The Frontier

I’m doing Alaska and other points north songs on Wednesday to celebrate the running of the Iditarod sled dog race this week, and that has me thinking about the frontier and all it has represented throughout our American history. I have always had a romantic affinity for the folks who came west in the 1800s and then later some up north to Alaska. The adventure and uncertainty appeals to the wild explorer in me although who knows if I could have done what my predecessors did. I once wrote a song with my friend Don Richmond about what it would have been like to journey with the pioneers called “Horizon Line”.

Green shoots of spring on the plain, Sunshine that falls through the rain

Not knowing what we leave behind, Or what beckons that we can't explain

CHORUS

There's a light I would find, on the horizon line

Shining beyond the mist and the mountains to climb

Dreams that we wear on our sleeve, Stories we barely believe

Gold that lies strewn on the ground, And more wonders than we can conceive

CHORUS

BRIDGE 

Fly up to the moon, sail across the sea

Walk among the stars above, will you go with me

Seems we have traveled so far, It's so hard to know where we are

The pathway still rises ahead, Straight toward a beckoning star

CHORUS

That song seems to capture a lot of the emotion and excitement of these folks. I also just finished an A. B. Guthrie Jr. book about trappers, and I’m reading another about pioneers now, so I’m really thinking of what it would take to be daring enough to set out for the territory. Wednesday we’ll celebrate these folks who went to Alaska through a bunch of songs. 

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and they were all so much fun and so worthwhile. It is a privilege to sing for these folks!

My private Valentine’s show on Monday was wonderful too with such sweet folks. One of the couples there fell in love while starring together in a production of “Brigadoon”, and it was so much fun singing a song from that and hearing their stories.

Wednesday’s show of Burt Bacharach was also a fine time with so many great tunes with clever beats and melodies. Burt really wrote some memorable tunes. He’ll be missed.

Sunday’s show of requests and favorites was great fun too with a great bunch of friends and followers. I am blessed to have such good people around me.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. I know there will be some great moments this week.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the Alaska and other northern songs I wrote about above. I may have enough songs just about Alaska without any Canadian songs if I can get several more songs under my belt by then. Come on out if you want to hear some great northern songs.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be requests and favorites as always. Each week I make sure I have songs ready for all of our regulars even if they didn’t have a specific request for that week. It’s always a good time, and you’re always welcome.

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That’s it for this week. We’re starting March, so I’ll be tuning up my Irish guitar and starting to play songs from the great Irish songbook. I look forward to this time every year!

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Alaska songs

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

When:  Wednesday, March 1, 7-8:45 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 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Burt Bacharach

I’m doing a tribute to Burt Bacharach on Wednesday night, and Burt’s music may surprise you if you know something about music and songwriting. He was teamed with Hal David as a lyricist for much of his success, and the inventive combinations of notes, words and syncopations they came up are very catchy and at times difficult to play. Burt often came up with melodies and musical phrases that he didn’t realize were changing time signatures and keys until he began to notate them on paper. When I’ve written my own lyrics that were difficult to fit into simple melodies and syncopations it has made me pull my hair out. I have great respect for those who can do it so easily. That said, it is sometimes uncomfortable to listen to music that you can’t really tap your foot to and follow without concentration. Burt somehow was able to make his music complicated without listeners being uneasy with the sophistication he presented. There are some songs that I’m still flummoxed by, but I grew up loving so many of his tunes that I am honored to try my hand at them. Of course,  I won’t have his signature trumpet sounds and other recognizable elements, but I can strip the songs down to the essence and try to pull them off. It will be a great workout.

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they all went really well. Most of them are not requiring masks now. It’s such a pleasure to get to play for these folks.

Tuesday at Gold Dust Saloon was fun playing table-to-table for the diners. I was a little hesitant to interrupt people, but a lot of them were friends and it turned out to be a fine time!

Wednesday was Mardi Gras songs online and it was a lot of fun. There are some great tunes for Mardi Gras, and I think the group really enjoyed it.

Saturday I did a Philmont songs concert online, and I got to see a lot of old friends and do a lot of old favorites and a few surprises. It’s fun to be with this community!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and I spent the better part of the day working up songs for these friends. It’s always so good to share these evenings.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and it will be so much fun doing some more Mardi Gras songs for them and getting to serve them with music.

Monday lunch I’m doing a private Valentine’s show for a church in Pueblo that I have played for many times. It’s so much fun to put together these special shows for good people.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Burt Bacharach songs as I wrote above. Many of these songs are a real challenge, and although I am a little worried about my delivery, it will be so much fun to get lost in these songs and memories. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I’d love to have you if you’d like an evening of requests and good times. Send me your requests!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you had a good Valentine’s Day, and I hope you’ll have a little gumbo to celebrate Mardi Gras. We always do at our house!

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Burt Bacharach songs

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

When:  Wednesday, February 22, 7-8:45 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 26, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Mardi Gras

I’m doing Mardi Gras songs on Wednesday in preparation for Mardi Gras the following  Tuesday. It’s an opportunity to do some really fun songs, and it’s a chance to pay tribute to New Orleans, the place that birthed most of the music that the United States is known for. The port of New Orleans brought in such a mixture of folks from different cultures who settled on her shores and up the banks of the Mississippi River, and when all of this began to simmer it created jazz, blues, and rock and roll. It’s pretty amazing how this all came together, and it’s a pleasure to do some of the more representative tunes of Mardi Gras. When creative folks let it flow we end up with much more than the sum of the parts. That’s a lesson in letting it be! I like it!

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and only a few are still requiring masks. It seems we may finally be at the edge of COVID although I know that some folks are still getting sick. I sure enjoy getting to smile at these folks and have them see it.

My Wednesday online show was romantic songs, and it was so wonderful to spread love to everyone. My group had some great requests.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some good ones. It was a joyful evening. This group is so giving and thankful.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and it should be a fine time at all of them with Valentine’s Day songs and then Mardi Gras songs.

Tuesday 5:30-8 I’ll be playing table-to-table for Valentine’s Day at the Gold Dust Saloon in Pueblo on Union Avenue. It’s been a little over a year since I played at the Gold Dust, and doing music at the tables will be a fun and novel way to connect with the audience. I’d love to see you there if you’re in Pueblo!

Wednesday my online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Mardi Gras tunes, and it will be a fun show of great tunes and energy. I hope the group really enjoys it.

Saturday 7-9 mountain time I’m doing an online show for Philmont Scout Ranch folks on my Facebook Philmont concert group page. If you’re a Philmont alumni person or have an interest Philmont then come on out and reminisce with great mountain and campfire songs.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These shows really shine with such good camaraderie and goodwill. Please come join in if you can!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are faring well this winter. Have a great Valentine’s Day!

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing

Where:  Gold Dust Saloon, 217 S Union Ave, Pueblo, 719-545-0741

When:  Tuesday, February 14, 5:30-8 pm

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:  Wednesday, February 15, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Philmont songs for Philmont folks

Where:  Facebook Tom Munch Philmont Songs Concert Group and tommunch.com/online-concerts

When:  Saturday, February 18, 7-9 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 19, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Romantic Love

Public

Public

Gigs this week:  (Details in blog post below - "Romantic Love") 

Wed - online show featuring romantic love songs 7-8:45 mountain time

facebook.com/tom.munch

tommunch.com/online-concerts

Sun - online show featuring favorites and requests 7-8:45 mountain time

facebook.com/tom.munch

tommunch.com/online-concerts

I’m doing a theme show about romantic love this Wednesday in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, and in comparison to last week’s show about general love there are many, many more romantic love songs. I guess this shouldn’t be surprising, but I’m still kind of astounded that we are so obsessed with love in our songs. I found different studies that show that two thirds of songs are about love. I guess I must not be a romantic because I haven’t written near that many of my songs about love, and I don’t think I perform anywhere near that percentage of love songs either. That makes me feel a little out of touch, but it also helps me understand how much we seek companionship and love from a partner. I especially like the really old love song standards from the 1930s and 1940s. There was an innocence and grace to those songs that was very touching and special. I know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea though, so I do songs from many decades and genres. The one genre that I don’t find as many love songs is country music. There are more cheating and “done wrong” songs amongst the country songs that I play than there are warm love songs. That’s okay, but it means I don’t do as many country songs at this time of year. Interesting, huh? Come on out if you can to celebrate love and romance this Wednesday with a lot of sweet couple songs.

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What have I been up to?

I had just 6 senior facilities last week, and I actually had to cancel one for a doctor appointment. Oh well, I sure enjoyed seeing and playing for the folks I could last week.

My Wednesday online show doing general love songs was really rewarding with lots of uplifting and positive songs about life and living life with love. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and there were some fine tunes asked for and played. I love this group so much!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to every one. I say it every week, but it’s a pleasure and a privilege to play for these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time is the romantic love songs I talked about above. There are an unlimited number of really nice tunes that I know and have been requested. It will be a night full of good feelings and love - just right to put you in the mood for Valentine’s Day.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and I always look to what new requests I will get during the week even when they’re songs that are real challenges. Come on out and see what happens in the moment.

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That’s it for another week. Next week I will do a Saturday night show for Philmont alumni online on my Facebook group page that I created for these concerts. It’ll be great to see some old friends and share favorite Philtunes. Until then, I hope to see you soon, and I know you’ll take care and spread some love in your daily journey.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of romantic love songs

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

When:  Wednesday, February 8, 7-8:45 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 12, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

What is Love?

I’m going to do two weeks of theme shows about love to anticipate Valentine’s Day. The first week will be general love songs, and the second will be romantic love songs. So I think that raises the question of what is love in general. We hear about love from the time we first learn to walk and talk. We never really know if it is a feeling or a duty or something that drives us to action. If we go to church at a young age we hear that God is love. As we progress through childhood into adulthood we learn about love from our interactions with friends and family. So where do we get a sense of what love truly is? For me I have always thought of love as a force of some sort. If God is love, then maybe love is also God. Last year I learned a song by Peter Mayer called “What If Love” that went along these lines. What if love is THE force that permeates and holds the universe together. I know it seems a little woo-woo, but science doesn’t have concrete theories about why the universe has the design or laws it has, and it has trouble looking beyond the Big Bang or explaining consciousness. Conversely, religion doesn’t like science for it’s lack of inclusion of the forces and organization that seem to indicate that there is a God at the core. I think it’s more complex than either has an explanation for. What if love truly is an organizing and communicative physical force that we haven’t discovered how to detect. I think there is a reason that love lies at the heart of most religions, and I think we intuitively know that it’s more important than just a concept. This may not be something we ever figure out in this life, but I’m ready to accept that love is a physical force that can be studied and can show the inner-workings of all we see and experience. So the love that I feel for my dog Beau or my family or my community or the world and all its peoples is part of a web of forces that we just can’t understand yet. To me that is what general love is, and it’s different from the attraction and devotion that is romantic love although it’s definitely related. This week I’ll do songs for my Wednesday show that feature this love for others and family and even our pets. I think it’s a great exploration and something to be cherished!

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and they were all a blast! I wish you all could participate in these sometimes. The interaction with people who have so much wisdom, experience and humor is priceless.

My Wednesday online show was the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and it was a fun one with guitars in different tunings and lots of memories and good songwriting. Everyone enjoyed it.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and I had just come back from three days in the mountains burning slash piles for fire prevention at our family cabins in New Mexico. I didn’t have time to prepare much for the show, and I still had the smell of diesel and burning pine in my head, so the show was very spontaneous and sometimes on the edge. It was fun!

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What am I up to this week?

I have just 6 senior facilities this week since it’s the end of the month into a new month when I usually have less repeat monthly bookings, and I’m looking forward to all of them as well as some free time to catch up on some projects and upkeep. It’s so cold outside that the inside work is good to do.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time is the general love songs I mentioned above. This is a fun show to put together with some great songs, and I know it will be worthwhile to see. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’ll spend some time picking up some requests that I’m learning for folks. You just can’t believe how many gems of songs have been requested for these shows. I hope you’ll join in.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re getting through the winter well so far. I’m about to start the annual taxes slog, but there are lots of things to do this winter that are uplifting and worthwhile.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of general love songs

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

When:  Wednesday, February 1, 7-8:45 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 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Ages Passing

I’m doing a show featuring the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young on Wednesday to mark the passing of David Crosby, and it has me thinking about time and those who shape our world - personally and collectively. There’s no denying that the baby-boom generation that I am a part of has had a dramatic effect on our country and the world - particularly in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Music had a lot to do with that, and even though I often harken to those heady days of peace and love, I know that those ideals were probably a little naive and impossible to fulfill. But as the pendulum swings back and forth, it’s undeniable that periods of time when we try to make the world a more equal and respectful place are necessary and worthwhile to balance our darker angels. We want to progress as a species and make our world a better place for all people as well as a healthy place for plants and animals and ecosystems. When those who were part of different ages pass on it’s a good time to reflect on what they stood for and where they brought us. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young collectively and individually gave us a lot to think about and some beautiful music to listen to and be moved by. Their ideals and harmonies were really something to cherish and appreciate. So I’ll do some of their music on Wednesday evening from the different configurations and iterations of the four members. It should be fun!

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What have I been up to?

I had 12 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed each and every one. It is a very worthwhile thing to give something that matters to these people who are so deserving of it.

My Wednesday online show was singing winter songs, and I was a little afraid that it might be too somber, but it was not at all. There were so many fun songs to celebrate the snow and the beauty of winter. I really do love all the seasons!

My Sunday online show was done at Matt and Deann’s house as a celebration of many of the birthdays of the regular attendees to my shows. It was kind of an online party with everyone dancing and singing along at the house and in their own homes. I think everyone had a great time.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and they will be all over southern Colorado. We’re getting closer to Valentine’s Day, so I’m playing more love songs now.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the music of Crosby Stills, Nash, and Young and their different groupings as I wrote above. Of course I can only do one voice at a time, so we won’t get the wonderful harmonies they were known for, but we can appreciate the clever writing and impact the songs make. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests this week. I have several tunes I’m working on for this, and I’m anxious to do them. Sunday nights are always a very fun time of camaraderie with audience comments and interaction. You’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are well and happy as the new year gets in full swing. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 25, 7-8:45 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, January 29, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Birthdays and Friendship

Well, the new year is definitely running on its own now after a good start. This Sunday I’m doing my evening online show from the home of two of my biggest supporters - Matt and Deann Pujol. We’re doing a group birthday celebration on the heels of Matt’s birthday for everyone in the Munch Bunch group. This will include favorite songs from several folks with a mention of their birthday month. It should be great fun, and it has me thinking of how we celebrate birthdays and how it relates to our lives. So many of us don’t want to celebrate our birthday so much as we advance in years beyond a certain point. I always tell folks that it doesn’t matter what your age is, a birthday is just a good excuse to have a party and have some fun. Many of my favorite musicians, artists, scientists, and authors have done their best work in their later years. I was listening to philosopher Ken Wilbur this morning, and he was reflecting that we don’t really come into our own and develop our thoughts significantly until we reach our 50s and 60s. I think that’s true for me, although I had some pretty good thoughts way back in my 20s too! Anyway, a birthday is a good chance for friends and family to come together to salute and cherish a birthday person, and that’s what this Sunday will be all about. If you’re in the Pueblo area then you’re welcome to come. Let Deann know so she can plan on you on the thread on the Munch Bunch page and tell her what song you’d like to hear along with your birthday month - https://www.facebook.com/groups/398664345396960/permalink/614631707133555/. It will be a blast!

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed all the folks so much. I always look forward to playing for them and seeing all their wonderful faces.

My Wednesday online show was doing the music of Ian Tyson, who passed at the end of December. There were some really amazing songs he wrote, and this was a great chance to explore these and pay tribute to a genius songwriter.

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests as always, and I had some sweet new tunes by several great musicians. It was so rewarding!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 12 senior facilities this week, and I am looking forward to every one of them. Many of them have stopped requiring masks, and it’s strange getting to sing for them with a bare face.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing winter songs, which is a theme I don’t remember doing before. You would think that most winter songs are fairly somber, but there are some kicking songs too! It should be a really enjoyable evening.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the aforementioned birthday requests by Deann and all the folks from the Munch Bunch who have commented on the thread above. I can’t wait to do this show!

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That’s it for this week. I’m planning some of my summer gigs and structuring the year with as much flexibility as I can. I hope to see you soon.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of winter songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 18, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of birthday favorites and requests from Matt and Deann’s

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

When:  Sunday, January 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Flying Under the Radar

I’m doing a tribute to Ian Tyson, who recently passed, for my Wednesday online show, and I realize that very few of my audience know who he was. He was an amazing singer and songwriter going all the way back to the early ’60s when he left the rodeo to become a folksinger with Sylvia Fricker and formed a duo called Ian and Sylvia. They were together into the late ‘70s when Ian started to record and perform on his own. He wrote and performed all the way up to just a few years ago, and his music is really pretty amazing - great lyrics, clever progressions, and fantastic guitar and vocals even after he lost much of his voice in the last 20 or so years. But many never knew his music which went from folk to cowboy with country overtones. I’ve sung many of his songs over the years like “Four Strong Winds”, “Navajo Rug”, and “Someday Soon”. For the most part he flew under the radar even though he was as talented and accomplished as many popular stars (even more). So it gives me comfort as one who has mostly flown under the radar myself that what’s important is the work and not the fame and recognition. I think it’s more important to make a difference than to have the trappings and recognition. Just my two cents. I hope you’ll tune in to hear some of his great songs on Wednesday!

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and it was so rewarding to start the new year with them. 

My Wednesday show last week was doing hopeful songs, and that’s a great way to face the new year - encouraging and supporting each other. It was a blast!

My Sunday show was requests and favorites, and there were some great requests and fine moments shared. I love playing for the “Munch Bunch” so much.

What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and as always I so look forward to playing for these folks. They really appreciate it, and I’m so happy to give what I can to make their day better.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time is doing the songs of Ian Tyson as I mentioned above, and there will be some really nice songs performed that I think you will really enjoy. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and you know there will be some real high notes (maybe even sung). Come on out and join in the revelry.

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That’s it for this week. The new year is starting out well, and I hope it is for you as well.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Ian Tyson songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 11, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert favorites and requests

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

When:  Saturday, January 15, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

New Year

Well, it’s the start of a brand new year. I’m trying to figure out what that means. Personally we are in relatively good health, I feel like I’m making a difference in my community, and things are somewhat quiet overall in the world. What will the year bring, and what plans should be made? I haven’t gotten jazzed up yet like I used to do at this time of year. I used to look at the calendar and make huge business plans for gigs and opportunities. COVID and age both have changed that a bit. I don’t feel like the wind has been taken from my sails anymore, but I do feel like more thought has to be put into what I want to do as opposed to the reckless abandon that I used to approach the year with. I don’t have any answers yet. I feel like I’ll have to simmer for a while. Meanwhile there are my regular places to play, people to encourage, and joys at home with Jen and the pets. I’d like to get back to writing, and I should figure out how best to release new songs to the world. I’ll have some big gigs yet to come in addition to my regular places. I'll always love to play and share my joy and love in music and pictures. So it’s a new year. What say we live it! More to come!

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What have I been up to?

My senior facilities went great last week, and I even played for one of them twice due to a scheduling mixup that worked out for the best. I love playing for these folks!

My Wednesday online show of favorite new-to-me requests was such a wonderful night. As I said last week, I’m blessed to have so many great folks with such good taste who turn me on to worthwhile songs that I’ve never known before. 

My Saturday online New Year’s Eve show was a blast with folks tuning in from all over the map. There were a lot of party songs, but there were some meaningful songs for the celebration as well. It was just a pleasure sharing the evening with so many kind and generous people. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 seniors facilities this week, and it will be fun starting the year with them with enthusiasm and encouragement for a meaningful and sweet year. 

My Wednesday online show will be hopeful songs once again to start the new year. I think I should always include some hopeful songs in my shows, and it just seems like the right mindset to start the year with, especially with my musical community.

My Sunday show will be favorites and requests as always. I’m always working on new requests and mapping songs. I don’t always remember them very well or for very long, but it’s a pleasure learning new tunes and adapting them to my style. 

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That’s it for this week. I’m glad to reflect with you and think about how to approach a new year. I hope you have a bright and beautiful year this year!

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of hopeful songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 4, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert favorites and requests

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

When:  Saturday, January 8, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Special Songs

My Wednesday show will be something very special to me. All during the year I get requests from my audience, and my audience is very sharp and well-versed in so many different musicians and styles. As a result, they introduce me to many great songs that are truly gifts. Also I get to do retrospectives on many musicians during the year that I and my audience choose for theme nights. There are so many gems from these artists as well, and after I cull the best songs from the year I end up with a wonderful group of tunes. These will be the playlist for Wednesday. These tend to be deeper, slow and medium tempo songs that have real meaning and clever words and melodies, but there are also fun and upbeat songs as well. So if this appeals to you, then tune in Wednesday to hear the show on Facebook or my website.

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What have I been up to?

Christmas week was really something with the weather and festivities. I hope you made it through and celebrated with gusto. 

I had 11 senior facilities last week of fun Christmas shows, but one had to be cancelled due to the cold weather that kept their clients from coming Friday. It’s too bad, because I had some fun songs ready for them. 

My Wednesday online show of Christmas songs last week was hymns for the first hour, and it was so sweet. The audience went right along with me. We have such a great group of folks!

My Sunday online show on Christmas Day was a mix of Christmas songs and other favorites. I really had fun, and it was gratifying how many people came out on a holiday to get together and share music and friendship. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and I’m sure some will still want to hear some Christmas songs, which is great. This time of year is always a kind of sacred limbo between holidays that everyone seems to enjoy. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the special songs that I mentioned above - my favorite new-to-me songs of 2022. I know this will be a great night of tunes and goodwill. Come on out if you can.

Instead of Sunday this week I’m doing a New Year’s Eve show on Saturday at my regular time of 7-8:45 mountain time. This will be a really fun online party where I’ll pull out some electric guitars and play some party favorites. It’s a chance to have a New Year’s Eve in your own home without the hassle of going out and also staying up ‘til midnight. Come join in!

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That’s it for this week. It has been quite a year, and I’m looking forward to the next with hopefulness and cheer. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of new-to-me 2022 songs

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

When:  Wednesday, December 28, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

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

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

When:  Saturday, December 31, 7-8:45 pm mountain time