September News and CD Release!

Ted Fillhart and the Unlikely Heroes, has just released a CD called an EP * (Only $5 -affordably priced for our fans). Our intentions are to release a series of these EPs, (5 songs for $5) - Volume One, Volume Two, etc. They are very affordable to all of our fans and eco-friendly, too! The CDs are packaged in recyclable cardboard instead of hard plastic. CDs will be available at our concerts, from band members and are being distributed on the Internet by IndieHeaven at www.indieheaven.com. The wonderful thing about our music distribution and MP3 downloads through Indieheaven is that the band gets 100% of the proceeds. Just go to our website and you'll be directed to the site to either purchase a CD or be shown how download MP3s. www.unlikelyheroesband.com. Your support is greatly appreciated!!!!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!! We have planned a CD release party! It is on September 26 at a new Raleigh venue called Hope Cafe from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. We will also have a special guest artist opening for us -- acoustic guitar virtuoso, Bob Clarke! FREE ADMISSION! There will be door prizes and a 50/50 raffle!

Hope Café
201 Tryon Road (close to Garner)
Raleigh, NC 27603
http://hopecaferaleigh.com

Hope Cafe is a fully functioning coffee shop/sandwich/dessert restaurant. They are open Monday through Thursday 7:00 am-9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 7:00 am-10:00 pm. Serving fresh deli sandwiches made to order, soup, ice cream, a variety of desserts, fresh brewed coffee, espresso drinks, etc. All this with a stage and 4,000 square feet of space!

Fall dates for concerts are coming in and we could use your help in finding churches, venues, fairs and festivals where we can serve, share our music and message. Go to our website and sign up to be on our street team today!

Upcoming confirmed concerts: (there are more to come so keep checking our website to see where we'll be playing next!)

Friday Sept. 18 @ 8:00 pm -- Cumberland County Fair. This is a huge opportunity as we have a prime spot at this very large county fair! It will be a great time with lots to do!

Saturday Sept. 26 @ 7:00 pm -- CD Release Party at Hope Cafe. It is Free with a chance to win some money or prizes!!!!

Saturday October 3 @ 3:00 pm -- Princeton, NC. Highest Praise Tabernacle Church an outdoor concert to help raise funds for their Military Memorial Fund. It is easy to get to! Take Hwy 70E through Smithfield toward Goldsboro. Address is: 3987 US Hwy 70 West, Princeton, NC Free admission!

Sunday October 4 @ 10:30 am -- Princeton, NC. Highest Praise Tabernacle Sunday Morning Worship Service. 3987 US Hwy 70 West, Princeton, NC www.highestpraisetabernacle.org

Friday November 6 @ 6:00 pm to 8:45 pm -- Aromas Coffeehouse @ Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1600 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh www.hbbc.net. Bring your friends for a fun way to spend a Friday night!

Saturday, November 14 @ 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm -- Hope Café, 201 Tryon Road Raleigh, NC 27603 www.hopecaferaleigh.com

Saturday November 21 @ 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm -- Sacred Grounds, Durham, NC www.sacredgroundscoffeehouse.org

Times are hard and times are changing, but one thing that is constant is God's love for us. Come on out and support local Christian music as we play the blues with God in the groove!
Embracing God's Love,
Ted, Jay, Craig and Bill

www.unlikelyheroesband.com

*What is an EP?
EP (plural EPs)
(music) Extended play; a vinyl record (or recording on other media, such as a CD) that is shorter than an LP but longer than a single.

Love of God and Country ( June '09 )

Awesome things are happening within the Unlikely Heroes ministry!
The guys and I have written new songs and worked on a few other familiar tunes for our upcoming concerts. We have recently worked with Sue Ross from InnerViZion Management and she has worked hard in getting us to focus more on our mission. If you are an artist and want to take your ministry to a whole new level you need to speak with Sue!!!
www.theinnervizion.com

Our concerts will focus on our theme - "Love of God and Country"
Of course we will share God's Word through our songs but will also include a time create an awareness of taking care of our environment and supporting our military men and women as well as our veterans.

More News
The band and I are going into the studio to record songs for a soon to be release CD. June 20th at Studio 415 in Clayton, NC

CDs will be available soon! Check the website, get on our mailing list....

Have you checked out our videos from the WRAL TV show Spiritual Awakening, yet. Go to our website and tell us what you think!

Just booked a Friday night at the Cumberland County Fair! September 18 at 8pm. What a great opportunity and time slot to share God's Word through our blues music.

Grace and Peace,
Ted

Ending thoughts....
I wanted to share with you my Bible study from the other night - James 2 - 6

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

We must be doers of the Word, not just hearers. Our human strength is unable to tame the tongue, but through God's strength it can be done.

April - May 2009 Newsletter

Greetings, this email is going out to all my contacts nationwide. I'm going to stick with music news in this email. If you want to know more about what's going on in my personal life just email me and we'll chat:) Besides, I haven't heard from many of you in a long time. Give me a shout out or you can also find me on Facebook.

Yesterday my band, Unlikely Heroes, played at the North Carolina Pickle Festival. Hats off to Julie Beck who organized an incredible event. The place was packed. Hundreds and hundreds got to hear the band for the first time and the response was very positive.
If you missed our television debut on WRAL TV and Fox50 in North Carolina we have the videos posted on our website. Just click on the PHOTO VIDEO link at www.unlikelyheroesband.com and see and hear what the band is all about. In fact, I like to reiterated what my pastor, James Tilton, outlined in his sermon this morning. "Understanding My Purpose" is a series he is preaching on. My ministry, the Unlikely Heroes and me personally is built around this sermon -
Part 2 - Reaching People with the Gospel.
Jesus said, '...you will be my witness...to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NIV)
Pastor Tilton goes on and explains on how to build a BRIDGE to those far from God.
Be Proactive
Refuse to wear a mask
Indentify common ground
Demonstrate God's Love
Give credence to feelings and fears
Expect God to use me
"Let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them and show it by our actions." 1John 3:17 (Living Bible)

**May Concerts ** Raliegh/Durham area - apologies to the out of town folks....

Friday, May 1 6pm - 8:45 I am honored to get another opportunity to open up for a good friend of mine, DOVE Award winner, Mitch McVicker (www.mitchmcvicker.com) at Aromas Coffeehouse located at Hayes Barton Baptist church. They offer one of the best deals in town! For only $3 you have access to great food, beverages and desserts and you will get to spend the evening with Mitch McVicker an incredible singer/songwriter. I will kick off the night at 6 and play until 7pm. Mitch will take over from there - trust me you won't be disappointed!
Aromas is located at 1800 Glenwood Ave in Raleigh inside the Hayes Barton Baptist Church.

Saturday May 9 7:30 - 9:15 An informal, intimate and close up concert with Unlikely Heroes at Sacred Grounds. A night of Christian Blues music. I have been playing at this venue for 7 years and this is the first time performing with the band.

Sacred Grounds is located right next to St Paul's United Methodist Church at 2700 Roxboro St in Durham. You'll find it just one mile north of I-85, on the right as you're traveling away from Durham. The show starts at 7:30pm and runs until 9:15 or so. There's no cover charge, but your gratuities will be both gratefully and cheerfully accepted. And be sure to bring a little extra moolah to buy one of their delicious coffee or fruit drink concoctions and dessert. We hope to see you there. www.sacredgroundscoffeehouse.org

Friday, May 15 7pm - 10pm. I'll be making a solo appearance at Swift Creek Coffeehouse playing classic hits from the 70s and 80s! Lots of fun!!!! Free, but tips appreciated.
Swift Creek Coffeehouse is located at 1350 Fifth Ave., Garner NC (Hwy 70 & intersection of Vandora Springs Rd across from Garner United Methodist Church) http://swiftcreekcoffeehouse.com

Hope to see out in the crowd!

Blessings
Ted
--
Ted Fillhart
Main site: www.tedfillhart.org
Blues Band: www.unlikelyheroesband.com

March Newsletter

Hello,
Exciting news about the band and we wanted to remind you about some upcoming events. SO PLEASE READ ON!!!
First of all, a big thank you to many of you that came to the concert at Hayes Barton Baptist Church on February 6th. The folks there sure do know how to put on a concert! We had a blast and you can see some videos clips from the concert on our website.
www.unlikelyheroesband.com

Band News:
We are very excited to announce the "signing" of our new guitar player, Craig Glasheen. Craig has been in the Christian music industry for many years playing with bands including his own Christian bands Redeemed and Rightly Dividing. Many of you that came to my solo concerts over the years would recognize Craig. He has played guitar with Ted on a few occasions and most recently when Ted opened up for Mitch McVicker in the fall of 2007 - wow...that doesn't seem that long ago? Craig's MySpace is www.myspace.com/craigglasheen if you want to check him out more and listen to some of his original music.

If you were able to make it the concert last month at HBBC then you witnessed an incredible musician on stage with us playing harmonica! His name is Todd Parrott. Todd has been playing harmonica for almost 20 years, & has been blessed to perform & record with several artists. Todd still books solo events but will be joining the band when he can and we hope it's a lot!! Todd's website is www.toddparrott.com if you want to check him out more and listen to some of his music.

Upcoming Concert:
Band: WRAL TV SHOW TAPING Monday, March 23rd 7:30pm. www.wral.com
We spoke with the producer today and she said we can invite up to 30 people to the WRAL TV studio to be part of the live taping of the show Spiritual Awakening.
So if you can make it let TED know ASAP, so HE can put you on the guest list and be admitted to the recording session. IT's FREE!!!! Only 30 people!

Other concerts:
March 7 Todd Parrott solo at Sacred Grounds at 2700 Roxboro Street, DurhamNC www.sacredgroundscoffeehouse.org 7:30- 9:30pm tips appreciated

March 27 Ted Fillhart solo at Loco Lu's playing hits from the 70s and 80s 5210 Hollyridge Dr ( just off Glennwood Ave) Raleigh
919-755-6337 www.LocoLu.com Great place! 7:00-9:00 pm tips appreciated

April 8 Unlikely Heroes at Mt. Olive College 8:30pm free event 634 Henderson Street, Mt. Olive, NC www.moc.edu

April 25 Unlikely Heroes at Mt. Olive Pickle Festival, Mt Olive, NC - not sure of the time, yet. Check our web site for updates or www.ncpicklefest.org

May 1 Mitch McVicker and Ted Fillhart at Aromas Coffeehouse 6pm -8:30 www.hbbc.net $3 and lots of great food, desserts etc.... That's right, hit songwriter, Dove Award Winner, Mitch McVicker is back in town for a solo appearance. Ted will open for Mitch starting at 6pm.
www.mitchmcvicker.com

May 15 Ted Fillhart solo at Swift Creek Coffeehouse, Hwy 70 & intersection of Vandora Springs Rd, Garner, NC 7 - 9pm Ted will be playing hits from the 70s & 80s.

More to come.......
Hope to see you!
Ted, Jay, Tim, Craig and Todd

Standing Tall in an Ungodly World

I didn't write this. Jon W. Quinn wrote this, but it's very worthwhile to share. One of my favorite Bible verses is in Jude 21, "...keep yourselves in the love of God..." Embrace God's Love!
Ted

Standing Tall in an Ungodly World

Jude 20-25

Jude, the brother of the Lord, wrote of the harsh environment in which disciples of Jesus found themselves during the final half of the first century. He appeals for them to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (JUDE 3b). This shows us that the revealing of "the faith"; that is, those teachings given by God including the account of Jesus' life and His precepts by which we are able to live lives of faith, was never meant to be an ongoing thing. "The faith" was "once for all delivered to the saints." This means that the document given to the world by Jesus through His chosen ones in the first century is complete and adequate for our spiritual needs.

Jude also gives warning of the corrupting influence that false teachers were having in turning the grace of God into a license to sin (vs 4). Sounds like a much needed warning for today as well, as does the remainder of this short letter.

Jude reminds the disciples of God's judgments in the past, and affirms that God will judge the world again. Jude also warns that the mocking of the rebellious ought not be a surprise. It was not unforeseen. "But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, 'In the last time there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.' (JUDE 17,18).

So what were these hard pressed disciples of the first century to do? How would they successfully stand in a world that so often treats them with contempt? The answer to these questions is important for us as well as them, because we live today is such an environment!

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Jude closes his short letter by giving a brief summary about what the Christian can do to remain strong. The solution had been given previously in other Scriptures; for example, Peter had dealt with it in greater length in his second epistle (to which Jude refers in vss 17-18). Notice how Jude summarizes the Lord's solution to dealing with these pressures:

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them from the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (JUDE 20-25).


BUILD YOURSELF UP ON YOUR FAITH

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith..." (JUDE 20). Success will only come through a firm reliance upon the "most holy faith." It is genuine. It is true. It is powerful. Doctrines and traditions of men, speculations and opinions, philosophies and theories will only bring ruin.

It is our responsibility to "build" ourselves up in this faith. To accomplish this, "the most holy faith" must be known and applied. To know it and not use it will suffice nothing. Many people know the right thing to do. Far fewer are willing to do it.

Can the Lord count on you? Will you prepare yourself to stand up for Jesus? Knowing the truth brings freedom only to those who are willing to apply it (JOHN 8:31,32).

PRAY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

"...praying in the Holy Spirit;" (JUDE 20). It ought to be no surprise that prayer has an important role to play in "standing tall in an ungodly world." But there is a proper way to pray as well as an improper way to pray. Our text does not just say to pray, but to "pray in the Holy Spirit."

The Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian who is walking by faith. The evidence of this is not seen through some miraculous manifestation, but rather through the fruit of the Spirit being present in one's life, as well as the putting away of those fleshly things contrary to the Lord's will. After listing the fruit of the Spirit; "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control," the Scripture says, "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." (see GALATIANS 5:16-26). So, for one to "pray in the Spirit" he must be "walking by the Spirit."

What would one pray in such circumstances? Certainly he would echo the words of Jesus' prayer, "Not My will, but Thy will be done." He would ask for strength and wisdom. He would pray for those that persecute him. Such a prayer will certainly be answered!

KEEP YOURSELF IN THE LOVE OF GOD

"...keep yourselves in the love of God..." (JUDE 21). God, because of His love for us, has provided for our salvation. He gave His beloved Son. We are wonderfully blessed because of God's love for us. He is our great Savior!

But while His love is unconditional; He gave His Son for the whole world without any condition at all; the blessings of His love are not unconditional. If they were, then everybody would be saved. But some are lost; Why? Because they have not or are not meeting the conditions God has arranged for receiving His blessings.

To stand tall, we must continue to abide in God's love; that is, to continue to meet the conditions He has established by His grace to receive the benefits of that grace. This is exactly what Jesus said; "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept the Father's commandments, and abide in His love." (JOHN 15:10; cf vss 1-9).

WAIT FOR THE LORD AND ETERNAL LIFE

"...waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life." (JUDE 21). Standing tall comes easier for those who look to the final result of faith. Jesus is coming again. He will vindicate the faithful by showing their faith to have been valid. The mocking will die as it is exposed for the absolute foolishness that it really is. Those thought to be wise by the world in their rebellion against the God of heaven will regret their inexcusable obstinacies forever.

"Eternal life" is God's future for the faithful. This term describes not only the length of existence, but also the dynamic quality of it. The Scriptures describe it as an "inheritance" which is "imperishable" (will not spoil or lose its value) and "undefiled" (pure, unpolluted) and will not "not fade away" (will not lose its luster) which is "reserved in heaven for you" (I PETER 1:4).

SEEK TO SAVE OTHERS

"And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them from the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh" (JUDE 22,23). They say that the more concerned you are about others, the less your own problems will seem. They are correct.

Every faithful Christian needs to be aware of this very important fact when he is being mocked and treated shamefully: As a Christian, you have much more of true value than those who mock you do! Do not ever regret the choice you made and do not ever trade away the hope you have for something so much less. Do not envy the mocker who may seem so proud and invincible. Instead, be merciful to him. He is in such great need. If he does not awake soon, the fire will get him. You will never stand taller than when you try to snatch him from the flame.

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. " (JUDE 24,25).

By Jon W. Quinn
From Expository Files 3.1; January 1996

Is America becoming socially introverted?

Is America becoming socially introverted? Why are more and more people staying home and not interacting with each other? You know what I mean, people are not going out to a local hangouts, hear some music and engage in conversation. Is it the economy, too many toys at home, "too busy" or soaring gas prices that keep people from developing and building relationships?
Now, I'm a Christian artist and I do some classic rock and blues bookings, too. So, I'm not exclusively talking about the Christian music scene. I love going out and seeing all kinds of bands and I see the problem in this Raleigh area - very little support for musicians. I have seen some great - no put that FANTASTIC secular and Christian artists in the Raleigh NC area that are being ignored. This is not the venues' fault - this is a people problem!

Are you leading a sedimentary lifestyle at home, are you feeling tied to your computer or glued to the TV set? Come on, live life, get off the couch, get together with others, laugh a little and have some fun! Go out and support local music and Christian artists and their mission. Most concerts are usually free or at a very little cost. I think what people are missing out on these days are hanging out with each other and building relationships. Introverts, extroverts…it doesn't matter! As a Christian I am expected to share God's Love and to lead others by example.

So, what's your take on the lack of interest in live music.