In all his years of "musical silence", Petrone continued his collaboration with the Neapolitan percussionist Tony Cercola. After the attacks in the United States of September 11, 2001, the Second Gulf War, the massacre of Nasiriyah, the earthquake of San Giuliano, and the events of 11 March in Madrid, it was Cercola who encouraged Petrone to resume his activity as a songwriter to allow expression for the strong emotions which had been "kept in check by the daily recounting in journalism of such events". After winning the first City of Santa Marinella Award in 2003 with the collection of songs "Blues for the Blues" (original Italian title "Blues in Blu"), he began to devote more of his time to music, developing links with the avant-garde musical scene and promoting the experimentation of young Italian musicians.