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	1988–2025

Michael DeWayne Tait (born May 18, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. He is well-known for his work in Christian music.

Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan in 1984 when he was in high school. Later, they met Kevin Max at Liberty University. Together, they formed the famous band DC Talk. This group won four Grammy Awards and released five popular albums.

After DC Talk took a break in 2000, Michael Tait started his own band called Tait. This band toured until 2007. From 2009 until early 2025, Michael Tait was the lead singer for the band Newsboys. Besides singing, he also plays the guitar. Michael Tait has a sister, Lynda Randle, who is a Southern Gospel singer.

Musical Journey

DC Talk (1988–2001)

Michael Tait and Toby McKeehan started making music together in 1984. They met in the Washington, D.C. area. Later, they both met Kevin Max while studying at Liberty University in the mid-1980s.

The three of them formed the band DC Talk. They became very successful, winning four Grammy Awards. They released five popular studio albums. In 2000, the band 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 projects.

DC Talk has not toured together much since 2001. They did perform once in Redmond, Washington, in 2005. TobyMac also made a surprise appearance at Winter Jam in 2010. He sang "Jesus Freak" with Michael Tait. The three members have recorded a few songs together since their break. These include a remix of "Atmosphere" and a cover of the Prince song "The Cross." They also recorded "Love Feels Like" and "Let's Roll" after the events of September 11, 2001.

Tait (1997–2007)

After DC Talk went on break, Michael Tait spent more time with his own band. He named it Tait after his father, Nathel. He had started forming this band around 1997.

One of the first members was guitarist Pete Stewart. He played on their first album, Empty. However, he left the band to work on his own music before their second album, Lose This Life. In 2006, Tait announced they were working on a new album called Loveology. Even though Michael later joined Newsboys, he still planned to release Loveology. He said it would be a separate project.

Newsboys (2009–2025)

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

On March 9, 2009, it was officially announced that Michael Tait would be the new lead singer of Newsboys. It was interesting because DC Talk, Tait's old group, had toured with Newsboys in the 1990s.

On March 7, 2009, Tait surprised a crowd by performing as Newsboys' lead singer for the first time. He announced he would be joining the band. In the official statement, Tait said he felt a clear sense of peace about this new role. He felt welcomed by Newsboys fans and called it a highlight of his career. He was proud to be a Newsboy.

The former Newsboys lead singer, Peter Furler, still sang on the 2009 album In the Hands of God. Michael Tait also sang supporting vocals on that album. Peter Furler's last performance as lead singer was at Disney's Night of Joy in 2009. Michael sang most of the songs, but Peter joined him for "Breakfast."

In 2010, Newsboys released their 15th studio album, Born Again. This was their first album with Tait as the lead singer. They followed this with Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday. In the years that followed, they released several more albums. These included God's Not Dead (2011), Restart (2013), and Hallelujah for the Cross (2014).

After albums like Love Riot and United, Newsboys released Stand on October 1, 2021. They also released a special version of the song "Stand" with TobyMac as a guest.

On January 16, 2025, Michael Tait announced he would be leaving Newsboys. Adam Agee took over as the new lead vocalist.

Other Projects

Michael Tait also acted as Hero in the musical !Hero. He has also helped write several books. These include the popular Jesus Freaks and Jesus Freaks II. He also contributed to the books Under God and Living Under God with his DC Talk bandmate TobyMac.

Discography

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)
• Worldwide Revival (Pt. 1) (2024)

EPs

• Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday (2010)

Live albums

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

Guest appearances

• Carman - Addicted to Jesus - "Addicted to Jesus" (1992)
• Reality Check - Reality Check - "Apart from You" (1997)
• Rich Mullins - 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 - "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: From the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame (DVD) (2002)
• Third Day - Offerings II: All I Have to Give - "God of Wonders [live]" (2003)
• TobyMac - 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 - "Empty" (2006)
• Kevin Max - The Blood - "The Cross" (as DC Talk) (2007)
• Marc Scibilia - Fixity - "Worship Song" (2007)
• 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 - "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 - Life After Death-space( Ft 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" (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)

Personal Life

Family

Michael Tait has five sisters, including Southern gospel singer Lynda Randle. He also has three brothers.

Views on Public Issues

Michael Tait has shared his views on public issues. He has supported certain candidates in elections. He also took part in events related to his beliefs.