Noon Tunes allows people of all experience, talent, and inspiration to play with other musicians who just want to create and belong in a fun way and in a fun environment.

The Thursday jam sessions at Tinderbox Coffee Roasters — 113 E. Wishkah St., in Aberdeen — show the love that Harborites have for music. Whether they show up to the cafe for a coffee, tea or a baked good, people can sit down on the blue couches, grab a guitar, and use whatever instrument they have.

Jane Sharp, who walked in on Thursday to grab a coffee, saw her long-time friend Adam Carter playing his mandolin. She grabbed an acoustic guitar off the wall and started playing with him.

Carter was switching between John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” and Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May.” He also played his own, original song “Northwest Country.” Carter spoke about what he loves about Noon Tunes and how an open mic night in Montesano inspired him to write “Northwest Country.”

“It’s just a time to come together with other local musicians to share ideas and to share songs,” Carter said. “I’m a songwriter and so I gain inspiration from the songs and words of others. For example, my ‘Northwest Country’ song, that song came from an open mic night at Gepetto’s. (Clinton) ‘Dogger’ Mullins was playing there that night. He played a couple of his originals and they were talking about how much he appreciated where he grew up.”

Darrell Westmoreland, famed rock photographer who has documented concerts and backstage photos with so many of the world’s most famous musicians, likes the idea of Noon Tunes being in downtown Aberdeen.

“I think it’s good entertainment for mid-afternoon, or afternoon, for live music,” Westmoreland said. “It is cool that they have this. There aren’t too many places around the area that have live music where anybody can join in. I think it’s pretty cool.”

A couple Aberdeen Police Department officers wandered into Tinderbox in order to get a caffeine pick-me-up while the musicians were performing. A couple of the officers and a couple other customers applauded the musicians as they finished a song.

Sharp explained what she likes about the sessions. Sharp was playing a guitar signed by Aaron Burckhard. Burckhard, who still lives in Aberdeen, played in the late ‘80s with Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic.

“I just came in to get a cup of coffee and started jamming with (Adam) because we go way back,” Sharp said. “My impression (of Noon Tunes) is anyone can join in. Anyone with any voice can join in. If you can speak, you can sing. And why not join in? Every bird has its song. And to be part of a choir of singing birds, whether you’re musical with an instrument or your voice, brings you into a community of us all.”

Impromptu session

“I think it’s just a cool, little event thing they put on every Thursday,” Westmoreland said.

The photographer said this was the first time he’s seen Noon Tunes live, but he’s seen it promoted on social media.

“It’s kind of cool that you can just come in, grab a guitar, sit down and just kind of play,” Westmoreland said.

Norma Carter, who’s Adam’s wife, seemed to enjoy herself as she watched her husband and Wil Russoul play.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for people to come down here with other musicians, make contacts and learn some other people’s songs,” Norma said. “It’s a cute, little coffee shop for people to come in, spend a little time listening to music and to chat with other musicians and grab a great cup of coffee.”

Russoul spoke briefly about Noon Tunes, which has been going for a few years. Noon Tunes has changed through the years.

“This year, it turned out to be kind of a jam,” Russoul said. “It’s all-ages, we’ve had kids in here. I think it gives people who don’t have a venue, stage or gig, they can come here and we all respect each other.”

Russoul said he did it this year for the month of August and how it could continue in different ways. He said it also helps a business. As far as continuing this into September, that’s unclear.

“My experience has been that some things have a shelf life and you kind of have to know when that is,” Russoul said. “The good news is that Make Music Aberdeen, through World Music Day, have put and placed in here two guitars so people can come whenever they want to come play. It can be year-round, but I think when you’re trying to do a little bit of a program, in my world, it works better if there’s a period of time.”

Russoul said he loves how he can call on Carter to come play. It sounds like Carter will go whenever Russoul calls him.

“This guy here (Wil) he helped me get started on the mandolin, he gave me my very first mandolin,” Carter said. “I’ve been playing violin since I was in fifth grade. At the time I had this really nice, electric violin and it was a really beautiful instrument. But I was having problems with my arthritis at a time. It hurt to play it. I was only good for maybe two or three songs and I’d have to put it down. And any instrument, if it hurts to practice, if it hurts to play and it’s not a pain you can overcome with exercises, you won’t play. You won’t practice.”

Sharp said “God is good,” before she spoke about how important music is in life.

“Sometimes He allows you to learn an instrument, and then He’ll use it for His glory when you’re old,” Sharp said. “Music needs to be taught in our schools, because it’s part of every human being. It’s a catalyst of our spirit and it inspires us.”

Sharp spoke about having such a low-pressure environment, as well has being able to go somewhere in town.

“It’s so much fun, it’s so much fun,” Sharp said. “Music I believe is part of all of us, and we need to wrap ourselves in it a little bit more to get out of the stress of life. It really helps.”

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.

Matthew N. Wells / The Daily World Two acoustic guitars that hang on the wall at Tinderbox Coffee Roasters are available for people to play while they enjoy their coffee, tea, baked good, pop or water. On Thursday, they were used by a couple talented musicians who enjoyed themselves during the program known as Noon Tunes. It sounds like Aug. 29 might be the last chance to come in for Noon Tunes, but the guitars will remain, so come play.