For the past five years, the Nashville Predators Foundation and the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s have come together to put on Petey’s Preds Party, named after former assistant coach Brent Peterson. The event, which features a wonderful meal, drinks, a silent auction and excellent entertainment, has continued to grow over the years. With past entertainers including comedians Jeff Allen, Kevin Nealon and Keith Alberstadt, this year took it to another level with Las Vegas headliner Terry Fator as the featured performer. Fator, who was the season two winner of America’s Got Talent, brought his unique combination of ventriloquism, singing, comedy and impersonation to the floor of Bridgestone Arena.
“What an amazing event,” exclaimed Fator. “My good friend is also a friend of Brent Peterson. He told me the story of Brent and how he got Parkinson’s. And I’m always up for a good charity. This is just great. I did it for my dear for my dear friend Chaz, and now I’m friends with Brent. Wow. What an amazing event. I hope people had a lot of fun and we raised a lot of money tonight.”
Fator turns former Preds goalie Chris Mason into a dummy Dolly Parton. Credit: Jeremy K. Gover
And plenty of money was raised. During the live auction portion of the event, two trips were auctioned off to accompany the Predators on a three-game road trip. Each trip went for $9,000.
Fator entertained the crowd for a full hour, bringing multiple puppets on stage with impersonations ranging from Etta James and Natalie Cole to Frank Sinatra and Elvis.
“He’s terrific and an unbelievable entertainer,” said Brent Peterson. “He’s funny, he’s amazing with his voice and the things he can do are just unbelievable.”
While it wasn’t his full Vegas production, Fator did bring a unique factor into this Nashville performance. With his puppet Walter T. Airdale on the stage, Fator drew the crowd in and brought them to a tremendous applause by pulling off the most intense yodeling Bridgestone Arena has probably ever heard.
“I love Nashville,” said Fator. “It’s a great place. I was just telling them backstage what a great place it is for my puppet to yodel. He doesn’t yodel in Vegas, but in Nashville, he has to yodel. I absolutely love it in this city. I’ve actually recorded an album here, my latest album, ‘It Starts Tonight.'”
And that album is available at the Mirage, where he is the headline act, as well as online.
With bringing in a major act from Las Vegas, it just shows how much the event has grown. In just a short amount of time, Petey’s Preds Party has become a major event to raise money for two foundations every September.
“It’s been great,” said Peterson on the event’s growth. “It supports both foundations, so it works out well for both of us and we get to have two big events. We get to see everybody come out and support us and the Predators. It’s just been a wonderful time for everybody.”
It’s become an event that so many look forward to each year. Not only does it help support two great foundations, it also brings people together for great food and entertainment. It also signifies that hockey season is right around the corner. And if you’re not able to make it to events throughout the year, there are still many ways to support.
“To help out, you look online at the Predators Foundation and Peterson For Parkinson’s Foundation,” said Peterson. “We both have a lot of events. You can come to the events or donate money. It’s been a real thrill for me to do this for so many years.”
For more information and to get involved with the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s, visit their website.
More information on the Nashville Predators Foundation can be found here.
