Parkinsong Contest winner revealed

16 December 2025 By Christy McGhee

Parkinsong has announced Rob Georg and Kristin K. Smith’s ‘Climb This Mountain’ as the winner of its 2026 Parkinson’s song contest.

The non-profit organisation was launched in 2019, with WPC, and the new contest has attracted entries from around the world. The final shortlist featured 18 recent works from countries including Australia, Austria and Belgium.

Parkinsong CEO Gerald Ganglbauer said the Parkinsong Contest was launched for 2026 because: “I had done duets/awards and blues/grants, so it was time to try something new.”

Votes were gathered via ‘likes’ on each entry’s YouTube video. The successful entries will feature in a professionally produced album, and a show at World Parkinson Congress in Phoenix, Arizona in May 2026.

‘Catchy, feel-good tune’

Ganglbauer told Parkinson’s Life: “Make yourself comfortable in front of your big screen smart TV and watch the playlist. What you will see is of the highest quality and creativity. My favorites are René van Helsdingen and David Sangster’s animation videos.”

“Climb This Mountain is a feel-good clip that reminds of The Sound of Music,” he said of the winning entry. “Cowboys don’t cry, and Rob has a gentle voice. He is a good man as well as one loving his family. We would want him as our son. The tune is catchy too.”

Watch Parkinsong Contest Winner 2026:

Parkinsong Contest winner ‘Climb This Mountain’, by Rob Georg and Kristin K. Smith

He had a hard grip on the reins
As he led me up the Rocky Mountains
Singing all the way
Na na na na na na

My daddy never was afraid
He never lost his balance
Never let me stray
Na na na na na na

Pop Then one night
When he and I were drinkin‘
His hands they started shakin‘
And I knew he would never be the same
And I promised him that I would take the reigns

We’ll climb this mountain
Just like we used to
We’ll cross the river
This time I’ll pull you through
Though life is rocky
And your grip is slippin‘
We’ll climb this mountain
We’ll climb this mountain

We’ve had some hard years
But some good days
And I hold on tight
To every word that he says
Thought we lost him once or twice
But somehow he comes back to life
Even though it’s getting harder to fight

We’ll climb this mountain
Just like we used to
We’ll cross the river
This time I’ll pull you through
Though life is rocky
And your grip is slippin‘
We’ll climb this mountain

Even if the earth is shaking
Under your feet
Trying to knock you to the ground
I’ll be making sure you’re steady
Hold on to me
You can never keep a good man down

INSTRUMENTAL

We’ll climb this mountain
Just like we used to
We’ll cross the river
And this time I’ll pull you through
Though life is rocky
And your grip is slippin‘
We’ll climb this mountain
We’ll climb this mountain

And I sing for him
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na