming in or COVID with the cases dropping here.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the above-mentioned favorite songs from my albums. There are so many really wonderful songs that I’ve had the opportunity to play and record, and many of them are not that familiar to my audience. This will be a chance to bring these out in the light once again. Come tune in and rediscover these bright spots!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I look forward to these shows, and I work most of the day on Sunday and often part of the day on Saturday putting together the music and rehearsing the songs. I make a playlist from new requests and also previous requests for our regular attendees although I also take spontaneous requests for the audience if I know the songs. Please tune in if you can.

——

That’s all for this week. I’m really looking forward to this Thursday’s show, and don’t forget that I’ll be playing a concert of Irish music at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence, CO, at 7:00 pm on March 19th. Details are at http://www.florenceartscouncil.com/concerts.html.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

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

Group Success

Well, I started the Facebook Group last week that I wrote about, and so far I think it has been successful at giving folks a place (a clubhouse as Bob Deskin calls it) to chat and share ideas. I’m not good at tending this kind of garden, but I’ll do my best with the help of the group. So far we’ve shared some great ideas for Thursday-night themes such as this Thursday that Connie Godfrey suggested doing songs with different colors in the name or song. That should be fun. I need to make a good list although Connie already gave me a lot of songs to put on it. We also made a map where you can see most of the members of the group and other regulars who’ve frequented the shows. It’s a pretty wide-spread group of people, although there aren’t as many from the West as I had thought. That may be because my show starts too early for those folks to get on. We also started a thread where people can say how we met. This will really help my old brain remember how I met some folks, and it will also foster some wonderful memories. We also tried to do a Facebook Room which is like a Zoom call. It wasn’t very successful, unfortunately. There were a bunch of technical glitches that kept people from signing on. I think you have to have the Facebook Messenger app installed on your device or computer, and even then we had people not able to get on. I even had trouble starting the Room. Hopefully we can work out the bugs because it was fun to see the half-dozen people we were able to see. So overall the Facebook Group will be a big help to furthering the goodwill that we’ve created so far and will hopefully continue to enjoy. I’m so blessed to have such wonderful folks around me. We’ll come up with more ideas as we move along. Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out. www.facebook.com/groups/398664345396960/

——

What have I been up to?

My senior facilities last week went very well although again I had one have to cancel for COVID. I know we just reduced the masking recommendations across the nation, but in the facilities it’s just as cautious as ever. There are still so many cases, and we need to protect our elderly and immunocompromised folks.

My Thursday online show of Mardi Gras songs was a blast. There are so many fun songs for Mardi Gras! I think everyone had a good time, and I picked up a few new tunes too.

My Sunday show had the biggest group in recent memory, and there were some wonderful new tunes and old favorites. I have to think that having the new Facebook Group put some energy into the evening. I really love playing for these folks!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have just six senior facilities this week which is my current normal schedule for the first week of the month. Tomorrow is Mardi Gras, and I’ll do two parties with beads and all the good songs.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the above-mentioned colors songs. You can probably name a dozen songs with colors in the title or the song, so there will be plenty of fun and sweet songs both to sing and enjoy. Come on by if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. We have such a good time at these shows although I’m often really stressed before the show - hoping I’ll remember the songs I just learned as requests. You’re always welcome, and I love doing these.

——

That’s all for the week. I do have an in-person show on the 19th at the Bell Tower Culture Center in Florence, Colorado, for St. Patrick’s Day. There’ll be Celtic dancers ahead of me at 7:00, and I’ll go on at 8:00 with fun Irish tunes and even some sing-alongs if people are up for it. I’m glad they reduced the masking recommendations before this show as I was a little concerned about being part of it. There are more details about the show at http://www.florenceartscouncil.com/concerts.html.

Be well,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of colors songs 

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

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

“Munch Bunch” Facebook Group

The group that has gathered with me on Facebook and my website around the online concerts has been such a genuine and caring group of folks, so last night on the concert I asked the group if they’d like a Facebook Group dedicated to our “Munch Bunch”. The overwhelming consensus was “Yes!”, so last night I started a Facebook Group called “Tom Munch Concert “Munch Bunch” Group”. I know that this excludes those of you who aren’t on Facebook, and I may find another place to do this in the future, but for now it gives me a place to ask the group about themes, and for the group to post requests and comments outside of the concerts. I’ve already posted some pictures of our gatherings and asked a couple questions about themes and possible Facebook Room “Zoom” calls. Please feel free to utilize the Facebook Group to start conversations and share ideas and life events in our group of friends. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. I’ve had a Facebook Group for my Philmont concerts for a year or so. The Philmont Facebook Group is private by approval only, but the “Munch Bunch” Facebook Group is public so anyone can join. Of course as the administrator I can control that if we need to, but we have such a sweet group of folks that I don’t foresee this in any way. So thank you for being so supportive of me and each other, and hopefully this Facebook Group page can help drive us to new heights of togetherness.

——

What have I been up to?

I had one senior facility that had to cancel for COVID last week. CDPHE (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment) says we are definitely on the backside of this current surge, but it’s still affecting vulnerable people, and that’s definitely where the senior facilities fit in. I’m doing Rapid tests at quite a few facilities every time I go in. The other facilities were very enjoyable if cautious. Being Valentine’s Day week I did a lot of love songs.

My Thursday online show was my own original songs again, and there were requests and songs from all over my writings including my very first album in 1983. You can’t know how honored I am to have people like my songs - especially the ones I wrote when I was in high school.

My Sunday online show was a blast too including several new-to-me songs and a lot of interaction. I’m blessed to have such a fine group of folks.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities scheduled this week. I think I’ll be doing some Mardi Gras songs in anticipation of Mardi Gras next week as well as other favorites. These shows are about as diverse as I can get with standards running back to the ‘20s, rock and roll from the ‘50s, and lots of country western from all eras. I love them all!

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing Mardi Gras songs again to honor the “Who Dat” celebration in New Orleans next Tuesday. I have a bunch of Mardi Gras, Cajun, and New Orleans tunes that I love to play, and this will be a rousing party of joy. Please tune in if you can. We’re even having Cajun food twice this next week to get in the spirit. I love a good gumbo with some fiery spices!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I’m hoping the new Facebook Group will make it easier for folks to make requests and interact with me and each other. We may even do a Facebook Room “Zoom” call if everyone is up for it a half hour before the show. Come on out!

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you are well and reasonably happy even with all that is going on in the world. It has been a tough time, but I feel there has been significant growth in many of us as well. I appreciate you and all you give to this life. Hope to see you soon!

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Mardi Gras songs 

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

When:  Thursday, February 24, 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, February 27, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Songwriting

I’m doing original songs on my Thursday online show, and I was thinking about songwriting this morning. I don’t write songs on a regular basis although I’ve had periods in my life where I’ve done a lot of writing. Songwriting doesn’t have one established path. Some writers have a lot of musical or literary training, and some are completely intuitive. My favorite writing that I have done and that I’ve heard from others has been the songs that came “all-at-once” from inspiration or even from a dream. I’ve listened to or read interviews with many great songwriters from Paul McCartney to Sting to Rodgers and Hammerstein, and even though they all say that you have to really work at it, they also say that there is a certain element of mystery and magic that really makes them hear great songs. Many times they say how they just captured a song as it moved through their consciousness. I love that! Of course there are also songs that writers work over for months or years until they are proud of them. In my experience these songs never feel “of-a-piece” or flow without rough spots. That’s my complaint with many commercial songs. They feel contrived and without spirit. But that’s the great thing about songwriting - there are all kinds of songs and all kinds of approaches, and they are all there to listen to and appreciate in one way or another. So here’s to songwriting and creative pursuits. May we all cherish them and try our hand at them too.

——

What have I been up to?

I did have one senior facility cancel for COVID last week. This has been such a hard time on these folks. The rest of the homes were very enjoyable, and I love getting to make their day a little better (hopefully) for everyone I get to play for.

My Thursday show doing love songs was great fun! We did songs from all over the board, and the support that this group gives to each other is phenomenal. It was a joy!

My Sunday show doing favorites against the Super Bowl went better than I expected. I never know if I should do a show on Super Bowl Sunday, but my group of folks is so loyal and so enjoy each other’s company that they want to get together even if they have a second screen going with the game.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities scheduled for this week. I’m looking forward to them - especially today when I get to do more love songs for Valentine’s Day.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be featuring my own original songs as I wrote about above. I’m so blessed to have an audience that wants to hear what I’ve written. I don’t have anything new since the last original show I’ve done, but I still may have some surprises up my sleeve.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests that we always enjoy. If you have anything you’d like to hear please let me know and I’ll try to work them in. These are aways so worthwhile.

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you’re having a sweet Valentine’s Day, and I hope to see you either online or in person soon.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of original songs 

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

When:  Thursday, February 17, 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, February 20, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

All You Need

I know I’m a week early, but my Thursday show theme is ‘love’ for Valentine’s Day, so I’m going to write about romantic love today. Love is such an interesting thing. We seem to have an intuitive understanding of love, and yet it is sure confusing when we’re young. I can remember having my first crush in second grade on a neighbor girl. All I knew was that she was really cute, and I got funny feelings when I was hiding with her during Hide-and-Seek with the other neighbor kids. Then of course there were girls throughout school including a more serious relationship in high school. (Didn’t we all have those?) I can’t say I really knew what love was in those years although I was learning. I had trust issues, and I could be manipulative at times. I had several other girlfriends before I finally met my wife Jennifer. Along the way I figured out more about what romantic love really is. Most of us really don’t understand that it involves dedication and hard work as well as time to grow together. But it’s not drudgery. It’s actually joyful and very satisfying once you figure it out. At 60 I still am not sure I’ve completely figured it out though. Jennifer and I have been through a lot of things in our 31 years of married life that have created a very deep love and understanding between us. Hold on, in writing these thoughts I realize that my blog title doesn’t go with romantic love. It’s referring to the song by John Lennon “All You Need Is Love” which is more about love in the world as a general thing. The song is so hopeful and uplifting. I wrote a couple years ago about how I think of love as a force in the universe akin to gravity or quantum attraction. That is so ethereal that it is too hard to theorize about it though other than to say it is more than a feeling although it starts as that. I feel love almost as a meditation and a prayer to and for other people. And so I hope you can feel love as we approach Valentine’s Day either romantically or generally. Life is full of love!

——

What have I been up to?

I only had one senior facility last week that had to cancel due to COVID. Actually I just did an online Zoom show for a few residents who they could gather as well as so they could have a recording to show residents during the rest of the month. My other facilities were wonderful in person as always. 

My Thursday show doing new-to-me songs from the last two years was a joy. I have come across such beautiful and fun songs over the last two years, and I really enjoyed brushing up on them and playing them for our fine group of friends. 

My Sunday show went up against the Olympics, so we had a few less folks tuning in. It was a sweet show with some really nice new songs that I truly like. 

——

What am I up to this week?

I have eight senior facilities this week barring any COVID cancellations, and I’ll do as many love songs as I can to celebrate Valentine’s Day. 

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be featuring love songs as I talked about above. I know this is a rough time for those who have lost loved ones, but I know my group will be very supportive of everyone as we share songs and memories. Come on out and feel the love. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I always hesitate to go up against the Super Bowl, but there are a lot of folks who don’t watch or want to be with our group, so I’m sure we’ll have a good turnout. I like to watch, but sometimes the best part is the commercials, and I can always watch those later. Come on out if you’d like a little music and friendship. 

——

That’s it for this week. Hope you have a good week, and I hope to see you soon. 

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of love songs 

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

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

Wonder All Around

As I was walking around my office this morning and trying to think of what to write to you about I was struck by the wonder all around me today. When I awoke I was touched by the light purring of our little cat Tuzi as I carried her to the window to look outside and wait for our big dog Beau to come in from outside. I enjoyed some news and conversation in podcasts while I was exercising - marveling in the words and intricate interplay. When we walked for sunrise there were wispy and pretty clouds in a pure blue sky. Even at my breakfast I enjoyed some buttery brown pecans in my oatmeal that delighted my taste buds. Now as I type I’m enchanted by the tactile sense of touch and the sight of cherished gewgaws on my desk and the grain of wood and play of light on objects around me. Even a deep breath feeds my sense of wonder. My point is that when I feel stress or lack or uncertainty I can always fall back on the fact that my life is part of a wonderful world of so many sensations and feelings that delight and fill me with well-being. Even bad sensations can be savored if we are in the right frame of mind. And these are not big events or happenings that would normally thrill us. They are just everyday things that we often look over while we fret about health or finances or the world. I encourage you to occasionally look around in wonder at the world around us. We are part of something special.

——

What have I been up to?

Unfortunately I had two senior homes cancel with COVID last week. It seems that omicron is going to be with us a while longer. The folks I got to play for were very receptive and thankful for the tunes and interaction.

My Thursday online show of favorite new-to-me songs over the past two years went so well that I decided to do a second show with more of the great songs I’ve learned. I have such an astute audience with such good taste that I have a wealth of good tunes to play. 

My Saturday online show for Philmont folks went very well too. It was so good to reconnect with several folks I haven’t seen in several years. I have over 400 people in this Facebook group now, so I have been blessed with the number of people who enjoy the music and memories that we share.

My Sunday online had me a little worried as I didn’t feel that confident performing the new tunes I had learned, but somehow I remembered them all very well. Sometimes I’m amazed at what my brain can still hold. Thanks to everyone who came out and shared their time even with a big football game being on for part of the beginning of my show.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have only six senior facilities this week. Several have been reluctant to schedule because COVID is so prevalent right now. I hope they can make it through without any losses. I cherish these folks.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be part 2 of favorite new-to-me songs as I mentioned above. These are some of the best songs I’ve sung in my life. Come on out and see what I’ve picked.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. It takes me several hours to put together the lists and rehearse the songs for these shows, but it is always worthwhile. Hope to see you there!

——

That’s all for this week once again. I hope you get to appreciate some wonder in your life today.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of my favorite new-to-me songs of the past two years

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

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

Favorite Songs

I’m doing a show on Thursday titled “New-to-Me Songs” that will feature my favorite songs I’ve learned over the past two years. I don’t have to tell you that it has been quite a journey over the past two years with COVID and so much more. The songs we love often reflect the times we go through - good and bad. That’s the beauty of music. It can soothe and cheer and celebrate whatever situations we’re in. For the most part the songs I’ve learned, especially as requests, have been thoughtful and joyous. I have such a wonderful audience at almost every place I play, including online, so the requests I’ve had have been for such genuine and original songs. I’ve also sought out songs for different artists and themes that have been revelations almost every week. At the beginning of 2020 I had 3464 songs in my laptop. At the present date I have 4475 songs. That’s over 1000 songs I have worked on in a two-year span. Unfortunately I’m sure many are pretty hazy in my memory since I only played them once or worked on them for just a week or two, and my brain is pretty full! But I consider many of them to be some of the best songs I’ve ever played. So this week I’ll feature a big handful of some of my favorites. It will be an interesting look back over the past two years, but it will also be a celebration of some wonderful writing and some really fun songs. Music is such a big part of life for so many folks.

——

What have I been up to?

My senior facilities were all great last week, and I didn’t have any cancellations. It seems we may be almost over this omicron surge, so maybe things will be able to loosen up soon.

My Thursday online show was doing favorites for Matt and Deann Pujol for Matt’s birthday, and I think everyone enjoyed the choices they made for songs. I heard that they did a lot of dancing and singing along at their house, so I know they enjoyed it too!

My Sunday online show had several new songs and old favorites that were very memorable. I’ve been playing my Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster guitar plugged into a little Bose S1 Pro PA amp for the last two weeks, and it has been quite a different sound and experience for most folks.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have nine senior facilities this week, barring any cancellations, so everyone is coping with COVID as well as can be expected. I always tell you how much I enjoy serving others by doing these shows, and it’s no secret that I get just as much from the experience as the audience does.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the above-mentioned favorites I’ve learned over the past two years. There are so many songs on my list that I may end up doing more than one week for this theme. I’m sure my audience is hoping that I’ve picked songs they’ve each requested, and I’m sure there’ll be some surprises. Come join in and see where it all goes!

Saturday 7-9 mountain time I’m doing a show online for Philmont staff and alumni at my Tom Munch Philmont Songs Concert Group page on Facebook I’ve created just for this purpose. If you’re a member of the group then come on out and share some songs and stories of Philmont Scout Ranch. The show is being partially sponsored by my Philmont friend Jason Mascitti who is an agent for Thrivent - Thanks, Jason!

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing favorites and requests as always. I usually spend a full day working on these songs, and I love that folks come out to hear my work. It’s a fun way to spend an evening!

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you are healthy and happy. I hope you make music part of your well-being as it helps so much.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of my favorite new-to-me songs of the past two years

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

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

Friends

 My Thursday show this week is a birthday celebration for two of my biggest supporters and friends - Matt and Deann Pujol, and so it has me thinking about friendship and all that means. I’ve had many friends over my life including folks who I have a resilient bond with regardless of how often we see each other. With these folks I can pick up right where we left off even if it has been a decade or more since we last talked. It’s as if we have a relationship beyond time, and I think we might. There are also those whom I have just met that I feel a kinship with right from the start. With friends there is an ease and a trust and a knowing that comes from mutual respect and care. So for Matt’s birthday I will do a show of favorites for two good friends. Honestly, I think friendship comes from feeling our oneness with others as we go through this shared experience of life.

——

What have I been up to?

I had several senior facilities last week although one had to be cancelled for COVID. I really want this omicron variant to be in the past so we can hopefully be back to more of a normal routine. It just spreads so easily. I even turned down a couple gigs happening in the next two weeks just because I don’t want to play in big gatherings until this has passed.

My Thursday online show featuring the music of Bill Staines was a wonderful experience, and I think my audience enjoyed it too. Bill was just an amazing writer with lyrics that are so eloquent and expressive and intricate guitar parts that wrap you up in a web of sound. Many of his songs will stay in my regular rotation.

My Sunday online show of favorites went very well too. The group of “Munch Bunchers”-  as they call themselves - is so supportive of me and of each other, and they make great requests. It’s a real pleasure to get play for them every week.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week which will be fun. I really hope that none will have to cancel. They are always a joy.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites of Matt and Deann Pujol that I mentioned above to celebrate Matt’s birthday. These favorites are really some of the favorite songs of the whole group, so it will be a sort of “greatest hits” of the group as well. Please come and watch if you can.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 will be favorites and requests as always. If you have any requests you’d like me to learn then send them right along. I have a bunch I’m working on!

——

That’s it for this week. I know this virus stuff continues to wear on us all, but with a little friendship and care we will make it through.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs for Matt’s birthday

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

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

A Songwriter's Life

 Hello,

I’ve been listening to the songs of Bill Staines in preparation for my Thursday online tribute to him, and it has me thinking about the life that many songwriters live - one that I had contemplated early-on in my life. Bill, like many songwriters, traveled all over the country playing for audiences of all kinds and meeting people and seeing things up-close and in a meaningful way. He had the ability to put these meetings and memories into clever words and melodies that could connect with listeners. Songs have that curious power to put ideas and reflections into a short space that can grab us and make us think or find joy. Think of your favorite Beatles song. Or think of an old standard or favorite folk or country song. Songwriters combine poetry and music into a gem that we can marvel over. Some songwriters write to get through pain. Some write to tell a story. Others write to express ecstasy or make us dance. It is an amazing art that I have always cherished and sometimes dived into. Of course, there is also a very commercial side to songwriting, and I don’t really want to go down that road of writing to a formula or to sell. I want to celebrate the art of songwriting and the purity of doing something just because one is compelled to do it. So this Thursday I’ll play the songs of Bill Staines, and I hope you can join us to experience someone who wrote just to do it and do it well.

——

What have I been up to?

Last week I had only one cancellation of my senior facilities due to COVID. I hope they can get over that without too much trouble. The others were wonderful experiences. I take every one as an opportunity to make someone’s day better - often mine!

My Thursday show of hopeful songs was great fun. It’s a sweet thing to get to spread a little hope and cheer to others, and our group of attendees is so receptive and supportive.

My Sunday show of requests was full of neat new songs and old favorites. I never know what my Sunday shows will turn out like, and they never seem to disappoint. Everyone is so ready for a good evening, and we all rise to the occasion.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have nine senior facilities this week, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the omicron variant will stay out of them so I can continue to encourage folks who really need it. More and more I cherish the chance to play for folks who want and need music in their lives.

Thursday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be featuring the songs of Bill Staines as I wrote about above. He wrote some truly wonderful songs that I think you will enjoy as much as I do. Please tune in if you can.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 will feature favorites and requests as always. I can’t say enough about the great folks who are part of this group of friends and supporters. We always reach a warm place in the night that’s like a welcome fire in the hearth and a nod from a good friend. You’re always welcome to join in.

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you’re doing well with one full week of the new year behind us. This life is so worthwhile as we travel down the road together.

Best,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Bill Staines songs

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

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

Always Hopeful

I want to start off with a hopeful message again this year. It’s too easy to find things to make us feel down. This has been a tough time on everyone. I maintain that there is always joy and love in the world to be had and to give if we just put ourselves in the right frame of mind. Every day I look at the simple things. I love deep breaths and the feeling of being alive. I love the light and the feel of textures under my fingertips. I find joy in the sounds of the earth and of music and of voices. I delight in thinking and observing and even in quiet moments of not thinking. I love encouraging other people and telling them they are loved and cared about. I enjoy giving my dog and cat a hug and a loving caress. I love shedding a tear for both joy and sorrow. We are here to feel and to understand after all. There are so many more things in this world that bring me joy and hopefulness. I hope you can see the world like this when things seem to be crashing down around you. Even in the darkest moments there can be light to ease your mind. Overall for me there is the belief that everything will ultimately be okay in a way that I don’t see yet. I hope this may help you find hope this year.

——

What have I been up to?

I had seven senior facilities to play for last week. I’m wearing N95 masks when I play for them now to try to be as respectful and safe as I can. They are so grateful and enjoy music so much.

My Friday online New Year’s Eve party was so much fun! I did a bunch of upbeat tunes so people could dance and kick back in a party atmosphere to celebrate the new year. Happy New Year, everyone!

My Sunday show had a bunch of favorites that I haven’t played in a long time long with some favorite new tunes. We had some folks we haven’t seen in a while join in that made my heart soar. It’s such a caring group of folks who have gathered around my music.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have seven senior facilities to play for this week that should be great! I really love these folks and the opportunity to provide some music and enjoyment in their week.

I was going to play at the Gold Dust Saloon in Pueblo on Wednesday, but with COVID on the rise like it is I think I’ll avoid trying to gather folks in public for a while.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be hopeful songs to go along with my theme from above and with how we started the year last year. If you’d like to join in I’d love to have you, and you can send me requests for hopeful songs you love.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I’m going back and picking out songs I’ve done for folks in the past to bring some surprises and sweet memories to the evenings. It’s always a very friendly and memorable time.

——

That’s it again for this week. I hope you can find joy and peace in your week, and I’d love to have you join me online if you’re free for any of my shows.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of hopeful songs

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites 

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

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