"If we could truly take a look at global history, we would find that the people who really made a difference often go unsung, lost in the scope of big players on the big stages. … The wonderful Colwell Brothers [have left a lasting legacy] through their songs, lyrics and the lives of over 20,000 Up With People students around the world. Millions of hearts have been touched by… these writers for all times and all seasons. I cannot express enough the sacrifices these brilliant men have endured to make a difference in the world, but of one thing I’m sure—the Colwell legacy of love, commitment and excellence will stand forever as a beacon of hope for generations to come."

Tom Sullivan
Singer, Actor

“When inspired genius is willing to renounce ease and glory for the sake of something greater, the impact is huge. This is the lesson of the incredible Colwell/Allen story. My eyes and ears are witness to the joy and hope that Herb Allen and the Colwell Brothers triggered in country after country. The words of their songs came from seeing into the heart of humanity, and I think they got their music from a divine source. I thank God for them, and I thank them for adding memorably to my stock of faith and hope.”

Rajmohan Gandhi
Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi Visiting professor, South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

“ We all treasure those who have positively influenced our lives, and I count Herb Allen and the Colwells among my most valuable inspirations. But as completely as I thought I was aware of their kaleidoscopic pasts, this book has opened my eyes to travels, adventures, and relationships I could never have dreamed they experienced. Up with People’s appearances on the Super Bowl halftime shows changed the genre forever, and directing them was a highlight of my network television career. A Song for the World is a great reference work for those who aspire to live life to the fullest.”

John Gonzalez
Director, NBC Sports and the NFL Network

“I thought I knew these guys until I read this book. What an adventure life has taken them on! Even if you’ve never heard of the Colwells, Herb Allen, or Up with People, the musical journey they have had makes for incredible reading. Their music has influenced the lives of millions of people, including me. I now know where their inspiration came from!”

David Grossman
Executive vice president
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences
(The Grammys)

“ Steve, Paul, and Ralph Colwell and Herb Allen broke with orthodoxy and set out to lift the spirit of the human family. Their legacy lives in the thousands and thousands who have caught their fervor. Over the past forty years I have seen them in action in some of the most unbelievable places and situations. They have never failed to capture their audience and inspire them to make a difference in their community and country. It is still ‘an unfinished world,’ and perhaps their story can be a textbook for all who still dream that their lives can play a part in building a more peaceful future. A. W. E. O’Shaughnessy in his poem ‘Ode’ might well have been describing these modern troubadours:

We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams…. Yet we are the movers and shakers of the world forever, it seems.

“We salute their courage and selfless service to humanity.”

J. Blanton Belk
Founder and chairman emeritus, Up with People

“They were the most effective ambassadors during their time in the Congo. Their message was straight, simple and fun, and not preaching.”

Dr. William T. Close
Chief medical doctor for the Congolese National Army
Personal physician to Congolese President Mobutu Author of Ebola

“Anyone who feels hopeless about the present state of the world should pick up a copy of A Song for the World. In it, Frank McGee tells the deeply inspiring story of four men who quietly and gently set out to change the world and, in the process, sparked one of the great youth movements of all time: Up with People. I don’t know what’s most extraordinary about the Colwell Brothers and Herb Allen: their work around the world in the service of peace, their body of unforgettable music, their legacy as youth leaders, or the fact that through it all they have remained so remarkably humble. A Song for the World is a must-read for anyone who dreams of making the world a better place.”

Mark Glubke
Senior editor, Back Stage Books

“The Colwell Brothers and Herb Allen believed they could change the world and impact society. As an alumna of Up with People, I saw firsthand the difference the program made in individual lives and communities and young cast members developing into leaders. The experience confirmed my dedication to a life of public service. The Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government is another example of a place filled with young people from across the world who want to make a positive difference. The Colwell Brothers and Herb Allen are living examples of how individuals with an idea, determination, and passion can serve the greater good. They are truly an inspiration to public servants, social activists, and those of us at the Kennedy School.”

Betsy Myers
Executive director, Center for Public Leadership
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

“A Song for the World is a remarkable story of courage, commitment, vision, and learning.”

W. Timothy Gallwey
Author, The Inner Game of Tennis

“ I have known the Colwell Brothers and Herb Allen for over fifty years and observed their work in many countries. With Hollywood and musical star- dom beckoning in the 1950s, they chose instead to become part of a great endeavor to shift the whole world God-ward, turning enemies into friends. This involved much sacrifice: ceaseless travel, rough living conditions, and sensitive research into different cultures and countries, all without thought of financial reward. Out of this sacrifice came great creativity. They gave an image of America that millions responded to. They richly deserve the title of musical diplomats. Frank McGee has done a great service in making their extraordinary life stories available to all.”

Archie Mackenzie
Retired British ambassador
Participant in the creation of the United Nations

“They’ve been called the musical founders of Up with People, and that is how they will go down in history. Yet the Colwell Brothers and Herb Allen have contributed much more than the music. They have been the moral compass of the organization. More than anyone else, they represent the integrity, values, sincerity, and humility of what Up with People stands for. Period.”

Tommy Spaulding
President and CEO, Up with People, Inc.

“This excellent book on the Colwell Brothers and Herb Allen’s adventures is absorbing reading from start to finish. Their creative outpouring is astounding and reflects not only their extraordinary gifts, but also their commitment to service, their all-outness, and their genuine humility. They represented across the world the very best of America, and the world is better off for all they did.”

Richard Ruffin
Former executive director
Moral Re-Armament/Initiatives of Change

"To say people have an ‘aura’ may sound quirky, but some are hard to describe any other way. The Colwell Brothers and Herb Allen have this impact. They weren’t driven by monetary reward or fame; their goal was to use their God-given talents for the betterment of others, the finding of new talent, and the nurturing and development of each one, not restricted to musical skill. It was all about ‘people.’ These four mean more to me than I can express in words. This book is long overdue.”

David Mackay
British record producer

“A Song for the World is truly an awe-inspiring view into the lives of four men whose vision for a better world affected people from all walks of life in scores of countries through the ultimate language of music.”

Jill C. Johnson
Former director of creative development
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)