Michael Tait

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Michael Tait
Michael Tait 2009 (3859922249).jpg
Tait in 2009
Background information
Birth nameMichael DeWayne Tait
Born (1966-05-18) May 18, 1966 (age 57)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres CCM, Christian rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s) Vocals
Years active1988–present [1]
Member of DC Talk, Newsboys
Formerly of Tait

Michael DeWayne Tait (born May 18, 1966) is an American contemporary Christian music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan in 1984 when he was in high school. Both Toby and Michael met Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and together they formed four-time Grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom Michael Tait has released five acclaimed studio albums. Tait is the current lead singer of Newsboys, and one third of Christian rock group DC Talk (though the group has been on hiatus since 2000). Tait also has had success in his solo career, founding a band called Tait in 1997. He toured as a solo act until 2007. He became lead singer of the Christian pop rock band Newsboys in 2009. [2] Aside from singing, Tait is also a self-taught guitar player. Tait also has a sister Lynda Randle, who is a Southern Gospel singer.

Contents

Musical career

DC Talk (1988–2001)

Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan in 1984 while he was in high school in the Washington, D.C. area, and together they began creating music. Michael Tait and Toby McKeehan both met Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the mid-1980s. Together, all three formed the four-time Grammy winning band DC Talk [3] and released 5 acclaimed studio albums. In 2000, the band announced a hiatus with the release of Intermission: the Greatest Hits 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 and when TobyMac made a surprise guest appearance at Winter Jam in 2010 in Nashville and sang "Jesus Freak" with Tait). The three have recorded four songs together since the announcement of the hiatus including the remix of "Atmosphere" on TobyMac's 2004 album Welcome to Diverse City , a cover of the Prince song "The Cross" on Kevin Max's 2007 album The Blood , "Love Feels Like" on TobyMac's 2015 album This Is Not a Test and "Let's Roll" following the September 11, 2001 attacks. [4]

Tait (1997–2007)

After DC Talk's hiatus was announced, Tait dedicated more time to his band Tait (which he named after his father, Nathel). [3] Tait had partially formed this band around 1997. One of the original members was guitarist Pete Stewart (from the hard rock band Grammatrain), who is featured on the first album, but absent from the second one due to his departing the band to work on his own solo projects. In 2006, Tait announced that they were working on an album titled Loveology. Though Michael is now touring 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 said, "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."

Newsboys (2009–present)

Michael Tait performing a concert with the Newsboys in Toronto on April 6, 2009. Michael Tait with the Newsboys.jpg
Michael Tait performing a concert with the Newsboys in Toronto on April 6, 2009.

An official statement was released on March 9, 2009 that announced Michael Tait as the new lead singer of Newsboys. 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. [5] In the official statement released on March 9, Tait said, "For years DC Talk and Newsboys have been family and thus shared the same 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' front man 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." [6]

Former Newsboys lead singer Peter Furler still provided lead vocals on the 2009 album In the Hands of God, though Michael Tait provided supporting vocals, along with Jamie Rowe of Guardian. [2] Furler's last performance as lead vocalist 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".

In 2010, the reborn Newsboys announced information about their 15th studio album (and first with Tait on lead vocals), Born Again , which was released on July 13. That was followed by Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday , including a previously recorded Tait song. In 2011, God's Not Dead , and the live follow-up, Newsboys Live in Concert: God's Not Dead in 2012, Restart in 2013, and Hallelujah for the Cross in 2014.

After the release of Love Riot , and United, the Newsboys released Stand on October 1, 2021. [7] The band released a special version of the title track "Stand" with Toby Mac as a guest. [8]

Other projects

Tait has also starred as Hero in !Hero . He also contributed to various books, including the popular Jesus Freaks and Jesus Freaks II books. He has also contributed to the books Under God and Living Under God with DC Talk bandmate TobyMac.

Discography

with DC Talk

Studio albums

with Tait

with Newsboys

Studio albums

EPs

  • Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday (2010)

Live albums

Guest appearances

Music videos

With DC Talk

With Tait

With Newsboys

Video guest appearances

Personal life

Tait has five sisters, one of them is Southern gospel alto singer Lynda Randle. [9] [10] He also has three brothers.

Tait told Fox News Radio host Todd Starnes in February 2016 that he supported Ted Cruz for president in the 2016 election. [11] Tait signed a letter opposing President Donald Trump's impeachment in December 2019 and also participated in the Evangelicals for Trump rally in January 2020. [12] [13]

In 2021, he appeared on Candace , a political commentary show hosted by conservative activist Candace Owens.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<i>DC Talk</i> (album) 1989 studio album by DC Talk

DC Talk is the first studio album released from vocal trio DC Talk. It is the most hip hop-oriented of all of their albums as each later album gradually progressed into a more rock-centered sound. Michael Tait stated that their original goal for the album was to sell 10,000 units. It sold 7,142 units in 1989. After their popularity spiked with the release of Free at Last, back sales increased although it is the only of their studio albums to not reach RIAA gold status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DC Talk</span> American Christian rap band

DC Talk is a Christian rap and rock trio. The group was formed at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They released five major studio albums together: dc Talk (1989), Nu Thang (1990), Free at Last (1992), Jesus Freak (1995), and Supernatural (1998). In 2002, the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music called dc Talk "the most popular overtly Christian act of all time."

<i>Jesus Freak</i> (album) 1995 studio album by DC Talk

Jesus Freak is the fourth studio album by the American Christian rap and rock trio DC Talk, released on November 21, 1995, on ForeFront Records. The style was a marked departure from the group's previous releases, incorporating a heavier rock sound and elements of grunge that was popular at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Max</span> Musical artist

Kevin Max Smith 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 following the band going on hiatus, he has recorded 12 full-length studio albums, including a Christmas album. From 2012 until 2014, he was the lead singer of the band Audio Adrenaline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newsboys</span> Christian pop rock band

Newsboys are a Christian rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, the band has released 17 studio albums, 6 of which have been certified gold. As of 2023, the band consists of lead vocalist Michael Tait, drummer and percussionist Duncan Phillips, keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein, electric guitarist Jody Davis, and bassist Adam Agee. In addition to performing music, the band has appeared in the films God's Not Dead, God's Not Dead 2, and God's Not Dead: A Light In Darkness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TobyMac</span> American Christian rapper and singer

Toby McKeehan, better known by his stage name TobyMac, is an American contemporary Christian music singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. His road band is known as Diverse City. He was first known for being a member of the Christian rap and rock trio dc Talk, staying with them from 1987 until they went on hiatus in 2000. He has since continued a successful solo career with the release of nine studio albums: Momentum (2001), Welcome to Diverse City (2004), Portable Sounds (2007), Tonight (2010), Christmas in Diverse City (2011), Eye on It (2012), This Is Not a Test (2015), The Elements (2018), and Life After Death (2022) as well as five remixed albums: Re:Mix Momentum (2003), Renovating Diverse City (2005), Dubbed and Freq'd: A Remix Project (2012), Eye'm All Mixed Up (2014) and The St. Nemele Collab Sessions (2019). He also has two full-length Christmas albums: Christmas in Diverse City (2011) and Light Of Christmas (2017). He became the third Christian artist to have a No. 1 debut on Billboard 200 chart with Eye on It.

<i>Free at Last</i> (DC Talk album) 1992 studio album by DC Talk

Free at Last is the third studio album from DC Talk, which was released in 1992. Music videos were filmed for "Jesus Is Just Alright", "The Hardway" and "Luv Is A Verb". In 1994, DC Talk released a long-form video of the "Free at Last World Tour" entitled Narrow is the Road, in which all three music videos can be seen.

<i>Welcome to the Freak Show</i> 1997 live album by DC Talk

Welcome to the Freak Show is a live audio and video recording by DC Talk. Chronicling the Jesus Freak Tour in the spring of 1996, they were released separately two months apart in 1997 on CD and VHS, respectively. A DVD version was later released in 2003. Each version has been certified gold by the RIAA. Track listings differ slightly between the two. Select videos included a bonus audio disc that remains one of the rarest recordings in the DC Talk catalog. The audio version won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audio Adrenaline</span> Christian rock band

Audio Adrenaline was an American Christian rock band that formed in 1986 at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. The band gained recognition during the 1990s and received two Grammy Awards and multiple Dove Awards. Audio Adrenaline were regular performers at the annual Creation Festival, Spirit West Coast festival, Agape Music Festival, and Alive Festival. In 2007, the group disbanded due to lead singer Mark Stuart's spasmodic dysphonia. During this time, they released eight studio albums.

<i>Audio Adrenaline</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Audio Adrenaline

Audio Adrenaline is the debut studio album by the American Christian rock band of the same name. It was released on April 17, 1992. "My God" was one of the first songs recorded by the band, which caught the attention of ForeFront Records.

<i>Welcome to Diverse City</i> 2004 studio album by TobyMac

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. Several other Christian artists appear on this CD, including Bootsy Collins, Coffee from GRITS, DJ Maj, Papa San, Paul Wright, Superchick, and T-Bone . TobyMac also reunites dc Talk on vocals in a remix of his song "Atmosphere", the last track of the album. The album has sold over 600,000 copies in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gotee Records</span> American record label

Gotee Records is a record label of Christian hip-hop, based in Franklin, Tennessee in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tait (band)</span> American Christian rock band

Tait was an American Christian rock band formed by Michael Tait, one of the members of dc Talk and the lead singer of Newsboys since 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesus Freak (song)</span> 1995 single by DC Talk

"Jesus Freak" is a song by the American contemporary Christian music group DC Talk. Released on August 1, 1995, it was the lead radio single from the group's fourth album. The song was written and produced by Toby McKeehan and Mark Heimermann. Lyrically, the song is about standing up for the belief in Jesus Christ in the midst of persecution. Musically, the song has been described as alternative rock and grunge. It received airplay on both contemporary Christian music and alternative rock stations, formats that rarely interact. "Jesus Freak" earned DC Talk three GMA Dove Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Between You and Me (DC Talk song)</span> 1996 single by DC Talk

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The discography of DC Talk, a Christian music band formed in the late 1980s in Lynchburg, Virginia, consists of five studio albums, three extended plays, and twenty-three singles. The group consists of Toby McKeehan, Kevin Max, and Michael Tait. They began as a hip hop group, but in the mid-90s they reinvented themselves as a pop/rock group. In both instances, they found critical and commercial success in both the Christian music industry as well as the general market.

Lynda Tait Randle, is an alto singer of southern gospel music.

"What If I Stumble?" is a song by the American contemporary Christian music group DC Talk. Released in 1995, it was the third radio single from the group's fourth album, Jesus Freak.

<i>Newsboys Live in Concert: Gods Not Dead</i> 2012 live album by Newsboys

Newsboys Live In Concert: God's Not Dead is the second live album from Australian Christian rock band Newsboys. It was recorded in July 2012 at Sonshine Festival and Lifest and released through Sparrow Records on 22 October 2012 and features songs from their albums Born Again (2010), God's Not Dead (2011), and live recordings of Michael Tait singing "He Reigns" and "Something Beautiful".

<i>This Is Not a Test</i> (album) 2015 studio album by TobyMac

This Is Not a Test is the seventh studio album by American recording artist TobyMac. The album was released on August 7, 2015. It debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. In February 2016, it won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. The standard edition was released with 11 tracks, including "Feel It", "Beyond Me", and "Move ". The deluxe edition was released with 15 tracks, including "Lift You Up" featuring Ryan Stevenson, "Fall", and "Beyond Me" and "Like A Match" remixes by Soul Glow Activatur and David Garcia respectively.

References

  1. ↑ "Michael Tait Profile and Discography". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Music News, February 2009: NEWSBOYS READIES FOURTEENTH STUDIO ALBUM, IN THE HANDS OF GOD". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "dc Talk Discography, dc Talk Artist Database, dc Talk Lyrics". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  4. ↑ www.dctalkunite.com Archived June 15, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ "Music News, March 2009: MICHAEL TAIT TO JOIN NEWSBOYS". Jesusfreakhideout.com. March 9, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  6. ↑ "newsboys | Free music, tour dates, photos, videos". Blogs.myspace.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Newsboys 'Stand'". ccmmagazine.com. October 6, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  8. ↑ "LISTEN: Tobymac featured on new version of Newsboys 'Stand'". chvnradio.com. January 31, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  9. ↑ "About Lynda Randle". Gaither Music. Retrieved July 7, 2020. For years now, my sister Lynda has truly been the inspiration for my occupation.
  10. ↑ "Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer". Apple Podcasts. 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2020. Sibling singers Lynda Randle and Michael Tait of Newsboys fame dish on hot topics like family dynamics, race relations and the unifying power of music.
  11. ↑ Christian Recording Artist Says He Supports Ted Cruz
  12. ↑ RELEVANT (December 23, 2019). "200 Evangelical Leaders Have Signed an Open Letter Slamming That 'Christianity Today' Piece". RELEVANT. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  13. ↑ "'He Was Sent to Us' — Christian Quotes From the 'Evangelicals for Trump' Rally at Miami Megachurch". Faithfully Magazine. January 7, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
Preceded by Newsboys
Lead Singers
2009–present 		Succeeded by
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