My show this Wednesday is about names, and I was really surprised when I searched through my song folder to come up with 243 songs that were about names. I’m even missing quite a few songs that immediately come to mind from the '50s and '60s like “Diana” and “Sherry”, and still I have so many. Names really do have importance in our lives. Most of the people I grew up with had the standard names of America, but I’ve really found that people with unique names lead different lives. They are more noticed - sometimes for the good and sometimes not so much. But there is power in a name. We romanticize the dramatic names in stories and in life. I think that’s why so many stars take interesting names. I was going to have my professional name be something different at one point. My middle name is Paul (named for my maternal grandfather), and I toyed with the name of Paul Grey at one point. It doesn’t really fit me, and I don’t know why I picked Grey. I guess I thought it sounded dignified and mysterious. Anyway, I’m sure we all had nicknames and tried out different names at times - whether it was a married name or just a fantasy. And songs with names have really captured our collective psyche. No one likes to hear the song with their name in it, but we do like name songs. So Wednesday I’ll play a bunch of them. Maybe I’ll play yours!
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What have I been up to?
I forgot to mention my senior facilities again last week. I think it was because I had so many other things going on. I actually had 13 facilities to play, so it was a busy week there also. A couple of them were dealing with COVID cases, so caution is always at the forefront. It was great to see them all.
The dance in Cuchara on Monday went very well although they had a super-soaker rainstorm just before I arrived, and the road was closed and then reopened just before I got there to set up. We had to deal with some mud that had flowed into the entrance of the community center, but after we got that cleaned up the evening went really well. We did miss some folks who couldn’t get out with the little bit of flooding that occurred though.
My Wednesday online show about hot and cold was really fun. We found some really clever songs about hot and cold, so it was kind of a playful night with a lot of folks coming out to participate.
The Thursday barbecue at the Yellow Pine was packed with mostly one family who books the entire ranch for a reunion every summer, so it was a really fun night spending time with them.
The Sunday Cuchara Chapel service was cancelled due to the uncertainty around COVID with so many of the chapel folks coming down with it. They have cancelled all services until August 7th. I’m scheduled to play the service on the 14th.
My Sunday online show was really sweet with great requests and interaction in our wonderful group. Some nights just end up being extra-special.
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What am I up to this week?
I have just 8 senior facilities to play this week as I am taking off Friday and Saturday to go to a reunion at Philmont that is celebrating 50 years of women rangers, of which two of my sisters were early pioneers. It’ll be great to hike with those two sisters, Jane and Carol, on Saturday to one of the camps and to a demonstration forest where we can learn more about wildfire mitigation. This will be a great opportunity to have a little R&R and see some old friends.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be featuring names as I wrote about above. I know it’s going to be a great time already. Come on out!
Thursday will be the barbecue at the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch. I’d love to have you come out and enjoy some barbecue, music, dancing, and even roasting marshmallows around the fire. Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528.
My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will feature requests and favorites as always. We have such a supportive and ever-growing group of friends and music fans, and I’d love to have you in the audience as well. Come on out.
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That’s it for this week. I hope your summer is going well, and that you’re staying safe. COVID continues to be something we deal with daily, and it has been hard to live with it hanging over our heads, but somehow with love and care and perseverance we are getting through.
Best always,
Tom
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Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of name songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, July 20, 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, July 21, 6:30-8:00 pm
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, July 24, 7-8:30 pm mountain time