How Much Do Things Really Change?

I was listening to a James Taylor concert from the BBC in 1970 this morning on YouTube (I've always marveled at James' easy style and manner,) but this morning it made me wonder if life had changed so much that someone like James wouldn't be popular if he were just coming on the scene today.  I have no doubt that his music holds up after 40 years, but I wonder if his style is too mellow to even get a first listen by today's ears.  Now I know he may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there is an honesty and sincerity in his presence that is very engaging and soothing.  I see more current performers like Jack Johnson and Jason Isbell who are mellow too in their own way, and so I think that being mellow wouldn't hold back people from liking James' music today if it were just being released.  His choice of topic is still relevant today, as well, in most of his songs.  And this makes me think that maybe this old world is more resistant to or tolerant of change than I tell myself.  Or maybe things do change, but the common threads that hold us together like love and sharing with other people will always be the same.  I find this a comfort as I age and think that I may not be as relevant in the world anymore.  I still have hopes of writing more music and traveling more when life allows it, and feeling like I'm a part of the greater whole is key.  And so I begin a new year.  If you'd like to listen to that James Taylor concert too, you can find it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Q0zyRADk8&list=FLFEh0O95Z6UE-y_Kog0svXw.

So I am beginning a new year.  I haven't made a bunch of plans for the year, although I do have some standing summer performances in Buena Vista and La Veta and Cañon City, and I already have one trip planned to Sedona in May.  The Song of Pueblo has already committed to first Fridays throughout the summer.  This won't be the year that I start to travel much more, but I'm doing little things to work towards that.  I'm hoping to get back to writing more regularly too.  Many of you have suggested that some of my blog posts sounded like songs.  I think I may actually start to use those as a basis for specific songs that I'll seek your input on if you'd like to participate.  We're one big extended family as far as I'm concerned, and the interaction is part of what brings me joy.  More on that as we go along.

So what am I up to this week?

Friday night I'm at Magpies 7-10.  I've been threatening to do theme nights or theme hours, and I'm going to do that this week for the middle set 8-9.  Since I was talking about James Taylor in my blog post, let's do James' songs for the middle set.  I have a bunch of old favorites that I think you'll love.  Please come out if you can!

So off we go into a new week!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo.  719-542-5522
When:  Friday, January 17, 7-10 pm

Mind Shifting to the New Year

Well, my mind is shifting a little as we approach the new year.  I had pangs of loss for the Christmas season that surprised me a couple days after Christmas, but those were soon replaced by the wonderful feeling of rebirth and the excitement of new things to come in a fresh year.  It's amazing how the mind can shift gears so quickly!  I get so worked up for Christmas, and so immersed in the seasonal music, that I don't quite know what to do with myself when it's over.  I tell folks every year that they should enjoy the holiday with gusto so they don't miss out on the joy it can bring.  And it did bring me a lot of joy this year.  Between the family visits and new faces and parties and singalongs, I thoroughly enjoyed the season and let it wash over me.  Unfortunately I also got a cold for Christmas Day, but the sniffles are just about over, so no worries.  I'm not sure what the new year will bring, but it's always a tabula rasa (a blank slate) full of possibilities.  I hope you see it that way too!

So I had a surprise on Saturday night.  (I sent out a quick note to you yesterday with the news that I'll be DJ'ing at the La Veta Inn for New Year's Eve.)  When I off-handedly asked the Inn what they were doing for New Year's Eve I didn't expect to end up DJ'ing for them, but that's how it went down.  One thing led to another, and before I knew it I was dreaming of how much fun we could have.  I don't DJ very often, but there was a day when I did do it much more - DJ'ing on weekdays and playing with a band on weekends.  I loved to play interesting alternate versions of popular songs, and I enjoyed diving deep into my album collection to pick out gems that would surprise and delight my audience.  I didn't always have a dancing audience, but I did have an interested audience that thought of me like a radio DJ - programming music to set a mood and tell a story.  I really enjoyed it and missed it when it ended 25 years ago.  So I'll be doing it for New Year's Eve again, and I think it's going to be a blast!  I'll have a kickin' sound system, some flashing lights, a crystal ball, and a collection of 28,000 songs for your listening pleasure.  And yes, I'll bring my guitar and be ready to play some songs as well if folks would like.  They'll have free champagne at midnight and their usual menu of tasty steak and fish, and I'll start the tunes at 7:00.  If you don't have plans, please come out and celebrate with me.

Then Friday I'll be starting the new year at Magpies 6-9.  I'm still toying with the idea of doing theme sets at Magpies for the fun of it.  If this interests you, then give me some suggestions of what you'd like to hear.  My ideas so far are: Dan Fogelberg, John Denver, jazz standards, Beatles, old country western, cowboy, historic, folk songs, etc.  We could really dig into this and do some fun sets!  I look forward to seeing friends and having a fun night!

I'd better sign off.  There's lots to do to get ready for tomorrow night.  Happy New Year!

Tom

Details:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  DJ'ing, and maybe playing & singing too
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Tuesday, December 31, 7 pm to midnight

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo.  719-542-5522
When:  Friday, January 3, 7-10 pm

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is just about here, and I think I paced myself just about right.  I may have peaked a little early in my Christmas spirit, but the feeling has lasted, so I think I have just enough to get me through the week.  I hope you are enjoying it too.  This year the thing that has hit me the most is just how meaningful it can be to share and sing the Christmas songs together.  I've done several singalongs this season, and I'm so gratified at how much people have come to me and said that it made their Christmas season.  Christmas is about many things, but the community aspect and the shared experience seems to be very close to our hearts.  I don't know if it's the memories from those songs and the places we've been when we've heard them or just the fact that we all know them and share a common history and culture.  It's pretty special.  And it doesn't seem to matter what your religious background is - I even had a Buddhist friend say how much it meant to him to sing the old songs together.  Maybe we should try this with non-Christmas songs during the year as well.  Maybe Mitch Miller had it right all those years ago, and the Golden Bee and all the piano bars over the years have tapped into this too.  But I do think the specialness of the Christmas songs has something to do with the meaning of the experience I've felt this season in these singalongs.

So I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.  Just go with it!

So what I am up to for gigs this week?  I have family here, so I only have one public gig to tell you about.  Saturday night I'll be at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  Last Saturday I had a really nice group of folks at the Inn, and it was snowing lightly outside and felt so warm and delightful by the fire (as the song says.)  I'm betting this week will feel just as great in the magical week between Christmas and New Year's.  Come on out if you can!

Merry Christmas!

Tom

Details:

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

Favorite Christmas Music

I've been grabbing some moments of silence around the house and in the car to listen to some of my favorite Christmas music, and I thought I'd share some of my favorite albums and songs here.  Please write back and share your favorites with me too!  Among my favorites are Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" album, Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" album, Bruce Cockburn's "Christmas" album, the song "Colorado Christmas" recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and written by Steve Goodman, "David Grisman's Acoustic Christmas" album, "Dr. Demento Presents the Greatest Christmas Novelty CD of All Time" album (a little twisted, I admit,) Peter Kater's "For Christmas" album (great piano,) Handel's "Messiah," Tuck Andress' "Hymns, Carols, and Songs About Snow" album, anything by Bing Crosby, and Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite."  There are way too many others to mention, but there are a few I listen to every year.  It's such a joyous time filled with so much music, goodies, stories, and traditions!

So now what am I up to this week?

I'm playing every day and every night at different Christmas parties and gatherings, but the two public performances I have will be Friday and Saturday night.

Friday I'm doing a Christmas Singalong at Magpies 7-10.  I've always wanted to do a community singalong during Christmas, and this is a good way to do this - except this will be just friends and family which is extra-special!  I'll have song sheets with big printed lyrics (for us old folks who need our glasses!)  This will be a blast!  Come get in the spirit!

Saturday night I'll be at the La Veta Inn 6-9.  I haven't played at Christmastime at the Inn for several years, so I'm really looking forward to seeing my good friends in La Veta and sharing the Christmas cheer.  If the weather's nice and you're up for an evening drive, then come on down and enjoy the wonderful ambience and good friends at the Inn for the evening!

I hope to see you this season, and if I don't get to, then have a wonderful holiday!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo.  719-542-5522
When:  Friday, December 20

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  La Veta Inn, 103 W. Ryus Ave, La Veta.  719-742-3700
When:  Saturday, December 21, 6-9 pm

Taking Care

I heard a good interview with Jony Ive from Apple this past week and posted a quote on Facebook that has me thinking quite a bit about an aspect of life I find interesting - taking care.  The amount of care a person takes reflects a lot about that person's character.  Jony Ive was talking in reference to the amount of care a person takes in designing a product for use by others, but I think it extends in to the care we take in everything we do.  Taking care is not just done for the pride of the person giving, but it also shows respect for the receiver of the care.  I see this in many things I do every day, from my cat who wants down as soon as she senses that I'm not giving her 100% of my attention, to my audience who starts to lose interest when my heart is not 100% in the delivery of the song I'm performing.  Taking care requires focus and being present in the moment.  Jony said that getting it right is something we do for each other.  This kind of taking care ultimately shows love for everything from our fellow humans to our surroundings.  I think this is a very worthwhile endeavor.  What else is life about other than caring?

So what am I up to this week?

I have a couple of private Christmas parties I'm looking forward to.  I used to do quite a few more of these, but I'm not the best marketer in the world, so I haven't done as many in the past few years.  I really enjoy them though!  My one public gig this week is something everyone can attend - an online concert.

Friday night I'll be doing a UStream concert from our living room 7-8 MST (mountain time) that will feature seasonal favorites.  This time of year has always meant a lot to me, especially since music is so much a part of the season - from Christmas songs to winter songs and favorites I learned when I got my first guitar for Christmas 37 years ago.  These UStream concerts are a lot of fun since you all can enter the chatroom and give me requests as well as chat with each other.  I should do them more often!  The address from your computer is http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tom-munch-live, and you can even watch from a smartphone or tablet with the free UStream app you can download from your app store.  If you can't make it at 7:00 mountain time, I will record the show at the same address so you can watch it at your convenience (except without the live chat of course.)  I hope to see you there!

That's it for this week.  I hope you are enjoying the holiday season.

Tom

Details for this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing
Where:  online on UStream http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tom-munch-live
When:  Friday, December 13, 7-8 pm MST

Getting Psyched for Christmas

I played my first show of Christmas songs last Friday, and I'm always interested in how my psyche adjusts to being in the Christmas spirit again.  I have a strict rule of not doing Christmas songs before Thanksgiving.  It's hard to explain, but it really messes me up to hear songs that are out of season, whether they're Christmas songs or summer songs or whatever.  I find as I get older that my brain isn't as flexible as it once was, and encountering things I don't expect can throw me into a funk that I have a hard time bouncing out of.  And so the change into Christmas songs and the Christmas spirit is something I encounter with curiosity each year.  I tell folks I play for that the Christmas season goes by so fast that if you don't get in the spirit when the season is here then you'll miss it completely.  I tell myself that too.  And the truth is that I love the Christmas music so much, and it is so much a part of my life, that it is very easy to fall into the songs each year.  And then the challenging part is to let myself get swept up into the joy and emotion of each song. I have to remember that my joy of the song is important to how much my audience gets out of the song - and I owe it to the song to perform it well.  So I venture out into the season with my heart full of song and my head full of the love of the season!

I also have to mention that Jen and I have been delving into old Muppet movies and TV shows since we both finished the biography of Jim Henson by Brian Jones.  He was quite a guy, and was taken from us too soon at the age of 53.  His giving spirit and gentle philosophy of life is an inspiration to me.  There are a bunch of Muppet Christmas shows that are a treat this time of the year, so we can watch the Muppets and get into the Christmas spirit at the same time.  A bonus!

So what am I up to this week?

Friday I'm back at Magpies 7-10 for an evening of friends and fun!  I find that some folks don't want to hear Christmas music just yet, so I will temper my seasonal enthusiasm with other favorites.  Since I've been reading about Jim Henson and the Muppets I have been listening to Paul Williams who wrote several songs for the Muppets, so you can expect to hear a few of his songs.  I also love a bunch of '70's songs that the season reminds me of, so I'll be singing those as well - Simon and Garfunkel, Jim Croce, James Taylor, and many more!  Come on out!

Sunday I'm playing for the Pueblo Zoo Christmas event called Zoolala 5-9.  This promises to be a blast!  It's at Park East restaurant (just east of City Park) with the evening going from cocktails to dinner to ElectriCritters at the zoo with a shuttle.  I plan to lead a sing-a-long of Christmas songs probably from 7-8 depending on how the night flows, and I'll be performing favorites before and after that piped into several of the rooms.  This is a fundraiser for the Zoo.  The cost is $75 apiece for zoo members and $85 apiece for non-members and includes dinner, one signature cocktail, goody bag, ticket and shuttle to ElectriCritters at the zoo.  You need to call 719-561-1452 ext. 206 to RSVP or visit the website - http://www.pueblozoo.org/zoolalabegins.html - for more info and to RSVP.  I can't wait!

I'm also playing a lot of Christmas shows for different nursing and rehab facilities, so if you have someone in one of these facilities you may see me as well.

Almost forgot! I'm planning to do an online UStream concert very soon.  I'll send out more ASAP!

That's it for this week!  May you be filled with the joy and love this season brings.

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo.  719-542-5522
When:  Friday, December 6, 7-10 pm

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing for Zoolala, the fundraiser bash for the Pueblo Zoo!
Where:  Park East restaurant, 720 Goodnight Ave, Pueblo.  719-561-1452 ext. 206 to RSVP
When:  Sunday, December 8, 5-9 pm

Giving Thanks

I'm thinking about Thanksgiving and being thankful, and about family and caring for others this week.  I know Thanksgiving is over a week away, but I do a fair bit of reminiscing with the folks at the facilities I play for during the whole month of November as I try to engage people in a meaningful way, and so Thanksgiving is on my mind all November.  I usually ask them about their favorite thing about Thanksgiving.  The responses vary from food to the family gathering to football to the Black Friday sales frenzy.  Everyone has a little different tradition, and we talk about that as well.  And giving thanks works into that too, with some folks sitting down and making a list of the things they're thankful for.  It seems a shame that Thanksgiving has been reduced a bit over the years to a brief visit with family before the big show of the Christmas season.  I still refuse to sing Christmas songs before Thanksgiving - wanting to give Thanksgiving its due.  I wish there were more Thanksgiving songs.  I tend to sing "Over the River and Through the Woods" as well as the old hymn, "We Gather Together."  Sometimes I stretch the Thanksgiving motif a little to play "Turkey in the Straw."  I'll also sing "No Place Like Home for the Holidays" since it mentions traveling and getting some homemade pumpkin pie.  I have one story I always tell too that I enjoy.  I'll share it here.

----------

A TURKEY STORY

When I was a young turkey, new to the coop,
My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop,
Then he sat me down, and he spoke real slow,
And he told me there was something that I had to know;

His look and his tone I will always remember,
When he told me of the horrors of ..... Black November;
"Come about August, now listen to me,
Each day you'll get six meals instead of just three.

And soon you'll be thick, where once you were thin,
And you'll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin.
"And then one morning, when you're warm in your bed,
In'll burst the farmer's wife, and hack off your head;

"Then she'll pluck out all your feathers so you're bald'n pink,
And scoop out all your insides and leave ya lyin' in the sink,
"And then comes the worst part" he said not bluffing,
"She'll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing".

Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat,
I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat,
And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked,
I'd have to lay low and remain overlooked;

I began a new diet of nuts and granola,
High-roughage salads, juice and diet cola,
And as they ate pastries, chocolates and crepes,
I stayed in my room doing Jane Fonda tapes,

I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half,
And tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed;
But 'twas I who was laughing, under my breath,
As they chomped and they chewed, ever closer to death;

And sure enough when Black November rolled around,
I was the last turkey left in the entire compound;

So now I'm a pet in the farmer's wife's lap;
I haven't a worry, so I eat and I nap,
She held me today, while sewing and humming,
She smiled at me and said "Christmas is coming........"

----------

That story always pleases.

This idea of giving thanks for all the things we have that we know we don't deserve is a good one. The world can be a scary place, and the warm embrace of family and a gathering with food and comfort is something to truly be thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving!

So what am I up to this week?

Friday I'll be playing an evening at the La Veta Inn in La Veta 6-9ish.  I always enjoy the Inn around the holidays, and I haven't gotten to play there at this season for several years, so I'm really looking forward to it!  The weather forecast is a little iffy right now, so cross your fingers for safe travels for me and anyone else who ventures out that night.

Best always,

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, November 22, 6-9 pm

Thinking of My Dad on Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day!  I always think of my dad on Veterans Day and the time he spent in the service.  He served in the South Pacific as a medic, and although he didn't tell a lot of stories (as many vets are reticent to do) the stories he did tell always let me know how tough it was on him to serve.  He lost good friends for no apparent reason, missed being killed at random, and faced the enemy across a rice patty at one point where he could tell that the enemy was no more than a scared young man just like himself.  He saw beautiful tropical paradises juxtaposed with terrible destruction in the same day.  It always hit me that the things we ask our young men (and women) to do and to see are things that they will live with for the rest of their lives, and it seems like there is no real way to thank them enough for enduring the things they endure and risking their lives to defend our way of life.  My dad only mentioned these things when we asked about the small outrigger canoe that a native had made for him in New Guinea, or after seeing great films he wanted us to see like "Patton."  I love and respect him for doing what he did, and that goes for all the men and women who serve.  So Happy Veterans Day, and hopefully one day we will have lasting peace.

I just have one public gig this week - Magpies this Friday 7-10.  We had a great evening last time at Magpies, and I expect this one to be a blast as well.  Maybe I'll bring the electric and do a few jazz standards this outing.  Hope to see you there!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo.  719-542-5522
When:  Friday, November 15, 7-10 pm

Songwriting!

I'm writing a day later on Tuesday this week because I got to spend yesterday visiting my good friend, Don Richmond, and part of what we did between talking shop and sharing stories was to revisit a couple songs we've been working on writing for a couple years.  Collaborating with another writer is a really fun thing to do!  I get to bounce ideas around and flesh out more thoroughly than I usually do on my own.  We sit and talk about each line and how it fits into the overall arc of the story we're trying to tell.  We think about pacing and words and how it all fits together.  There are so many variables!  One song was based on an idea I had, and Don and I had quite a discussion about the topic before we dived in a couple years ago.  We had to pick this one back up and get into the idea again and expand on it.  This was quite an exercise in memory and reconnection.  The other song was based on a melody that Don came up with and lyrics that I kicked off.  It has an old-west feel that was really fun to work in.  The first song has a free-form ending that we just sketched out a little because we know it will take on a life of its own when the real recording is done.  I'm not sure whether one of us or both will record these songs, but they sure are fun to work on - the give and take, the reliance on each other's strengths and background, the fun of creating with someone else since it's usually a personal and individual adventure.  So I just had to share!  It's one of the more fun things I get to do in my work.

So what's up this week?

Friday I'm back at Magpies 7-10.  We had a blast last time starting up again for the season! Barrett may stop working Friday nights, so things may change a little.  We'll miss her for sure.  Please come out if you can.

Have a great Halloween!

Best always,

Tom

Details for this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing & singing
Where:  Magpies, 229 S. Union, Pueblo.  719-542-5522
When:  Friday, November 1, 7-10 pm

Back from the Road - What I Learned

Well, we're back home and into the flow at home again - as much as you do right away, anyway.  It was a great trip in so many ways.  I had a friend ask me about it on Facebook, and I was surprised by my answer.

She said:

"So glad the vacation was what you both needed it to be."

My reply was:

"I hadn't thought of it that way. I guess it was that and more. I don't think you ever know what you need until you experience it. A vacation gets you outside yourself and your normal scope of life. This one did that. It also showed us what an extended time on the road is like. (We've never done two weeks off before.) It also got me to a festival where I got to soar like I haven't before. In addition I got ideas for new songs, connected with Jen in new ways that make our relationship even stronger, and made new friends. It really was all we needed and more."

That was a couple days ago.  I'm having a little post-trip coming down now that is bringing out other realizations.  There's a certain magic you experience when you travel that is interesting to recover from.  I wrote about it in my song, "The Road."  You have freedom in your mind to let your mind wander.  If you travel where we did you end up in pretty remote areas where you're almost unreachable.  You suspend your regular life in a way that lets you experiment with other life realities and other paths.  What if you could live in another place with another job or different priorities?   What would that be like?  You also see how other people live.  This lets you find out that your world is completely different than other people's worlds, and this helps to understand why people see the world and day-to-day life in different ways than you do.  (Life really is a wondrous thing with so many possibilities.)  And the thing I always ponder after a trip is just how to let these little epiphanies stay with me as I flow back into my regular life.  It's so easy to just pack it away with the pictures and souvenirs, and if I am to believe that it's better to spend our life resources on experiences and not things, then I want to take the time to make lasting changes based on the things I've seen and done on a trip.

So here are some things I want to hold on to.

-The Joy of Discovery
Even though we had read about different places and had a rough idea of where we wanted to go, we let the moment dictate our next move by trying new roads and new areas that we happened upon.  This led to sights, smells, and even tastes that were amazing and gratifying.  If I can break up my regular routine with a little of this I'll be a happier and more fulfilled person.

-The Love of Creativity and the Human Spirit
The festival in Prescott, AZ, where I got to play had some very creative people who could write and play in ways that thrilled me.  It reminded me that we humans can be endlessly inventive and expressive in ways that reflect the wonder of the universe and the vibrancy of life itself.  Remembering this every day can't help but make each day better.

-The Beautiful Silence and Awesome Roar of Nature
From the primeval hushed redwood forests we stood in to the tireless deafening white-capped waves we marveled at, the power of the natural world we experienced brought out a reverence and a peace that can silence any angst or unrest in the soul.  I know this and talk of it often, but I never grow weary of learning it all over again.  This surely can make every day worth living.

I think those are some great things to hold on to.

So on to the week ahead.

I just have one gig to tell you about this week, but it's a pretty special one.  Saturday night 8-midnight I'm playing for the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund Benefit Dinner at the Eagles Lodge in Pueblo West. Tickets are $28 per person or $50 per couple and include prime rib dinner.  Cocktails start at 5:30, dinner is served at 7:00, and I start playing at 8:00.  Call Rick Lack at 719-821-1115 for more information.  The event is limited to 80 people, and they are almost sold out, so call ASAP if you'd like to come. I'm glad to be a part of this, and I'd love to have you there!

Tom

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing and singing for the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund Benefit Dinner
Where:  Pueblo West Eagles Lodge, 348 S. McCulloch, Pueblo West
When:  Saturday, October 26, 8-12