“CHRISTMAS WHERE YOU ARE” DEBUTS AT #2 ON MEDIABASE
TOP HOLIDAY SONGS CHART BEHIND SIA AND AHEAD OF KELLY CLARKSON
GRAMMY-AWARD NOMINATED ARTISTS FIVE FOR FIGHTING, JIM BRICKMAN COLLABORATED ON SPECIAL SONG CELEBRATING THE TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON; A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE GARY SINISE FOUNDATION AND WHAT KIND OF WORLD DO YOU WANT
DELILAH, HOST OF # 1 MOST LISTENED TO NIGHTTIME RADIO PROGRAM IN THE U.S. NAMES SONG AS ONE OF HER FAVORITE THINGS,
ASSOCIATED PRESS FEATURE COVERAGE AND MORE
NEW YORK, NY (November 17, 2017) – Grammy-Nominated artist’s John Ondrasik aka Five For Fighting and Jim Brickman, who have collaborated on a special collaboration to send a message of thanks, love, and support to the troops this holiday season with the song, “Christmas Where You Are debuted at #2 on the Mediabase Holiday Songs Chart, just behind Sia and ahead of Kelly Clarkson. Watch the lyric video, featuring soldiers and their families, who provided the footage HERE.
The song was released on November 3rd across all digital platforms and included on Jim Brickman’s album, A Joyful Christmas, which was released across all digital formats November 10th via BMG and features classic hymns & carols mixed with new original songs and duets. A percentage of the proceeds of the song will go to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which honors defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities as well as What Kind Of World Do You Want, an initiative Ondrasik created which raised more than $250,000 for five designated charities — Augie’s Quest, Autism Speaks, Fisher House Foundation, Save the Children and Operation Homefront.
Delilah, host of the #1 nationally syndicated, most listened to nighttime radio program in the U.S., named the song as “one of her favorite things.” Read about it HERE. The Associated Press recently sat down with Ondrasik to talk about the song, how it came together and its meaning – watch the interview HERE. The Huffington Post featured them in an interview about the song and their collaboration – read it HERE while The Digital Journal says, “…Brickman and Ondrasik are a match made in musical heaven! This song garners an A rating.”
Ondrasik and Brickman witnessed first-hand the raw emotions of families being apart during the holidays through the work they’ve both done with the USO and “Operation Care Package.” The experience was so meaningful and humbling to both of their lives that they wanted to do something special to honor them. Since Brickman has recorded dozens of Christmas songs, Ondrasik asked him if he’d want to collaborate on a holiday song for the troops. So, Brickman started noodling on the piano, then they came up with a musical framework, and that night Ondrasik wrote the lyrics. The call to serve in the military takes so many men and woman far from home and especially during the holiday season, it leaves an emptiness felt by both the troops and their families. “Christmas Where You Are” reaches out with a thank you to the them and is a gentle reminder that though they may not be sitting in our living rooms on Christmas morning, they are always front and center in our hearts and minds.
“The holidays can be an especially hard time for our troops and their families,” says Ondrasik and Brickman, “’Christmas Where You Are’ is a thank you and reminder to soldiers that we are with them in heart and spirit, wherever they stand, in service and sacrifice to our nation. We hope that no matter where these brave men and women are stationed, the warmth and love of family transcends the miles. We want them to know that a grateful nation holds them close to our hearts.”
Purchase “Christmas Where You Are” on iTunes HERE now and catch Jim Brickman on his
21st Annual Holiday Tour “A Joyful Christmas” beginning November 25, 2017. Go HERE for all dates.
làr: Jim Brickman, John Ondrasik AKA Five For Fighting
Photo Credit: Duston Todd for BYUtv
About John Ondrasik:
Singer-songwriter John Ondrasik has spent the past two decades writing deeply personal songs that include social messages, invoke the human spirit and make an emotional connection. With the past six albums, by Five For Fighting, the name under which he records and performs, Ondrasik has sold over three million records. Five For Fighting’s breakthrough came in 2001 with the Grammy-nominated song “Superman,” and his performance at The Concert for New York. Ondrasik proceeded to become part of the American songbook with the hits “100 Years,” “World,” “The Riddle,” “Chances,” and “What If.” He has also been deeply involved in philanthropic efforts. Highlighted by his whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com project and distributing over a million “CD for the Troops” to servicemen and their families around the world. Ondrasik continues to release new music, including recent singles “Born to Win” and “All for One” as well as touring with his string quartet and symphonies around the country.
Connect with John Ondrasik: Website | Facebook | Twitter
About Jim Brickman:
The hit-making songwriter is the best-selling solo pianist of our time earning 21 Number One albums and 32 Top 20 Radio Singles in the industry bible, “Billboard Magazine.” He’s garnered two Grammy nominations, gospel music’s Dove Award, two SESAC Songwriter of the Year Awards, and the Canadian Country Music Award. He also has a music scholarship at the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music & is an ambassador of Roland piano products and passionate advocate for young musicians. He’s written three best-selling books and is in the 20th season of hosting the popular radio show “The Jim Brickman Show.”
Connect with Jim: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
