Monday, September 5, 2022 - Summer's End

Well, summer is over in my mind once we hit Labor Day, and that always makes me take stock and look at where I’m headed. I know for some people the summer was pretty much back to normal with few worries about the pandemic. For me that wasn’t the case. I still shied away from indoor gigs for the most part and was hyper-careful for my senior facilities. Especially with the chapel in Cuchara there was a lot of COVID still going around. It was still slightly more relaxed knowing that the vaccines were making the threat a lot less ominous. Musically I did pretty well. I had some really interesting gigs like playing in Estes Park, and my voice and fingers held out for the most part with just a few struggles here and there. I’m definitely feeling my age and the wear from playing so much in my younger years. I have come across some wonderful songs this year - mostly from requests from my group of friends who frequent my online concerts. Those concerts continue to be well-attended and very good for the soul of all involved. It’s so nice to not have to go out to a venue and still be able to connect with so many folks that I used to almost never interact with. It also gives me the chance to play a lot more instruments than I usually get to play since they’re all so close at hand in my office. I’ve even played the piano more this year which I’ve wanted to do for many years. I got to play the banjo once before I started to work on it and found out it will be out of commission until I put some real effort into repairs. And going into the fall I have some interesting gigs in addition to my online shows. I’ll be writing about those as they near. So as I write this on Labor Day I find that I’m in an interesting place with some great things behind me and a winding path in front of me. There’s a small touch of melancholy as I say goodbye to summer, but what more could I ask for? 

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What have I been up to? 

I had just 6 senior facilities last week, and none of them had to be cancelled for outbreaks. I enjoy playing for these folks so much. 

My Wednesday online show went really well with the 1972 songs - so well that we’re going to do a part two this week. These songs are so much a part of my generation that many people in the audience said they knew every word even though they haven’t heard them in almost 50 years. 

My Sunday online show of favorites was also very nice with some great new songs for me as well as the audience. We have such a great group - I have to say it again! 

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What am I up to this week? 

I have 9 senior facilities to play this week including Labor Day and even a special show for 9/11. I’m looking forward to all of them.  

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be part 2 of the 50-years-ago songs from 1972 as I said above. I found 104 songs in my repertoire from 1972, and I can’t resist playing some more of them. Come on out if you remember some of the great songs and memories from that year. 

Thursday 6:30-8 will be the wrap-up for the year at the Yellow Pine with their annual BYOB event called AA (Appetizers and Alcohol) or Shalom and Charcuterie. It’s always a fun goodbye ‘til next summer for the summer folks of Cuchara. Anyone is welcome to attend. Just bring an appetizer to share and whatever libation you prefer. I’ll be playing my music, and it’ll be a hoot! 

My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I always look forward to what the night will bring with such good folks and great opportunity for musical interaction. We always do a Zoom a half hour beforehand (6:30 MT) which you’re welcome to attend. The link is https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7759127796?pwd=MZ55WfXnEkOSi3bztfvmMlbe2oCpoN.1 

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That’s it for this week. We’re coming into my foveate season of the year when things cool down and slow down. Savor it with good friends! 

Best always, 

Tom 

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Details this week: 

Who:  Tom Munch  

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs from 50 years ago, part 2 

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts   

When:  Wednesday, September 7, 7-8:30 pm mountain time  

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing & singing at the Appetizers and Alcohol event 

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara. 719-742-3528 

When:  Thursday, September 8, 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, September 11, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

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