John Ondrasik isn’t afraid to speak his mind when he feels the cause needs him. In recent months, he’s been outspoken about the U.S. military evacuation from Afghanistan, launched a docs-series called Meet The Heroes, and written music expressing those sentiments of protest, as well. The platinum-selling Ondrasik also received a great deal of attention for his song, “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” in the wake of 9/11 some 20 years ago. That song became the unofficial anthem of the recovery efforts after the tragic attacks in New York City.
Now, the Grammy-nominated artist is doing even more. Ondrasik recently performed his song “Can One Man Save the World?” with the Ukrainian Orchestra in Kyiv, Ukraine, to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict and Russian invasion of the war-torn country. And proceeds from the performance will go towards aid for the nation. According to a press statement about the new track, “The song, inspired by the courage of President Vladimir Zelensky and the people of Ukraine, asks the nation, and the world, to stand up for the core values of freedom and justice.” Added Ondrasik, “I was honored to perform my new Ukraine tribute song Can One Man Save the World? with the Ukrainian Orchestra in the ruins of the Antonov Airport—in front of the Ukrainians’ beloved Mriya, the world’s largest cargo plane that Russia destroyed at the outset of the war. In sharing this musical collaboration on such hallowed ground, I saw firsthand the fortitude and grace of the Ukrainian people, who whether playing a violin or driving a tank, will not be deterred by Putin’s atrocities and aggressions.” To achieve his goal of filming the music video in a war zone, Ondrasik enlisted the aid of Save Our Allies (SOA), a direct-response rescue and relief organization formed during the fall of Afghanistan to assist with evacuations from those fleeing the Taliban. Since its founding in August 2021, SOA’s impact has continued in Afghanistan while extending to Ukraine, where they have provided on-the-ground support with precision evacuations, including the rescue of injured Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall, and “last mile” medical and logistics support. “I had been working with Save Our Allies in the wake of the withdrawal of Afghanistan, so I already had great admiration for Nick, Sarah Verardo, and their SOA colleagues. They were, and are, heroes who gave me hope with their determination to keep the American promise by rescuing our Afghan allies abandoned in Afghanistan. But this was something different,” explains Ondrasik. “I asked Nick if he knew any guys crazy enough to travel into a war zone to film the video. As I would hear often in the next few weeks on our journey, ‘We will figure it out.’” Wrote Ondrasik on Twitter, sharing the news of the performance, “I was honored to perform my song “Can One Man Save the World?”, with the valiant Ukrainian Orchestra in Kyiv. Proceeds of song/video will go to my incredible partners @saveourallies to help the Ukrainian people. Pls watch and share. History Starts Now! http://saveourallies.org“
Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Capital Concerts Musician John Ondrasik of the band Five for Fighting is opening up about what it was like making the charity video of their song, "Can One Man Save the World." The video, which premiered Saturday on "Good Morning America," features the Ukrainian Orchestra accompanying the band, who wrote the song after being inspired by the steadfastness of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy in the face of the Russian invasion. "Can One Man Save the World" was released in March, nearly a month after Russia invaded Ukraine.  Watch Five For Fighting's new benefit video "Can One Man Save the World," featuring the Ukrainian Orchestra Diesel Jack Media and Save Our Allies "It's not just a tribute song," Ondrasik told "GMA." "It's a plea to the rest of us to support him. We don't know how this is going to end." To create the video, Ondrasik and a film crew made a grueling journey to a war-torn area of Ukraine. They filmed amid the ruins of the Antonov Airport in front of what's left of "Mriya," the world's largest cargo plane, which the Russians destroyed at the beginning of the war. "It was very heavy to see the rubble firsthand and think about what just happened there," Ondrasik said. "But it also inspires you to try to tell the best story and help these people." Ondrasik made the video with the help of Save Our Allies, a rescue and relief organization that was formed in August of 2021 after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban following the U.S. withdrawal. It's since provided support for evacuations from Ukraine. Proceeds from the single and the video will benefit Save Our Allies. Learn more about the charity effort here. During the filming, a top Ukrainian general and his entourage approached them and told them that President Zelensky had personally approved the use of the airport as a location. The general, who didn't speak English, asked to hear the song, so Ondrasik and the orchestra played it. Watch Five For Fighting's new benefit video "Can One Man Save the World," featuring the Ukrainian Orchestra Diesel Jack Media and Save Our Allies Despite the fact that the soldiers didn't understand the words, Ondrasik says, "Many of the onlookers were in tears. The significance and weight of our location, mission, and a country fighting for its survival hit home... It was the moment, the music, and our common humanity that spoke to all of us." Ondrasik says he hopes to organize a Live Aid-type concert benefit concert for Ukraine at the end of the summer, to benefit Ukrainian relief and refugees. Watch Five For Fighting's new benefit video "Can One Man Save the World," featuring the Ukrainian Orchestra Diesel Jack Media and Save Our Allies |
Can one man save the world song
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