PROJECT G.O.D.

So how did this all start? 

Back in the summer of '86, Steve Stuart and Cathy Miranda and their friend Chris wanted to start a Christian Band. Cathy knew Shawn from Oakland County Park's & Recreation where Shawn and Dean had summer jobs as mimes.  One afternoon, Cathy showed up at Shawn's house and said (something like):

"My friend Steve and I want to start a Christian Rock band.  I've heard you're Christian and you sing.  Are you interested?" 

Shawn's immediate reaction -- right after "this is weird"-- was to ask if he could bring along his friend Dean!

Cathy, Steve, Shawn, Dean and Chris got together and practiced some tunes they knew by Christian performers like Michael W. Smith (no relation), Amy Grant, Petra, David Meece--lots of keyboard based groups due to Steve's influences.  Eventually, they were "ready" for a gig.  Their first public appearance was  a 25 minute set at a Mother/Daughter Luncheon at Calvary Lutheran in Clarkston, MI.  They were pretty sure that no one noticed they had to repeat some songs -- they didn't have enough material for 25 lonnng minutes.

Heather Smith started as "soundperson" when she was 16 in '86! (actually, "soundbabe" -- forgive them, it was the eighties). Tracey Copeland was the next to join the group, while Chris was the first to move on.  Changing faces were a natural part of this adventure by a group of motivated teenagers.   When Steve and Cathy left, the band had to decide their fate...Steve was the primary musician and keyboardist.   Who could step in?   (Bet you guessed wrong...)  After some coaxing, Heather saved the day!   There were no guitars until Joe joined in '89.

In order to get some of their own equipment, the band needed to take out a loan.  The band members had to commit to pay weekly "dues" so that the loan could be paid down.  Somehow, the fact that the first payment came due on December 25th seemed a reassuring sign.  Roughly a dozen talented people were part of Project G.O.D. over the life of the loan...all participated in the financial burden.

Over the next years, the band went on to perform music at festivals and gatherings in MI & OH, meeting and learning from folks like Lost and Found.   In 1989, they produced Pressed For Time with 3 original songs.   They started covering a wider geographic region and produced Reach Out and On The Road in '90 and '91, culminating their touring years with a live concert recorded in '92 called Movin' Towards The Light.

The group disbanded in 1993, but not before creating a legacy of some terrific music.  It's amazing what God can do with a group of kids.