Michael Tait Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! {{Short description|American contemporary Christian music artist}} {{for|the English footballer|Michael Tait (footballer)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Michael Tait | image = Michael Tait 2009 (3859922249).jpg | caption = Tait in 2009 | background = solo_singer | birth_name = Michael DeWayne Tait | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|5|18}} | birth_place = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S. | origin = <!-- The city from which the singer or group originated --> | instrument = [[Singing|Vocals]] | genre = [[Contemporary Christian music|CCM]], [[Christian rock]] | occupation = Singer, songwriter, producer | years_active = 1988–present<ref name="JFH profile">{{Cite web |title=Michael Tait Profile and Discography |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/artists/Tait.asp |access-date=November 11, 2011 |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com}}</ref> | label = | current_member_of = [[DC Talk]], [[Newsboys]] | past_member_of = [[Tait (band)|Tait]] | website = }} '''Michael DeWayne Tait''' (born May 18, 1966) is an American [[contemporary Christian music]] artist. Michael Tait met [[TobyMac|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 (band)|Tait]] in 1997. He toured as a solo act until 2007. He became lead singer of the Christian pop rock band Newsboys in 2009.<ref name="jesusfreakhideout.com">{{Cite web |title=Music News, February 2009: NEWSBOYS READIES FOURTEENTH STUDIO ALBUM, IN THE HANDS OF GOD |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2009/02/26.NEWSBOYS%20READIES%20FOURTEENTH%20STUDIO%20ALBUM%20IN%20THE%20HANDS%20OF%20GOD.asp |access-date=November 11, 2011 |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com}}</ref> Aside from singing, Tait is also a self-taught guitar player. Tait also has a sister [[Lynda Randle]], who is a [[Southern Gospel]] singer. ==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]]<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |title=dc Talk Discography, dc Talk Artist Database, dc Talk Lyrics |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/artists/dcTalk.asp |access-date=November 11, 2011 |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com}}</ref> 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 (musician)|Prince]] song "The Cross" on Kevin Max's 2007 album ''[[The Blood (album)|The Blood]]'', "Love Feels Like" on TobyMac's 2015 album ''[[This Is Not a Test (album)|This Is Not a Test]]'' and "Let's Roll" following the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].<ref>[http://www.dctalkunite.com www.dctalkunite.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615052329/http://www.dctalkunite.com/ |date=June 15, 2006 }}</ref> ===Tait (1997–2007)=== After [[DC Talk]]'s hiatus was announced, Tait dedicated more time to his band [[Tait (band)|Tait]] (which he named after his father, Nathel).<ref name="ReferenceA" /> 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 [[Empty (Tait album)|first album]], but absent from the [[Lose This Life|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)=== [[File:Michael Tait with the Newsboys.jpg|right|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2009 |title=Music News, March 2009: MICHAEL TAIT TO JOIN NEWSBOYS |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2009/03/09.MICHAEL%20TAIT%20TO%20JOIN%20NEWSBOYS.asp |access-date=November 11, 2011 |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite web |title=newsboys | Free music, tour dates, photos, videos |url=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=92459748&blogId=475619920 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314015002/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=92459748&blogID=475619920 |archive-date=March 14, 2009 |access-date=November 11, 2011 |publisher=Blogs.myspace.com }}</ref> 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.<ref name="jesusfreakhideout.com" /> [[Peter Furler|Furler]]'s last performance as lead vocalist took place during a performance at Disney's [[Night of Joy (festival)|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 (Newsboys album)|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 (album)|God's Not Dead]]'', and the live follow-up, ''[[Newsboys Live in Concert: God's Not Dead]]'' in 2012, ''[[Restart (Newsboys album)|Restart]]'' in 2013, and ''[[Hallelujah for the Cross]]'' in 2014. After the release of ''[[Love Riot (Newsboys album)|Love Riot]]'', and ''United'', the Newsboys released ''Stand'' on October 1, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2021 |title=Newsboys 'Stand' |url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/reviews/music/newsboys-stand/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |publisher=ccmmagazine.com}}</ref> The band released a special version of the title track "Stand" with [[Toby Mac]] as a guest.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 31, 2021 |title=LISTEN: Tobymac featured on new version of Newsboys 'Stand' |url=https://www.chvnradio.com/articles/listen-tobymac-featured-on-new-version-of-newsboys-stand |access-date=April 12, 2022 |publisher=chvnradio.com}}</ref> ==Other projects== Tait has also starred as Hero in ''[[!Hero]]''. He also contributed to various [[book]]s, including the popular ''[[Jesus Freaks (book)|Jesus Freaks]]'' and ''Jesus Freaks II'' books. He has also contributed to the books ''[[Under God (book)|Under God]]'' and ''[[Living Under God]]'' with [[DC Talk]] bandmate [[TobyMac]]. ==Discography== ===with DC Talk=== {{Main|DC Talk discography}} ====Studio albums==== *''[[DC Talk (album)|DC Talk]]'' (1989) *''[[Nu Thang]]'' (1990) *''[[Free at Last (DC Talk album)|Free at Last]]'' (1992) *''[[Jesus Freak (album)|Jesus Freak]]'' (1995) *''[[Supernatural (DC Talk album)|Supernatural]]'' (1998) *''[[Solo (DC Talk album)|Solo]]'' (2001) ===with Tait=== * ''[[Empty (Tait album)|Empty]]'' (2001) * ''[[Lose This Life]]'' (2003) ===with Newsboys=== {{Main|Newsboys discography}} ====Studio albums==== * ''[[Born Again (Newsboys album)|Born Again]]'' (2010) * ''[[God's Not Dead (album)|God's Not Dead]]'' (2011) * ''[[Restart (Newsboys album)|Restart]]'' (2013) * ''[[Hallelujah for the Cross]]'' (2014) * ''[[Love Riot (Newsboys album)|Love Riot]]'' (2016) * ''United'' (2019) * ''Stand'' (2021) ====EPs==== * ''Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday'' (2010) ====Live albums==== * ''[[Newsboys Live in Concert: God's Not Dead|Live in Concert: God's Not Dead]]'' (2012) ===Guest appearances=== * [[Carman (singer)|Carman]] - ''Addicted to Jesus'' - "Addicted to Jesus" (1992) * [[Reality Check (band)|Reality Check]] - ''Reality Check'' - "Apart from You" (1997) * [[Rich Mullins]] - ''The Canticle of the Plains'' (1997) * [[Pete Stewart]] - ''Pete Stewart'' - "Uphill Battle" (1999) * [[Point of Grace]] - ''A Christmas Story'' - "Light of the World" (1999) * ''[[Roaring Lambs]]'' - "Salt and Light" (with [[Ashley Cleveland]]) (2000) * [[Jaci Velasquez]] - ''[[Crystal Clear (Jaci Velasquez album)|Crystal Clear]]'' - "Center of Your Love" (2000) * [[Jennifer Knapp]] - ''The Way I Am'' - "Say Won't You Say" (2001) * ''[[City on a Hill: It's Christmas Time]]'' - "It's Christmas Time", "O Holy Night" (2002) * [[Newsboys]] - "The Fad of the Land" - ''[[Thrive (Newsboys album)|Thrive]]'' (2002) * [[Third Day]] - ''[[Offerings II: All I Have to Give]]'' - "God of Wonders [live]" (2003) * [[TobyMac]] - ''[[Welcome to Diverse City (album)|Welcome to Diverse City]]'' - "Atmosphere (remix featuring [[DC Talk]])" (as DC Talk) (2004) * ''[[In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa]]'' - "One" ([[U2]] cover) (2004) * [[DJ Maj]] - ''Boogiroot'' - "H.A.N.D.S." (2005) * [[Building 429]] - ''[[Rise (Building 429)|Rise]]'' - "Empty" (2006) * [[Kevin Max]] - ''[[The Blood (album)|The Blood]]'' - "The Cross" (as DC Talk) (2007) * [[Marc Scibilia]] - ''Fixity'' - "Worship Song" (2007) * [[T-Bone (rapper)|T-Bone]] - ''[[Bone-Appetit!]]'' - "Raised in Harlem" (2007). Previously released on ''[[!Hero]]'' (2003) * [[Newsboys]] - ''[[In the Hands of God]]'' (2009) * "Come Together Now (Music City Unites for Haiti)" ([[charity single]], relief effort led by [[Michael W. Smith]]) (2010) * ''JakeACE'' - ''Get Down Everybody'' - "Wings Like Eagles" (2010) * ''[[Music Inspired by The Story]]'' - "Bring Us Home (Joshua)" with [[Blanca Callahan]] from [[Group 1 Crew]] and [[Lecrae]] ([[EMI Christian Music]] 2011) * [[Karyn Williams]] - ''Only You'' - "Hey There" (2013) * [[TobyMac]];– ''[[This Is Not a Test (album)|This Is Not a Test]]'' - "Love Feels Like (featuring DC Talk)" (as DC Talk) (2015) * [[TobyMac]];– ''[[Hits Deep Live]]'' - "Love Feels Like [live]" (featuring DC Talk)" (as DC Talk) (2016) *[[tobymac|TobyMac]] - [[Life After Death (TobyMac album)|Life After Death]]-space( Ft [[Kevin Max|Kevin max]] and [[Michael Tait]])as [[DC Talk]] 2022 ==Music videos== ===With DC Talk=== *"Heavenbound" (1989) *"I Luv Rap Music" (1991) *"[[Nu Thang]]" (1991) *"Walls" (1992) *"[[Jesus Is Just Alright#DC Talk's version|Jesus Is Just Alright]]" (1993) *"The Hardway" (1994) *"Luv Is a Verb" (1994) *"[[Jesus Freak (song)|Jesus Freak]]" (1995) *"[[Between You and Me (DC Talk song)|Between You and Me]]" (1996) *"[[Colored People (song)|Colored People]]" (1997) *"Day by Day" (1997) *"My Friend, So Long" (1998) *"Consume Me" (1999) ===With Tait=== *"Altars" (2001) *"[[Lose This Life]]" (2003) ===With Newsboys=== *"[[Born Again (Newsboys album)|Born Again]]" (2010) *"Miracles" (2011) *"[[God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)]]" (2012) *"Live With Abandon" (2013) *"That's How You Change The World" (2014) *"We Believe" (2014) *"Guilty" [from the film ''[[God's Not Dead 2]]''] (2015) *"Crazy" (2016) *"Hero" (2016) *"Guilty" (2016) ===Video guest appearances=== *"Addicted to Jesus" by [[Carman (singer)|Carman]] (1992) *"AKA Public School" by [[Audio Adrenaline]] (1993) *"I Can Only Imagine" by [[MercyMe]] (2001) *"Thrive: Live from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame" by [[Newsboys]] (2002) *"Mountaintop" by [[The City Harmonic]] (2013) ==Personal life== Tait has five sisters, one of them is [[Southern gospel]] alto singer [[Lynda Randle]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Lynda Randle |url=https://gaither.com/artists/lynda-randle/ |access-date=July 7, 2020 |publisher=Gaither Music |quote=For years now, my sister Lynda has truly been the inspiration for my occupation.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017 |title=Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-matters-ft-michael-tait-and-lynda-randle/id1290412399?i=1000477369054 |access-date=July 7, 2020 |publisher=Apple Podcasts |quote=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.}}</ref> 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 United States presidential election|2016 election]].<ref name="charisma0216">[http://www.charismanews.com/politics/primaries/54967-christian-recording-artist-says-he-supports-ted-cruz Christian Recording Artist Says He Supports Ted Cruz]</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=RELEVANT|date=2019-12-23|title=200 Evangelical Leaders Have Signed an Open Letter Slamming That 'Christianity Today' Piece|url=https://relevantmagazine.com/current/200-evangelical-leaders-have-signed-an-open-letter-slamming-that-christianity-today-piece/|access-date=2020-09-01|website=RELEVANT|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-07|title='He Was Sent to Us' — Christian Quotes From the 'Evangelicals for Trump' Rally at Miami Megachurch|url=https://faithfullymagazine.com/evangelicals-for-trump-rally/|access-date=2020-09-01|website=Faithfully Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, he appeared on ''[[Candace (show)|Candace]]'', a political commentary show hosted by conservative activist [[Candace Owens]].{{Citation needed |date=March 2022 |reason=A secondary source to show someone actually cared about the appearance}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * {{Twitter}} * {{IMDb name|846906}} * {{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Sydney |title=20 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Michael Tait |url=http://www.todayschristianmusic.com/artists/tait/features/20-things-you-probably-didn-t-know-about-michael-tait/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324195202/http://www.todayschristianmusic.com/artists/tait/features/20-things-you-probably-didn-t-know-about-michael-tait/ |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |access-date=March 31, 2016 |website=[[TodaysChristianMusic]] }} {{s-start}} {{succession box | title=Newsboys <br> Lead Singers <br> 2009–present| before= [[Peter Furler]] | after= Incumbent|years=}} {{s-end}} {{dc Talk}} {{Tait}} {{Newsboys}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Tait, Michael}} [[Category:1966 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]] [[Category:20th-century American male singers]] [[Category:20th-century evangelicals]] [[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]] [[Category:21st-century American male singers]] [[Category:21st-century evangelicals]] [[Category:African-American Christians]] [[Category:American evangelicals]] [[Category:American performers of Christian music]] [[Category:DC Talk members]] [[Category:Liberty University alumni]] [[Category:Newsboys members]] [[Category:Performers of contemporary Christian music]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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