Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 12, 2007)
OREGON COUNTRY FAIR 2007 Heart First, Music Second Folk musician Peter Thompson gives back through music by Amanda Burhop T here 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 expo- sure. But some musicians play music because it allows them to give some- thing back to the commu- nity. Folk musician and per- sonal-injury lawyer Peter Thompson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about five years ago. While news of this nature is startling and devastat- ing, 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 musi- cians, 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 lis- tening pleasure for children as well as older folks. But listening to the album, one can’t help but be saddened by Thompson’s diag- nosis. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegen- erative disease that occurs when bodies stop producing the movement-controlling chemical dopamine. Dopamine carries sig- nals between nerves in the brain, and when the cells that produce dopamine die, symp- toms 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 infor- mational 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 ew Café Lafayette. SPOKEN WORD PROGRAM WAVY GRAVY may be best known to mil- lions as a cosmic cut-up and the inspiration for a Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor – "I am an activist clown and former frozen dessert," he says – but it is because of his good work on behalf of the planet and its least fortunate resi- dents that Wavy Gravy has achieved his own brand of sainthood. His friend and satirist Paul Krassner has called him "the illegitimate son of Harpo Marx and Mother Teresa." Wavy says, "Some people tell me I'm a saint, I tell them I'm Saint Misbehavin'." Mr. Gravy comes to the Fair as part of the Spoken Word program that features poets, musicians, cul- tural icons, activists and word- smiths; seventy-two different speak- ers on 7 separate stages. More information and a full schedule at: oregoncountryfair.org JULY 12, 2007 21
