My online show on Wednesday will be songs from 50 years ago in 1974, and that has me thinking about what life was like in 1974. I was just a teenager, and I was just starting to play stringed instruments - starting with my sister’s soprano ukulele in 1973. My dad was stationed in Nebraska with the VA, and so our lives were fairly simple compared to life on the coasts. We didn’t have a lot of angst although we saw the mid-‘70s turmoil on the evening news like everyone else did. Folk rock was what interested me although our local AM radio station played a little bit of everything. I loved playing the songs of that era on a baritone ukulele which was basically a guitar without the two lower-pitched strings. I picked most of them up off the radio or from songbooks. There were so many songs that were based on acoustic guitar, and I loved the intricate picking patterns and cool sounds in these songs. I can’t remember all the events of 1974. I guess that was the year that Nixon resigned. Gas prices were higher with the oil embargo. My sister Jane graduated from high school that year. It was an interesting time. I think I was mostly just a dopey kid who was interested in music. It has been fun going through the songs of that year and bringing back memories. Where were you and what were you up to?
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What have I been up to?
I had 12 senior facilities, and they all went so well! Many are requiring masks with Covid outbreaks. I’m actually used to wearing a mask and singing now. I have to wear glasses so I can tuck the top of the mask under my glasses to keep it on, but it all works fine after all these months of doing it.
My Wednesday online show was winter songs, and there were some really good ones. I had a really large group of folks come out to celebrate the winter and enjoy each other and the tunes.
My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and I had picked out a great variety of tunes for my regulars in addition to the fun requests that were made at the show. I love playing these evenings so much for my fine friends and supporters!
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What am I up to this week?
I have 9 senior facilities this week, and they should all go very well. My amp has been giving me trouble lately, so I may have to switch up to a different one this week. I always want to give my very best to these folks.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from 1974 as I wrote above. There are so many great songs I know from this year! I’ve already gathered 90 of them, so we may have to do another week of 1974 songs just so we will not miss any favorites. Come on out!
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and it’s always the highlight of my week interacting with folks and doing some real gems of music. I love this group and this night. You’re always welcome!
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That’s it for this week. I’m really looking forward to all the songs and good vibes this week will bring. I hope you are well and relatively happy. Life is good.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of 1974 songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, January 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, January 28, 7-8:45 pm mountain time