Tait and the Newsboys
A New Direction for a Legendary Christian Rock Band
More than a few Christian music fans were surprised when in March the Newsboys announced on their website that longtime front man Peter Furler would be replaced by former DC Talk vocalist Michael Tait. The responses from fans have been mixed at best.
The End of a Christian Music Era
Many lament the loss of one of the most iconic voices in Christian music. Others express guarded optimism noting the amazing musicianship and vocal prowess of Michael Tait. One thing that is not in dispute: while many singers could not hope to match the range or power of Peter Furler, Michael definitely can.
While this represents a very clear shift for the Newsboys, it is not as dramatic as some may think. Even though Furler is stepping aside as the lead singer, he has stated he will still be involved in both the writing and production of the Newsboys future albums. He has also stated he will make several guest appearances with the band on the road this year and it is safe to assume that may continue for a couple of more seasons.
The band has also not specifically said who will be the lead singer on future recordings. On their latest album it was Peter Furler though that will most likely change to Tait for subsequent albums.
A Common Course in Christian Rock
Newsboys has existed as a band for over 20 years with more albums sold, awards, and sold out concerts than almost any other band in the history of contemporary Christian music. The real question is how will this impact their future.
The Christian music industry has seen many previous groups go through similar changes with varying levels of success including Petra, The Paul Colman Trio, Plus One, and DC Talk. Each group’s journey was different, but each of them ended up taking a significantly new direction in terms of their music. It would be safe to assume the same for the Newsboys.
Tait's Influence on Newsboys Songs
The continued involvement of Furler on the recording end is an excellent sign. One of the elements that made the Newsboys so popular were quirky, yet sincere lyrics that created a type of poetry in their songs that set them apart from other bands. That should continue with Furler still a part of the writing process. Likewise the trademark sound shouldn’t change much either as both the band members and the label aren’t changing.
It is difficult to say how Michael Tait’s presence will influence the writing and production direction of future albums. He is an excellent writer and well versed in the production side of the recording industry. If he is meant only as a substitute for Furler on tour, then the style shouldn’t change much. But if he adds his assists in writing and production then it is anyone’s guess what the final product will be.
The Future for Both the Newsboys and Tait
It is still much too early to draw conclusions on the future of the Newsboys. But one thing is sure: the Newsboys have been one of the most enduring Christian rock bands of all time. They have outlived dozens of other groups and flourished in countless musical fads and phases. It would not be surprising if they last another twenty years with Michael Tait at the helm.
You can learn more about these and other contemporary Christian music groups at CCMmagazine.com.
Christian Band
|
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles