I’m getting a bill today in the mail for crossing an express lane line in Denver when I was playing there earlier this month, and it has me thinking about feeling more out of touch as I grow older. In my defense I was confused about which lane I needed to be in when I went from one road to another, and I would have missed my exit if I would have stayed in the express lane, but I feared it was wrong at the time, and so I’ll pay the fine. But more and more as I age I feel less connected to the culture and world around me, and even though much of that is conscious decision to focus on the things that are important in life, it still has me feeling “at sea” sometimes. I can remember this happening to my parents, and I can remember how I didn’t understand at the time why they didn’t know how things worked in the world sometimes. It really bothered my dad when computers started to duplicate ways you could do certain things like cut, copy, and paste. My mom seemed to be pretty sharp all the time, but even she needed help with technology and other new things. I think we all are like this. There are new laws or events that happen that we miss, and then we feel dumb for not knowing about them. As I said above though, some of this is just choosing what to focus on and letting go of things that don’t seem important to us. Our friends who have kids and grandkids are more in touch with cultural and social news and events than we are. I used to pride myself for knowing current news about computers, cars, and photography, but I have let those things slip as I have aged and honed in on my music and the circle of life where I exist. I know that we do slow down as we age, and I know that things are also happening faster every year, so I think it’s okay to let things go. It’s just annoying when they end up costing us money!
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What have I been up to?
I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I ended up picking up another one. The facilities that had COVID outbreaks were back in the pink so it was a good week all around. I love playing for these folks although I think I’m about Halloweened out. ;-)
My Wednesday online show was Halloween songs again, and it was really fun and spooky. I think I got to all the songs I wanted to play, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
I did an online show of Philmont songs for my Philmont friends on Saturday, and it was really fine connecting with those friends and songs again. I love that there are these great ways to reach out and share an evening like this now across the miles and time zones.
My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and there were some wonderful requests. Every one of these shows is so dynamic and so full of giving and receiving. I really love how my audience is so supportive of me and of each other!
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What am I up to this week?
I have 7 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to playing for every one. I wish I could tell you about every one of the wonderful people I get to see and interact with.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be ‘50s standards, and I think I need to clarify what these are. My good friend Bob suggested this theme, and I knew what he meant although you don’t hear about standards being in the 1950s very often. These are the songs that kind of pre-date the rock and roll era - the great singers and even big band and orchestra songs that were so popular at this time. Think of Nat King Cole and Jo Stafford and Perry Como. I love these songs, and I think this will be a fine night of tunes and memories. Come on out if you can!
Saturday 11-3 I’m playing at a free Huajatolla Heritage Foundation event in Walsenburg called Coal Camps and Cowboy Camps. It will be a community event that’s kind of hard to describe. There will be music for listening and dancing including me playing old mining and cowboy songs and accordionist Mike Hogan playing old polkas and waltzes, historians and speakers, historical presentations, free lunch of beans, cornbread and blueberry cobbler, and art and historical pictures. It’s all in celebration of the history and culture of southern Colorado along the Huerfano River in the shadow of the Spanish Peaks or Huajatolla. It should be a great time, so come on out! Here’s a video on Facebook explaining more about it - https://fb.watch/n-yFQ4AvIP/
Sunday my online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and I know it will be special as always. This is always a highlight of my week, so come on out!
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That’s it for this week. I can’t believe it’s already November on Wednesday. Where does the time go? 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 ’50s Standards
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, November 1, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch with Mike Hogan
What: playing and singing at Coal Camps and Cowboy Camps
Where: Walsenburg Community Center, 928 Russell Street, Walsenburg, CO
When: Saturday, November 4, 11 am-3 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, November 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time