A Song For The World
Frank McGee
Review by Raymond Fowlie
A Song For The World is a book about the amazing lives of the famous
Colwell Brothers and Herb Allen who spent the bulk of their adult lives
touring the world on a mission of musical diplomacy that
affected the very fabric of society as we know it. These four men
formed the musical revolution known as "Up With People" which has
touched people the world over. Its message of peace is one that rings
as true today as it did decades ago when the group was formed.
The book begins with what is probably the group's most famed and
publicized production, the half-time show of Super Bowl X. Up until
this point in time, the half-time show for the Super Bowl had always
resembled the half-time show of a high-school football game. Marching
bands forming shapes and playing songs. When the NFL wanted to change
this image, they called "Up With People." Even though they were allowed
minimal rehearsal time and were asked to perform a feat no one had ever
accomplished, the show was a huge success and really put the group on
the map.
The book goes onto chronicle the long trail of international
engagements that the group participates in. From war-torn Africa to
behind the closed walls of China "Up With People" is asked to perform
on goodwill missions that reach every corner of the globe and touch the
lives of countless people. The best part is that through McGee's
amazing writing, we feel as though we are there every step of the way.
One really engaging thing that this book does is that in the beginning
of every chapter we are introduced to a composition that one of the
main characters has written. Not only are we along for this wild ride,
we are also allowed to look into the creative process of geniuses who
truly affected the world. These men put their personal lives on the
back burner pouring their hearts and souls into their work. Rarely were
these individuals paid and none of them married until much later in
their lives.
The dedication that these men showed in attempting to affect change in
the world is truly awe-inspiring. Many people see problems in the
world, but few are truly willing to right the wrongs that they witness.
These gentlemen put forth a model for sparking true social change that
is replicable by any who feel that the world around them can, and
should be changed for the betterment of us all. We all feel deep down
somewhere that there is something wrong with the society around us.
These four men felt this and then did something about it.
This book is an easy, fun read chock full of pictures of Up With
People's journeys around the globe. It gives the reader a sense of the
truly remarkable accomplishments that can be achieved with a little bit
of talent and a lot of desire. I would recommend this book to almost
anyone because it has something for everyone. The world needs more
books like this one; and more people like these men.