Monday, November 14, 2022 - Willie Nelson

When I think of great songwriters I often overlook Willie Nelson, and that’s a big mistake. When you consider the breadth and depth of Willie’s albums over nearly 70 years it is astounding how many great songs he’s written and recorded. Of course he has his own style that’s often caricatured, but you can’t deny the authenticity and genuine care he puts into writing and performing a song. I have more than 30 songs of his that I regularly perform, and some of my very favorites are on that list like “Hands on the Wheel” and “Crazy”. Willie is one of those rare writers who can express something simply yet profoundly. And he also has the ability to cover and make a song his own like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Stardust”. I can’t count the number of times I’ve performed “Stardust” just to have someone say how great a Willie song that is. They’re surprised when I tell them that Hoagy Carmichael wrote it in 1927. And of course he’s legendary for his help with Farm Aid and his own concerts in Texas. So Wednesday I’ll perform his songs, and it’ll be a pleasure! 

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What have I been up to? 

I had 8 senior facilities to play at, and unfortunately one of them went out of business, so I won’t be playing there anymore. Luckily I’ll see most of the folks from there who have now relocated to other facilities in the area. 

My Wednesday online show of Bob Dylan songs was a wonderful time, and as expected everyone was surprised how many great tunes they knew and didn’t realize that Bob had written.  

My Sunday online show was also a great time, and people kept me on my toes with some fine requests. 

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What am I up to this week? 

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. The continuity and good will that we generate with each other at each of these shows is so rewarding. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be doing the tunes of Willie Nelson as I wrote about above. I’ll probably play a nylon-string guitar to get that Willie sound that everyone knows so well. Come on out! 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’m sure there’ll be some new tunes and some old favorites. We’ll be doing it live from Deann and Matt Pujol’s house, so it’ll be extra-special! I’d love to have you join in if you can. 

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That’s it for this week. I do have Christmas shows coming up soon - December 10 at 7:00 at the Mercantile in La Veta and December 17 at 7:00 at the Bell Tower in Florence. Put them on your calendar and come on out! 

Best always, 

Tom 

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Details this week: 

Who:  Tom Munch  
What:  playing and singing an online concert of Willie Nelson songs 
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts   
When:  Wednesday, November 16, 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, November 20, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

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