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www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmuBKlqAy9Q Musician, lawyer, painter, father, fisherman, skier, photographer, writer,lover of life, nature, the cottage, and a good joke...not necessarily in that order. I am donating a dollar from each sale of my new CD to Parkinson's Society Canada. I developed early onset PD five years ago and now am a member of the local Parkinson's Board as well as Living Green Barrie (Environmental Action Barrie). I like to look for the photo shot that others would miss.
Please have a listen to free samples of my music at www.cdbaby.com/cd/peterthompson
or on iTunes (there is a mix up with one song by another Peter Thompson included somehow) .

Note**the cd contains my cover of PETER SARSTEDT'S "Where Do You Go To' My Lovely?" the song featured in THE DARJEELING LIMITED. Sarstedt sings harmony on my CD.

www.simcoe.com/article/67638

Reviews follow:
From Barrie Advance:

A whole life in his CD
Author: Lucy Purdy: Special
Date: May 16, 2007

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Peter Thompson has compiled some of his favourite songs on his new CDPeter Thompson, a Barrie lawyer and singer-songwriter, has spent the last 25 years building up enough material for his debut CD, Taking a Dive (Heart First), a compilation of songs reflective on the various stages of his life.


Released in April, the 14-track album begins with Thompson’s favourite Tom Paxton tune, My Ramblin’ Boy, which he fondly recalls first hearing in 1974.


It concludes with Don’t Think Twice, by Bob Dylan. He chose it as symbolic of his belief that life goes on. Another song, Yesterday’s Children, holds special meaning for Thompson, as he wrote it in 1980, about his father who was longing for the carefree days of his childhood.


Coming full circle is something Thompson has contemplated for some time. However, even though he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five years ago, he strives not to miss a beat. Some days, his condition presents more challenges than others.


“When I feel good, I can climb mountains,” Thompson noted, adding that it often depends on levels of daily stress, and it is difficult to anticipate which days will be best.


Parkinson’s Disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, often impairs the individual’s motor skills and speech.


For Thompson, one thing appears constant – the smooth quality and tone of his natural singing voice. One can’t help but hear the striking timbre and edge reminiscent of folk icon Valdy.


“I also get people saying I sound like Burl Ives,” he said, admitting that in his youth, he at one time tried to sound like Gordon Lightfoot..


While Thompson is not performing live these days, he continues to sing and play guitar, having recently invested in a new sound system.


As a nature lover, avid fisherman, and sports enthusiast as well, it is music that sustained him during his years in university. He paid his way through school by performing at local nightclubs and various venues in Ontario and Europe.


As he lends his voice to the unpredictable illness that has gripped him, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Thompson’s CD will be donated to the Parkinson’s Society of Canada.

Active on the board of Barrie branch of the society, Thompson is pleased that he can do more towards helping fight the disease through the sale of his CD.


Recorded in part at what was once the popular Barrie’s recording studio, The Power Plant, Thompson’s CD was mastered in Toronto.


To order Taking a Dive (Heart First), visit www.peterthompson.ca.


From Eugene Weekly:


Oregon Country Fair 2007
Heart First, Music Second
Folk musician Peter Thompson gives back through music
by Amanda Burhop

There are lots of reasons musicians like to play the Oregon Country Fair: large audiences, outside venues, fellow musicians to chat with and like-minded spectators to appreciate the music. And for the most part, everyone's in a good mood — maybe it's the vitamin D from all that sun exposure. But some musicians play music because it allows them to give something back to the community.


Folk musician and personal-injury lawyer Peter Thompson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about five years ago. While news of this nature is startling and devastating, Thompson has remained positive and has taken a proactive stance in helping others fight the disease. His latest release, Taking a Dive (Heart First), is a collection of cover songs, loaded with guest singers and musicians, that includes covers of traditional folk and bluegrass songs from artists like Bob Dylan and Tom Paxton. But unlike most albums, a portion of its proceeds will benefit the Parkinson's Society of Canada.

In selecting songs for the album, Thompson had a specific theme in mind. "It goes from the freewheeling days to falling in love, settling in with children and pets, getting older, drifting apart, remorse at the loss and finally getting up and carrying on," Thompson says. In reflecting the various stages in life, the album offers something for everyone and succeeds at creating listening pleasure for children as well as older folks.

But listening to the album, one can't help but be saddened by Thompson's diagnosis. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that occurs when bodies stop producing the movement-controlling chemical dopamine. Dopamine carries signals between nerves in the brain, and when the cells that produce dopamine die, symptoms like tremors and rigidity of muscles become apparent. Dopamine also controls moods, and without it, people experience bouts of depression. Currently there is no cure for the disease, but Parkinson's researchers all over the world are working to find one.

The Parkinson's Society of Canada, which will benefit from sales of Thompson's album, is a national, nonprofit charity run by volunteers who raise money for research, develop educational and informational materials and work to "ease the burden and find a cure."

OK, so most of us aren't doctors or loaded with tons of money that we can give freely to charitable organizations. But Peter Thompson is a great example of the ways we can contribute individually. In addition to his donated album sales, Thompson works with people every day who struggle with insurance companies and other legal issues. If you would like to purchase his album, copies are available on his website, www.peterthompson.ca— or buy one in person at his appearance at the Fair. He plays from 1 to 3 pm Saturday in front of Café Lafayette.