Interview by Paul Salfen
Grammy®-nominated, platinum-selling artist John Ondrasik, known as Five For Fighting, is hitting the road this summer with his rock band and special guest Vertical Horizon, followed by a string quartet tour in October. In an engaging conversation with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, Ondrasik shared insights about his upcoming performances, his stellar band, his daughter’s rising music career, and his enduring commitment to humanitarian causes.
Summer Rock Tour with Vertical Horizon
Ondrasik is excited to tour with Vertical Horizon, a band he first opened for early in his career. “My first tour was with Vertical Horizon. Matt [Scannell] gave me my first tour of a tour bus,” Ondrasik reminisced. The August tour features his powerhouse band: drummer Randy Cooke (Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr), bassist Sean Hurley (John Mayer, Alanis Morissette), and guitarist Peter Thorn (Chris Cornell, Don Henley). They’ll perform fan favorites like “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” and “100 Years,” alongside recent viral hits. The setlist will include rock-driven tracks like “65 Mustang” and “New York City Weather Report,” ensuring a high-energy show.
August Tour Dates with Vertical Horizon:
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August 13: Columbus, OH – TempleLive at the Columbus Athenaeum
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August 14: St. Charles, IL – The Arcada Theatre
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August 16: Oklahoma City, OK – Scissortail Park (Free Show)
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August 17: Dallas, TX – Bomb Factory
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August 19: Arvada, CO – Arvada Center Summer Concert Series
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August 20: Grand Junction, CO – Avalon Theatre
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August 22: Salt Lake City, UT – The Union
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August 23: Boise, ID – Knitting Factory Concert House
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August 24: Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory Concert House
Additional shows include August 12 in Mentor, OH (free show) and September 21 in West Springfield, MA at The Big E. For tickets, visit Five For Fighting’s website.
October String Quartet Tour
This October, Ondrasik returns with his acclaimed string quartet tour, featuring Broadway’s finest: Tony Award-winning violinist Katie Kresek (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), violinist Melissa Tong (toured with Post Malone), violist Chris Cardona, and cellist Peter Sachon. “They’re all on Broadway, but they love playing rock and roll,” Ondrasik said. The quartet will perform orchestrated versions of hits and deeper cuts like “Devil in the Wishing Well,” arranged by legendary composers. Ondrasik’s daughter, performing as part of the folk duo Jason Lee, will open these shows, adding a personal touch. “She never tells anybody she’s my daughter. She’s like, ‘I gotta earn it,’” he shared proudly.
October String Quartet Tour Dates:
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October 21: Tucson, AZ – Fox Tucson Theatre
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October 22: Scottsdale, AZ – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
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October 23: San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House
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October 24: Fontana, CA – Stage Red
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October 25: Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre
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October 26: Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre Napa
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October 28: Salem, OR – Elsinore Theatre
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October 29: Kirkland, WA – Kirkland Performance Center
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October 30: Bend, OR – Tower Theatre
Tickets are available here.
A Legacy of Hits
Ondrasik’s catalog includes chart-topping songs like “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” “100 Years,” “The Riddle,” and “Chances,” amassing over one billion streams. His music has been featured in over 350 films, TV shows, and commercials, including The Blind Side and Hawaii Five-O. “100 Years” and “Superman” have become timeless staples, resonating at life’s milestones. “There’s people at the show singing ‘Hundred Years’ and ‘Superman’ who were not born when I wrote them,” Ondrasik noted, humbled by their lasting impact.
Humanitarian Efforts and New Music
Ondrasik’s passion for humanitarian causes shines through his music. Following the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, he revised “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” to honor hostage Alon Ohel, performing it in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. He also released “OK” in response to the attacks and “Blood On My Hands” about the U.S. Afghanistan withdrawal, alongside “Can One Man Save The World?” recorded in Kyiv for Ukraine. His song “What Kind Of World Do You Want?” is featured in a Feed The Children PSA, advocating for children’s needs.
Beyond music, Ondrasik supports music education through the Music Matters Challenge with Let Music Fill My World, encouraging schools to embrace music’s transformative power. He’s also planning new music, potentially an album or a one-man show, and is collaborating with his daughter on her career. “I’m looking forward to writing some things about life,” he said, hinting at personal, reflective songs.
Advice for Aspiring Songwriters
Ondrasik offered wisdom for young musicians: “Write a lot of songs, record them, and play live.” He emphasized the importance of live performance, noting, “As soon as you walk on that stage, you’ve won.” Inspired by Billy Joel’s 1980 concert, Ondrasik knew music was his path. “I was lucky to know at a young age what my passion was,” he reflected.
A Sports Fan’s Hail Mary Moment
A lifelong LA sports fan, Ondrasik’s “Hail Mary moment” was the LA Kings’ 2012 Stanley Cup win. “I cried like a baby,” he admitted. His love for sports extends to performing at events like Dodger Stadium and the NFL’s 9/11 10th anniversary, blending his passions.
Texas Connection
With his son now living in Dallas, Ondrasik feels a strong tie to Texas. “Dallas has become a second home,” he said, citing Terry Black’s BBQ and local sports like the Dallas Stars and Rangers as must-dos. He’s thrilled to perform in Dallas on August 17, promising a night of hits and heartfelt moments.
For more on Five For Fighting, visit fiveforfighting.com. Don’t miss John Ondrasik’s dynamic performances this summer and fall, where his music continues to inspire and unite.
