Michael Tait

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

Michael Tait
Tait in 2009
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
Formerly ofDC Talk, Tait, Newsboys

Michael DeWayne Tait (born May 18, 1966) is an American former 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. After DC Talk went on 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. Tait has a sister, Lynda Randle, who is a Southern Gospel singer.

Beginning in June 2025, allegations emerged that Tait had groomed and sexually assaulted several men. He subsequently admitted the allegations were "largely true", apologized, and said he was seeking "spiritual healing".

Early life

Michael Tait was born in Washington, DC on May 18, 1966[1] to Nathel and Maxine Tait.[2][3][4] Tait's father was a pastor.[5] He has three older brothers and five older sisters, and he grew up in Washington, DC.[6]

Music 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[7] and released five 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.[8]

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).[7] 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.

Newsboys (2009–2025)

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

An official statement was released on March 9, 2009 that announced 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 with Newsboys and announcing that he would be the band's new lead singer.[9]

Former Newsboys lead singer Peter Furler still provided lead vocals on the 2009 album In the Hands of God, though Tait and Jamie Rowe of Guardian provided supporting vocals.[10] 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 album was followed by Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday (2010), God's Not Dead (2011), Newsboys Live in Concert: God's Not Dead (2012), Restart (2013), and Hallelujah for the Cross (2014).

After the release of Love Riot, and United, the Newsboys released Stand on October 1, 2021.[11] The band released a special version of the title track "Stand" with Toby Mac as a guest.[12]

On January 16, 2025, Tait released a statement on social media saying he would be stepping down as lead singer of Newsboys.[13][14] He was replaced as lead vocalist by Adam Agee.[15] In June 2025, The Guardian reported that the day before Tait left the band, a former colleague had claimed on TikTok that Tait was "secretly gay".[16]

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.[17][18] He also has three brothers.[6]

Politics

Tait told Fox News Radio host Todd Starnes in February 2016 that he supported Ted Cruz for president in the 2016 election.[19] 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.[20][21]

Allegations of sexual misconduct and substance abuse

On June 4, 2025, Jessica Morris[22] of The Roys Report reported that Tait had allegedly groomed and sexually assaulted three different men in 2004, 2010, and 2014, respectively.[23] 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.[24][23]

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.[25] A few days later, they admitted that they had heard rumors of Tait's behavior and confronted him about those rumors, but that he had denied any misconduct. As a result of the allegations against Tait, all music from DC Talk and Newsboys was removed from many radio stations, including radio station network K-Love.[26][27]

On June 10, Tait issued a statement on his Instagram page admitting that reports of his "'reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity'", were "'largely true'". Specifically, Tait admitted to having touched "men in an unwanted sensual way" and to two decades of cocaine and alcohol abuse. Tait 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. Tait clarified that while he "'might dispute certain details in the accusations'" made against him, he did not dispute "'the substance of them'". Furthermore, he described his behavior as "'sin'", expressed remorse, apologized to those who were affected by his actions, and said that he was pursuing "repentance and spiritual healing".[28][29]

On June 13, The Guardian reported the results of its own investigation into Tait's conduct. According to The Guardian, three men claimed Tait sexually assaulted them. Two of them said Tait assaulted them after plying them with drugs or alcohol, and one said he was 16 at the time of the assault. Four other men claimed that Tait had fondled them or made passes at them. One man alleged that Tait had masturbated in his presence in a restaurant bathroom in 2001 when the man was 13 years of age. The Guardian added that according to unnamed sources, "Tait's alleged drug use and alleged abusive behavior were the 'biggest open secret in Christian music'".[30]

On June 19, The Roys Report broke the story that a woman was alleging she was drugged and then sexually assaulted by the Newsboys' lighting technician Matthew Brewer. The woman further alleged that Tait had been 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. No charges were filed.[31]

On August 12, 2025 the Brentwood, TN police department confirmed that a preliminary investigation into the allegations against Tait had been opened and a search for additional potential victims was underway.[32]

References

  1. ^ Thom, Mike (January 16, 2025). "Michael Tait is leaving The Newsboys: 'It's time to step down'". CHVN Radio.
  2. ^ "Michael Tait". IMDb. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  3. ^ Morris, Jessica (July 29, 2025). "Two Men Allege Michael Tait Sexually Assaulted Them During DC Talk Years: 'He Was My Brother'". julieroys.com.
  4. ^ "MAXINE TAIT Obituary". Legacy.com. September 21, 2013.
  5. ^ Hallowell, Billy (January 6, 2024). "'Fired Up': Newsboys Frontman Michael Tait Reveals How a Message About Hell Led Him to Christ". CBN.
  6. ^ a b "For the Love of Music: Q&A with Newsboys Lead Singer Michael Tait". www.audio-technica.com. September 22, 2020.
  7. ^ a b "dc Talk Discography, dc Talk Artist Database, dc Talk Lyrics". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  8. ^ www.dctalkunite.com https://web.archive.org/web/20060615052329/http://www.dctalkunite.com/. Archived from the original on June 15, 2006. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ "Music News, March 2009: MICHAEL TAIT TO JOIN NEWSBOYS". Jesusfreakhideout.com. March 9, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  10. ^ "Music News, February 2009: NEWSBOYS READIES FOURTEENTH STUDIO ALBUM, IN THE HANDS OF GOD". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  11. ^ "Newsboys 'Stand'". ccmmagazine.com. October 6, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  12. ^ "LISTEN: Tobymac featured on new version of Newsboys 'Stand'". chvnradio.com. January 31, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  13. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (January 16, 2025). "Michael Tait Is Stepping Down From CCM Group Newsboys". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Klett, Leah MarieAnn (May 21, 2025). "Newsboys' Adam Agee on Michael Tait's exit, sudden transition: 'We asked ourselves the tough questions'". www.christianpost.com.
  16. ^ Hesse, Josiah (June 25, 2025). "Newsboys dropped from label after investigations into claims of sexual assault by Michael Tait". The Guardian.
  17. ^ "About Lynda Randle". Gaither Music. Retrieved July 7, 2020. For years now, my sister Lynda has truly been the inspiration for my occupation.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ Porter, Kevin (February 9, 2016). "Newsboys' Michael Tait on Ted Cruz: 'Even as an African-American,' 'I Support 100 Percent'". www.christianpost.com.
  20. ^ RELEVANT (December 23, 2019). "200 Evangelical Leaders Have Signed an Open Letter Slamming That 'Christianity Today' Piece". RELEVANT. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  21. ^ "'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.
  22. ^ "Reporter Who Broke Michael Tait Story Shares Inside Scoop". Apple. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  23. ^ a b "CCM star Michael Tait accused of sexual misconduct by multiple men, drug use: report". The Christian Post. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  24. ^ Morris, Jessica (June 4, 2025). "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.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ "Newsboys 'Heard Rumors Over the Years' About Tait; Some Radio Stations Bow Out". BishopAccountability.org. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  27. ^ "K-LOVE Pulls Newsboys and DC Talk From Rotation Following Tait Sex Abuse Allegations". The Roys Report. June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  28. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (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.
  29. ^ "My Confession - Michael Tait - June 10, 2025". Instagram. June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  30. ^ Hesse, Josiah (June 13, 2025). "'He stole a piece of our souls': Christian music star Michael Tait accused of sexual assault by three men". The Guardian.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ Kirsten Fiscus, Liam Adams and Melonee Hurt (August 12, 2025). "Brentwood Police ask to speak to victims amid Michael Tait sexual assault allegations". The Tennessean.
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