Look To The Stars News: John Ondrasik

Celebrities Release CD For The Troops

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:45:00 +0000

Operation Homefront, the non-profit that provides emergency financial and other assistance to military families and Wounded Warriors, has announced that with this month’s release of “CD for the Troops V,” the series of albums will have been provided to 1 million service members, veterans, and military families.

This fifth album includes songs from 11 artists, including Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik, to show their support for all service members and their families. Operation Homefront is a co-producer of the series.

“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. “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.”

Nigel Lythgoe To Be Honored At Star-Studded Charity Gala

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:30:00 +0000

The 6th Annual MDA Tradition of Hope Gala, to be held Oct. 15, 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, will be a star-studded event bringing more than 500 business and civic leaders together to fight ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Expected to raise more than $500,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Augie’s Quest, the funds will help speed research seeking treatments and cures for the devastating disease.

MDA’s Augie’s Quest is named for philanthropist and fitness industry pioneer Augie Nieto. Nieto and his wife, Lynne, co-chair the MDA ALS Division. MDA’s Augie’s Quest has raised more than $30 million to fight ALS.

Jerry Lewis Telethon Exceeds Charity Expectations

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:30:00 +0000

After 21 ½ hours of great entertainment and powerful appeals, the final timpani rolled and confetti fell on the 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon which raised $58,919,838 in contributions and pledges to advance the research and service programs of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“I’m heartened by the unique ability of Americans to help others in need, when they themselves are likely struggling financially,” said Jerry Lewis. “People see the progress MDA is making for children and adults living with muscle diseases. I’m truly grateful for their caring enough to brighten the future for ‘my kids’.”

Jerry Lewis Announces 2010 Charity Telethon

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has announced that plans for its 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon are almost complete, and the 21 1/2-hour live show is going to be spectacular.

From live remotes to amazing dance and production numbers, to sensational music performances (e.g., David Archuleta, Enrique Iglesias, Lynyrd Skynryd, WAR, John Ondrasik, OneRepublic, Barry Manilow and many more), to side-splitting comedy and dramatic appeals by some of America’s most popular entertainers, the two-day television event is certain to delight viewers Labor Day weekend.

“Yes, the Telethon is consistently big on entertainment value,” said Gerald C. Weinberg, MDA president & CEO and Telethon executive producer. “But, unlike other live shows, our unique television program is an outstanding catalyst for the public support needed to advance MDA’s lifesaving mission year-round.”

Five For Fighting To Rock Charity Half Marathon

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:00:00 +0000

On Saturday, August 1, 2010, more than 25,000 runners, walkers and spectators will celebrate the second annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society, to the sounds of Five For Fighting.

The post race concert will take place at the finish line festival at Grant Park, directly following the race. For years, John Ondrasik , of Five for Fighing, has been making a name for himself as an evocative and emotional storyteller. With hits like “100 years” and “Superman,” Five for Fighting connects with audiences unlike many other acts of this generation.

Race entries are still available through ACS’ DetermiNation

Save The Music With The VH1 Big Shopping Event

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:30:00 +0000

The Annual VH1 Big Shopping Event is going online this holiday season!

Join Grammy nominated recording artist Chrisette Michele; lead singer and songwriter for the Grammy award winning band Train, Pat Monahan; Grammy nominated singer/songwriter and platinum recording artist Miranda Lambert; Platinum Recording Artist from Five For Fighting, John Ondrasik; Actor Billy Burke; and Whitney Port, star of MTV hit shows “The City” and “The Hills” in finding fantastic holiday presents for your loved ones, while avoiding the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping!

For the first time ever, VH1’s Save The Music Foundation “Big Shopping” event will become an online shopping experience at Vh1BigShopping.Com, where consumers across the country can purchase items from the newest, hottest and most exclusive retailers and designers from Friday, November 27th – Thursday, December 31st.

Jewel And Friends Donate Song Lyrics To Charity Auction

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Singer/songwriter Jewel has joined with a huge group of other musicians in donating handwritten lyrics to a new charity auction.

The 34-year-old has donated signed lyrics to some of her most well known songs – including Foolish Games, You Were Meant For Me, Hands, and Who Will Save Your Soul – to raise money for Project Clean Water, a charity she established in 1998 to improve the quality of life for millions of people by helping to provide clean water on a global scale.

The singer has been joined by some of her celebrity friends for the auction, with handwritten lyrics also being donated by the Pussycat Dolls, Trace Adkins, Katy Perry, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, REO Speedwagon, David Foster, John Rich, Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik, Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis, John Mellencamp, Jason Mraz, Gretchen Wilson and many more.

Andre Agassi's Grand Slam A Success

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Sheryl Crow, Natasha Bedingfield, The Killers, Lifehouse, Ray Romano, Rod Stewart and David Spade were among the performers at the 13th annual Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit concert in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The concert raised funds for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which provides recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk boys and girls, and was preceded by an invitation-only concert on Friday that featured James Taylor and Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik.

Among the 1,900 guests at Saturday’s Grand Slam were Stefi Graf, Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon, the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, Donny Osmond, comedian George Wallace, and many more.

Andre Agassi Grand Slam For Kids This Weekend

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, The Killers and David Spade will headline the 13th annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit concert in Las Vegas this weekend.

“I’m thrilled to have so many amazing performers donate their talents to help us help children,” said Agassi. “We look forward to celebrating with our partners what we’ve accomplished in Las Vegas with the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy and our future efforts to transform public education for underserved children nationwide.”

The concert will raise funds for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which provides recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk boys and girls. The concert will be preceded by an invitation-only concert tonight – October 10 – featuring James Taylor and Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik.

Andre Agassi Plans Star-Studded Galas

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik will join James Taylor for a special VIP event to raise money for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation.

Andre Agassi’s 2008 Grand Slam for Children will take place on October 11 at Wynn Las Vegas and feature a concert by Grammy-award winning singer Sheryl Crow, with other performers to be announced soon. However, the gala will be preceded the previous night – October 10 – by a special show featuring Ondrasik and Taylor for Gold and Diamond sponsors.

The Grand Slam shows will follow the charity’s annual A Night In The Hamptons event on August 16 at Ross School. The evening will be hosted by Agassi and will include dinner, a live auction and a special performance by Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas. Emcees for the evening will be Chevy Chase and Kelsey Grammer. The event is limited to 35 table sponsorships at $35,000 each, with 10 seats per table. Individual seats are also available at $3,500 each.

Look to The Stars Asks Five For Fighting's John Ondrasik

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:35:08 +0000

John Ondrasik, the recording artist behind the pop-rock sensation Five For Fighting, has been offering Americans support and inspiration for more than 10 years. His song, Superman (It’s Not Easy) became an anthem after the 9/11 attacks, and was performed at The Concert for New York City in late 2001, and then added to the charity album Live in the X Lounge IV.

His support has continued through a USO tour of Guantanamo Bay and other bases in Cuba in February/March of 2007, followed by a tour of Japan, Guam and Hawaii in November. That same month he coordinated the release of 13 free songs for US military members called CD for the Troops consisting of tunes from Billy Joel, Gary Sinise, Brooks and Dunn, Jewel and many others.

Billy Joel - A Philanthropic Man

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:26:01 +0000

Billy Joel is back with his first new song since 1994 – sort of. The 58-year-old singer has made a triumphant return with “Christmas in Fallujah”, a protest song about the war in Iraq, with proceeds going to charity.

“I guess [it’s] just a cumulative effect of this war,” said the Grammy winning singer about how he came to write the song. “We’ve been there longer than World War II. I’ve been getting mail from service people over there, and there seemed to be a similar theme running through the letters, which was a sense of alienation from the home front. I think a lot of people are starting to feel like they’re forgotten.”

However, don’t expect to hear Joel’s trademark piano on the recording – in fact, don’t expect to hear much of Joel himself. The semi-retired entertainer decided to let a young musician from Long Island, 21-year-old Cass Dillon, take the lead vocals.

John Ondrasik Asks What Kind Of World You Want

Tue, 08 May 2007 18:58:56 +0000

John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting has started a charity music video community. The site, www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com, offers the public the chance to upload videos which explain the type of world in which they want to live.

At the end of every video viewers can click on the sponsor link; each click donates up to 49 cents to one of the charities chosen by Ondrasik. He encourages submissions, saying, “There are no rules here, your film can be personal, political – write a story, tell a story – anything goes.”

The charities benefitting from the website include Fisher House Foundation, Breast Cancer 3-Day, Save the Children, Autism Speaks, Save The Music Foundation and New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund. John tells us that another charity, Augie’s Quest will be added within the next few months.