John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting to Perform at Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony; Ondrasik to be Honored With Father of the Year Award
NEW YORK, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Records recording artist John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting will perform his previously unheard song "SLICE" at the 40th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony, honoring Grammy and Academy Award winning composer Steven Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Wicked). "SLICE", a new song co-written by Ondrasik and Schwartz, will be appearing on Ondrasik's upcoming Five For Fighting album, due for release later this year. This year's Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards inductees also include Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora; Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati (The Young Rascals); Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Galt MacDermot, James Rado and Gerome Ragni (deceased). The induction and awards dinner is scheduled for Thursday, June 18 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
John Ondrasik will also receive a special Fatherhood Award(TM) at National Fatherhood Initiative's 2009 Military Fatherhood Award(TM) Ceremony on June 9 in Washington, D.C. Ondrasik will be awarded for his ongoing support of our nation's military service members and their families and for his dedication to his own wife and children.
In addition to receiving his award, Ondrasik will perform two of his songs at the event - "Freedom Never Cries" and "I Just Love You." Ondrasik has dedicated himself to supporting military service members and their families. He has performed on USO tours in Cuba, Hawaii, Guam, and Japan. Ondrasik also conceived and produced "For the Troops," a CD compilation series of superstar recording artists that is available for free to every active service member in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Additionally, Ondrasik has joined General David Petraeus, Jon Stewart, and others in contributing to the inspiring book 5 Principles For A Successful Life: From Our Family to Yours by Newt Gingrich and Jackie Gingrich Cushman. To help illustrate the significance of these principles, Newt and Jackie asked many leaders in the worlds of politics, business, and entertainment to share their personal stories, of which Ondrasik happily wrote about his experiences regarding Principle Two: Work Hard. 5 Principles For A Successful Life: From Our Family to Yours, published by Crown Forum, is in stores now.
View John Ondrasik reading an excerpt here:
Jackie Gingrich Cushman - Columnist for Townhall.com on 680 WPFT (Click to Listen)
http://wptfmornings.blogspot.com/2009/05/jackie-gingrich-cushman-columnist-for.htmlGenesis - A New Life Profiled in New Book by Authors Newt Gingrich and Jackie Gingrich Cushman
Genesis, a transitional center for the families of homeless newborns in Atlanta, Ga., is profiled in the new book, "5 Principles for A Successful Life: From Our Family to Yours," which will be in stores this week. The book, written by Newt Gingrich and his daughter Jackie Gingrich Cushman, focuses on five principles they've used to empower their own success and fulfillment. Genesis is included in the book as an example of what can be accomplished with hard work and perseverance. Likewise, the book includes insights and personal stories from leaders in the worlds of politics, business, and entertainment, including former President Bill Clinton, David Petraeus, Rudy Giuliani and Tavis Smiley among others.
Atlanta, Ga (PRWEB) May 14, 2009 -- Genesis - A New Life is profiled in the new book, "5 Principles for A Successful Life: From Our Family to Yours," which will be in stores this week. The book, written by Newt Gingrich and his daughter Jackie Gingrich Cushman, focuses on five principles they've used to empower their own success and fulfillment. Genesis, a transitional center for the families of homeless newborns in Atlanta, Ga., is included in the book as an example of what can be accomplished with hard work and perseverance. Likewise, the book includes insights and personal stories from leaders in the worlds of politics, business, and entertainment, including former President Bill Clinton, David Petraeus, Rudy Giuliani and Tavis Smiley among others.
Several years ago the Genesis board of directors, including author Jackie Gingrich Cushman, came together to raise funds for a much-needed facility even though experts told them it couldn't be done. The board overcame many obstacles to build the facility that today houses 18 families and provides a range of support services to successfully tackle the issues that lead to homelessness. "The Genesis story is a wonderful example of hard work and determination by a board of directors who would not give up on our dream to help stop homelessness in Atlanta," said Jackie Gingrich Cushman. "The purpose of this book is to offer real-life examples that will inspire and motivate readers. This is critically important during the tough economic times we face today."
Today's economic climate poses many new challenges for Genesis. Funding sources have slowed or disappeared, but the need for services is steadily increasingly. Homelessness in Atlanta is at an all-time high. According to the Atlanta Homeless Task Force, children under age nine comprise the fastest growing group of homeless people in Atlanta.
Similar to when the Atlanta community came together to fund a new home for Genesis, the Genesis board is reaching out to the Atlanta community for support during this tough economic period. "We put out the word that Genesis needs help, and many have responded. It will take many new partners and individual volunteers to ensure we continue to provide Atlanta's homeless families with the quality level of support and assistance they need," said Genesis Board Chair Dorothy Franzioni. "We are excited that the good work of Genesis is being highlighted in this new book by Newt Gingrich and Jackie Gingrich Cushman."
Additional information about "Five Principles for a Successful Life" is available at http://5principlesoflife.com or http://jackiecushman.com
About Genesis
Genesis - A New Life enables the families of homeless newborns to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency through comprehensive services and support. Founded in 1994 in response to a growing homelessness crisis in Atlanta, Genesis today serves up to18 different-sized families at one time. Genesis has a unique success rate because of its focus on tackling the root causes of homelessness through its expert staff, innovating training program and strategic partnerships with education, health care, legal and child care organizations. For more information go to http://genesisshelter.com.
Newt Gingrich Offers Success Story Based on 5 Principles
By Peter Roff, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has rarely strayed from the public's eye since leaving the House of Representatives more than a decade ago. The author of several books, fiction and nonfiction, Gingrich is now adding "life coach" to his list of accomplishments.
With daughter Jackie Cushman, Gingrich has coauthored the forthcoming 5 Principles for a Successful Life, a book inviting readers to re-examine the purpose and goals of their daily activities with a focus on increasing personal productivity and achieving success.
The book has its origins, says Cushman, in conversations she had with her own two children about their famous grandfather. "A few years ago, Maggie and Robert began to ask how Grandpa became speaker of the House," she says. "It was important to me that they understand it took him years of dreaming big, working hard, and learning every day," hence the book.
Cushman and Gingrich illustrate the five principlesÑdream big, work hard, learn every day, enjoy life, and be true to yourselfÑthrough examples from their own lives as well as through contributions from a group of notables including former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw, political consultants James Carville and Mary Matalin, and Gen. David Petraeus, the former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq.
"My dad has been talking about these five principles for years," says Cushman. "He often refers to them during commencement speeches and in his discussions with young people. We thought this would be an important project that would help others, and we should work together on 5 Principles for a Successful Life."
Cushman says she hopes the book will provide specific principles and concrete examples of how to live life successfully. "We hope people understand that there are principles that lead to success, that life has its ups and downs, but if you live by these five principles, you can live life successfully."
5 Principles for a Successful Life, published by Crown Forum, hits bookstores May 12.