PIKE AT UMN Helping One Song at a Time

My name is Phil Thompson and I'm a twenty two year old piano composer from Minneapolis. Over the past four years I've been a student at the University of Minnesota, and have crossed the now infamous I-35W bridge to and from school everyday. After seeing this tragedy and feeling its closeness to myself and loved ones, I knew I needed to do something to help.

Although I didn't have a lot of money to donate, I figured I could help by doing what I do best: writing music. This piece would be not just an expression of my emotion, but a tribute to the families and lives lost. I vowed to do everything I could to share this story through music, and hopefully raise much needed funds as well.

Today, "Final Ride Home" is available on iTunes (thanks to them rushing it to their site, it normally takes over a month) with 100% of the proceeds benefiting our local Twin Cities Red Cross chapter operations. It is my hope to reach out to our nation in an effort to raise money for this event and bring awareness to not only this tragedy, but the heroic efforts of the Red Cross. People may be too busy to pick up the phone and donate to this tragedy, but I'm hoping they're not too busy to click download just once for $.99 and help raise money in a unique way. Starting today, we can all help raise one million dollars, through one million downloads, one song at a time.

Sincerely,

Phil Thompson
1314 Marquette Avenue Apt. 703
Minneapolis, MN 55403
651.206.2269
thom1867@umn.edu

iTunes Link to "Final Ride Home"
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=262003284 

YouTube Tribute Video featuring "Final Ride Home"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFIadJ67sIw