Michael DeWayne Tait (born May 18, 1966) is a
Contemporary Christian MusicContemporary Christian music is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
artist who is the current lead singer of
NewsboysNewsboys is a Grammy Award-nominated Christian pop rock band. The band was formed in Australia in 1985 and has been one of the most popular and best-selling Christian music artists of the past two decades.-1980s:...
, and one third of
Christian rockChristian rock is a form of rock music played by bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands. Much Christian rock has ties to the contemporary...
group dc Talk (though the group has been on hiatus since 2001). Tait also has had success in his solo career, founding a band called
TaitTait was a Christian rock band formed by Michael Tait, one of the members of dc Talk and the lead singer of Newsboys since 2009.- Pre-formation of Tait :...
in 1997. He toured as a solo act until 2007. He became lead singer of the Christian pop rock band
NewsboysNewsboys is a Grammy Award-nominated Christian pop rock band. The band was formed in Australia in 1985 and has been one of the most popular and best-selling Christian music artists of the past two decades.-1980s:...
in 2009, and though
Peter FurlerPeter Andrew Furler is an Australian musician, best known as the former full-time lead singer, drummer and guitarist for the Contemporary Christian pop rock band Newsboys...
remained the lead singer on the band's most recent album
In the Hands of GodIn the Hands of God is the thirteenth studio album by the Christian band Newsboys. It was released on May 5, 2009. It is the first album the band will release since the departure of singer and founding member Peter Furler. Although Peter sings all the songs on the album, former dc Talk singer...
, Tait provided supporting vocals on the project.
Michael DeWayne Tait (born May 18, 1966) is a
Contemporary Christian MusicContemporary Christian music is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
artist who is the current lead singer of
NewsboysNewsboys is a Grammy Award-nominated Christian pop rock band. The band was formed in Australia in 1985 and has been one of the most popular and best-selling Christian music artists of the past two decades.-1980s:...
, and one third of
Christian rockChristian rock is a form of rock music played by bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands. Much Christian rock has ties to the contemporary...
group dc Talk (though the group has been on hiatus since 2001). Tait also has had success in his solo career, founding a band called
TaitTait was a Christian rock band formed by Michael Tait, one of the members of dc Talk and the lead singer of Newsboys since 2009.- Pre-formation of Tait :...
in 1997. He toured as a solo act until 2007. He became lead singer of the Christian pop rock band
NewsboysNewsboys is a Grammy Award-nominated Christian pop rock band. The band was formed in Australia in 1985 and has been one of the most popular and best-selling Christian music artists of the past two decades.-1980s:...
in 2009, and though
Peter FurlerPeter Andrew Furler is an Australian musician, best known as the former full-time lead singer, drummer and guitarist for the Contemporary Christian pop rock band Newsboys...
remained the lead singer on the band's most recent album
In the Hands of GodIn the Hands of God is the thirteenth studio album by the Christian band Newsboys. It was released on May 5, 2009. It is the first album the band will release since the departure of singer and founding member Peter Furler. Although Peter sings all the songs on the album, former dc Talk singer...
, Tait provided supporting vocals on the project. Aside from singing, Tait is also a self-taught guitar player. One of Tait's five sisters is
Lynda RandleLynda Tait Randle, alto singer of southern gospel, was born in 1962 and grew up in the inner city of Washington, DC.-Gaither Homecoming:Randle is most well known as a Gaither Homecoming Artist and markets a number of singing videos featuring her mellow alto voice in gospel music, particularly...
, who is a gospel singer with the
Gaither HomecomingGaither Homecoming is the name applied to a series of videos, music recordings and concerts, which are organized, promoted and usually presented by Christian music songwriter and impresario Bill Gaither...
Series.
dc Talk (1988–2001)
Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and
Kevin MaxKevin Max is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk. As a solo artist since 2001, he has recorded four full-length studio albums and two EPs.-Early years:...
while attending
Liberty UniversityLiberty University is a private, Baptist, Evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. With approximately 12,000 residential students, and another 38,000 studying through distance learning, LU is currently the largest evangelical university in the world.It was...
in the late 1980s. Together they formed the four-time grammy winning band dc Talk and released 5 acclaimed studio albums. In 2000, the band announced a hiatus with the release of
Intermission: the Greatest HitsIntermission: the Greatest Hits is the seventh album released by DC Talk. It is compiled of songs from some of their earlier albums, including their best known album, Jesus Freak. The songs "Chance" and "Sugar Coat It", along with a remix of "Say The Words", are songs that were recorded...
while all three members devoted themselves to solo projects. The band has not toured together since 2001 (except for one time in Redmond, Washington in 2005 when they toured together for the last time ever). dcTalk has recorded 3 songs together since the announcement of the hiatus including the remix of "Atmosphere" on tobyMac's 2004 album
Welcome to Diverse City and a cover of the
PrincePrince Rogers Nelson is an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor. He performs under the mononym Prince but has also been known by various other names, most notably the unpronounceable symbol which he used as his stage name between 1993 and 2000...
song "The Cross" on Kevin Max's 2007 album
The BloodThe Blood is an album by Christian music artist Kevin Max that was released December 26, 2007.-Overview:Unlike Max's previous albums , The Blood is a gospel album instead of having his usual rock stylings...
. The band also recorded a song entitled "Let's Roll" following the
September 11, 2001 attacksThe September 11 attacks were a series of coordinated suicide attacks by Al-Qaeda upon the United States on September 11, 2001. On that morning, 19 Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners...
.
Tait (1997–2007)
After dc Talk's hiatus was announced, Tait dedicated more time to his band
TaitTait was a Christian rock band formed by Michael Tait, one of the members of dc Talk and the lead singer of Newsboys since 2009.- Pre-formation of Tait :...
(which he named after his father, Nathel). Tait had partially formed this band around 1997. One of the original members was guitarist
Pete StewartPete Stewart is a singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer from Washington state. He is the lead singer and guitarist of Grammatrain , was the lead singer for The Accident Experiment, and is the former guitarist of Tait....
(from the hard rock band Grammatrain), who is featured on the first album, but absent from the
second oneLose This Life is the second album by the Christian rock band Tait. It is a sequel to their first album, Empty. According to frontman Michael Tait, the songs all have to do with the striving human passion to know, feel and experience God's love....
due to his departing the band to work on
his own solo projectsThe Accident Experiment, also called AeX, is a rock band based in San Diego, California. It was formed in 2002 when co-founder Marcos Curiel left the band P.O.D....
. In 2006, Tait announced that they were working on an album entitled "Loveology." Though Michael is now turing as frontman for the Newsboys, he still has plans to release Loveology. In an interview with John Dibiase of Jesusfreakhideout.com, he stated that Loveology is still in the works, and will be a separate project from the Newsboys. In the interview Michael stated "Loveology is going to become something we're going to be writing about very soon. I can’t tell you now, but it’s a project with the boys and I and Ben Moody, which is another whole music project."
- Empty
Empty is the first album released by Christian rock band Tait. This album features Pete Stewart from Grammatrain, who is absent in the next album...
(2001See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 - Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
)
- Lose This Life
Lose This Life is the second album by the Christian rock band Tait. It is a sequel to their first album, Empty. According to frontman Michael Tait, the songs all have to do with the striving human passion to know, feel and experience God's love....
(2003See also:* 2003 in music Record labels established in 2003-Events:* January - following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during...
)
- Loveology
Loveology is the unreleased third album by the Christian rock band Tait. It was supposed to move towards a soul sound, unlike the rock sound that TAIT Band fans had been used to...
(unreleased)
Newsboys (2009–present)
An official statement was released on March 9, 2009 that announced Michael Tait as the new lead singer of
NewsboysNewsboys is a Grammy Award-nominated Christian pop rock band. The band was formed in Australia in 1985 and has been one of the most popular and best-selling Christian music artists of the past two decades.-1980s:...
. Coincidentally, Tait's former group, dc Talk toured with Newsboys in the 1990s. On March 7, 2009, Tait surprised the crowd by performing as Newsboys' lead singer for the first time and announcing that he would be the band's new lead singer. In the official statement released on March 9, Tait said "For years dc Talk and newsboys have been family and thus shared the same loyal and adoring fans. When I received the initial call from newsboys to consider joining the band as lead singer, I was speechless! I immediately sought wise counsel and flooded the heavens with endless prayers for insight and vision, and I soon received a clear and definite peace. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to perform my first show as newsboys’ frontman to an audience of 12,000 people. I was completely wrapped in love and support by newsboys’ fans, who are clearly the best fans on the planet. Now I know this is exactly where I belong in this new and wonderful moment in my life’s history. This is a definite highlight of my career and for my 20+ years of walking with Jesus, and I am humbled, proud and privileged to call myself a
newsboy.”
Former Newsboys lead singer Peter Furler will still provide lead vocals on the upcoming 2009 album "In the Hands of God", though Michael Tait will be providing supporting vocals, along with Jamie Rowe of Guardian. All future Newsboys albums will be recorded with Michael. Furler's last performance as lead vocals took place during a performance at Disney's Night of Joy 2009. Michael performed lead vocals for most of the songs but Peter did come out to sing lead on the song "Breakfast".
With dc Talk
- Heavenbound (1989)
- I Luv Rap Music (1990)
- Nu Thang (1990)
- Walls (1991)
- The Hardway (1992)
- Jesus is Just Alright (1992)
- Luv is a Verb (1992)
- Colored People (1995)
- Day by Day (1995)
- Between You and Me (1995)
- Jesus Freak
"Jesus Freak" is a song written and recorded by CCM group DC Talk. It was released on August 1, 1995 as the first radio single released in promotion of their fourth album, Jesus Freak. The song's title refers to the 1970s term "Jesus freak"...
(1995)
- My Friend, So Long (1998)
- Consume Me (1998)
Video guest appearances
- "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe
MercyMe is an American contemporary Christian band founded in Greenville, Texas. The band consists of vocalist Bart Millard, keyboardist James Bryson, percussionist Robin Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul....
- "Addicted to Jesus" by Carman
Carman , is a Grammy-nominated, contemporary Christian music artist, who grew up in an Italian home.-Early life:...
- "AKA Public School" by Audio Adrenaline
Audio Adrenaline was a Grammy Award-winning Christian rock band that formed in the late 1980s at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. During the band's 17-year existence, they were awarded two Grammy awards, multiple Dove Awards and they released 17 number one singles...
Other projects
Tait has also starred as Hero in "
!Hero!Hero is a rock opera about Jesus. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?". After the original tour in 2003 ended, it was released on DVD, CD, and was written into a trilogy of novels and series of comic books....
." He also contributed to various
bookA book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of paper, parchment, or other material, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
s, including the popular
Jesus FreaksJesus Freaks is a 1999 book by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs. The name comes from the hit album that they released in 1995. It includes stories and testimonies of Christians from all over the world, past and present, who have been persecuted tortured, or martyred for their Christian beliefs...
and
Jesus Freaks II books. He recently contributed to the books
Under GodUnder God is a collection of inspirational stories, many historical and with a Christian perspective, by Toby McKeehan and Michael Tait of the Christian rock group dc Talk, published in 2004....
and
Living Under GodLiving Under God is a sequel to the 2004 book by dc Talk members Toby Mac and Michael Tait. The book follows much the same style as the first book, Under God. It was published with help from WallBuilders.-External links:***...
with dc Talk bandmate
tobyMacKevin Michael "Toby" McKeehan , professionally known as TobyMac, is a popular Grammy Award winning artist, producer, and songwriter. TobyMac is one of the very first Christian Rappers. He was first known for being a member of the Christian trio DC Talk, staying with them from 1989 until their...
. In March 2009, Michael Tait became the third vocalist to lead the Newsboys (after original members John James and Peter Furler). He has become the new frontman for the Newsboys.
Guest appearances
- Carman
Carman , is a Grammy-nominated, contemporary Christian music artist, who grew up in an Italian home.-Early life:...
- Addicted to Jesus - "Addicted to Jesus" (1990)
- Reality Check
Reality Check was a Christian alternativerock band that formed in the mid 1990's with the support of Michael Tait of dc Talk. Originally consisting of three members, Chris Blaney, Nathan Barlowe, and Rod Shuler, the band grew to eight members before disbanding in 1998...
- Reality Check "Apart From You" (1997)
- The Canticle of the Plains
Canticle of the Plains is a musical written by songwriters Rich Mullins, Mitch McVicker and Beaker, loosely based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi....
(1997)
- Pete Stewart
Pete Stewart is a singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer from Washington state. He is the lead singer and guitarist of Grammatrain , was the lead singer for The Accident Experiment, and is the former guitarist of Tait....
- Pete Stewart - "Uphill Battle" (1999)
- Point of Grace
Point of Grace is a group of Christian pop music singers and authors. This all-ladies trio consists of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino. The group started out as a quartet in 1991, with original members Breen and Jones, as well as Terry Jones and Heather Payne...
- A Christmas Story - "Light Of The World" (1999)
- Jennifer Knapp
Jennifer Lynn Knapp is a Dove Award-winning Christian folk rock musician. She is best known for her first hit single "Undo Me" from her debut album Kansas , and the song "A Little More" from her Grammy Award-nominated album Lay It Down . Her last studio release, The Way I Am , was also nominated...
- The Way I Am - "Say Won't You Say" (2001)
- Third Day
Third Day is a CCM and Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
- Offerings II: All I Have to GiveOfferings II: All I have To Give is a 2003 album by Third Day. It is the band's second worship album, and features live recordings from the Come Together Fall Tour in 2002.-Track listing:#"Sing A Song" – 4:09#"You Are So Good To Me" – 4:02...
- "God of Wonders" (2003)
- tobyMac - Welcome to Diverse City
Welcome to Diverse City is the second full length studio album released by Christian singer TobyMac. The songs on this album deal with racial tolerance in society and a desire to know God better...
- "Atmosphere Remix featuring dc Talk" (as dc Talk) (2004)
- DJ Maj
Mike Allen, professionally known as DJ Maj, is a Christian music DJ, contributing to Gospel music albums released by tobyMac, GRITS, Ill Harmonics, dc Talk, and the Newsboys...
- Boogiroot - "H.A.N.D.S." (2005)
- Building 429
Building 429 is a Christian rock band signed to INO Records. They were the Gospel Music Association 2005 New Artist of the Year. Their name is derived from a Biblical passage known as Ephesians 4:29, which, in the New International Version of the Bible, reads as follows: "Do not let any...
- RiseRise or RISE may refer to:In music:* Rise , the debut album by Northern Irish rock band The Answer* Rise , an album by Anew Revolution...
- "Empty" (2006)
- Kevin Max
Kevin Max is an American singer, songwriter, and poet. He is best known for being a member of the Christian pop group dc Talk. As a solo artist since 2001, he has recorded four full-length studio albums and two EPs.-Early years:...
- The BloodThe Blood is an album by Christian music artist Kevin Max that was released December 26, 2007.-Overview:Unlike Max's previous albums , The Blood is a gospel album instead of having his usual rock stylings...
- "The Cross (as DC Talk)" (2007)
- Marc Scibilia
Marc A. Scibilia , is a singer songwriter. Scibilia was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. Scibilia writes his lyrics often using social, religious and political themes. A prolific song writer, his first album of solo piano was released at age 12. On his CD Fixity, Scibilia collaborated with...
- FixityFixity may refer to:-*MV Fixity, an Empire F type coaster in service with F T Everard & Sons 1946-61.*USS Fixity , an Admiral Class minesweeper.*Operator associativity is also known as Fixity in computing....
- "Worship Song" (2007)
- Newsboys
Newsboys is a Grammy Award-nominated Christian pop rock band. The band was formed in Australia in 1985 and has been one of the most popular and best-selling Christian music artists of the past two decades.-1980s:...
- In the Hands of GodIn the Hands of God is the thirteenth studio album by the Christian band Newsboys. It was released on May 5, 2009. It is the first album the band will release since the departure of singer and founding member Peter Furler. Although Peter sings all the songs on the album, former dc Talk singer...
External links