John Ondrasik will soon be focusing his musical attention on the small screen.

The Five for Fighting singer/songwriter is teaming up with celebrated ‘Wicked’ songwriter/lyricist Stephen Schwartz for ‘Someone Like Me,’ a new, music-driven drama for ABC, according to Variety:

[The show] explores the lives of two sisters. One is a singer-songwriter legend, the other forever in her shadow; their worlds collide as adults, sending their family and friends spinning — especially a 17-year-old girl whose own talents are exploding.

(more…)

Just got this video and wish I’d known about it sooner. This beautiful, heartfelt tribute opens with Robert DeNiro’s stirring words and closes with Five For Fighting (John Ondrasik) singing a moving acoustic version of his hit “Superman.” 

—–

On a couple of occasions, I’ve had the privilege of seeing Ondrasik play live and his ability to mesmerize a crowd using nothing but a piano and his voice is something you never forget.

(more…)

A couple of years ago, a friend introduced me to John Ondrasik, aka Five For Fighting, and told me he was making a music video to help raise money for a military charity called Operation Home Front.  I knew, right away, that this was my kind of guy.  I remembered John from his performance at the Concert for New York City that benefited the families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks.  John performed “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” a song that went on to reach #1 on Billboard’s Hot AC chart.

–

In 2008, John composed and recorded the song “Brothers in Arms” for Jake Rademacher’s award winning documentary, Brothers at War.  He is also the one responsible for putting together CD for the Troops which is currently in its third incarnation.

This last weekend, I went to see the The Blind Side and, as the credits rolled on this wonderfully uplifting film, I heard a very familiar voice and smiled.  It’s Five for Fighting’s single, “Chances”, that plays at the end of the film.  I decided to reconnect with John, ask him about his new album, Slice, about the tour and find out a little bit about what makes this guy tick.  He was kind enough to play along. (more…)

This week’s Washington Times column:

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. | After spending two weeks on something akin to a fact-finding mission in depressed New York and depleted Washington, D.C., I found no answers to our nation’s mounting ills. I discovered that there is much to be angry about and unlimited reasons for deep concern. But on the evening after my return, the stars aligned on the outskirts of Los Angeles at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and for a brief moment I felt safe again in America.

On Saturday, my wife and I were privileged to attend the second annual “Celebration of Freedom Gala.” We joined more than 1,000 others who, like us, were electrified to honor 43 of the 98 living Medal of Honor recipients. We also gave our thanks to former first lady Nancy Reagan, war hero and actor Charles Durning, and Gen. David H. Petraeus. (more…)