INTERVIEW: John Ondrasik (Five for Fighting)

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.

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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.

J.R. Head: John, it’s great to talk to you again. Thanks for taking some time to chat with me.

John Ondrasik: My pleasure.

JRH: You’ve been a supporter of first responders and our military as long as I’ve known you. Did that start with The Concert for New York City or does it go back further?

JO: I’ve always had great respect for our emergency workers but since the concert for N.Y., I’ve had the opportunity to get up close and spend time with firefighters, police officers, and first responders across the country. These are great folks who do more than just protect us every day. The firefighters do amazing work for the MDA and we’re just getting ready to launch Crime Stoppers with the L.A.P.D.

The same goes for the military. Though I have no military in my family I’ve always appreciated the American soldier. When the war started in Afghanistan I started receiving e-mails from troops on the ground that were listening to my music. That began various correspondences that continue to this day. I started working with the USO, which guaranteed many post gig, over a beer, conversations. This time with our soldiers has only validated my initial sentiments. From the 18-year old National Guardsman down in GTMO to the Medal of Honor Recipient, these people continue to astound me daily with their courage and humility. The only people I hold in higher esteem are their families, who are the backbone of our freedom.

JRH: Many of your songs deal with those themes. I know that the song “Two Lights”, off the album of the same name, has a very interesting story. Would you share it with my readers?

JO: Believe it or not, I was with a buddy up in No Cal who asked me if I’d like to go hang with Victor Davis Hanson. We met in a coffee shop, (I had a smoothie) and after a chat VDH invited us to have lunch with a former student who was shipping out to Iraq that week and the student’s Vietnam vet father. Spending time with the Dad gave me an insight into both the pride and fear parents have for their kids going to war. I tried to reflect that reality in “Two Lights”.

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JRH: Also on that album was “Freedom Never Cries”. You made a video for the song to benefit Operation Home Front. It’s got close to a million hits at your charity site. How did that come about?

JO: Triwest Health Care was doing a Gala honoring Medal of Honor recipients and their CEO Dave McIntyre had seen the reaction to “Freedom Never Cries” at a few USO gigs. They asked if they could make a video for the Gala and I jumped at the chance. They did a fantastic job and allowed me to post the video on whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com for Operation Home Front and Fisher House. I get a kick that that video has more views than all the Five For Fighting videos put together. Don’t tell the record company.

JRH: CD for the Troops has been a huge success. It’s amazing that you were able to get so many great artists from across the musical and political spectrum to contribute their music for our men and women in uniform. Who is on the latest one? What’s next for this venture?

JO: I’m thrilled with the line up for the CD for the Troops III (Stand up for Troops). This year I decided to mix it up and reach out to comedians. Check out this line up…

Chris Rock, Dennis Miller, Adam Sandler, Jeff Foxworthy, Ray Romano, Dana Carvey, Matt Iseman, Kevin Nealon, Kevin James, and more…

The bits are hilarious! It took a bit of creative editing to get it through the military firewall, though. (laughs)

It’s been rewarding to see all the artists over the years contribute their work for free to a project that is apolitical and a simple thank you to our troops and their families.

JRH: Military personnel can download the album, right?

JO: As always the CD for the Troops is free for all military members at AAFES.COM and 200,000 hard CD’s will go overseas to theatre and military hospitals.

JRH: That’s awesome. Now, “Brothers in Arms” was written specifically for Jake Rademacher’s film, Brothers at War. I think I heard you wrote that in, like, five minutes or something?

JO: I wish all songs came that fast. I saw Brothers at War in an early incarnation. I was inspired, went home and wrote and recorded a demo that night. A few months went by and I happened to play it for Gary Sinise as he’d invited me to the screening. Fast-forward and that demo (with a few strings added) became the end title for Jake’s film; an honest look at the military family.

JRH: I think Hollywood missed a great opportunity this Oscar season. I haven’t seen all the films or heard all the songs that are presently in the running but, if they wanted to win back a portion of the conservative audience, a nomination for either Jake’s film or your song would certainly have gotten some folks on the right to watch.

JO: Ha. Don’t get your hopes up.

JRH: I just saw The Blind Side and really enjoyed it. It was great to hear “Chances” come rolling out of those speakers as the movie ended. Did you write that song specifically for the film or was that deal done later?

JO: Nope, “Chances” is the first single off the new Slice record. It was actually bouncing around a few films and I’m pleased, as a sports nut, that it landed in The Blind Side.

JRH: There’s a song on Slice called “Note to the Unknown Soldier”. Tell me a bit about that.

JO: That song on it’s surface is a letter of appreciation to all American soldiers, past, present, and future. Subtler, is the arc of awakening to that realization, as the tone gets more serious as the lyric moves forward. I’m hoping that reflects itself in the culture.

JRH: And what about “Tuesday”; a song about 9/11, right?

JO: As you know 9/11 occurred on a Tuesday and the song is a plea to not forget the lessons learned in the 9/11 attack. I wrote the song over 2 years ago and unfortunately I think some of my concerns have been realized. With the upcoming trial of KSM and the country wavering on finishing the job in Afghanistan, I fear Monday is upon us.

JRH: I’m sorry to say, I agree. So, what’s next? Any plans to head out to visit our troops?

JO: This year’s been crazy with the new record and touring so I’m going to take a little Daddy time early 2010, do a spring Five For Fighting tour, and then I’m sure we’ll do some USO shows around the globe.

JRH: John, thanks for spending some time with me. I truly appreciate all you do for my brothers and sisters that are out there, fighting the good fight.

JO: Team effort.

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Semper fidelis,

J.R. Head