LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Back in his rhythm, Pete Petersen is once again on stage surrounded by family, friends and fans. 

What You Need To Know

  • The night of Jan. 31, Pete Petersen had a stroke

  • Approximately 42 per 100,000 people had a stroke in Kentucky between 2018 and 2020, according to the CDC

  • Petersen is working with Norton Healthcare's music therapy program to recover before performing regularly again

  • He performs in DoorWay, a Doors tribute band

“It’s unbelievable," Petersen said. "I’m overwhelmed; I just can’t comprehend it."

For 50 years, Petersen has filled restaurants and bars with his musical talents.  

But the member of DoorWay, a Doors tribute band, has been forced to take a rest for the last month. 

During the night of Jan. 31, he woke up with a charley horse. 

“I got up, and my leg was kind of heavy, so I just went downstairs and told my wife that we need to call the ambulance," he said. 

He sustained a cerebral vascular accident, affecting movement on his left side. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 42 per 100,000 people had a stroke in Kentucky between 2018 and 2020. 

To regain strength and motor skills, he is using a visualization technique in his left hand. 

“I can visually make connections to a left-hand pattern," he said. 

The accomplished musician is using his passion for the keyboard to regain fine motor skills, with the hopes of regularly performing again soon. 

He has played with the likes of America, Eddie Harris and Bo Diddley and has opened for Steely Dan. 

Kyle Hubert, Norton Audubon Hospital supervisor of music therapy, has worked with Petersen to help him reach his goal. Norton’s musical therapy works to help patients heal and recover and achieve treatment goals through music. 

"If he's playing with his right hand and is trying, his brain is trying to recreate and reattach those connections to get to get playing again,” Hubert said. “It's getting all parts of the brain working, and that's why music therapy is so important.”

Petersen is also working with an occupational therapist, speech therapist and physical therapist. Many supporters are accompanying “The Piano Man” to help him get back to playing. 

“He's like one of the kindest guys you'll ever meet," said event organizer Cheryl Jaggers. "That's why (there's) such a crowd ... he's taught a lot of music to people that have been on here tonight or their children, and he's just very kind and sweet."

Benefit concerts will be held in April and August to help raise money for his medical bills and financial needs.

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