I’m diving into the past this week to do research for my Thursday online show about Bing Crosby. I like to know a little bit about the times and situations that brought about people's careers and the songs they sang. It helps so I can get an authentic sense for the music and the delivery. Bing had a different path than you might guess. Would you think that he grew up in Spokane, Washington? That’s just one of the interesting facts about Bing’s life. I often think about what people were like in this country and what the world was like in different periods. Part of that is because I wonder what my ancestors were doing and thinking. Not all of it is pleasant, of course. One of the more enlightening things when we were going though family books and notes after my mother's death was seeing some of the prejudices and biases that were prevalent 100 years ago and more. I do think that we are improving as a species although it goes in fits and starts. So I don’t have anything bold or profound to say this week in relation to the past other than there is value in studying and learning from it. The music really helps to relate to it in a personal way, and that’s what this Thursday's show featuring Bing Crosby will be all about.
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What have I been up to?
My senior facilities went well last week. Luckily none of them had to be cancelled for COVID. Music and interaction means so much to these wonderful folks.
My online show Tuesday with songs about planes, trains, and automobiles was great fun. There were some surprises, and I think everyone had a good time. I love my audience.
Thanksgiving went well for us. We enjoyed a quiet day at home with the pets and some good family food. I think this is the first year we didn’t watch hardly any parades or football.
My online show Sunday was well-attended with lots of good friends and good music. There such a great depth of music and friendship we can share, and each week seems to top the one before.
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What am I up to this week?
Wednesday I won’t be at the Gold Dust Saloon. They have staff now, but licensing costs are making this gig more difficult for the venue. We’re going to take off the whole month of December, so there won’t be a gig on December 15th either. It’s probably for the best with COVID numbers increasing and the new variant coming. I don’t mind staying safer for my seniors.
Thursday my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing the afore-mentioned music of Bing Crosby. Bing was very prolific, and there is so much material to choose from. Of course, we'll do at least a couple of his Christmas songs to start the holiday season, but there will be other songs from musicals and movies and so much more. For instance, did you know that Bing made a cowboy album and an Irish album? It will be a memorable evening. Come on by if you can.
Sunday my online show 7-8:30 will be doing favorites and requests as always. I spend most of my day Sunday as well as several hours during the week preparing music and listening to songs to get ready for these shows. It’s a labor of love learning songs that mean so much to my audience. I do a lot of songs in the spur of the moment as well. Please come by if you can.
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That’s it for this week. Don’t forget that I have a holiday concert on December 16th at the La Veta Mercantile as well as many appearances around the area even with COVID. My calendar is always up to date on my website - http://tommunch.com/calendar. Stay safe and enjoy the holiday season.
Best always,
Tom
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Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of Bing Crosby songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Tuesday, December 2, 7-8:30 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of favorites
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Sunday, December 5, 7-8:30 pm mountain time