Five for Fighting: Why Music Still Matters

John Andrasik, known as Five for Fighting, discusses the transformative power of music and his Music Matters Challenge, which aims to provide music teachers for underserved schools. He shares personal anecdotes, including his mother's influence on his musical journey and the impact of losing music education in his childhood. The challenge encourages participants to share stories and performances, with a chance to win $10,000 and support a school in need. Andrasik emphasizes perseverance in the music industry, the importance of enjoying the creative process, and the profound emotional impact music can have on individuals and communities.

• The Music Matters Challenge is an initiative aimed at highlighting the impact of music education and teachers on individuals' lives.
• The challenge encourages participants to share stories about influential music teachers or experiences, accompanied by performances related to the song "Let Music Fill My World."
• The initiative was inspired by personal experiences of music education's transformative effects and aims to support music programs in schools.

"When I was a kid in elementary school, Louisiana Unified cut music funding for our school. So we lost our music teacher. But my mom volunteered. She started putting on full musicals. I was Tony in West Side Story, so take that for what it is."

• This quote reflects the personal impact of losing formal music education and the role of community and family in filling that gap, emphasizing the importance of music programs in schools.

"I had an opportunity in Chicago to go to a school called Farragut Academy and they had lost their music teacher, but we wrote a song together. They wrote all the lyrics and eight students. They were not musicians. They were just people who enjoyed music."

• This illustrates the initiative's focus on engaging students in music creation, regardless of their musical background, highlighting music's universal appeal and educational value.

"Through the Tullman foundation, who does amazing work in Chicago, we provided a music teacher at Farragut Academy for three years at a salary of a quarter million dollars. So they have their music teacher."

• The quote underscores the tangible outcomes of the initiative, showing successful efforts to restore music education through financial support and community partnerships.

"The Music Matters Challenge is for everybody and what it is anybody can take tell a story about a music teacher or someone who made a difference in their life, sing a little bit or play a little bit or dance to our song Let Music Fill My World."

• This quote highlights the inclusive nature of the challenge, inviting widespread participation and emphasizing the personal and communal impact of music education.

• The initiative aims to provide music teachers to schools in need, particularly focusing on the 4 million children in low-income areas in America who lack access to music education.
• A competition is organized where the winner receives $10,000 and the opportunity to contribute to hiring a music teacher for a school.
• Schools compete for a $25,000 grant, encouraging participation from choirs and bands.

"The winner will win $10,000, which is no spare change. But more importantly, they'll sit with us and provide another music teacher for a school in need."

• The competition incentivizes individual participation with a monetary prize and a philanthropic opportunity.

"There's a $25,000 grant for the school who wins. But really what it's about, Gina, is to raise awareness for the 4 million kids, particularly in low-income areas in America, that do not have a music teacher in their school."

• The school prize encourages schools to participate, while the overarching goal is to highlight the lack of music education resources in underserved areas.

• The speaker's mother was a classical pianist and their first music teacher, emphasizing the importance of early music education.
• The speaker began piano lessons at two years old, illustrating the benefits of starting music education early, akin to language learning.
• Despite a break from formal lessons at age 13, the speaker continued to engage with music through songwriting.

"She's a much better player than me. She could play Chopin and Rachmaninoff. She was a classical, you know, piano major at USC."

• The speaker's mother had a strong background in classical music, highlighting the influence of having a knowledgeable teacher.

"When I was 13 and I wanted to go ride my skateboard, chase girls, play basketball. She let me quit."

• The mother's flexibility in allowing the speaker to pursue other interests helped maintain a positive relationship with music.

• The initiative encourages everyone, regardless of musical talent, to participate by sharing their stories, making it accessible to a wider audience.
• The challenge is open until the end of May, urging prompt participation.

"You don't have to be a singer to do this. You don't have to be a musician. It's just about your story. Frankly, it's probably better and more compelling."

• The focus is on storytelling and personal experiences rather than musical prowess, making the initiative more inclusive.

"Everybody, please enter. Don't be intimidated. The challenge runs to the end of May, so we only got a couple weeks left."

• A call to action for immediate participation, emphasizing the limited time left to enter the competition.

• The speaker is recognized for their humanitarian contributions, particularly towards the troops, showcasing their well-rounded character.

"I wanted to thank you because I know just as far as, from what you've done, from a humanitarian perspective, what you've done for the troops, I appreciate that."

• Acknowledgment of the speaker's broader contributions beyond music, highlighting their commitment to humanitarian causes.

• Artists with fame have the opportunity to spotlight real-life heroes such as military families and troops.
• Fame can be used as a platform to promote awareness of noble causes and extraordinary individuals.
• The importance of visibility for both new and established artists is emphasized for connection and recognition.

"If you're blessed enough to live your dream of having songs, people sing back to you, what you can do is use that to really shine the light on true heroes."

• Fame provides a platform to highlight and promote awareness of important causes and individuals.

"There's amazing people in the world doing amazing things, and sometimes they just need, you know, a little platform for people to find out how they are."

• Many extraordinary individuals and causes exist, and they often require visibility to gain recognition.

"It's kind of like what you're doing, Gina, you know, exposing young artists to people. You know, if nobody can see us, nobody can hear us. It's hard for us to connect."

• Visibility and exposure are crucial for artists to establish connections and gain recognition.

• The music industry is characterized by ups and downs, requiring resilience and perseverance.
• Early career rejections are common, but persistence can lead to significant achievements.
• Success in the arts is not solely based on talent; work ethic plays a crucial role.
• The process of building a career may be slow, but it often results in a more genuine connection with the audience.

"You've had a very long and very successful career. And I know it's been a lot of ups and downs, which has given you a different perspective."

• A successful career in music involves navigating challenges and gaining valuable perspectives through experience.

"I read that you were turned down quite a few times early in your career, and then a lot of songs that have millions of streams."

• Initial rejections are a common experience in the music industry, but perseverance can lead to eventual success.

"Understand that whatever you're doing, whether it's music or anything in life, talent is very. A small part of it. I really attribute my success to work ethic."

• Talent alone is insufficient for success; dedication and hard work are critical components.

• Social media provides an avenue for artists to build a following without relying on major record companies.
• Developing a personal brand and audience through digital platforms can lead to a sustainable career.
• Building an audience may take time, but it often results in a more authentic and lasting connection.

"The great thing about today is you can. You don't need a huge record company to have a career at this. You can build your following on social media."

• Artists can leverage social media to establish a career independently of traditional record labels.

"Sometimes if it takes a little longer, it's better because it's more real. You have an audience you."

• A slower career-building process can result in a more genuine and enduring relationship with the audience.

• The discussion emphasizes the significance of having a lasting impact in the music industry over merely having hit songs.
• It highlights the importance of creating a career that encourages people to attend your performances even after many years, which signifies a successful and impactful career.
• Enjoyment and passion for music are crucial, as is the ability to collaborate and express oneself through the art form.
• Respect for the audience, regardless of its size, is essential, and giving your best performance is a key aspect of a fulfilling music career.

"I've been blessed to do this for a long time. And my advice or my wish, for any artist, it's great to have a hit song, but not everyone's going to have a hit song. But I hope that when you're my age and you're in your 50s, that somebody will buy a ticket to come see you, because that means you've had an impact, you've had a career."

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of having a lasting impact and career longevity over just producing hit songs, suggesting that an enduring connection with the audience is a true measure of success.

"We get so caught up in, oh my God, I have to have this, I have to do that. And this is not happening. Music is about collaboration. It's about joy, it's about expressing yourself."

• This quote underscores the essence of music as a collaborative and expressive art form, encouraging artists to focus on the joy and self-expression rather than solely on achievements and milestones.

"Whether I'm playing for 100 people or 100,000 people, there's one person looking at me, right? That one person you have to respect and give it your all."

• The speaker stresses the importance of respecting and valuing every audience member, regardless of the size of the crowd, and always delivering your best performance.

• Music has the unique ability to transcend ordinary experiences and create significant emotional and historical impact.
• The speaker shares a personal anecdote about the profound effect of music during a significant historical event, illustrating music's power to heal and unite people.
• The story of The Who's performance at the Concert for New York after 9/11 exemplifies music's role in providing emotional release and human connection.

"I learned from Superman. You know, when Superman became a song that recognized the heroes of 9 11, that music can transcend like nothing else."

• The speaker reflects on how music can rise above ordinary experiences and serve as a tribute to significant events and people, highlighting its transcendent nature.

"I remember when I was playing the concert for New York and the who came on stage and they played Baba O'Reilly and they blew the roof off Madison Square Garden."

• This quote illustrates the powerful and memorable impact of a musical performance, demonstrating how music can create a profound emotional experience for both performers and audience members.

"To see those people kind of just release and sing and feel human again, that's what music is. That's what music matters."

• The speaker describes music's role in providing emotional release and helping people reconnect with their humanity, emphasizing its importance in healing and community building.