Hearing

I finally got a 12 string guitar last week. It’s a thing that I’ve been meaning to do for 40 years. I would have bought one 40 years ago if I could have afforded the used Taylor guitar that my local music shop had (back before Taylor was a known brand). That guitar played like a dream, but I couldn’t afford the $185 they were asking - which was cheap at the time. I’ve played several other 12 string guitars over the years, but I honestly never found one that played as easily as that first one. And so I never bought one. But several people over the years have mentioned that they’d like to hear me play one, so I finally started looking a year or so ago. In the end I bought a very inexpensive low-line Martin that actually plays and sounds really good. And that brings me to my topic of Hearing. You see, there are different things to hear and different patterns to find with a 12 string guitar. There were different things to hear and on the ukuleles I picked up over the last year too, and with different instruments I find that it stimulates my brain to find new inspiration and emotions in the music. That’s always a good thing, and many musicians and songwriters remark how different instruments drive them to new songs and new heights. And it’s a good workout for the brain too. When a familiar picking pattern lends to notes that are unexpected it challenges me to map new ways to get to the sound I want. I honestly wonder sometimes how long I can challenge my brain to these new paths, but in the end it’s always beneficial and fun even if it’s frustrating at first. So I hope you can find new ways of challenging yourself in your patterns every day too. And tune in and listen to the new 12 string!

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What have I been up to?

I forgot to mention my senior facilities last week because I was intent on telling you about the memorial I played last Wednesday. The senior facilities were wonderful. I had 11 of them even with taking off Wednesday for the memorial. 

The memorial on Wednesday for Lodzia Jordan was very sweet. I spent the better part of the day with her family - from the service to the cemetery to a reception where we sang songs into the evening. They are such special people, and Lodzia was a big part of that. She will be missed.

My Thursday online show doing “songs that shaped me” was very special too. I don’t like to toot my own horn, but sometimes it’s okay to do a little autobiography with the songs and stories of ourselves. Some of the audience doesn’t know me all that well, and this was a good opportunity to paint the picture of my life for them.

My Sunday online show was a blast. I played the new 12 string for most of the night, and everyone was really in the flow. We have such a fine group of friends. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I m looking forward to all of them. A couple of them had active COVID cases in the building, so we were more cautious. It’s a good reminder that there is still a great need for caution.

Tuesday I will be doing a special sponsored online show 7-8:30 mountain time called “Rick’s Choice” that will be a playlist of songs chosen by my friend and regular concert-goer, Rick Myers. Rick basically wanted a show of his favorite songs that I do in an order that he can play whenever he wants like a favorite album. It’ll be full of some of the favorite songs of the Group as well. Come on by and watch and listen.

Thursday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be One Hit Wonders of the ’70s. We did one hit wonders of the ‘60s a couple weeks ago, and I really wanted to do the ‘70s soon after. There are some great songs here, and I know you’ll enjoy it if you liked the ‘70s sound.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests that we always love. I never know quite what I’ll do for these shows, but everyone is so giving, and the spirit always carries us to some fine evenings. Come on out if you can.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re happy and well. We had a bit of a scare last week when a wildfire in New Mexico threatened Philmont Scout Ranch where I’ve played concerts and where I worked in high school and college and where our family cabins are not that far away. It is tamed down with cooler weather and some moisture, but it is still a danger.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

When:  Tuesday, April 26, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of ’70s one hit wonders

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

When:  Thursday, April 28, 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 1, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Shaping

I’m doing an online show Thursday featuring different songs that established my musical tastes and guided me into who I became as an adult and as a person. I’m sure we can all look back to the songs we heard and enjoyed in our lives. Music has quite a bit of power to influence our emotions and our aspirations. Look at the songs that inflamed people to revolution and love. The music I heard and liked was pretty varied. My dad really liked jazz standards and songs from musicals as well as classical music. I had four older siblings who listened to the popular music of the day including rock and folk and Motown. When I finally started listening to my own choices it was the early '70s when music was reflecting the singer/songwriter and folksy music that was often centered around “back-to-nature” concepts with the rise of Earth Day and the conservation movement. Our family spent at least a couple weeks each summer in the mountains which went along with this. I also liked the introspective approach to this music since I was kind of a “deep-thinker” kid. Playing ukulele and later acoustic guitar was definitely leading in this direction as well. I’m sure if I had taken up electric guitar earlier I might have gone more to the rock end of the spectrum. I did play in a band in high school that did a lot of rock music, but I only played acoustic guitar so I was the one who played all the acoustic guitar parts in those rock songs. As I became a young adult I was influenced by the places I worked and the people I knew. I worked summers in the mountains of northern New Mexico in high school and starting college, so of course I was learning mountain songs, and the music that was played around town was often Texas-style dance music for the tourists and visitors. The people I worked with were usually acoustic musicians since we didn’t have power in the mountains for amps and such, and they also came from folksy places like Arkansas and Tennessee, so you can guess what kind of music they were playing. At this summer job I was talented enough that I often performed at campfires and shows, so you can see that I already had the experience I needed to launch me into a music career. Still I didn’t jump into a music career even after my folks helped me get my first PA system and I played my first gigs during college and in the summers. I launched my career when the computer jobs I was seeking after graduation didn’t happen fast enough. The one kind of music I really didn’t get thoroughly acquainted with was country music until the mid-‘80s when country music became more like the singer/songwriter music of the ‘70s. After that I joined a country band and also fell in love with the older country songs and even the blues. Throughout this time I was also playing the music of my dad’s era including those old standards and show tunes because I had an outlet for that music in the senior homes that I had played in since high school. In the last 30 years I’ve mainly stayed to these styles of music - concentrating on music that is more folksy although you must know how much I love to play almost all styles of music. My own songs reflect all of these influences as well. So that’s the music that shaped who I am today as a musician and a person. Of course there’s much more I could say, but you’ll have to tune in Thursday to hear more!

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went very well last week. We’ve been doing a lot of Spring songs and Easter songs. I love these folks.

My Thursday online show of songs about memory was a blast! We had so many people tune in and contribute to the spirit. I had several new favorite songs.

My Sunday show of favorites and requests went well too. As always there were a bunch of new songs, and the enthusiasm and love that everyone shows is just phenomenal. I can’t say enough about the wonderful folks who join me online.

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What am I up to this week?

Wednesday will be the memorial service for one of my good friends and concert-goers, Lodzia Jordan. You are invited to go if you are in the area. It’s kind of a mini-reunion of Munch Bunchers as well. Here are the details again from Lodzia’s widow, Edward:

SERVICES FOR LODZIA JORDAN

Dear Munch Bunch Friends, Funeral services for my dearest wife, Leokadia Irena (Lodzia) Jordan will be held in Colorado Springs on Wednesday, 20 April, 2022.  Lodzia, our family, and I would be honored by your attendance.  Funeral Mass will be at 11AM in Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2318 N. Cascade Ave (just north of downtown, across street from Penrose Hospital).  Tom will be singing some of Lodzia's favorite hymns.  Interment will follow at the AF Academy Cemetery; we will proceed in a group through the North Gate - driver will need to show license and that should be it.

Immediately following, the family will host a reception for all our guests at the Cliff House, 306 Canon Ave., Manitou Springs, so we may meet you and you may have something good to eat before the drive home.  Our Granddaughters are preparing a video for the reception to remember Lodzia's life, so you will have a chance to know her better, even while saying goodbye.  

Lodzia told me she wanted people to wear cheerful colors, so please do.  Black suits will be just for the priest and myself.  If you like, we invite you to wear something with a bit of purple, lavender or lilac, which were Lodzia's favorites.

I need an approximate count for the reception.  If you think you might attend, please text me at 805-300-1166.  Again, that's just to get an approximate count and not a "commitment". 

Thank you, 

Edward Jordan

Thursday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will feature the aforementioned songs that shaped me. I’m really looking forward to sharing this collection of songs and stories that I hope will entertain and tell folks about why I play the music I do and how it made me who I am. You’re always welcome to my shows.

Sunday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time is the favorites and requests that so many people love to hear with our great group of concert-goers. These nights are always very special.

——

Next week special show

I want to remind you that I will be doing a special sponsored online show on Tuesday, April 26th , from 7 to 8:30 of favorites as picked out by my friend Rick Myers. This is a show called “Rick’s Choice” that he set up with me. Basically he wanted a playlist of his favorite songs that I play in the order he likes that he can use as a personal album that he can play whenever he wants to. I’m happy to do this for anyone who’d like such an album. Just contact me, and we can work out the details. Everyone is welcome, and it will broadcast on my Facebook page as always.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are doing well. The virus still seems to be less of a threat currently although we are watching it vigilantly. Jen and I even got our second boosters last week with very little ill effect. Take care, and I hope to see you soon.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs that shaped me

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

When:  Thursday, April 21, 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, April 24, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

I try to make my emails interesting and informative, but if you ever want to be removed from my mailing list, just reply and ask to be removed - no worries.

Memory

I got a request from one of our newer friends on the concert group, Tressa, for songs about memory for a Thursday theme. I was intrigued by where that theme could lead, so that’s what we’re doing this week. And it has me thinking about memory in myself and in those around me. We often ask each other what our first memory in life is. I usually say I can remember swinging on a swingset when I was maybe three years old, but I honestly don't have any recollection of that anymore. Most of my memories of early childhood are tied up in family pictures and Super 8 movies that reinforce what I think I remember. I can definitely remember sitting in class in Kindergarten and playing with friends. Then I think I can remember most of the milestones that happened throughout my life, but when I compare that to what my wife Jen remembers or what my siblings remember there are often discrepancies. When my mom was alive she would often comment on one of the memories that I would share onstage that, "That never happened." I think sometimes she would just be kidding, but it gave me pause. I think if I had to write a memoir it would be mostly spun memories. I think that is normal. It's quite common for us to craft our life and our story the way we want it to be, and if it doesn't harm anyone I think that's okay. Like everyone my memory is getting a little worse year by year. I always say, "If I don't write it down it will be forgotten within a couple minutes." And that is often true. That can be a very good thing to guard us from worry and grief. So this week we will delve into some songs about memory for the Thursday online show. I don't think we'll get too moody or nostalgic. This will be a fun exploration! 

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went very well last week. The one facility that I had not been back to since before COVID still had many of the folks I remembered, and it was so good to see them.

My Thursday online show of Spring songs was very sweet with a bunch of friends and some really great songs from all over the spectrum. It was a hoot!

My Sunday online show of favorites was a blast too with lots of good folks and a wide variety of songs. Every week is an adventure on Sunday nights. I never know quite where it will go, but it never disappoints!

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What am I up to this week?

I have nine senior facilties this week, and I'm looking forward to every one. I love serving others in this way.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 will be memory songs as I spoke of above. I've had a lot of good requests, and I have a good list of ideas that truly will explore the idea of memory. There are lots of little gems to take out and wonder at this week. Come on out and see where it leads!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 will be favorites and requests as always. We have such a lovely group of folks who support each and other and the music, and you're always welcome to join in!

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Colorado Springs next week

If you will be in the Colorado Springs area next week I'll be playing for a memorial service next Wednesday for a good friend and frequent member of my online audience, Lodzia Jordan. I met Lodzia and her husband Edward 20 years ago in Canon City, CO, when I was playing at the St. Cloud Hotel. They stayed in touch with me over the years from California, and Lodzia was always a bright presence with fun letters and even favorite treats from her homeland of Poland. She will be missed. Any and all of our Munch Bunch family are welcome at her service. Here are the details from Edward.

SERVICES FOR LODZIA JORDAN

Dear Munch Bunch Friends, Funeral services for my dearest wife, Leokadia Irena (Lodzia) Jordan will be held in Colorado Springs on Wednesday, 20 April, 2022.  Lodzia, our family, and I would be honored by your attendance.  Funeral Mass will be at 11AM in Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2318 N. Cascade Ave (just north of downtown, across street from Penrose Hospital).  Tom will be singing some of Lodzia's favorite hymns.  Interment will follow at the AF Academy Cemetery; we will proceed in a group through the North Gate - driver will need to show license and that should be it.

Immediately following, the family will host a reception for all our guests at the Cliff House, 306 Canon Ave., Manitou Springs, so we may meet you and you may have something good to eat before the drive home.  Our Granddaughters are preparing a video for the reception to remember Lodzia's life, so you will have a chance to know her better, even while saying goodbye.  

Lodzia told me she wanted people to wear cheerful colors, so please do.  Black suits will be just for the priest and myself.  If you like, we invite you to wear something with a bit of purple, lavender or lilac, which were Lodzia's favorites.

I need an approximate count for the reception.  If you think you might attend, please text me at 805-300-1166.  Again, that's just to get an approximate count and not a "commitment". 

Thank you, 

Edward Jordan

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That's it for this week. Life continues to be interesting, and we build new memories every day.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of memory songs

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

When:  Thursday, April 14, 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, April 18, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

I try to make my emails interesting and informative, but if you ever want to be removed from my mailing list, just reply and ask to be removed - no worries.

Perspective

I’m not sure what to write about today. Each day I try to assess where I am personally in relation to my home and my community and the world. Every day we make choices of when to look inward and when to look outward. I’ve written about this before, but our approach changes over time as our situation and our personal philosophy morphs. I try not to let others tell me what to think or how to feel. I’ve always felt an inner stillness and knowing that I try to listen to. There’s also a lot of joy there that buoys me up. Getting some space around my thoughts helps. There are lots of rabbit holes I can go down with projects and interests, but that doesn’t make me present to those around me. Getting lost in music is certainly helpful - especially when I’m entertaining and encouraging others. I know that’s one of the best uses of time in the world - giving to others. Often it’s the best way to get out of yourself. Balancing that with self-care can’t be overlooked either. But I’m just rambling now. I guess my message today is to give yourself some space and some time to find peace and perspective. We’re here for such a short time, and finding yourself in each moment really is what matters.

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went very well without any cancellations last week. I still haven’t gotten back in the swing of bookkeeping and scheduling that I need to do to keep all of these facilities on track. It’s hopefully getting smoother though. I love these folks and the opportunity to be of service to them.

My Thursday online show of one hit wonders from the ‘60s was certainly fun. You forget how many memories are wrapped up in these familiar songs.

My Sunday online show of favorites was also a good time although I stressed myself out over all the requests I was trying to learn, and then I couldn’t keep up with everyone on the chat during the show. Sometimes it just happens that way.

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What am I up to this week?

I have eight senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to each one. One of them I haven’t been to since before COVID, so I’m really anxious to see everyone. Even though I form limited relationships with these folks they all seem like family.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be Spring songs. There are so many wonderful songs about the springtime, and I’ve already had some great requests that weren’t on my Spring list. Come on out and celebrate the season with us!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I’m not finding as much time to work on requests as I did before during the pandemic, so I’m trying to find new ways to keep up with all the requests I’m getting. I try to make a playlist I can listen to of all the requests so at least I can be imprinting the melodies and rhythms in my head during the week since I don’t write out the physical notes for each song. (I normally only have the words and chords with a few notations for specific licks and chords.) I may have to reduce the number of songs I’m trying to learn. I just don’t find that I can remember them as well as I need to perform them well. It’s embarrassing to have a train wreck in a song when I forget the melody or changes. I know my audience finds that entertaining to see, but it’s unsettling for me when it happens. It’s like trying to drive a car with the seat back too far. It’s all good though, and I love the opportunity to share with everyone at these shows!

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That’s it for this week. Forgive my rambling, and I hope you got something out of it. Sometimes we need that too!

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of one hit wonders from the 1960s

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

When:  Thursday, April 7, 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, April 11, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

15 Minutes

I thought I’d write today about getting your 15 minutes of fame. We’re doing songs that were one hit wonders from the 60s on my Thursday show - songs that gave a lot of folks 15 minutes of fame or more when they got one song on the charts over 50 years ago. A lot of these songs are very well-known, and I’m sure it was more than exciting for these performers to get on radio and TV and make some kind of mark that they either hoped would launch their careers or else be a high point in their lives. Of course the 60s didn’t have as many barriers to entry in the music business as there would be later, and there were still small record labels and record pressing companies where a local band or singer could cut a record and get it played on the radio. It was an exciting time. And we all like a little recognition now and then even though it’s a lot easier to see your name in print on the internet nowadays. I’m sure you may have gotten into the newspaper or on TV at some point in your life. I’ve had more than my share of recognition as part of my job, but I still am thrilled when I’m rewarded with a little spotlight for doing good work. So here’s to the one hit wonders and the excitement that comes from a little fame. May we all have some!

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went very well last week, and there weren’t any cancellations for COVID. I always say it, but the joy that comes out of these gigs is more than I can express - for me and the audience.

My Thursday online show with songs about time was great fun. The variety of songs that we came up with was so entertaining and broad. We’ll have to do it again.

My Sunday online show of favorites was very nice too. Other than glitchy problems with the Facebook feed for some, the night was full of great songs and kind comments.

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What am I up to this week?

I have nine senior facilities this week to play for, and I’m looking forward to all the familiar faces and great songs we’ll share.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be 60s one hit wonders as I mentioned above. We have a growing list of really fun and recognizable songs that everyone should enjoy. Come on out if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the favorites and requests we love so much.  This group continues to be so supportive of each other and of the music, and it’s a joy to be a part of. Please tune in if you’re available.

——

That’s it for this week. I’m still thinking about the topic of fame and what it has meant to me and those around me. It’s a strange thing, but it is endlessly engaging to be involved with.

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of one hit wonders from the 1960s

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

When:  Thursday, March 31, 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, April 4, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

Time

I’m thinking about time this week since my theme for my show on Thursday is time. Of course, it’s a tough thing to talk about or choose songs about it because it’s relative. I mean, without a clock do we even know what time is? I have often gotten lost in the moment and realized I spent 10 minutes when I thought it was just a minute or two. And sometimes time drags when you’re bored. As a musician, time is critically important to how rhythm and melody fit together, and being just ahead or just behind the timing of a beat can make all the difference to the style of music. And for the purpose of the songs for Thursday I’m happy if the word “time” appears in the title or somewhere in the song. It will be an interesting adventure, and I’m looking forward to what people request and how the show progresses. And getting into the more ethereal realm, some scientists and spiritualists say that time is only a concept that we track because we experience our world in a linear fashion. In truth, they say that all of time just “is” and that we are moving through it. That blows my mind. I hope that someday science or what lies beyond will help it all make sense.

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What have I been up to?

I only had one senior facility cancel last week, and at least this time it was for a power outage and not COVID. I so enjoy playing for these folks, and even my accountant this morning told me how much the folks appreciate it and how much good it does for them.

My Thursday online show doing Irish tunes was so much fun. There is just so much energy and vitality in Irish music. The group really loved it too. I’m just sorry that there is a limited time each year when folks want to hear Irish songs. I’ll try to sneak some in occasionally throughout the year.

My concert Saturday at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence went really well. The Celtic dancers were marvelous as always, and it was a packed house with many familiar faces. I forget how much I like to be in a concert situation in a nice venue, but the adrenaline really flows and everything comes together at a show like this.

My Sunday online show of favorites was great fun too. We have some new names and faces lately that have really added to the spirit of the evening. Unfortunately we still have technical glitches for some folks on the stream, but hopefully that will all work out. I asked folks if they’d like to try doing concerts on Zoom, but most are happy with Facebook or my website now. My friend Gil Trujillo even gave me a dandy Irish cap on Sunday that I love and wore on the show. Thanks again, Gil! You can see it in the Sunday video on my website - tommunch.com/online-concerts. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have eight senior facilities this week, and I’m debating whether to keep doing Irish tunes for some of them and playing my Irish guitar. Whatever I do will be well-received I’m sure.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing songs about time as I mentioned above. I have some neat ideas and some great requests so far. It promises to be exciting, so come out and see where it leads. And throw me some requests if you like.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. We’ve had more people on lately, and I’m curious how it will go forward if we continue to have less COVID cases and people are out and about more. I really like doing online concerts for the interaction and also the simplicity and quality of the sound. It allows me to play different instruments that I wouldn’t normally travel to a gig with too. Come out if you can!

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That’s it for this week. I’m still thinking about time and going down the rabbit hole in my mind of what time really is and whether it exists as we know it. Heady stuff!

Have a great week!

Tom

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Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

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

Irish

It’s the week of St Patrick’s Day and also 2 years since I cancelled everything for COVID. It puts me in mind of the Irish and some of the hardships they faced. The main incident to come to mind is the potato famine of the 1840s. The blight that struck the monoculture of potatoes in Ireland did so much damage to the Irish. Millions of people died or left Ireland during the period of 1845 to 1852. My Irish ancestors had already left for America, fortunately, or I may not be here today. I’m sure that the depth of feeling in much Irish music and lore is a direct result of the hardships these people faced during this time and during other times of oppression. I feel this depth of spirit when I perform Irish songs, and it fills me with a passion that is hard to explain. From the hard-drinking songs to the beautiful ballads there is so much great expression! And it brings the same comfort to us during COVID as it did to the Irish during their hard times. These last two years have been tough, but we’ll get through together, just as the Irish did. 

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What have I been up to?

None of my senior facilities had to cancel last week which is a blessing. I was playing a lot of Irish tunes, and I know they enjoyed much of it.

My Thursday online show was doing cover songs from my albums, and it was a sweet evening of old favorites for me. Many people said it was one of their favorite shows I’ve done.

My Sunday online show was also quite enjoyable. My audience is so supportive, and the give-and-take made it all worthwhile.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have eleven senior facilities this week - one of which I played this morning which is why I’m late getting my mailer out today. Well, that and the fact that the thermostat went out for the heater, and Jen I woke up to an 88-degree house at 3 am. A quick trip to Walmart at 6 am yielded a thermostat which I had installed by 7 am. Thanks,  Dad, for teaching me to be handy. I’m looking forward to playing the senior facilities and spreading some Irish cheer.

My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be featuring Irish music - especially since it falls on St Patrick’s Day! It’ll be a fun night of the best Irish songs I know. Come on out and get in the spirit.

Saturday 7-9 I’m playing the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence for their Celtic night. This was the last concert I played two years ago when everything shut down for COVID, and it was the impetus for my blog above. The show starts with Celtic dancers doing step dances in colorful costumes for the first hour, and then I’ll entertain with Irish pub songs and sing-along favorites for the second hour. It’s always a blast, and I’ll hope you’ll consider coming. Tickets are just $10 at the door for a wonderful night.

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing the favorites and requests that everyone enjoys so much. We have such a great group of folks. I know I always say that, but it is so true! Come on out for an evening of music and friendship.

——

That’s it for this week. It’s time to run to another Irish show right now!

Best always,

Tom

——

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Irish songs

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

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

Who: Tom Munch

What: playing for a Celtic Concert in Florence, CO

Where: Bell Tower Cultural Center, 201 East Second Street, 719-784-2038

When: Saturday, March 19, 7-9 pm

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 20, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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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/

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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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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

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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