I’m doing a show featuring the Monkees music on Wednesday, and we’ve been watching documentaries and interviews as well as some of the episodes of the Monkees TV show to prepare. I’m struck with how silly the TV show was, and it makes me think about the value of just plain silliness in our lives. Of course, the ‘60s was a discordant decade with so much going on in the country, and we needed some silliness to counteract the darkness in society. A similar thing happened after World War II when there were so many silly, nonsense songs. I remember when the movie “Life Is Beautiful” came out, and I was charmed by how the father sheltered his daughter from the darkness of the war with his frivolity. We tend to think that bringing silliness into our day is irresponsible or naive, but there is real merit to forgetting our troubles even if just for a moment to remember that there is joy and wonder in our time on earth. Even Mike Nesmith of the Monkees, who often eschewed his time with the Monkees and shied away from reunions, came around to the sheer fun of being with other Monkees and playing their music at the end of his life. So be silly sometimes, and come out and celebrate the Monkees with me on Wednesday.
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What have I been up to?
I had 8 senior facilities last week, and they all went very well. A couple of them were still up for some Irish tunes, so I played my Irish Lowden guitar through the last day of March. I so enjoy playing for these folks. My Thursday outdoor memorial service went very well too singing “Bristlecone Pine” as people put ashes of the deceased in with a new tree just being planted. It fit the song and the hope of life continuing.
My Wednesday online show was doing the most-played songs from my online shows, and it was a real ‘Greatest Hits’ of favorites. It has been so much fun creating a community of friends and music lovers who have requested and enjoyed these songs over the last 12 years that I’ve been doing online shows - especially the last three years during COVID.
My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was kind of another night of best songs with a few new ones thrown in for good measure. I’m blessed to be able to do these shows. I’ve always wanted to play for people who really want to hear me play and sing, and that’s exactly what theses shows have become.
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What am I up to this week?
I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I am looking forward to every one. With Easter being this week I’m sure I’ll be singing a few hymns and songs about bunnies and Spring. This is such a sweet time of year with lots of memories for all the folks of family times and Spring rituals.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the music of the Monkees as I mentioned above. My sisters had several of their albums, and so I grew up listening to their songs and watching their TV show. Amazingly the show was only on the air for 2 seasons, but it sure gave me a lot of memories of their music and zany antics. It’ll be fun to sing and play these songs, and many of my regulars are really excited to hear these tunes and reminisce. You’re always welcome to tune in!
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I cherish these evenings among friends and music lovers. Come on out and join in the fun with a couple requests!
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That’s it for this week. I hope you have a lovely Easter, and I hope your life is full and happy.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of Monkees songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, April 5, 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 9, 7-8:45 pm mountain time