Tom Munch

What makes a song a favorite? As I look through the list of songs I’m doing on Wednesday and that are on my couple of favorite lists on my song laptop I am transported to the places where I learned those songs and the people I associate with the song and place. There are so many reasons to like a particular song. I tend to like songs that have some sort of melodic or lyrical depth to them - songs that leave me humming the tune or pondering over a twist of phrase or bit of truth I glean from them. I know that others like a song for a memory or a beat that makes them want to dance. We like some songs just because we heard them so often on the radio or at friends’ houses. I laugh when I really listen to those songs nowadays and realize there isn’t much to them. It doesn’t matter - they are part of me and always will be. And of course the songs we hear in our formative years tend to be our favorites. I don’t think that fact will ever change. So over the last three plus years I’ve been playing songs on Facebook and also on my website twice a week and keeping track of what I’ve played. Wednesday I’ll play the songs that have been heard and requested the most frequently on those shows, and it should be a lot of fun with some touching moments. There is something in the human condition that gives us real comfort and satisfaction to hearing our favorite songs.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and they were all so enjoyable. Highlights included a couple shows that were birthday parties. Luckily COVID was only touching a couple of these places, and I’m always hoping for the best for these folks and sending them healing energy.

My Wednesday online show was doing Spring songs, and there were some great ones to celebrate the season. It’s such a hopeful time of year, and I think we did it up right!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and there were some interesting new songs and old favorites. This is such a supportive and inclusive group, and it’s such a pleasure to perform for them.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities that I’m looking forward to playing for as we transition away from Irish tunes and more into Spring songs and Easter approaching. I’m also playing for a memorial service Thursday morning where I’ll be playing “Bristlecone Pine,” which is such a comforting song.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the favorite songs I mentioned above, and I’m really looking forward to a party atmosphere as we touch on so many group memories and good vibes. Come on out and join in!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and I look forward to a reunion of sorts every week with these great folks. Throw me a request and come on out to hear it!

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you are well and enjoying the seasons change. Do something to make yourself happy, and cherish those in your life!

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of Top Munch Bunch songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, March 29, 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, April 2, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Today is the first day of Spring, and I have to say that it doesn’t feel like it on my sunrise walks on the prairie with Beau yet. I recently heard a podcast with a biologist saying that there is always activity in the ground even in the deepest part of winter, but I’m not seeing any evidence on the surface yet. It seems like it has been colder in the mornings consistently than I remember for this part of the year, but I haven’t looked up historical temperatures. The feeling I get on our walks is that of a tired earth that has yet to wake up for the year. That’s okay. It seems to work like a rubber band that stretches to its limit until it pulls like crazy to the other extreme. The sunrise times definitely work like that. In the winter they change less than a minute a day until they pick up and start moving two minutes a day. I’ve written before that it makes this time of year into a kind of pensive state as we gear up in our lives and our minds for the “busy-ness” of summer. I used to always work like a busy bee with plans for the summer, but I do less of that nowadays as I age and as the pandemic has changed the meaning of time and anticipation. It’s a good thing all around. It reminds me of the end of a Walt Whitman poem called “O Me! O Life!” that I posted to Facebook a couple days ago. “That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.”

——

What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, but one had to cancel with a COVID outbreak. Others have gone back to wearing masks for safety. It was still a fun week with St. Patrick’s Day and all the great Irish music and festivities, but I did feel for those who were out with COVID.

My Wednesday online show was Irish music, and it was great fun. I even had a shot of Irish whiskey to sip on as I played that didn’t help my stomach much, but it contributed to the heritage of the evening. I think that everyone had a good time!

My Sunday show was favorites and requests, and there were several new songs and most of our usual host of regulars that made the evening more than worthwhile. We have such a supportive and caring group of folks!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. Being that it’s after St. Patrick’s Day I’m not sure they will still want to hear Irish music, but I’ll be playing my Irish guitar and wearing my Irish cap, so maybe they’ll get in the mood. It’s hard to work so much and dive so deeply into a season of music and then give it up overnight.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Spring songs, and I’m learning a few new ones that I’ve found recently. It’s such a time of rebirth and joy, and it’s fun to spread that anytime! Come on out if you’re up for an uplifting night.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. Sundays are consistently my most-attended shows, and the spontaneous nature of them with requests and the possibility of anything happening make for a fun evening. My encouraging group of friends make it very special. I’d love to have you in the audience if you have the time free.

——

That’s it for this week. I’ve heard that many people are using ChatGPT to write things like newsletters and blog posts, but I don’t think I’ll ever do that. I treasure the mental stimulation and creativity that writing brings too much to inflict that on you. Enjoy the first days of Spring!

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of Spring songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, March 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, March 26, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

I wrote last week a little bit about my family’s ancestors and how a lot of the traditions of culture and music are lost to us. We don’t know the songs of our German or British forbears other than one hymn my grandpa liked called “Murmur”, and all we really know of their culture are a few family recipes that were passed down. My mother spent a lot of time researching our family genealogy, and I am so grateful for the lines she was able to trace to different places in the old country. Just a month before she died in 2015 she finally got confirmation that our ancestor William Bell came across the Atlantic on a boat from Ireland, and so I found out that we have Irish lineage as well as the other lines she found. So I have embraced a lot of Irish tunes imagining what they could have meant to William Bell and his family. When I sing “Across the Western Ocean” I think of them leaving family and friends behind to board a ship bound for America. When I sing “Galway Bay” I wonder if they sat and looked at that same place and smelled the salty sea air and felt the heather-scented breezes blow on their brow. I often feel the Ire rise in my blood that they must have felt when they were oppressed by the English during the revolution. Of course I have English blood in me too, so it’s a puzzlement! So here’s to our heritage wherever we come from, and this week I’ll celebrate my heritage in song.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, but one had to be cancelled due to staff being out. I’m so possessed by Irish tunes now that my shows are really fun and high energy with a few sweet ballads and sing-alongs thrown in.

My Wednesday online show was Motown, Atlantic, and Stax R&B tunes, and it was so much fun. I was dancing to almost all of them as I played, and we’ll have to do another one of these soon.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and I couldn’t help doing a few Irish songs as well. As I said, I’m pretty possessed and obsessed with these tunes this time of year.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and you know I’ll really be playing Irish songs all week including a couple St. Patrick’s Day parties. It will be a blast!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Irish tunes for St. Patrick’s Day as well, and I expect it’ll be a night to remember. Erin go bragh!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and I’ll get back to some of the great requests and good interaction that we always have on these shows. It’s a blessing to get to serve friends with great music and friendship.

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you cherish your heritage and your family lineage. Even if it’s far distant from your everyday life there is a connection that can enrich your life.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of Irish songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, March 15, 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 19, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

My Wednesday show will be the music of Motown, Atlantic, Stax, and other R&B and Soul tunes, and that has me thinking about the music I play and who I really am. I love to play all kinds of music, and I don’t really have one type of music that I grew up with. My family is far enough removed from the music of our predecessors that we weren’t really steeped in any one genre. I suspect that many of you grew up in a similar situation. My dad grew up with big band and jazz music, and so I heard a lot of that growing up. Kids in the ‘50s and ‘60s heard a lot of folk music in school and on radio and TV. My brother and sisters liked all kinds of much that I heard them play in the house from folk to Motown to rock. For myself I had an affinity for folk rock, R&B and historical music, and in my 20s I got into the blues. So what is appropriate and inappropriate for me to love and play? Of late, there have been many discussions about people going outside their lane and appropriating music or a look or approach that is inappropriate for them. I really don’t have a music that is appropriate for me other than what I grew up with - which is pretty much everything. So I’m left conflicted many times on what I should feel good about playing. I struggled with what to call my show for this Wednesday, and I finally just settled on the labels that created this great music that I love to play. And so I approach the music this week with affection and appreciation for the rhythms and melodies and musicianship that I love.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and they were so fun and rewarding. I always say that I love to play for these folks, and it’s true. Now that we are past Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras I was beginning to play Irish tunes for St. Patrick’s Day, and it was a blast.

My Wednesday online show of Alaska tunes was great fun with lots of new tunes and quite a celebration of the wild frontier that is still Alaska. I think everyone had a great time.

My Sunday show of favorites and requests was well-received, and it was so good to see so many friends and supporters. We always have such a celebration of community on these evenings.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I know they’ll all be a sweet time. I love these folks so much, and I get to do Irish tunes for most of them this week although I’m always open to whatever they want to hear.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Motown, Atlantic, Stax, and other R&B and Soul songs as I mentioned above. This will be a lively night full of great songs and spirit. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. Sunday evenings hold some of my favorite moments of the week, and I’d love to have you in the audience!

——

That’s it for this week. I’m not doing a special Irish concert in any outside venues this year, so I’ll be pouring all that energy into my online shows. It’s going to be a fun month! Next week on Wednesday will be my online Irish show!

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of Motown, Atlantic, Stax, and more songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, March 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, March 12, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

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.

——

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.

——

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.

——

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 

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.

——

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.

——

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!

——

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 

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!

——

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.

——

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!

——

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 

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. 

—— 

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! 

—— 

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. 

—— 

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

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! 

—— 

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! 

—— 

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. 

—— 

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 

—— 

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 

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! 

—— 

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. 

—— 

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! 

—— 

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

Best always, 

Tom 

—— 

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