Michael Tait

For the English footballer, see Michael Tait (footballer).

Michael Tait
Tait in 2009
Background information
Birth nameMichael DeWayne Tait
Born (1966-05-18) May 18, 1966
Washington, D.C., U.S.
GenresCCM, Christian rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, producer
InstrumentVocals
Years active1988–2025[1]
Formerly ofDC Talk, Tait, Newsboys

Michael DeWayne Tait (born May 18, 1966) is a former American contemporary Christian music artist.

Tait met Toby McKeehan in 1984 when he was in high school. Both Tait and McKeehan met Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and together they formed four-time Grammy winning band DC Talk, releasing five acclaimed studio albums. Following the group's entrance into hiatus in 2000, Tait had success in a solo career, founding a self-titled band that toured until 2007. Following his solo band's dissolution, Tait was the lead singer of Newsboys from 2009 to 2025. Aside from singing, Tait is also a self-taught guitar player. Tait has a sister, Lynda Randle, who is a Southern Gospel singer.

Beginning on June 10, 2025, allegations emerged that Tait was alleged to have groomed and sexually assaulted several men.[2][3] He subsequently admitted the allegations were "largely true", apologized and would continue to seek spiritual healing away from the public.[4]

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[5] 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.[6]

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).[5] 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 (2009–2025)

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.[7] 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."[8]

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.[3] 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.[9] The band released a special version of the title track "Stand" with Toby Mac as a guest.[10]

On January 16, 2025, Tait released a statement on social media saying he will be stepping down as lead singer of Newsboys.[11][12] He was replaced as lead vocalist by Adam Agee.

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

Main article: DC Talk discography

Studio albums

with Tait

with Newsboys

Main article: Newsboys discography

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

Family

Tait has five sisters, one of whom is Southern gospel alto singer Lynda Randle.[13][14] He also has three brothers.

Politics

Tait told Fox News Radio host Todd Starnes in February 2016 that he supported Ted Cruz for president in the 2016 election.[15] 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.[16][17]

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

Sexual assault allegations

On June 4th 2025, Jessica Morris[18] of The Roys Report broke the story that Tait groomed and assaulted three different men in 2004, 2010, and 2014, respectively. Two of them alleged that Tait assaulted them while they were intoxicated and asleep. All three men were in their twenties at the time of the actions and feared they would be blacklisted in the Christian music industry if they revealed the incidents.[19][20]

Shortly after the report, the remaining members of Newsboys issued a statement expressing disappointment with the allegations against Tait. While they admitted that Tait had privately revealed leading "a double life" as a factor in his leaving the band, they claimed to be unaware of the extent of it. Furthermore, they expressed support towards the victims involved and encouraged others to step forward.[21] A few days later, they admitted that they heard rumors of Tait's behavior and confronted him about it, but he denied any misconduct. As a result, all music from DC Talk and Newsboys was removed from many radio stations, including radio station K-Love.[22][23]

On June 10, Tait issued a statement on his Instagram page admitting that the allegations of sexual misconduct were "largely true," and also admitted to touching "men in an unwanted sensual way" as well as at least two decades of cocaine and alcohol abuse. He said that his abrupt departure from Newsboys came because he was "tired of living a double life," and wanted to seek professional help and counseling. Furthermore, he expressed remorse and apologized to all who were affected by his actions and would continue to pursue repentance and spiritual healing away from the stage.[4][24]

On June 13, The Guardian reported the results of its own investigation into Tait's conduct. Three men claimed Tait sexually assaulted them. Two of them said Tait assaulted them after plying them with drugs or alcohol; one of them said he was 16 at the time of the assault. Four others claimed Tait fondled them or made passes at them. The Guardian also spoke with 25 people with ties to Christian music who said Tait's drug addiction and abusive behavior was well known in the CCM community; one of them said it was "the biggest open secret in Christian music."[25]

On June 19th, The Roys Report also broke the story that a woman was alleging she was drugged and then sexually assaulted by the Newsboys' lighting technician Matthew Brewer, with Tait being in the room while the assault occurred. She believes that Tait drugged her. It was also reported that the Newsboys' tour manager Steve Campbell helped to cover up the assault. This alleged assault took place in December 2014. Video evidence was given to help support the allegations, and the woman filed a police report not long after the alleged assault took place, but no charges were filed. [26]

References

  1. ^ "My Confession - Michael Tait - June 10, 2025". Instagram. June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  2. ^ "CCM star Michael Tait accused of sexual misconduct by multiple men, drug use: report". The Christian Post. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Music News, February 2009: NEWSBOYS READIES FOURTEENTH STUDIO ALBUM, IN THE HANDS OF GOD". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Jessica Nicholson (June 10, 2025). "Ex-Newsboys Singer Michael Tait Breaks Silence on Sexual Assault Allegations: 'I Will Simply Call It What God Calls It — Sin'". Billboard.
  5. ^ a b "dc Talk Discography, dc Talk Artist Database, dc Talk Lyrics". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  6. ^ www.dctalkunite.com Archived June 15, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Music News, March 2009: MICHAEL TAIT TO JOIN NEWSBOYS". Jesusfreakhideout.com. March 9, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  8. ^ "newsboys | Free music, tour dates, photos, videos". Blogs.myspace.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  9. ^ "Newsboys 'Stand'". ccmmagazine.com. October 6, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "LISTEN: Tobymac featured on new version of Newsboys 'Stand'". chvnradio.com. January 31, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  11. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (January 16, 2025). "Michael Tait Is Stepping Down From CCM Group Newsboys". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  12. ^ Klett, Leah MarieAnn (January 16, 2025). "Michael Tait steps down as lead singer of Newsboys after 15 years 'amidst prayer and fasting'". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  13. ^ "About Lynda Randle". Gaither Music. Retrieved July 7, 2020. For years now, my sister Lynda has truly been the inspiration for my occupation.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ Christian Recording Artist Says He Supports Ted Cruz
  16. ^ RELEVANT (December 23, 2019). "200 Evangelical Leaders Have Signed an Open Letter Slamming That 'Christianity Today' Piece". RELEVANT. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  17. ^ "'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.
  18. ^ "Reporter Who Broke Michael Tait Story Shares Inside Scoop". Apple. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  19. ^ Morris, Jessica. "EXCLUSIVE: Former Newsboys Frontman Michael Tait Accused of Sexual Assault, Grooming, and Substance Abuse, Dating Back to 2004". The Roys Report. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  20. ^ "CCM star Michael Tait accused of sexual misconduct by multiple men, drug use: report". The Christian Post. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  21. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (June 6, 2025). "Newsboys Respond to Sexual Assault Allegations Against Ex-Singer Michael Tait: 'We Are Horrified, Heartbroken & Angry'". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  22. ^ "Newsboys 'Heard Rumors Over the Years' About Tait; Some Radio Stations Bow Out". BishopAccountability.org. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  23. ^ "K-LOVE Pulls Newsboys and DC Talk From Rotation Following Tait Sex Abuse Allegations". The Roys Report. June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  24. ^ "My Confession - Michael Tait - June 10, 2025". Instagram. June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  25. ^ Josiah Hesse (June 13, 2025). "'He stole a piece of our souls': Christian music star Michael Tait accused of sexual assault by three men". The Guardian.
  26. ^ "Woman Accuses Michael Tait of Drugging Her and Watching While She Was Raped; Says Newsboys Tour Manager Covered It Up". The Roys Report. June 19, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.