May Highlights What a crowd last month!  In all honesty, we weren’t expecting a huge turnout because of Memorial Day weekend but much to our delight, at about 8:45 we begin to pull out more chairs to accommodate all the people who came out.  The lineup included David Ivey, Sam Dougherty and of course, rufus harris. First up... Sam Dougherty -  Sam has performed at 4thFridays about three times now but this time he was accompanied by his wife Terri on congas.  His new album – So Real was just released that same night so it was an honor that 4thFridays was the first place he chose to celebrate the new project and share the new tunes.  During his set, there were both inspiring moments and humorous ones. Terri who knows sign language signed to a beautiful song Sam wrote called I’m Amazed.  It was an incredibly moving performance.  Sam also shared two fun songs – one about silly putty and another about evolution that kept the audience laughing.  On a personal level, one of the coolest things about Sam was his trans- parency that came across so well onstage and off.  He exuded honesty, joy and love which shone brightly through his words and music.   Sam recently told us that he and his family will be moving to Arizona next month for ministry opportunities in Phoenix.  We wish them the very best and pray that their music ministry will have a huge impact on the folks there.   For more info about Sam be sure to visit his website at: Sixstringministry.com and drop him a line to wish him well. David Ivey - was next.  David travels around the country quite a bit so it was an honor to catch up with him and have him share at 4thFridays.  He and his band performed a great set.  David shared touching songs which pointed us to God showing us how to love and hug the Lord.   His performance was genuine and unpreten- tious placing the focus on God.  He shared songs from his two releases – The Bottom Line and Your Today.  He left the audience with a rhetorical question: Yesterday’s over, tomorrow’s not here, whatcha gonna  do with your today? Such a simple statement yet is so many ways – profound.  It challenged some of us to take an honest look at our tendencies.   Of course David is also a guy with a great sense of humor.  At one point, he encouraged the audience to buy his CD and said that the proceeds would help feed hungry children.  Sounds noble enough we thought. That is - until he admitted he was referring to his own hungry children.  That too is noble!  Check out his website at Davidiveyonline.com. rufus harris - Rufus and band had opened the show with We Don’t Need Another Hero – a Tina Turner cover song.  Rufus related the song to Christ and how He is obviously our hero – not politicians or celebrities.  He followed that song with Who is Like Him?, My Life and Look So Good.  He talked about diversity, his experience with Prison Ministry and how that experienced led to the idea of creating a diverse lineup at 4thFridays. Raffle time – For the 4F raffle Rufus called up to the stage an old - no! - a longtime friend Steve Grenier.  Rufus and Steve were part of a Christian commune back in the early seventies.  Rufus said that Steve was always a good brother, but he needed to ask him a question which had bugged him for all these years.  Steve had painted his basement apartment all black - really!  Rufus said he always wanted to ask him, "Why?"  So he did. Steve simply explained that he worked midnights and painted the walls black so he could sleep better during the day.  Everybody laughed. Here's what's coming up on June 24th... Miranda Stone -  takes the 4thFridays stage.  The road is no stranger to Toronto’s own Miranda Stone.  Ten years of writing and performing her own music have seen Stone adopt a constant tour schedule, often playing over a hundred shows a year, both solo and with a full band.  Hers is a music of the soul, with the quest for a human connection as much a part of the art as is the writing and performing.  That quest raises her work well above the ordinary.  She is a seasoned singer/songwriter who spent the last several years sharing her arsenal of musical poetry.  Dynamic guitar work and intelligent lyrics create her modern urban folk with pop sensibilities.  She’ll share  tunes from her various projects including her latest release - 7 Deadly Sins. The Poet's Corner - Tracy Price will share the poetry of local poet and writer Michael Hildebrandt. rufus harris - will share a tunes as well with band members Sidney Howard (keys) Jeannine Gardner (drums) and Charles Weldon (bass). Our brewmister - invites you stop by the coffee table to enjoy this month's featured flavor - Bavarian Chocolate Turtle.  Also enjoy popular Purple Passion Tea.  And of course there will be de-caf and the 4thFridays house blend for those who like it strong and robust. raffle - Always with paid admission, you'll receive a ticket for our raffle.  The drawing is held near the end of the show. You can win music and coffee in a little canvas tote. Contest - Knowing two specific things in this newsletter will win you a prize! Something To Think About... by Rufus They'll know we are Christians by our love.   Set up was pretty challenging last month.  There was an event going on in the theatre so the dock was full of trucks.  One of the men unloading owned a plant company and was bringing in rubber trees and plants for a concert for two world renown harpists.  As he walked down the hall way he saw Denise and I giving Marvin (from our crew) a hug.  The man who was unloading the plants said jokingly to me, “If you’re giving out hugs, I need one too”.  I replied, “hey, I’ll give you a hug”.  We introduced ourselves to him, talked a little about what we were doing and exchanged business cards. A little later when he and I were alone in the loading dock I told him I was serious about the giving him a hug.  I related to him the concept of a music video I had seen where the artist in the video was just walking around town giving out random hugs to folks.  The first recipients of the hugs thought it strange and were obviously uncomfortablw with it, but as others watched him randomly giving out the hugs that action caused the others watching to start waiting for their hug also asthe artist approached.  A pretty feel good video.  I again told him if he wanted and/or needed a hug I would give him one.  He said he wanted a hug - and I gave him a hug. People want and need to see folks who are geniune - who are authentic - who are sincere.  People who are not spurious or counterfeit. Jesus declares that the world will know we are his disciples - because we have love for one another.  Let's be geniune believers - it could be contagious. Rufus OTHER NEWS... JustRadio.Net - Check out JustRadio.Net - an Internet radio station.  You can listen to great Christian music while your work or play 24/7 by logging on to:  www.justradio.net. You'll hear the music of 4thFridays' artists and more.  Also coming soon - interviews with artists, radio plays and documentaries.   JustRadio was recently nominated by Live365.com as one of the best radio stations you've never heard.  And although we did not win, it was quite an honor to be recognized out of the thousands of Internet radio stations on the network.  JustRadio - Reaching the World With Music that is Just.   Woodward Crossing  - We mentioned in a previous e-mail that we were involved in launching a brand new venue in the New Center area for young adults called Woodward Crossing.  We had our first show on June 3rd and it went very well.  The next show is scheduled for July 1st and will feature an artist from Grand Rapids – Crisi, the alternative band – Trip and Poet – Angel Rivers.  The show will be held at Metropolitan United Methodist Church - a very diverse lineup you’re sure to enjoy.  Be sure to bring your youth groups, family and friends.  Suggested donation is $5.  For more info visit: www.woodwardcrossing.org   We hope to see you there! 4thFridays photography by Christina Hoeinghausen Woodward Crossing photography by Denise Strong From Woodward Crossing June 3rd... Beth Stalker          Knowgood Brothers Union GREAT NEWS ABOUT THE CAMP! - The Christian Artists and Musicians Project is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization!  Which means your contributions are tax deductable!  If you like what we’re doing at 4thFridays and would like to support it financially, we need your help.  Please send your donation to the address below.  Proceeds will support 4thFridays shows; prison ministry events; our Internet radio station; resources for artists; and  more.   We will share more with you at 4thFridays! 4thFridays is presented by Red Letter Records and The C.A.M.P. (Christian Artists & Musicians Project): Come check it out This month in Studio A The Ford Community & Performing Arts Ctr. 15801 Michigan Ave.  Dearborn, MI between Southfield & Greenfield Rds. Doors open at 8pm/Show starts at 8:30pm Admission: $10 Info: 248-886-0881 information@redletterrecords.com Send all correspondence to this address: TheCamp 5119 Highland Road #207 Waterford, MI  48327 -----------------------------   The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center and Studio A Entrance ----------------------------- If you choose not to receive future 4thFridays e-mails simply click below to unsubscribed.