<p>Musicians and vocalists gather at an open jam the first and third Thursdays of each month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.</p>

SURFSIDE Every first and third Thursday of the month, theyll be jamming at the Surfside Homeowners Association building. If its like their get-together two weeks ago, there will be a variety of instruments, plenty of enthusiasm and some really great songs. Audience members will be tapping their toes and singing along with the varied rhythms. Its an informal music jam that anyone of any skill level can come to. No cost. No pressure. Just a lot of camaraderie amongst musicians, vocalists and those who want to sing along or just come want to watch, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Staying regular who goes there?

Louise Purdin, a regular who comes with her bass and guitar playing husband, John, enjoys attending these jams. At the last one, she stood by Johns side and sang, as he and the other musicians played The Crawdad Song. Louise loves to join in to sing, As long as I can get the key to match my range, she joked. Shes fairly new to this pastime, but explained that John has played stand up bass and guitar since he was a teenager. He played in high school with the orchestra and jazz band. He played in their church choir for about 30 years and last year, he joined a swing band in their hometown in Florida.

But now, theyre here on the Peninsula, for at least part time.We bought property here in 2005, retired in 2009 and have been coming out here for the last four summers. We are hopefully building a house this winter, to be out here most, if not all, the year, Louise explained.

With that active music scene in Florida, Louise said, When we came out to Washington this year, John wanted to find a group, to continue his music. John plays folk, jazz, classical and swing. And Louise started singing along because I wanted to do something with him once the kids were raised and I had the time.

The music jams here have been a perfect fit for this couple and theyre grateful that they connected with another musical couple, Tim and Patti Rose, who started the jams. Louise commented, They had set up two times a month music jam sessions at the Peninsula Senior Center and they started two weeks after we came out here this year. It was perfect timing.

In August, however, there was a logistics issue. Louise stepped in to save the day and the jams. I asked the Surfside Homeowners Association if we could use the office for the jams and they agreed. Tim and Patti would rather we take care of doing the jam sessions and they help make phone calls reminding people. And, they bring some equipment for us to use.

Both Louise and Patti say the goal of the jams is to have fun, practice and just get together with other musicians. Theyve been spreading the word with posters put up on various bulletin boards on the Peninsula and also, of course, by word of mouth. Ruth Carpenter was an audience member at the last jam and Louise said, We are telling our neighbors and so is Ruth.

Better late than never

Patti Rose, like Louise, hasnt been singing long and she only recently discovered that shes got great rhythm and can play the Conga drum, so she has jumped right in to participate in the jams. Since this is a non-competitive and non-intimidating atmosphere, its a good place for newcomers and old pros alike. Its a friendly environment and we try to help people get better at their music, she said, adding that this is an everybodys welcome environment and decades of experience is not a requirement. Yes, my husband has been doing music off and on for some time, but I actually started singing and playing about six months ago.

Tim started playing guitar at age 22 and has played on and off for community activities. Like Louise and John Purdin, Tim and Patti Rose love seeing others join the jams. And theres no strings on what the newcomers can do. Patti explained, Remember, this is an open mic. People can even come with poems or a reading. We encourage it all, including a listening audience. And if you can keep a beat some people cant, but lets find out who can come and learn to mature your musical gifts. She said that even dancing would have a place.

And if you just happen to play guitar

So far, the Purdins and Roses have brought the sound equipment and have it set up by the 6 oclock start time. Patti explained, We have others that come and play with us, but we have a core of people with equipment and it probably will do for several other players. Eventually, we will need to have someone else bring more equipment, but not now.

You never know who will walk through the door

Partway through the last jam, Judy Eron arrived with a guitar, followed by Charlie Watkins and his accordion. Both are members of the group, Double J and The Boys. Judy sat next to Jack Phillips and Charlie settled in at an open space on the other side of the room. One of the best received songs they often play is Sharp Snappy Snake Boots, kind of a signature song for their group. They did it at the jam, encouraging everyone to join in with the chorus. Soon, the songs were coming one right after another, each musician coming up with something they knew and liked and calling out the chords here and there, to help the others play. Down In The Valley, The Crawdad Song, Its Such A Pretty World Today and others the kinds of songs most everyone has heard from their childhood on. But there were also new and original compositions.

A good place to try out new songs

Patti and Tim sang a song they had written about living in a state of joy and happiness. It was one of the 30 or so songs theyve recently written. Patti said inspiration for new songs seems to surround them and that when the inspiration comes, we may write a song in minutes and the music is also there. Like yesterday. I saw a coffee sack on our porch and on it, it said a product of Old Mexico. Inspiration hit and we set about writing the song and music. The new song is called, of course, A Product of Old Mexico.

Everything seems to feed the muse. Whether Patti is baking bread in the kitchen or refinishing furniture, she says that inspiration can come from anywhere.

And more than likely, theyll play the new songs at the twice monthly music jams. They find music healing and invigorating in so many ways. They want to spread that message to potential jam attendees. Tim and I feel the winters are very long here and if you can play music, then lets get together and brighten up the community.