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Mar10
dc talk’s Michael Tait is Newsboys new singer
Filed under: Ichthus Festival, Music, rc talk - Christian pop culture; Tagged as: dc talk, Duncan Phillips, In the Hands of God, Inpop Records, Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, John James, Michael Tait, Newsboys, Paul Colman, Peter Furler
Newsboys are now guitarist Jody Davis, lead singer Michael Tait, producer and songwriter Peter Furler, drummer Duncan Phillips and keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein. Photo courtesy of Inpop Records.
There’s more news of lineup changes for Newsboys and this one is kind of strange. Former dc talk member Michael Tait is taking over as the lead singer of the band . . . on the road.
“Peter Furler will no longer front the band in concert,” a Newsboys press release states. “Peter will continue with the band and his trademark songwriting and production will remain as he focuses his professional career toward future newsboys recordings.”
The band is releasing a new album, In the Hands of God, May 5 that will feature Furler as the lead singer, but Tait will tour it. Furler will apparently pop in on tour this year.
We asked if Furler will be the singer on future albums, a spokesperson for the band said, “That is still to be decided.”
In a statement on Newsboys message boards, Inpop Records president Dale Bray said there is nothing wrong with Furler’s health, which was an initial thought with the strangeness of that arrangement. The statement says Furler will make a personal statement later this week.
Maybe that statement will shed some light on what sounds at first blush like an odd move. Will Peter continue to sing on future records, or is he just going to be a songwriter and producer? I’ve searched my noggin for half a day trying to recall a band that has tried to tour a different singer than was on the record without a clear-cut change out front. And you would think if Tait was going to invest his life in touring with the group, he would want his voice out front on future recordings.
On the other hand, with Tait on stage, think about the catalog this group will have touring, because you have to think that they’ll break out some dc talk classics. In the Light was reportedly on Tait’s first show as frontman in Texas over the weekend.
Lineup changes have been de rigueur for Newsboys since the band formed in the mid-1980s. Paul Colman left in January to make way for returning guitarist Jody Davis. Bassist Phil Joel left a few years ago to pursue a solo career. Furler’s departure actually brings the band’s original lineup to an end as Furler was the band’s original drummer until he took over frontman duties on the appropriately named Step Up to the Microphone album and tour in 1998. Tait is Newsboys third lead singer, succeeding Furler and John James. Since dc talk split up at the beginning of this decade, Tait has fronted his own band, TAIT.
Fan reaction to the change has been mixed at sites such as Twitter and Newsboys Facebook page.
“While I like Michael Tait and loved dcTalk, Peter Furler IS the newsboys,” one fan wrote. “The newsboys have always had a distinct sound. Why? Because of Peter. Anyone else fronting for him will just be sounding like they are doing a cover of the songs. It just won’t be the same. I do wish everyone the best.”
Another fan was more open, saying, “I have been so blessed by Peter and the rest of the newsboys! May God continue to rain down His blessings on all of them, but especially Peter and Michael as they enter this new stage in their lives.”
What do you think?
7 Responses to “dc talk’s Michael Tait is Newsboys new singer”
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[...] rock: Most of you have probably heard about the change in front of Newsboys, with dc talk’s Michael Tait taking over for Peter Furler, who appears geared for a studio-only role. When the announcement was made, we were promised a [...]
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Hey Copius ~
Thanks for posting the report - what HUGE NEWS!
Every Eye Media quotes Mac Powell (Third Day) calling this new venture “like combinging MacDonalds and Burger King” as well as quotes from the Newsboys, their road manager, and Michael Tait’s long time friend and DC Talk mate Toby Mac. See the new PRESS PHOTO with Michael Tait as Newsboys new front man take SIX WEEKS AGO, along with photos from their jaw dropping performance in Texas!
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Can you image if DC Talk was still around and Toby Mac left and Peter Furler joined as lead singer/rapper? This in my point it just wouldn’t be the same and as much as I like Michael with his band TAIT is just won’t work with him as the lead of the Newsboys. The move totally changes the sound that the Newsboys have been known for. Last time I heard Michael sing I couldn’t pick up is Australian accent.
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The first song i heard from newsboys was “shine”.I loved that song so much that i immediately listened to other newsboys songs.Peter furler is an incredible singer and i was shocked and kinda devastated when i heard that he wont be the lead singer anymore,on tours anyway.When i thought of newsboys,i thought of peter furler because he was the only original original member left.He was there when newsboys started up.Its really sad to see him go but im sure that michael will be a good replacement and will do the newsboys songs some justice.It just wont be the same without peter.I’ll miss ya man!Goodluck to michael.
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I’ve seen them in concert with michael tait nd peter furler.. they both are great friends and michael tait is a new sound and freshens up the newsboys to be better.. and half their songs at the concert was DC Talk songs.. like in the light, colored people, jesus freak and many more.. amazing!
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They are really great in concert, no matter who fronts the band. Newsboys are on the new WOW HITS 2010 CD too.
You can check it out here:
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Just listened to Newsboys song with Michael Tait as lead singer…and it’s just not Newsboys anymore. The song isn’t bad, but it just doesn’t have the Newsboys sound to it that I’ve come to know and love. It’s more like some other band is covering Newsboys songs. As much as I love Newsboys, to me, the band is no more. The Newsboys I loved is sadly gone.
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