Five for Fighting is the one-man band of John Ondrasik, who rose to fame in 2001 on the strength of the pop/rock ballad "Superman (It's Not Easy)." Although originally released in 2000, the single became popular after the events of September 11, 2001, which shone new light on Five for Fighting's tale of flight, insecurity, and heroics. Another Top 40 hit, "100 Years", followed three years later, thus cementing Five for Fighting's status as one of the decade's leading balladeers.nBorn and raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Ondrasik started his musical training when he was only two years old. His mother, a piano teacher, gave him lessons, and he began turning his attention to guitar at the age of 13. He taught himself to use the latter instrument and soon began writing music. Somewhere along the way, he also took vocal lessons in opera. After discovering that opera wasn't his cup of tea, Ondrasik shifted his focus once again, this time turning to artists like Billy Joel, Journey, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Earth, Wind & Fire for inspiration.nUsing the stage name Five for Fighting -- a term he appropriated from ice hockey's rule book -- Ondrasik made his major-label in 1997 by releasing Message for Albert. He then left the roster of his original label, Capitol Records, and signed with Columbia before issuing America Town. Released in 2000, the album furthered Ondrasik's themes of love and life while adding a political spin, a combination that yielded warm reviews but sluggish sales. America Town might have been another strong outing from a talented (yet commercially invisible) songwriter were it not for the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and the nation's subsequent embrace of the delicate piano ballad "Superman (It's Not Easy)." Five for Fighting performed the song at the Concert for New York City that winter, and America Town went platinum several months later.nWhile it was a bittersweet way to find fame, the single's success gave Ondrasik the artistic license he'd always craved. When The Battle for Everything appeared in early 2004, it was Five for Fighting's most stylistically ambitious and lyrically bold recording to date. It also yielded another high-charting single, "100 Years." 2006's Two Lights continued Ondrasik's exploration of blue-collar America by focusing on love, mortality, war, and family. A concert album entitled Back Country Live arrived in 2007, followed by Slice -- featuring several songs co-written by musical theater composer Steven Schwartz -- in October 2009. ~ Charlotte Dillon & Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
You must be 18 or older in order to participate in the following states: Florida
By clicking the button above, you acknowledge that you are the account holder for the cell phone number entered and you expressly agree to these terms as well as the Thumbplay Terms & Conditions of Use Agreement and Privacy Policy.
Bonus ringtones are only available to new subscribers who are customers of supported carriers. Not all carriers support the Thumbplay service. A phone with an Internet-enabled and SMS-enabled (short message service) account is required. If you elect to become a subscriber, after entering your password, you will be subscribed to Thumbplay and automatically charged $9.99 each month using the billing method selected by you (i.e., mobile phone bill, deducted from prepaid balance, PayPal or credit card) for 10 credits each month until such time as you cancel your subscription. PayPal or credit card billing may not be available at the time of your transaction, and in such event, or in the event you do not select a billing method, charges will be billed to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Monthly credits expire at the end of each month and may not be rolled over into the following month. In certain instances, in lieu of a subscription you may have the opportunity to make a one-time purchase. In such case, the purchase price (from $0.99 to $5.99 per content item) for the content item you select will be charged to the billing method selected by you (i.e., mobile phone bill, deducted from prepaid balance, PayPal or credit card). Credits may only be provided after billing is successful.
Games are not currently supported for Verizon Wireless customers.
Your 10 bonus credits for ringtones, wallpapers, videos or games will be available when you activate your account by entering your password on the next page. Your password will be sent to your phone when you click the button above. This offer is only available to first time customers of Thumbplay and can not be combined with any other offer.
Message and data rates may apply for subscriptions, promotional text messages, and account related text messages. Taxes may also apply.
By clicking the button above you expressly agree to receive these communications by SMS, including our weekly newsletter . You may stop receiving promotional text messages by clicking here..
You may receive your password confirmation text message multiple times until you complete the sign-up process. If you would like to stop receiving the password confirmation text messages, please email us at passwordsms@thumbplay.com. You also agree to receive promotional and account related email communications. You may unsubscribe from promotional email communications by unsubscribing here.
You may cancel your Thumbplay subscription by sending the words STOP from your
mobile device to 48000 or by contacting us via email.
If you subscribe to multiple services, you may be prompted to specify which services you wish to cancel.
Please direct all email inquiries to
support@thumbplay.com.
You may also call 1-877-THUMB-99 (1-877-848-6299) for questions regarding your account.
©Thumbplay Inc.
Privacy Policy