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