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"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)
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