This month’s release of “CD for the Troops V” puts the number of albums provided to service members, veterans, and military families at one million.

“John Ondrasik’s love for our military families and devotion to the welfare of our men and women in uniform comes through again in this fifth album,” said Amy Palmer, Chief Operating Officer for Operation Homefront, a co-producer on the album series, said in a statement. “All of the talented artists who have lent their voices to ‘CD for the Troops V’ have shown their support for our military in an incredible way.”

Service members or their spouses with valid military ID can order, at no cost, the CD at CDfortheTroops.com. The albums are not available for sale to the public.

(more…)

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…)

B-sides and outtakes just won’t cut it for John Ondrasik when he’s compiling CDs for the Troops. The talent behind the popular band Five for Fighting wants only the best tracks for his song collections, each designed to show the music industry’s support for the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Big Hollywood caught up with Ondrasik to get the latest on his new military-themed release, “CD for the Troops IV” and how we works with artists who might not fully support the military’s mission at any given moment.

Big Hollywood: Any unifying themes to the new album that might not be apparent on a first or second listen?

John Ondrasik: We have some younger artists on IV like Ingrid Michaelson and Mat Kearney to go with the established artists such as Matchbox 20, Wynonna and Barenaked Ladies. There’s a wide range of styles as well from Brandi Carlisle to Finger 11. As in previous compilations I try to provide something for all musical tastes.

BH: Do the contributing bands select the songs they donate, or is it a collaborative selection process between you and them?

JO: It’s collaborative, but I push for the artists’ biggest hits and, to their credit, usually win out. From the beginning I wanted popular songs, not B-sides, as that would make a statement on the gesture itself, and it’s what most folks want. One exception is if the artist has a patriotic or military-related song they would like to include.

BH: Has it been hard to get such major artists to contribute songs to these discs, or is it getting easier now that you have an established track record?

JO: Every effort you need a big name in before the dominoes start to fall. On the first CD once I had Melissa Etheridge and Billy Joel we had no problem filling out the line up. In similar respects, once we had Adam Sandler on the comedy CD, all his buds were cool coming in. This round I have to credit Rob Thomas kicking us off with the Matchbox 20 hit (“If You’re Gone”). This far into the project we have developed a credibility that helps going forward, and though we have had some who have passed, we get more yeas then neas. (more…)

I’m pleased to present “CD For the Troops IV,” a continuing compilation of popular bands and songwriters donating their biggest hits to the troops. 

In my book every day is Veterans Day, and the soldier provides the ongoing Thanksgiving that is our America. I’d like to thank my partners Operation Homefront, Triwest Healthcare, Sony Manufacturing, AAFES, and all the artists and labels behind this effort.

To our troops and their families:

We owe you a debt that can never be repaid. For you may these songs be a piece of home, an inspiration, an escape from the daily grind. From us, let each tune represent a Thank You and an example of the free expression you provide.

The CD will be available for free download to active duty servicemembers, veterans and their families worldwide with a valid military ID at www.shopmyexchange.com. An additional 200,000 hard copies of the CD will be sent to military bases, USO centers and other locations across the nation and overseas, courtesy of TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Operation Homefront.  (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…)