Michael Tait facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Tait
Tait in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Michael DeWayne Tait
Born	(1966-05-18) May 18, 1966 (age 59) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres	CCM, Christian rock
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, producer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1988–present

Michael DeWayne Tait (born May 18, 1966) is an American singer and songwriter. He is famous for his work in Christian music. Michael met Toby McKeehan in high school. Later, they met Kevin Max at Liberty University. Together, they formed the band DC Talk. This band won four Grammy Awards. They released five popular albums.

After DC Talk took a break in 2000, Michael started his own band called Tait. This band toured until 2007. Then, from 2009 to 2025, Michael was the lead singer for the band Newsboys. Besides singing, Michael also plays the guitar. His sister, Lynda Randle, is also a singer.

Michael's Musical Journey

DC Talk: The Early Years (1988–2001)

Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan in 1984. They were in high school in Washington, D.C.. They started making music together. Later, Michael and Toby met Kevin Max at Liberty University. This was in the mid-1980s.

The three friends formed the band DC Talk. They became very successful. The band won four Grammy Awards. They released five popular studio albums. In 2000, DC Talk announced they would take a break. They released a greatest hits album called Intermission: the Greatest Hits. Each member then worked on their own music.

The band has not toured much together since 2001. However, they have recorded a few songs together. These include "Atmosphere" (remix) and "Love Feels Like." They also recorded "The Cross" and "Let's Roll."

His Band: Tait (1997–2007)

After DC Talk took a break, Michael focused on his own band. He named it Tait after his father. He had started this band around 1997. One of the first members was guitarist Pete Stewart. He played on their first album, Empty.

Pete Stewart left the band to work on his own music. Tait then released a second album, Lose This Life. In 2006, Michael announced they were working on a new album. It was called Loveology. Even after joining Newsboys, Michael still plans to release Loveology. He said it will be a separate project.

Newsboys: A New Chapter (2009–2025)

Michael Tait performing a concert with the Newsboys in Toronto on April 6, 2009.

On March 9, 2009, it was officially announced. Michael Tait would be the new lead singer of Newsboys. This was a cool coincidence. DC Talk and Newsboys had toured together in the 1990s.

Michael first performed with Newsboys on March 7, 2009. He surprised the crowd and announced his new role. In a statement, Michael said he felt "wrapped in love and support" by Newsboys fans. He felt this was "exactly where I belong."

The former Newsboys singer, Peter Furler, still sang on their 2009 album. It was called In the Hands of God. Michael Tait sang supporting vocals on that album. Peter Furler's last show as lead singer was at Disney's Night of Joy in 2009.

In 2010, Newsboys released their first album with Michael as lead singer. It was called Born Again. They then released Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday later that year. Other albums followed, like God's Not Dead (2011) and Restart (2013). They also released Hallelujah for the Cross (2014) and Love Riot (2016).

In 2019, they released United. Their album Stand came out on October 1, 2021. They even released a special version of "Stand" with TobyMac as a guest. On January 16, 2025, Michael Tait announced he would be leaving Newsboys.

Other Cool Projects

Michael Tait has also acted. He played the character Hero in !Hero. He has also helped write books. These include the popular Jesus Freaks and Jesus Freaks II. He also worked with DC Talk bandmate TobyMac on the books Under God and Living Under God.

Michael's Music Albums

Here are some of the albums Michael Tait has been a part of:

With DC Talk

Studio Albums

• DC Talk (1989)
• Nu Thang (1990)
• Free at Last (1992)
• Jesus Freak (1995)
• Supernatural (1998)
• Solo (2001)

With Tait

• Empty (2001)
• Lose This Life (2003)

With Newsboys

Studio Albums

• Born Again (2010)
• God's Not Dead (2011)
• Restart (2013)
• Hallelujah for the Cross (2014)
• Love Riot (2016)
• United (2019)
• Stand (2021)

EPs

• Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday (2010)

Live Albums

• Live in Concert: God's Not Dead (2012)

Music Videos

With DC Talk

• "Heavenbound" (1989)
• "I Luv Rap Music" (1991)
• "Nu Thang" (1991)
• "Walls" (1992)
• "Jesus Is Just Alright" (1993)
• "The Hardway" (1994)
• "Luv Is a Verb" (1994)
• "Jesus Freak" (1995)
• "Between You and Me" (1996)
• "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" (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 (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)

About Michael's Life

Michael Tait has five sisters and three brothers. One of his sisters, Lynda Randle, is also a singer. She sings Southern gospel music.