I’ve been thinking about albums lately. I haven’t made a new one since the beginning of the pandemic. That album started as a collection of original songs that I put on the back burner when I didn’t have enough songs written as my studio time came up and finished as a collection of favorite old country songs. I love the creative process, and I love writing and recording songs. Being in that flow of music and creation is just about the best thing I’ve ever been involved in. But it does cost quite a bit to make an album even though my good friend Don Richmond who owns the studio I record at (Howling Dog Studios) has always been more than fair with me on studio time and generosity of spirit and playing chops. (He can play anything I can play and so much more! We’ve even collaborated on a few songs.) But since the demise of the CD and other forms of physical recordings, the main way musicians make money is through performing and merch. Streaming music revenue is very small unless you have millions of listens. Performing is the main way I have made my living although album sales did help for a while. I’ve considered making more albums just for the joy of creation and the buzz of having something new out, but I honestly can’t afford it anymore. I never did like selling things anyway. I’m the last person to promote my stuff, and I never did get into other merch like books, art, and t-shirts. It just never felt right for me. Maybe I was never hungry enough. To make an album you have to have something you want to say or a drive to create something new. During the pandemic I was too busy trying to provide music to support my audience and my own psychic stability at a time when no one knew what tomorrow would bring. I’m still pretty busy doing that with online shows even though the emphasis has changed quite a bit with life assuming a more normal posture. I have written a few songs, and I’ve put most of them on my YouTube channel so people can hear them. I should probably record and release what I have written recently even if I don’t ever sell much of it. It’s funny how music over the last 150 years has been released and how musicians have made a living. At the beginning of that period you either made money by selling sheet music or by performing live. When recording technology became available it was possible to make the majority from selling recordings although most musicians loved to perform live too and would promote their recordings through those performances. Nowadays it really is mainly through performing again since streaming is not a viable means of income for most. I think our society still values music. It is very easy to access now with the internet and streaming, and it is much easier to create it especially as AI becomes better and more prevalent. I don’t think that music and that form of creativity will ever not be part of our culture although the world is swiftly changing. (Was that a pun on Taylor Swift?) Anyway, these are just my thoughts as I contemplate playing songs off my albums at this upcoming Wednesday’s online show.
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What have I been up to?
I had 10 senior facilities last week, and it was so much fun doing Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day songs for them. The folks really appreciate music and the good vibes that come from it.
My Wednesday online show doing love songs was better than I could have hoped for. There was a huge variety of love songs, and I had a wide-ranging audience from all over the place.
My Sunday online show of favorites and requests had some great requests and a couple new songs to boot. I love doing these online shows for my wonderful audience.
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What am I up to this week?
I have 13 senior facilities this week, and I’m really looking forward to all of them. Following the holidays of February I will do different kinds of shows with just a little leftover love songs and some anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs off my albums as I wrote above. I may include a couple new songs I have written since the albums too for a little variety. It’s surprising how little I really play some of these album songs even though they are old friends. There’s just too much music out there to play! Come on out!
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’ve been trying to take the time to learn at least a couple new tunes every week for this show. My audience is just the best, and I would love to have you join in.
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That’s it for this week. The weather seems to have shifted here to a warmer pattern, and I’m starting to feel a little Spring in the air. I hope you are well and hearty and enjoying life.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of songs off my albums
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, February 21, 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, February 25, 7-8:45 pm mountain time