Young Tom Petty Rocker Raises $1,800 For Non-Profit At Ridgewood Performance

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Jake Thistle raised more than $1,800 Saturday for Rock The Dogs, a non-profit run by Mike Campbell, the lead guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Thistle, 12, is a self-proclaimed Tom Petty superfan. He performs at Kilwins on Saturdays and donated the proceeds and donations from this weekend's gig to Campbell's charity.

Campbell saw a video of Thistle performing one of the Heartbreakers' songs. He sent Thistle an encouraging message and Thistle wanted to thank him in a meaningful way so he came up with the idea of doing a fundraiser for Rock The Dogs.

Thistle is still accepting donations for the group. To make a donation online, email Greg Thistle, Jake's father, at gthistle@yahoo.com.

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Photo: Jake Thistle performing. — Courtesy of Jake Thistle Music