Local man’s last wish is for music to be heard around the world
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
To say Pat Peterson is living each day as if it were his last would be an understatement.
The 40-year-old lifelong resident of Whitewater received a grim prognosis from doctors last month. After years of fighting, Peterson is spending what is believed to be his final days with his loves: his wife of 15 years, Ruth; his nearly 10-year-old daughter, Jazmine; and music.
Lots and lots of music.
Peterson, a venerable guitarist and singer, is aiming to share his music with listeners from all walks of life. His lofty goal, derived with a hefty dose of support from Ruth, comes as he faces the inevitable.
After nearly four years of battling brain tumors, doctors at University Hospital in Madison revealed in mid-December there was nothing more that could be done to treat the aggressive form of cancer that has slowed – but not stopped – Peterson in recent years.
Over a three-year span, doctors performed numerous chemotherapy treatments in an effort to mitigate the growth of tumors. But the condition has been unrelenting and aggressive, leading doctors to halt all treatments a month ago.
The news has been jarring to the Peterson family, but the close-knit trio are not standing still. Instead, they are working to share Peterson’s legacy across the globe with assistance from modern technology.
Peterson has long had a desire to share his work with millions of people.
“Pat has always wanted his music to be heard round the world,” Ruth said. “While he is still with us and able to enjoy watching this happen, I want to make his music go viral. I intend to do everything in my power to make this dream come true for him.”
As news has spread about Peterson’s terminal diagnosis in recent weeks, fans have taken to social media to share his music across a variety of platforms.
The family is also on a mad dash to create a variety of CDs that capture Peterson’s talents. Throughout his venerable career, Peterson wrote hundreds of pieces. In addition to performing solo, he has been a part of the bands The Pipe Circus and Avengers Assemble.
One of the centerpieces of the various music efforts is a song titled “Long Road.” It’s a fitting name for a man who has endured insurmountable obstacles in recent years.
The soulful ballad, touching on some of life’s trials and triumphs, was written and recorded not long after the initial diagnosis. Peterson performed the song live on the Madison-based concert TV series, “The Urban Theater.”
In recent weeks, Peterson has taken to Facebook and has expressed gratitude for all of the support.
Comments on a You Tube video to “Long Road” from people all over the world have been especially gratifying to a person whose days on this earth are short.
“This is the most amazing thing I could have ever imagined,” Peterson wrote in a recent Facebook post. “When my wife Ruth told me what she was doing, I had no idea it would be like this.”
Help make his dream come true:
Check out Pat Peterson’s video for “Long Road” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly9f_Jl0Urs.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/PatJPetersonmusic.
