Michael Tait | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Tait in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael DeWayne Tait |
| Born | (1966-05-18)May 18, 1966 (age 58) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Genres | CCM,Christian rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1988–present[1] |
| Member of | DC Talk |
| Formerly of | Tait,Newsboys |
Michael DeWayne Tait (born May 18, 1966) is an Americancontemporary Christian music artist. Michael Tait metToby McKeehan in 1984 when he was in high school. Both Toby and Michael metKevin Max while attendingLiberty University in the late 1980s, and together they formed four-time Grammy winning bandDC Talk, releasing five acclaimed studio albums. Following the group's entrance into hiatus in 2000, Tait had success in a solo career, founding aself-titled band that toured until 2007. Following his solo band's dissolution, Tait was the lead singer ofNewsboys from 2009 to 2025. Aside from singing, Tait is also a self-taught guitar player. Tait has a sisterLynda Randle, who is aSouthern Gospel singer.
Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan in 1984 while he was in high school in theWashington, D.C. area, and together they began creating music. Michael Tait and Toby McKeehan both met Kevin Max while attendingLiberty University in the mid-1980s. Together, all three formed the four-time Grammy winning bandDC Talk[2] and released 5 acclaimed studio albums. In 2000, the band announced a hiatus with the release ofIntermission: 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 albumWelcome to Diverse City, a cover of thePrince song "The Cross" on Kevin Max's 2007 albumThe Blood, "Love Feels Like" on TobyMac's 2015 albumThis Is Not a Test and "Let's Roll" following theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks.[3]
AfterDC Talk's hiatus was announced, Tait dedicated more time to his bandTait (which he named after his father, Nathel).[2] Tait had partially formed this band around 1997. One of the original members was guitaristPete Stewart (from the hard rock bandGrammatrain), who is featured on thefirst album, but absent from thesecond 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 titledLoveology. Though Michael is now touring as frontman for the Newsboys, he still has plans to releaseLoveology. In an interview with John Dibiase of Jesusfreakhideout.com, he stated thatLoveology 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 andBen Moody, which is another whole music project."
An official statement was released on March 9, 2009 that announced Michael Tait as the new lead singer ofNewsboys. 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.[4] 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."[5]
Former Newsboys lead singerPeter Furler still provided lead vocals on the 2009 albumIn the Hands of God, though Michael Tait provided supporting vocals, along with Jamie Rowe of Guardian.[6]Furler's last performance as lead vocalist took place during a performance at Disney'sNight 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 byChristmas! 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, andHallelujah for the Cross in 2014.
After the release ofLove Riot, andUnited, the Newsboys releasedStand on October 1, 2021.[7] The band released a special version of the title track "Stand" withToby Mac as a guest.[8]
On January 16, 2025, Michael Tait released a statement on social media saying he will be stepping down as lead singer of Newsboys.
Tait has also starred as Hero in!Hero. He also contributed to variousbooks, including the popularJesus Freaks andJesus Freaks II books. He has also contributed to the booksUnder God andLiving Under God withDC Talk bandmateTobyMac.
Tait has five sisters, one of them isSouthern gospel alto singerLynda Randle.[9][10] He also has three brothers.
Tait toldFox News Radio hostTodd Starnes in February 2016 that he supportedTed Cruz for president in the2016 election.[11] Tait signed a letter opposing PresidentDonald Trump's impeachment in December 2019 and also participated in the Evangelicals for Trump rally in January 2020.[12][13]
In 2021, he appeared onCandace, a political commentary show hosted by conservative activistCandace Owens.[citation needed]
For years now, my sister Lynda has truly been the inspiration for my occupation.
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.
| Preceded by | Newsboys Lead Singers 2009–present | Succeeded by Incumbent |
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