Tom Munch

I’m standing at my desk and looking around my room when suddenly I’m taken by so many beautiful colors I see on items around me. I’m amazed at how enchanted I am by color and its depth. I know many of us are - just look at how excited we all got at the appearance of the northern lights over the last weekend reaching all over the northern hemisphere. I tend to go for purples and turquoise greens - the influence of my high school colors of purple and gold and also all the turquoise jewelry I saw as a kid in New Mexico. I have pens, pocket knives, jackets, scissors, shirts, and even guitars with my favorite colors. But I really love all colors from subtle to bold. It’s part of the reason I take sunrise photos every day. There’s just something magical about how light plays on different objects and picks up the dust, water, and chemistry in the atmosphere. The fact that the sunrise lasts only a short time makes it even more special. But then as I think about color I’m reminded how much I love black and white photography too, especially the work of Ansel Adams. I guess I’m just a visual junky for contrast and depth and anything that evokes strong feelings. I say it all the time, but I am really amazed by the beauty of this life and our universe. I hope you are too. It’s such a simple thing that can bring so much joy.

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and they were all really wonderful. I was doing mostly songs for Mother’s Day, and my folks seemed to appreciate them all.

My Wednesday online show was doing instrumental songs, and it was a blast. There are just so many fun and meaningful songs from the past 80 years as well as my own songs. I especially enjoyed the surf songs. I wish I had more time to listen to instrumental music.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some good ones. We did a lot of songs for mom as well to celebrate Mother’s Day. This is such a great group of folks.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and this is also National Nursing Home Week, so there’ll be all kinds of fun themes and great energy. This will be fun!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be another round of songs I’ve never done for my online shows. I love doing these never-done shows because I get a chance to surprise my audience with new songs they don’t know and old songs they didn’t know I do. I get to play a lot of songs I haven’t played in years as well. Come on out if you’d like to hear them!

Saturday night 7-9 mountain time I’m doing an online show on Facebook and my website of Philmont songs for the friends and acquaintances I’ve made from Philmont Scout Ranch where I worked 3 summers in high school and college. These are always nice nights of memories and favorite mountain songs. If you’re a Philmont friend then join me on my Philmont Songs Concert Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176893032692370

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These are always the best night of the week for spontaneous friendship and songs. I relish them. Come join in!

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That’s it for this week. The summer season starts soon, and I’ll have lots of gigs to tell you about and places to travel to. Hope you are having a good week, and I hope to see you soon.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of never-done songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, May 15, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of Philmont tunes
Where:  facebook.com/groups/1176893032692370
When:  Saturday, May 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, May 19, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

My Wednesday show is going to be instrumental tunes, and my feelings toward instrumental songs might be different than you would think. I’ve only made one solo instrumental album although I’ve written many more instrumental tunes. The interesting thing about instrumental songs is that without lyrics the listener can imagine the song is about anything they want, independent of what the song title or description is. When I play an instrumental song I usually talk about what inspired it, but the listeners often say that they envision many images and feelings that I never saw or felt. Instrumental songs can bring out deep emotions and trigger all kinds of senses more than just sound. It’s amazing. And they really trigger profound feelings in me that I try to convey when I perform them. I once wrote a song about sitting on a cabin porch watching a mountain sunset, and when I recorded it I was suddenly transported back decades to when I first saw the sunset there. I improvised a whole new section of the song that was inspired by memories of my long-gone grandparents who were at another cabin across the meadow at the time. I was flooded with so many memories as I felt their presence and went with the melody that was flowing through me. It was quite an experience! That song is “Moreno Valley Sunset”. It was so profound for me. And of course there are lots of fun instrumental songs that are kick to play. I’m sure you have favorite instrumental albums of all kinds of music, from guitar to piano to full orchestra. It’s a very worthwhile experience listening to melodies and rhythms without words sometimes. Do you have any favorite instrumental albums?

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed them all with quite a variety of songs. I so enjoy getting to play for these folks!

My Wednesday online show was rain songs, which was more fun than anyone had an idea it could be. There is so much joy in seeing the life-giving effects of rain. My audience was in fine form.

My Saturday night concert at the Center for Inner Peace in Pueblo went really well. I had a nice audience of great people, and it was so much fun to be able to shine for a group of folks with some meaningful favorite tunes. Thank you to everyone who helped put it on - Neema, Kelli, and Tom, and one name I’ve forgotten with his sweet pup, Smoky - and to all who came and shared an evening with me.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and I had spent so much time on the weekend preparing for my Saturday concert and working on the yard on Sunday for Spring that I didn’t have much time to get ready for the show. Everyone really gave me some great requests and made the whole night a blast. I love this group!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. The opportunity to serve others is always worthwhile, and it’s fun to boot!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be instrumental songs as I wrote above. I have to admit that I get more nervous playing instrumental tunes than I do singing even though I love to play the guitar. There are so many wonderful tunes to play from slow to fast though that I know it will be a really fun night. Come on out if you can.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I know it will also be a sweet evening of tunes and camaraderie. I always look forward to Sunday nights! I’d love to have you in the audience.

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That’s it for this week. Spring is rushing headlong into Summer around here as everything is growing and I’m already struggling to keep up. This is an exciting time of year. I hope you are enjoying it, and as the Munch Bunch group says, “Howls and hugs” to you!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

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

I have a a concert in Pueblo on Saturday night that I’m putting a lot of effort into, and it has me thinking about all that’s involved in putting together a show. I truly love getting the chance to play to a listening audience in a beautiful space. The most interesting part for me is putting together the playlist for the show. What do I want to say? What do I want the mood to be? Who will I have in the audience? These are all things that I think of as I contemplate the show. I usually start with a big list of my favorite songs that I have been doing or have written or learned recently. This is at least twice as long as the time I have allotted for the concert. I consider the tone and the audience here. What is my overall topic or emphasis of the show? Are there any favorite songs that I need to do - “hits” if you will. Am I going to do any requests I may get before the show? (I usually don’t do requests because I’ve found that it usually throws off the flow of the night.) How many fast and slow songs do I need to do to keep the energy up? Do I have good songs to open and close each segment? Is there a storyline that will carry through the show? What keys are the songs in and will they fit together well? How much practicing do I need to have each of the songs polished and ready? Will I bring multiple guitars for different tunings or different textures like a 12-string guitar or electric guitar? I have done enough shows to remember shows that surprised me that my song order and choice went over so well and others that seemed to flag halfway through the show. So I have made a preliminary list for this coming Saturday show, but I’ll be testing it this week at my senior facilities to see how songs come across. Plus I’ll just be trusting the muse, the evening, and the audience since it’s always up to the energy of the night too. Anyway, I thought I would share with you all the things I think about when making up a show. I’m SO looking forward to it!

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and they were all wonderful. Several of the facilities were having me play for their monthly birthday celebration, and since it was my birthday last week it was doubly fun. I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show was one-hit wonders from the 1950s, and it was so much fun. There are some great songs on this list, and I think we did them up proud. I love getting the chance to play these.

My Sunday online show had some great requests and favorites. I’m finally settling into my new opening song called “Here We Go”, and it gave the right energy to the night to make it a good one. I love the folks I get to play for on these shows.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I will start playing Mother’s Day songs this week. This is always a wonderful time of year when we get to sing some old favorites for moms.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about rain since it’s that time of year, and we just had a really rainy weekend in southern Colorado. Of course, I’m aware of the storms that wreaked havoc on so many places in the last few days, and my heart goes out to everyone who was affected. I remember well the tornado that ripped through my hometown when I was 19 that damaged my parents’ house and many others including the one I was visiting. It definitely took a long time for the town to rebuild and establish some normalcy again.

On Saturday from 7-9 I’m playing the concert I wrote of above at the Center for Inner Peace in Pueblo. This is a great venue for a concert with good people and sweet acoustics. I’m going to bring out the best songs I know for this show, and I think it should be a very nice evening of music. I’d love to have you in my audience if you’re in the area that night. Here are the details: May 4th at 7:00 in Pueblo at the Center for Inner Peace, 740 West 15th Street, Pueblo, suggested donation of $20 at the door, doors open at 6:30.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and every one of these Sundays turns into a fine evening of music and interaction. I love my online audience. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. I’m so looking forward to this week - especially the concert on Saturday night. I hope your week goes well, and I hope you’re well and happy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of rain songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, May 1, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch
What:  playing a concert of fine tunes
Where:  Center for Inner Peace, 740 West 15th Street, Pueblo.
When:  Saturday, May 4, 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, May 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

My online show on Wednesday is one-hit wonders from the 1950s, and that has me thinking about transitional periods in history. I wasn’t born yet in the ‘50s, but I have a feel for how the times were changing - at least musically. I’m not sure what had a greater impact on music of the era. It could have been the prevalence of the electric guitar as it went from a hollow-bodied instrument to a solid-bodied instrument that could be played much louder and with more grit and distortion. It could have been because the song style went from a jazz/pop progression style to more of a blues-based progression and repetitive lines that formed rock and roll. Obviously there was less reliance on big bands with horns and full arrangements and more on small combos that were amplified - especially as the electric bass guitar was invented and PA systems were required to hear the singers. There was lots of experimentation, and many people tried their hand at writing and recording songs to be played on the radio. Some of these songs were real novelties as they could even do “sound-on-sound” like Les Paul and Mary Ford did, and alter voices for special effects like Sheb Wooley with the “Purple People Eater”. So there were a lot of individual songs that gained airplay and became hits. What a fun time to be in music! And it opened the door for what eventually became the transitions to music in the 1960s that were part of much bigger cultural changes.

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What have I been up to?

I had 12 seniors facilities last week, and with my allergies I really had an interesting time singing. I got some meds by mid-week that really helped. I love singing for all these folks!

My Wednesday online show was doing songs for Earth Day, which is today as I write this. There were so many great songs to do, and even though it got a little hippy-dippy, I really love these songs that encourage us to love our Mother Earth.

Saturday I played a birthday party for some friends in Cañon City that was just too much fun. It was raining so we couldn’t be outside, and that made the indoor party that much more fun. Happy Birthday,  Michael!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were a landslide of requests to keep the evening hopping. It was so much fun! What a great group of folks.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and they’ll take me all around the area. I say it every week, but you can’t believe how rewarding it is to share music with these folks who really love it.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be one-hit wonders from the 1950s as I wrote above. There are some really great tunes on my list, and I’m looking forward to sharing them with everyone. I’m even learning a few new ones. Come on out and join in!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I think this week I’ll surprise the folks with some lesser-heard songs for the ones I pick. Of course, I’m game for any request they throw at me as well. It’s always a good time.

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What’s coming up?

I want to mention my Pueblo concert again on May 4th at the Center for Inner Peace. I’m really looking forward to getting to be in concert in Pueblo for an evening of tunes. I haven’t played a Pueblo concert like this in a long time, and I know it will be a wonderful night to remember. Come on out if you can. Here are the details: May 4th at 7:00 in Pueblo at the Center for Inner Peace, 740 West 15th Street, Pueblo, suggested donation of $20 at the door, doors open at 6:30.

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That’s it for this week. I hope your Spring is going well, and that you’re well and happy.

All the best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of one-hit wonders from the 1950s
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, April 24, 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 28, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

I’m doing songs about the earth on Wednesday to celebrate Earth Day, which is coming up on the 22nd of April. I think about our earth a lot. This comes from spending so much time out walking and enjoying the outdoors all my life. I’m always happiest when I have the breeze in my face with the smells of the earth and the trees. I was once accused of being a “tree hugger” by the other students when I took an oil spill course to receive a certification to teach oil spill recovery. That was in another life, but I guess I do care for the earth although I wouldn’t say I’m an activist. I think most folks would agree that we could manage the earth a lot better than we have the last few hundred years. For instance, Thomas Jefferson thought that it would take us several hundred years just to fill up North America, and that happened within a century. And we have thought that our resources are limitless, but we’re starting to realize this isn’t true. I think we can make the adjustments to make this earth livable and beautiful into many more generations. The main thing, as it is with everything, is just awareness and the willingness to be flexible. There are always growing pains with change. So I celebrate the earth. We are on that “pale blue dot” that Carl Sagan wrote of so long ago after the Voyager captured that picture of our earth in a ray of sunlight.

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed them all. I was suffering with some sort of congestion, so I wore a mask to many of my facilities. I had tested negative for Covid, so I wasn’t worried about spreading anything. It’s probably just allergies. I love playing for these folks so much!

My Wednesday online show was playing songs from the 1930s. This was a really sweet show with lots of great songs and good comments. My research wasn’t great though as I ventured outside of the 1930s for a few songs inadvertently. I really do like to be accurate.  Oh, well! It was still a very nice time!

My Sunday online show was playing favorites and requests, and there were some really good ones. I’m always impressed with the depth of music my audience requests. It’s a joy to play for them.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 12 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. I may have to cancel one tomorrow morning for a doctor appointment so I can get over this congestion completely. It’s still hanging on a bit.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs for Earth Day as I wrote above. There are a lot of great songs that fit the bill, and I’m looking forward to playing them. I know my audience will be into it, and I’d love to see you!

Saturday I have a private party that should be great fun too. It’s for some folks that I have played for several times before. They love the good music that I love, and so it should be a swell evening.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I always say how these evenings turn out to be very special. Well, they do, and I’m not afraid to say it. Come on out and join in.

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What’s coming up?

I keep writing about my concert in Pueblo on May 4th, and it’s because I know it will be a very nice evening in a great-sounding room. Come on out if you’re anywhere near Pueblo and enjoy a night of song and camaraderie. So many people say that they love my online shows, but they also say that they like an in-person show even more with the great sound and shared space. Here are the details: May 4th at 7:00 in Pueblo at the Center for Inner Peace, 740 West 15th Street, Pueblo, suggested donation of $20 at the door, doors open at 6:30. I hope to see you there!

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That’s it for this week. Here’s to a great week and celebration of our dear old earth.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of earth songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, April 17, 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 21, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

I’m doing songs from the 1930s for my Wednesday show, and that has me thinking about what I know about the 1930s. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the Great Depression. People of my generation grew up with stories and reminders of what our parents had gone through in the Depression. We were taught frugality sometimes to a fault. That decade was also the development of much of the entertainment industry with great movies, plays, musicals, and music. The music was mostly jazz, popular, and hillbilly or western music. My dad grew up learning tunes in the 1930s as a teenager off the Hit Parade radio show and later playing those on the piano in the evenings in our house in addition to other songs he loved. These songs were mainly the jazz-influenced popular music of the day, and so that is what I mainly know although I’ve also learned much of the western and hillbilly (folk) music of that decade as well. Some of these songs were kind of innocent in their content and lyrics, but the melodies have stood the test of time, and even the words, though sometimes quaint, have an honesty that I really love. Those times and values led us into World War II, and so there is a sweetness and nostalgia for what strengths and weaknesses shaped the minds of the folks that progressed into the war years. It was an interesting time that is fascinating to relive through the music of that era. Most of the music is just plain good!

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and they were all so enjoyable. It’s funny that I’m writing about songs from the 1930s because my seniors are mostly too young to want to hear these now. When I started playing these facilities back in high school they wanted to hear songs all the way back to the 1890s.

My Wednesday online show was songs about the sun and moon for the eclipse. That was a lot of fun! I wish there were more songs about eclipses. I had a very nice audience of great folks.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some good ones including a new opening song I’ve been working on for a couple months. Of course, I’ve already rewritten it since last night, and I still don’t have a title for it. There were so many nice folks in my audience.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and they should all be very rewarding. Seeing the smiles on faces and getting the chance to share some memories makes it all worthwhile.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from the 1930s as I wrote above. I have almost a hundred songs from this decade on my list, and I’m sure I could add a bunch more. It will be a stellar evening of tunes. Come on out if you can.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and these shows have morphed into an even more freestyle evening of requests and surprises. I’d love to have you in the audience if you can make it.

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What is coming up?

I have a very cool concert coming up on May 4th at 7:00 in Pueblo at the Center for Inner Peace. This building has great acoustics, and the openness and generosity of spirit is wonderful. I’m planning to do a mix of original and album tunes so there should be a wide variety of laughter and tears. There is a suggested donation of $20 at the door. Doors open at 6:30. I’d love to see you there if you’re in the Pueblo area or want to make the trip. It’s located at 740 West 15th Street in Pueblo.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you get a chance to view the eclipse (with proper eye protection) today, and I hope to see you soon!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of 1930s songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, April 10, 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 14, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

There is a solar eclipse next Monday throughout much of the U.S., and Jen and I had hoped to go to see it in totality, but we can’t make the trip this time. We’ll settle for seeing the partial eclipse here if the sky is clear. A solar eclipse is such an amazing event. It reminds us of just how small we are and how much we depend on this big burning ball in the sky that powers our earth and most all life here. I think the ancient people who lived in the outdoors every day understood that more than we do nowadays, but it can still affect us in profound ways. I have a natural affinity for the stars and the outdoors, and when I look up at the night sky I feel that I am a part of them in many ways. We are stardust as Joni Mitchell said in her song, “Woodstock”, and star-stuff as Carl Sagan wrote. Seeing star events and solar events rings that bell in us that we all seem to understand somehow. I imagine some of you are going to be able to be in the path of totality, and I salute you and encourage you to see it in all the ways you can. Many folks will make those little boxes that you can see the eclipse in, and hopefully all will get the cheap eclipse glasses that you can gaze directly at the eclipse with. There is a list of fun things to see and even an app that tells you when to look for interesting phenomena during the eclipse called “Solar Eclipse Timer”. There is a great video to watch with lots of these detail here -  https://youtu.be/791qJZivHpk?si=H8jxu6VWIGfHml0k. I would love to hear your eclipse stories if you have any to share!

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week (I forgot to include one in my blog last week that I had on Easter), and I enjoyed every one so much. I mostly sang Spring songs although. A couple still wanted to hear some Irish tunes. Of course I did a few Easter songs as well.

My Wednesday online show was doing songs I’ve never done for my online shows, and there were some very sweet tunes that I think the group really liked. They said as much too!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and I included a couple songs there that I’ve never done online as well. It was a very sweet evening.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and it’s time for more Spring and also April rain songs. There are so many good ones, and it is so much fun sharing them with my seniors.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about the sun and moon to celebrate the solar eclipse that happens next Monday. This is such a neat event, and even though it’ll just be a partial in Colorado I’m still looking forward to going outside and seeing it through eclipse glasses. Come on out on Wednesday and hear some great sun and moon songs.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These are very special evenings with good friends listening and supporting each other. You’re always welcome to join in.

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What is coming up?

I have a very cool concert coming up on May 4th at 7:00 in Pueblo at the Center for Inner Peace. I just haven’t done that many real concerts since the pandemic, and I haven’t done one in Pueblo for many years. I haven’t made my setlist up yet, but I’m thinking it will be a really heartfelt evening of music and stories. The Center for Inner Peace is one of those buildings that just brings it out of you. I saw my friend Don Richmond play there about 3 weeks ago, and the vibe was amazing. There is suggested donation of $20 at the door. Doors open at 6:30. I’d love to see you there if you’re in the Pueblo area or want to make the trip. It’s located at 740 West 15th Street in Pueblo.

There’s more coming up in the summer, but I’ll write about those dates as they come up. I have made Facebook events for most of those, and you can always see them on my website calendar at http://tommunch.com/calendar.

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That’s it for this week. I hope your life is going well, and that you are healthy and happy. No April Fools!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of sun and moon songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, April 3, 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 7, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

I’m reading a book about breathing called “Breath” by James Nestor, and it has me thinking a lot about the way I breathe. I’m on chapter 6 out of 10 chapters, and I’m learning a lot about breathing. The book makes some bold claims about how proper breathing can improve health in many ways. It also talks about how different cultures have treated breathing. For instance, the book says that Native Americans taught breathing only from the nose as the key to healthy living. We often hear jokes about how someone who is a “mouth-breather” is lesser than. The book shows examples and scientific studies that show how breathing from the nose decreases heart rate and lessens susceptibility to disease. I’m currently trying to master this as I exercise, but I always feel like I’m choking for air. When I was in college there were different exercises for singers and for wind and horn players where we were supposed to walk a certain number of steps as we inhaled and then walk a certain number of steps as we exhaled. Just a few of these cycles would almost make me pass out, so I never did much of this. I did learn to breathe from my diaphragm which is very helpful for a singer. I’m not sure that this has made me any more relaxed or lessened my chance for illness - especially after having Covid twice in just three months. After the 10 chapters of the book there are a series of breathing exercises and techniques in the book that will be interesting to try. I’ll let you know if they make any difference in my life. How about you? We hear often about the benefits of deep breathing. Do you have any stories or experiences in your life where breathing techniques have helped? Are you interested in reading this book too?

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What have I been up to?

I had 13 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed all of them. I was definitely spent after some of these days with so many hours of playing - particularly because some of them were still doing high-energy Irish tunes that take more stamina. I love playing for these folks though!

My Wednesday online show was doing Spring songs since the first day of Spring was just the day before. It was very well-attended, and I think everybody had a great time.

Saturday I played a birthday party for a real sweetheart of a gal who has been at a couple different facilities I play at. Happy Birthday, Tosh! Then the memorial get-together that I played for on Saturday evening was very bitter sweet. The woman was a long-time friend and fan who will be definitely missed. Her family and friends are just the best.

My Sunday online show was back to favorites and requests after the previous Sunday’s Irish show for St. Patrick’s Day, and it was also well-attended with some old friends and new faces. These nights can really be special. You can always watch the after the show if you’re interested. They’re posted on Facebook here facebook.com/TomMunchFans/ and on my website here tommunch.com/online-concerts.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to them all. We have some snow today, so sometimes it’s not as easy getting out and about to them, but that usually doesn’t stop me.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs I haven’t done for my online shows before, and I always enjoy doing what I call “never done” songs for my group. Some of these songs are real gems that are so satisfying to share. Come on out if you’d like to be part of it.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I often say how special these evening are, and I expect this week will be the same kind of high. You are always welcome to tune in too. I’m sure I’ll do a few Easter tunes as well since it’s Easter Sunday.

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That’s it for this week. I find myself think about breathing constantly through the day while reading this book. Am I breathing through my nose? Am I taking deep or shallow breaths? Do I feel relaxed through my torso and shoulders? It’s fascinating!

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of “never done” songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, March 28, 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 31, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Tuesday is the first day of Spring, and that’s a marker for a change of attitude as the earth tilts - and we with it. I’ve always felt connected to the earth. In general we aren’t very linked to it though since most of us live our lives fairly isolated from the outdoors in comfortable buildings and vehicles. I’ve been watching a series of videos lately about ancient Pueblo culture ruins that has made me think much more about living closer to the earth. It amazes me how Native Americans for the most part understood how to manage the land and our involvement with it for centuries or millennia. I think that happens when you live so closely with the changes that occur in the land and weather. After all, that’s why calendars and star gazing developed - we were trying to understand our relationship to the seasonal changes we felt around us. So what do I feel in my bones this Spring? Well, I feel the beginnings of the energy surge to prepare for a busy growing season on our property and in my work. I’m always amazed how this wave comes over me and drives me to new heights. Even when I feel a little less ambitious there is something inside me with that earth connection that sweeps me up and compels me to go, go, go! I’m hopeful that it will always be there as each year rolls around. How about you? Can you feel the Spring inside you?

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and most of them really wanted to hear the Irish music I was feeling in my blood. The songs of Ireland are so engaging!

My Wednesday online show was Irish tunes, and we did a lot of them with a fun crowd. I even had a little Irish whiskey to grease my throat - as one of those songs says.

My Sunday online show was also Irish music since Sunday was St. Patrick’s Day. It was so much fun, and I had a great audience to help celebrate.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 13 senior facilities this week, and I’m hoping they still want to hear some Irish songs since I’m not quite ready to let those go for another year. If they don’t that’s okay too. I love playing for them!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Spring songs since Tuesday is the first day of Spring. There are so many uplifting and beautiful songs for Spring, and I’m really looking forward to playing them. Come on out if you can!

Saturday I’m playing for another friend’s memorial who was taken too soon. I guess I’m at that age. I’m happy to lend whatever I can to help folks remember and celebrate their loved ones.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be back to favorites and requests after doing Irish tunes last week. I always look forward to these evenings of great requests and variety with my stellar folks who come out to listen and support me and each other. You’re always welcome!

——

That’s it for this week. I did book a few more things I may not have mentioned yet. One is a concert at the La Veta Pines RV Park in La Veta on Sunday, September 1st at 7:00. I’ll reschedule my Sunday online show that week. Another is a concert at the Center for Inner Peace in Pueblo tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 4th at 7:00 although we may push it to a week earlier. I’ll confirm this week. I also got the schedule for the Yellow Pine Barbecue for the summer. We’ll start on June 13th and go every Thursday until August 8th except for July 4th. They’re not having a barbecue that night. They will also have the annual end-of-season bring-you-own appetizer and beverage evening on September 5th. I’ll have more details as we approach these dates as well as Facebook events. Thank you for your friendship and support.

Best always,

Tom

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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 20, 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 24, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

It’s the time of year to celebrate Irish heritage with St. Patrick’s Day. I learn more Irish songs every year, and I ponder what Irish ancestry I might have as I look at a picture of my great-great-great-great-grandfather William Bell’s headstone in Quebec where he was buried in 1816. The genealogy that my mother had done before she passed in 2015 said that William was born in Ireland in 1739. He joined the British Army as a drummer boy and served in the French and Indian War in the US and Canada which ended in 1760 and then later in the war of 1812. I don’t know who his parents were or what they did in Ireland. I often think of what life must have been like for them. Were they subject to the oppression that many Irish knew and rebelled against? Were they musicians? Is that why I have such a deep affection for Irish songs, particularly the ones that get my blood up? I have no doubt that my love for some Irish tunes seems timeless and eternal. I know several versions of “The Water Is Wide” - some even with words written by me. The melody of that tune and several others like the “Mist-Covered Mountains” and the “Wexford Carol” just haunt me like no other songs. I hope to someday know more about my ancestry overseas, but for now I just imagine the lives of those ancestors and celebrate them with the music of Ireland. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Erin go Bragh!

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities scheduled last week, but since I had Covid the previous week 2 of them cancelled to fit their guidance around Covid. I did test negative finally which is a relief since I never really did test negative in December when I had Covid.

My Wednesday online show was doing more great songs from 1971, and I had a large group of folks out to hear these tunes and reminisce about that time. It was a blast!

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests, and there were some really good songs for this show as well as a few new tunes that I really enjoyed. It was a fine audience again - love these folks!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m having such a good time playing Irish songs for them all and telling funny Irish jokes and stories. They seem to really enjoy them.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Irish songs to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. I have well over 100 Irish songs in my repertoire now, and I’m just loving playing them. Come on out and join in!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will also be Irish songs on St. Patrick’s Day. I’ll probably even have a little Irish whiskey to honor the day, so it’ll be a lively show. I’d love to have you with me too!

——

That’s it for this week. I just love this time of year with the chance to share some different tunes and some vibrant energy.

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 13, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of Irish songs on St. Patrick’s Day 
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Sunday, March 17, 7-8:45 pm mountain time