Help return Louisville’s Pete Petersen to his Keys

My name is Mary Lynne Payne and I’m creating this fundraiser, for my brother-in-law Pete Petersen, Louisville’s much-loved, brilliant pianist, widely known as the “Piano Man” at Jeff Rubies.

Pete has been active on the Louisville music scene for over fifty years, playing at numerous venues, such as Joe’s Palm Room; and playing with with the likes of Eddie Harris, Bo Diddley, Percy Sledge, Johnny Lytel, Pure Prairie League, America, and warm up for Steely Dan. You may have heard Pete’s band, DoorWay (a Doors Tribute Band) at Louisville’s “World Fest”, and “Abbey Road on the River” Music Festivals, and even in Knoxville, playing for an Alzheimer’s Tennessee benefit. Pete’s Blue Note Jazz Band, the Buzzard, is well known around the city for weekly Jazz standards at Decca and Ramsi’s Cafe on the World. Pete shares his time and talent at Unity Church in Louisville, and continues to influence Louisville’s music scene, by inspiring young and old, through piano instruction.

On January 31, 2024, Pete sustained a Cerebral Vascular Accident, CVA-Stroke, affecting his left side. Post hospitalization, he is currently undergoing acute stroke therapy at Frazier Rehabilitation Hospital to restore his ability to walk, range of motion and articulation of arm, hand and fingers. He has made great progress, but will need immediate, continued rehabilitation at Norton Neuroscience Institute, out-patient music therapy and in-home therapy, and possibly out-of-state consultations. We are hopeful for a miraculous, full recovery which will likely take a year. Pete is a fighter, and his determination to succeed, is unbelievable and unwavering! His spirit remains high due to the beautiful outpouring of love and prayer from friends and loved ones. Thank you! Please take a minute to view the remarkable and touching video, attached of Pete’s first music therapy session with local musicians and friends that happened by Norton Audubon Hospital for a visit. Truly, God’s amazing serendipity at work.

How can you help? We need your prayers, and financial assistance to cover the mounting cost of medical expenses, and loss of income, so that Pete can focus solely on recovery and get back to work making the beautiful, healing music from which we have all benefited.

Please consider making a donation to help Pete and Laura as they embark on this arduous journey of recovery, through this ❤️‍ Funding Page. Share the link with friends and family that have been blessed by Pete’s beautiful gift of music. Attend benefit concerts, already in the works in Pete’s honor. Share information about any upcoming Benefit Concerts, plan a company fundraiser, or one of your own; and continue to send love and healing energy to Pete and prayers for courage and strength to Laura and Pete. There are few men such as Pete with a humble heart, always looking out for the interest of his community, friends and family; and I know his caregiver’s heart will find it difficult to accept and receive your help. But, If this Funding Page reaches just a smidgeon of people that have felt the true joy of hearing Pete Petersen play the Piano, I know there will surely be an outpouring of love and support to help obtain the finest neurological care he needs, and God will get both hands back on his Keys very soon and with renewed vigor and talent beyond measure.

Thank you from my heart for caring and sharing this fundraising page.

Mary Lynne

PS: Stay tuned to this page for updates on Pete’s road to recovery, and more info on upcoming benefit concerts and fundraisers to support Louisville’s beloved Piano Man.

Upcoming Benefit Concerts: