I’m contemplating songwriters and songwriting this morning. It’s a work I’ve dabbled but never fully immersed myself in. I’ve written a fair number of songs, but I’ve never been able to make it a practice that I keep on a continuous basis. Songwriters seem to always be in a thoughtful observance mode. They process all they see with a filter that sculpts the world into a poetic and melodic realm that comes naturally to them. I enjoy it when I try it, and I used to keep a pen and pad by my bedside that I would write phrases and ideas with every night. Great songwriters are fans of great literature and poetry. They look for clever word usage and imagery that expresses ideas in meaningful ways. They can distill an occurrence into 3 verses and a chorus with an optional bridge that makes you feel the place and time in a very real way. One of my favorite book series that has minstrels in it talks of how these minstrels write songs that record history and make that history into legends. And of course I think there is magic in music that goes beyond the songwriters talent - introducing a timelessness and impact that is beyond the song. And so on Tuesday I will be featuring the songs of Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt - two songwriters who revered and polished the act of songwriting to a high art. I hope you can tune in and enjoy it.
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What have I been up to?
My senior facilities went pretty well last week. For one of them the performance had to be outside because they had one resident diagnosed with COVID. This virus is surely not over. I even played one facility at the last minute on Sunday morning. That was a pleasant surprise.
My Tuesday online show doing ‘30s and ‘40s music was a thrill. I’m not sure my audience was prepared to hear that kind of music, but the memories flowed, and there were several mentions of not having heard a favorite song since hearing it with a parent many, many years ago.
Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was a little different than usual. We had a lot of new folks, and I don’t think they knew that they could stay and dance and make requests. They did seem to enjoy themselves though, and we even had my good friends Matt and Deann Pujol come out for their anniversary and dance the night away.
My Sunday online show doing favorites and requests was just about perfect. There were many regulars with a good mix of new tunes and old favorites including several spontaneous requests.
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What am I up to this week?
I have a bunch of senior facilities this week from Colorado Springs down to Walsenburg, and it’s interesting to see how each one is dealing with the prevalence of the Delta variant in our area. I’m wearing a mask at most of them even if they say I don’t have to per their policy.
My Tuesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time is doing the afore-mentioned songs of Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. Their songs are so engaging and impactful, and I hope you’ll tune in if you can. Remember that you can always catch my show in a replay on my website or Facebook if you can’t be there live - tommunch.com/online-concerts and facebook.com/tom.munch.
Thursday 6:30-8 is the last Yellow Pine barbecue of the season. It’s always a little sad wrapping up the summer at the Yellow Pine. The nights are getting cooler, and families are getting their kids back to school, so it’s time to stop until next year. We will have one last Yellow Pine get-together on the Thursday following Labor Day in the barn though. That is always a potluck hors d’oeuvres night as a fundraiser for the local fire department that is so appreciated in the mountain community. That’ll be on September 9th from 6:30-8.
Friday night 7-9 I’m playing a dance with Dennis Mills on bass at the Cuchara Community Center. This should be a lot of fun, and it’ll be great to play with Dennis again. We’ve only played one other gig this summer. There’s no door fee, but donations are accepted. It is put on by the Cuchara Valley Recreation Program. Everybody in the valley usually comes out to these fun dances! You’re always welcome.
My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be playing favorites and requests as usual. These are always fun nights with friends from all over the country and sometimes world, and I truly enjoy them!
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I mentioned possibly playing at the Gold Dust Saloon in Pueblo, and several people responded that they’d love to do it. I’m scheduled to play there on Wednesday, August 18th, from 6-9. If it goes well we’ll set up a regular schedule.
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That’s it for this week. This summer is waning quickly, and I’m enjoying it immensely and hoping the virus doesn’t slow us down a lot.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Tuesday, August 10, 7-8:30 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing & singing at the barbeque
Where: Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara. 719-742-3528
When: Thursday, August 12, 6:30-8:00 pm
Who: Tom Munch and Dennis Mills
What: playing for a dance put on by the Cuchara Valley Recreation Program
Where: Cuchara Community Center, Cuchara
When: Friday, August 13, 7-9 pm
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of favorites
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Sunday, August 15, 7-8:30 pm mountain time