Monday, March 6, 2023 - Appropriation or Appreciation

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.

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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.

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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!

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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

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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 

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