12/26/05 Return to the farm and its values

One has to wonder about the creditability of a singer talking about the positive values of the rural lifestyle, when his signature song talks about drinking, swearing, stealing, and lying. But as the singer of that ditty, Michael Peterson, points out, that song is a tongue in cheek play on words that talks about enduring love and the values behind it. And his commitment to rural values is true. Having been raised in Richland Washington and spending two years in 4-H prior to his rise in the music industry in Tennessee, Peterson understands the push of the urban lifestyle, and the pull to come back to one's rural roots. PETERSON: There is a lot of folks who they went to the city, made a lot of money, had an urban life, they're longing for something else, but they really weren't raised rural. They're kind of in that middle space. That's definitely me. I tasted that growing up but that's definitely me and lot of my peers. It was that longing that led Peterson to record the title track of his upcoming album, "Down on the Farm". The story revolves around a country girl who thought the grass was greener in the city, only to rediscover just how valuable the country life could be from a personal standpoint. A line in the song & "painting New Holland blue on the barn" & caught the attention of the noted tractor manufacturer and dealer. And it has led to a partnership. It starts with advance copies of "Down on the Farm" to New Holland dealers. PETERSON: The first copies of the CD are available to New Holland beginning in January. Just really we're putting together a special package for New Holland. It will be slightly different than the package that will go to retail. But it is more than just than a case of business synergy between Peterson and New Holland. PETERSON: What Gene Hemphill said to me when I first talking about New Holland is "Look, one thing you need to know is we're not just about selling iron, we're about a bigger purpose in the world and making a difference". So this song talks about someone who was a recipient to that kind of an investment. The kind of investment New Holland and Peterson hope to make with a new program that emphasizes a series of community events to promote rural values. PETERSON: We will really be engaging in the fall of 2006 is our intention to begin a nationwide outreach to community to really strengthen and plant seeds of values. And Peterson is no stranger to the role he is taking with New Holland and this project as a potential long-term commitment. Peterson has spent the last twelve years doing 150 events a year as a public school speaker and motivator, leading programs designed to help young people live fearless lives and choose a greater purpose in life beyond themselves.