COUNTY CONNECTION: So, who is Michael Peterson?

BY PAUL KENT
FOR THE STAFFORD COUNTY SUN
Published: July 17, 2008

Your friends and neighbors in Thunderland have quite a show lined up for you, just like we did last summer. “Aquapalooza,” our annual event where we essentially give you an excuse to sit around and drink on a boat all day and night while musicians play for you on a party barge, is coming up on July 26. Our featured artist this year is Michael Peterson, greeted by listeners, callers and e-mail writers alike in one voice:

“Who’s Michael Peterson?”

You actually know him pretty well, believe it or not.

Peterson had a monster run back in the late ‘90s, scoring a No. 3 hit with “Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie” and a No. 1 with his ballad “From Here to Eternity.” It’s usually around this point that the callers and e-mailers go, “Ohhhh, that guy!”

Maybe you had a friend who had “From Here to Eternity” as a song at their wedding reception. Maybe another of his hits, “Too Good to Be True,” was the soundtrack for the one who got away. Maybe that girl who makes you “Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie” is sitting across the room from you now, either on the couch or in the picture frame by your desk. But you know Michael Peterson.

Well, maybe I’m assuming too much. So in case you have no idea what I’m talking about, why not come on out to Aquapalooza and find out for yourself? Bring your boat and head on out to Fairview Beach. We’ll be docked outside of Tim’s II, with a great view of the sunset and an even better view of the stage. (I wonder if our boat winner will roll up in his vehicle...) It promises to be an excellent time — we’ve provided you the music and the water, and all we ask in return is that you provide the waves and the good conversation. We love conversation, us Thunder folks. We talk for a living, after all.

Paul Kent hosts Thunder After Dark, 7 p.m. - midnight weekdays and the Saturday Night Special, Saturdays 7 p.m. - midnight on Thunder 104.5 Everything Country and More.