Don't be afraid to Ask

I was a bit worried about creating a music video using a published song by a major artist. However, I figured I needed to practice what I preach. So I wrote an email to John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting requesting permission to use his song '"100 years" for my Guatemala windows and mirrors video. To my surprise and delight I received the email back within 12 hours. Here's a copy of my official permission to use his song for this project.


From: fiveforfriends@aol.com
Date: March 24, 2009 9:54:20 PM CDT
To: jakari1@mac.com
Subject: Re: 100 years

Sure Kari,

Be my guest...Thanks for asking

J.

-----Original Message-----

To: fiveforfriends@aol.com
Sent: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 6:01 pm
Subject: 100 years

Hello. My name is Kari Frisch and I am an instructor at a Community and Technical College in Minnesota. I believe in the power of music and images. The combination can speak volumes and are valuable assets in the classroom especially considering the type of learners that are entering college these days have grown up in this media-saturated age. I am specifically writing you to ask your permission to use your song "100 years" for a class assignment I've designed. It is solely for educational purposes and would not be used for profit in any way. I went to Guatemala on a service learning trip and thought the song could be used to demonstrate the similarities of growing up male whether from the US or from Guatemala. I'd like to use it in the background to accompany some of the photos I took there. Would you grant me the permission to use this song in this manner for my college class? Thank you for your time and consideration.

I look forward to your response.
Kari Frisch