Monday, April 27, 2020 - Sanity of Music

While I was playing my online concert last night I had a realization I’ve had before, but this time it hit me like a ton of bricks - music is my meditation and my sanity.  During this time of the virus (now in the 7th week for me) I haven’t been playing nearly as much as I usually do, and I realize it is starting to affect my outlook in more ways than I thought.  I’ve written before about how the little things in life are what keep me on center when I’m letting the world get to me.  Well, music is a big thing in my life that I need as much as air and water.  It turns out it really does do what the Enlightenment thinkers thought it did - it shapes the brain and tunes the mind in concrete ways.  The interplay between melody, harmony, rhythm, and syncopation is food for the brain and a workout all at once.  The coordination of fingers, mouth, and brain are an intricate flow of neurons firing and synapses linking everything together.  This is not even to mention  the spiritual and emotional content of the music and lyrics that weave with the magic of where it all comes from.  It is a sacred thing in my world that I am truly privileged to be part of, and I know it better now than I ever did.  It taps into the ancient flow of life and the divine for me.  It is an expression of love and life.  So I intend to jump in with renewed vigor as much as I can even more now as the weeks go by.  It is my spirit’s sustenance as much as meditation and contemplation. 

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What have I been up to? 

I finished the layout of my “Back to the Old Country” album over the weekend, and I’ll be submitting my order this week.  I was going to hold off on getting CD’s, but I think instead I will sign up for a run of stamps.com even though it is pricey so I can ship out CD’s as well as have the album available for streaming and download.  These songs are full of simple and heartfelt sentiment that I know is needed at this time. 

I recorded a big batch of public domain songs last week and put them up on my Tom Munch Public Domain Songs YouTube channel last week.  Feel free to give them a listen if you need some entertainment.  youtube.com/channel/UCLYdZkZ0isWlc9wv1QsKutQ/ 

My Sunday Facebook Live concert went very well.  I mostly stuck to a theme of 70s music, and it was a good release and a pleasure visiting these favorite songs from my guitar-playing youth.  We threw in some beautiful moments too.  Folks were very generous with kind comments and shared joy.  I look forward to these more than you know. 

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What am I up to this week? 

Friday 7-9 I’ll be doing an online show for my first-Friday regular appearance at Bistoro restaurant in Pueblo.  I’m not sure whether it will be on my page or on Bistoro’s page, but I’ll be posting it on Facebook and Twitter as soon as I figure it out.  Joette at Bistoro did a wonderful video last week from the restaurant in conjunction with the Pueblo Arts Alliance showing some tips about tomatoes, dressing, and salads.  She is a wonderful person who is so good on camera and so centered, and it’s a joy to be working with her and her husband Pellumb. 

Sunday 7-8:15 I’ll be doing my weekly Facebook Live concert.  I haven’t decided on a theme yet, but I’m keeping a list of requests as I go, so expect to hear some requests as people make them and attend the concert.  I’m sorry I can’t get to all of them as they are made, but there just isn’t enough time in life.  Maybe sometime I’ll do a marathon session where I do nothing but requests until we exhaust them, but I have a feeling that would go for many hours. :-) 

I hope to send my “Back to the Old Country” album to press this week as I said above. 

I also intend to record several more public domain songs. 

I also hope to do some writing this week on a reflective coronavirus song and maybe an “if I should die before I wake” kind of song.  I know that sounds kind of macabre, but I assure you it will be uplifting and peaceful. 

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That’s it for this week.  This virus time is really starting to wear on everyone, and I’m right there with you.  I don’t need to go out for anything for quite some time, and I want to make this time as meaningful and illness-free as I can. 

Best always, 

Tom 

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Details this week: 

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  singing and playing a Facebook Live Concert in conjunction with Bistoro 
Where: facebook.com/TomMunchFans/ or facebook.com/BistoroPueblo/ 
When:  Friday, May 1, 7-9 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert from my home 
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos 
When:  Sunday, May 3, 7-8:15 pm mountain time

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