In the most aggressively early-2000s team-up since cargo pants met tank tops, Five for Fighting—helmed by the unmistakable John Ondrasik—is joining forces with the king of heartfelt radio staples, Edwin McCain, to basically soundtrack our entire summer. The duo is hitting the road for a North American tour kicking off June 4th in Paducah, KY, and honestly, the nostalgia alone could power the tour bus. Over the course of 17 shows, both artists will be performing full sets in a co-headlining format that promises equal parts emotional gut-punch and shout-along catharsis. We’re already imagining the inevitable on-stage collabs, the backstage chaos, and the general early-millennium fever dream of it all.
So naturally, we grabbed time with John Ondrasik to chat about the tour—and, of course, to dive into the enduring cultural footprint of ‘Superman (It’s Not Easy),’ a song that refuses to age even slightly despite the rest of us doing so at an alarming rate.
This interview contains sensitive subject matter, including references to the events of 9/11. Reader discretion is advised.
How does it feel knowing that you and Edwin basically snuck into pop-culture history? Between ‘I’ll Be’ becoming the emotional backbone of A Cinderella Story and ‘Superman (It’s Not Easy)’ practically serving as Smallville’s unofficial anthem, your music is now woven into these iconic storytelling moments. What’s it like watching your songs live double lives inside these franchises?
I loved Smallville, and it was a kick to be part of the show. When you release a song, it’s like sending your child out into the world, and you never know where they may go. ‘Superman’ has had many lives and been used for so many causes. I have certainly been blessed to see that little song flourish.
That song in particular has gathered so many political and emotional layers—from becoming an anthem after 9/11 to, more than a decade later, becoming a tribute to Alon Ohel. How has it felt to watch your humanitarian passion intersect so deeply with your music?
The most significant moment of my career was performing ‘Superman’ at the Concert for New York to recognize the heroes of 9/11 and their families. I never could imagine a similar experience, but almost 25 years later, performing ‘Superman’ at hostage square in Tel Aviv and releasing a new version in support of the hostages in coordination with hostage families have been deeply humbling. It’s amazing how one song could find such a global impact decades apart.
You and Edwin broke through around the same time—do you remember the first moment you actually met?
I don’t believe we have met, though we have many common friends, and I’ve only heard wonderful things about Edwin and his crew. Of course, I’m a huge fan of his soulful voice, and ‘I’ll be’ is as iconic as they come. I look forward to going to rock star summer camp with him!
If you could sneak one of Edwin’s songs into your setlist—and pass one of yours over to him for a cover—which two songs would you choose, and why?
I was actually listening to his song ‘Holy City’ today and kept playing it on repeat. What a beautiful song and production. Perhaps I would send him my song ‘America Town’ as he has a song called ‘America Street.’ Seems we are of same mind at times.
You’ve brought a string quartet into quite a few of your performances. How do you feel that addition has elevated your stage presence? And with this new run of dates, are you heading in a new direction, or is that sonic texture something fans can expect to stick around?
We typically do string quartet tours during the spring and fall and the rock band tour during the summer. I am so grateful to have some of the best musicians in the world in both the band and quartet, and both permutations provide a different experience, and even a different setlist. It certainly keeps things fresh with the intimacy of the quartet shows and the sing-along nature of summer rock shows. One day, it would be fun to bring them all out together.
Since both you and Edwin were breaking out in the early 2000s, you’ve lived through a very different era of touring—in the way shows were run, the energy in the room, even how artists connected with fans. Is there anything from that era’s vibe or touring style that you wish could bleed into the way shows are done today?
Well as an old curmudgeon, I am nostalgic for an arena full of lighters, not cell phone lights, musicians who play their instruments without tracks, and vocals without auto-tune…but that’s just me.
Though most of your catalog comes from the early to mid-2000s, you’re suddenly reaching a semi-new audience—from long-time fans now bringing their kids to people just discovering your music for the first time. Back when ‘Superman (It’s Not Easy)’ was released, radio stations were hesitant to play it because it sounded so different from everything else. Looking at today’s landscape, is there a song in your catalog that you think would break out now—a song with themes or production that might resonate even more strongly with a 2026 audience?
It seems ‘100 Years’ is as relevant today as it was in 2004 when I released it. Graduations, weddings, funerals, anniversaries, and many a home movie still embrace the song. Of course, we are all in there somewhere, and the theme of “appreciate the moment” is a sentiment we can all relate to.
Your relationship with U.S. troops and veterans is important to you, as you have invited them to previous shows and performed on USO tours. Do you have plans to involve them in this run of dates?
Yes! We always give any excess tickets on our guest list to our veterans and military families. Performing, supporting, and writing songs for our troops has truly been the honor of my career.
You’ve written music, columns, and even commentary for the NHL. Do sports and songwriting intersect for you in any surprising ways? Is there something about competition or teamwork that feeds into your creative process?
Honestly, I believe the name “Five for Fighting” suits me more now than it did in 1999. Being a musical voice for the voiceless, whether they be our Afghan Vets, Ukrainians, or the Jewish community, is certainly a battle, and if I end up in the penalty box, so be it!
Finally, what are you feeling most energized or inspired by as you look ahead to this next chapter of your career?
At this point in my career, I feel a unique freedom to write and sing about things meaningful to me without concern for repercussions, and isn’t that what America is all about?
Already snagged your ticket to the summer show? Slide into our socials—Twitter, Instagram, Facebook—and let us know where you’ll be sitting. You never know; your future concert bestie might be only a few seats away, ready to scream-sing the choruses right alongside you. Because honestly, the true magic of a show isn’t just the music—it’s locking eyes with a stranger during that song and realizing you’re both unwell in the exact same way. Still ticketless? No stress at all. There’s still time to secure your spot and create a core memory you’ll be talking about well into September.
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