SPOTLIGHT: John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting Talks Music in Our Schools Month
I had one of the best days of my radio career: I got to speak with one of my favorite musical artists of all time - John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting. His albums Slice and Bookmarks are two of my favorite albums ever, and "Superman (It's Not Easy) is my favorite song of all time. I was a Superman fan from a young age, so naturally, the song resonated with me because of that. My dad would rock me to sleep to the song most nights. I'll forever connect the song with my dad and I growing up. Over the years, the song has taken many forms for me, and it has gotten me through some hard times.
Townsquare Spotlight w/ John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting
Hence why it was an honor to speak with John Ondrasik this weekend. John and I talk about his latest "Music Matters Challenge" in conjunction with Music in Our Schools Month. We also talk about how John is no stranger to writing songs with strong social messages. His latest single "OK" dives into the catastrophes happening in Israel. John shares accounts of his recent visit to Israel and performing for refugees. Lastly, we talk of the legacy songs like "Superman (It's Not Easy)" and "100 Years" have had on the social consciousness.
Catching Up w/ GRAMMY Nominated Five For Fighting
Five For Fighting's "Music Matters Challenge" for Music in Our Schools Month
- Placing Music Teachers in Schools - every year, the Tullman Family Office will fund at least one full-time music education teacher in a school in America that does not have one, for a three-year salary up to $300k.
- Maximizing Fundraising for Music Education Nationwide by paving a path for significant fundraising opportunities through concerts and other artistic ventures with iconic artists to increase nonprofit funding in support of music education in schools and
- Increasing Congressional Attention on Federal Funding for Music Education by using the Let Music Fill My World platform to urge Members of Congress to support robust funding for music education in schools.
"In speaking with philanthropist Cayley Tullman about how we can best support music in the schools in inner-city Chicago, I thought of my mom, Anna Marie. Mom was a USC music grad and piano teacher. When LA Unified cut all music funding for schools in the 1970s, she volunteered at Van Gogh Elementary School and began putting on full musicals with the 5th and 6th grade classes. The impact that my mother had on me, and my classmates resonates over 50 years later. Many students still keep in touch with my mom, and for the most, music has continued to be instrumental in their lives. That is why I was so proud to collaborate with students at Farragut Academy in Chicago in writing “Let Music Fill my World.” Though the title was mine, the lyrics are the kids! That effort, due to the Tullman Family Office, now provides a full-time music teacher for three years at Farragut! Lives will be changed for the better. The “Music Matters Challenge” will bring our mission and efforts to the nation, raising awareness for music in the schools while letting everyone sing and lend their voice to such a critical cause while having fun, and again, participating in a prize that will bring another full-time music teacher to a school in desperate need.”
"I remember sitting on the floor in front of the couch at my grandparents’ home in California, mesmerized watching my Uncle Stan play guitar and sing. Stan struggled with mental health and addiction, but when playing music, he shined so bright. Looking back, I believe music was his solace and gave him a way to express himself that he could not do with words alone. I miss him a lot and know he would be proud of our mission to connect more young people with the magic of music.”
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