Newsboys

Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) are a Christian rock band founded in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia, by Peter Furler and George Perdikis. The band has released 17 studio albums, 6 of which have been certified gold. As of 2019, the band consists of lead vocalist Michael Tait (formerly of DC Talk), drummer and percussionist Duncan Phillips, keyboardist and bassist Jeff Frankenstein, and guitarist Jody Davis. In addition to performing music, the band has appeared in the films God's Not Dead, God's Not Dead 2, and God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness.

Newsboys
Newsboys in March 2009
Background information
OriginMooloolaba, Queensland, Australia
Genres
Years active1985–present
Labels
Websitenewsboys.com
Members
Past members

History

1980s

The band was formed in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia in 1985[3] by two young men: Peter Furler and his school mate George Perdikis.[4][5] Furler and Perdikis practised in a garage in on the Sunshine Coast, well known for being a "surfer's paradise". Two other teens were added soon after: Furler's best friend, John James, and bassist Sean Taylor. The band's original name was The News. They changed it to The Newsboys to avoid conflict with the US-based band Huey Lewis and the News. The band came to the United States in late 1987 after getting signed with Refuge Communications and released the album Read All About It in 1988 in the United States.

1990s

After signing with Star Song Communications, they released two more albums in 1990 and 1991: Hell Is for Wimps and Boys Will Be Boyz, with its first self-titled video. None of the band's first three albums garnered much attention, and the band's line-up changed with every release.

It wasn't until their 1992 album, Not Ashamed (containing a cover of the DeGarmo & Key song "Boycott Hell"), that the band gained notice in the Christian music scene with its second self-titled video that followed a year later. Steve Taylor, a singer-songwriter and producer, began a partnership with the band, producing the band's record and writing most of the lyrics for their songs. Furler remained the band's primary songwriter and beginning with this album began sharing lead vocal duties with James and continued to do so until James' departure.

In 1994, amidst continued line-up changes (which included the addition of mainstays Jody Davis and Duncan Phillips), the band released Going Public, their fifth album and first real success. The record proved to be a watershed for the group, winning a 1995 Dove Award for "Rock Album of the Year".[6] It also produced four No. 1 hits: "Spirit Thing", "Real Good Thing", "Truth and Consequences", and, most notably, "Shine". "Shine" won the 1995 Dove for "Rock Recorded Song of the Year". In 2006, CCM Magazine listed "Shine" in the top 10 in its ranking of the 100 Greatest Songs in Christian music.

The 1996 follow-up album Take Me to Your Leader was recorded with an expanded line up with new additions bassist Phil Joel and keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein. The album produced three more pop No. 1 hits: "Reality", "Let It Go", and the title track, two rock No. 1 hits: "Cup O' Tea" and "Breathe", as well as fan favourite and concert staple "Breakfast". This album also won the group's third Dove, this time for "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year".[7] This album spawned the Newsboys' first movie, Down Under the Big Top (1996), which was based on the song "Reality".

In late 1997, James announced he would be leaving the band to start a preaching ministry. In 2007, he revealed the actual reason was due to a drug and alcohol addiction.[8] With his departure, Furler moved from drums to vocals and auditions were held for the now-vacant drum position. Eventually, Duncan Phillips, who had previously played keyboards and percussion for the band moved over to the drum kit. From 1998 to 2003, the band's line-up of Furler, bassist Phil Joel, guitarist Jody Davis, keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein, and Phillips stayed constant.

The first post-James record, Step Up to the Microphone, sold well and produced four No. 1 hits: "Entertaining Angels", "WooHoo", "Believe", and the title track. It also spawned the Newsboys' live video, "Live One Night In Pennsylvania" a year later. "Entertaining Angels" won the 1999 Dove for "Short Form Music Video of the Year".[9]

The band returned in 1999 with Love Liberty Disco, the band's only album to significantly deviate from their pop rock sound. Instead, this particular album featured more of a disco sound. Still, it produced several hits, including the No. 1 hits "Beautiful Sound" and "Good Stuff", as well as the title track. The LLD tour was significantly more popular than the album. This tour featured an inflatable arena, called the Air Dome.[10]

In 1999, Furler co-founded Inpop Records with Wes Campbell as an independent contemporary Christian music record label.

2000s
Newsboys at the 2001 National Lutheran Youth Gathering, with Phil Joel in the foreground

In 2000, Newsboys headlined the annual, travelling CCM concert, Festival Con Dios, with Audio Adrenaline and The O.C. Supertones. That same year, Newsboys released a greatest hits compilation, Shine: The Hits, which did not include any songs from the Love Liberty Disco album, but included four new songs, two of which ("Joy" and "Who?") went to No. 1. After this album, the band did not release any new material until the 2002 release of Thrive, a record that produced two No. 1 singles: "Million Pieces (Kissin' Your Cares Goodbye)" and the praise and worship-driven "It Is You", which proved to be the biggest hit of their career up to that point also with its video, Thrive: From The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Also in 2002, The Newsboys recorded the track "In the Belly of the Whale" for the end credits of the 2002 movie Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie.

After the success of "It Is You", the Newsboys then followed with two praise and worship albums: Adoration: The Worship Album in 2003 and Devotion in 2004. Late in 2003, Davis departed and was replaced by Bryan Olesen on guitar. In 2005, The Newsboys co-authored a book of devotions with Jim Laffoon entitled Our Daily Blog which was published by Inspiro and released on 1 November.[11] They also recorded their Creation 2005 set for a live DVD to be released with their upcoming album. In 2006, Oleson left the band to focus on his own band Casting Pearls and was replaced by Paul Colman, formerly of Paul Colman Trio.

More radio hits came in 2006 with a live version of "I Am Free" (originally written by Jon Egan of the Desperation Band), and "Wherever We Go". On 31 October 2006, The Newsboys released a pop/rock record entitled GO. GO featured David Eri as a co-writer and the songs "Something Beautiful" and "In Wonder" were big hits on Christian Radio.[12] That December, Joel announced that he would leave the band to pursue his own projects and albums. On 8 May 2007, the band released GO Remixed which was made up of new versions of the songs from GO and featured remixes by Tedd T., Jeff Frankenstein, Max Hsu of Superchick and Lee Bridges.

Peter Furler spent 12 years as lead singer of the band

On 20 November 2007 the Newsboys released their second greatest hits compilation, The Greatest Hits. The eighteen-song CD also features two new songs "I Fought the La..." and "Stay Strong". This album was followed by Newsboys Live: Houston We Are GO, a CD/DVD combo recording package of a show from the GO Tour, which was released on 30 September 2008. Also in 2008, the band, with Steve Taylor providing vocals, recorded the song "Yo Ho Hero" for The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie.

Newsboys in concert, 13 March 2009, with Jody Davis and Peter Furler

On 5 January 2009, Colman announced he would be leaving The Newsboys to return to his solo projects. At the same time, it was announced that Davis would return to the band, after a five-year hiatus. "I am thrilled to be returning to the band and back with my bandmates, who are some of my best friends," says Davis, "this is a big change in my life, and I'm looking forward to the tour and new record with excitement."[13]

In 2009, it was announced that Furler, having toured with The Newsboys since the band's inception, had decided to step back into a support role and would continue as the band's primary songwriter and producer. Because of this, a replacement lead vocalist was required so the band could continue touring. On 9 March 2009, it was announced that Michael Tait, formerly of dc Talk, would be the new lead singer. "Michael Tait will be touring with the band as lead singer with Furler making special appearances throughout the year. Furler will continue with the band and his trademark songwriting and production will remain as he focuses his professional career toward future Newsboys recordings."[14] On 17 March, Tait performed his first full concert as lead singer in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

The Newsboys released the studio album In the Hands of God on 5 May on Inpop Records with Max Hsu producing the album. Long-time collaborator Steve Taylor co-wrote all the songs and sang on one song. During their concert of 11 September in Orlando, Furler announced that this would be his final guest appearance with the band.

2010s

The Newsboys' first studio album featuring lead singer Michael Tait, Born Again, was released on 13 July 2010[15] and debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200,[16] their highest debut position,[17] and sold over 45,000 copies in its first week. On 12 October 2010 they released the Christmas album, Christmas! A Newsboys Holiday featuring "The Christmas Song" by Tait. In 2011, the song "City to City" from GO Remixed was featured in the trailer for the Disney Pixar movie, Cars 2.

God's Not Dead was released 15 November 2011.[18] Their newest live album, title Live in Concert: God's Not Dead, came out on 22 October 2012.[19] In the same year they released their single "The League of Incredible Vegetables" for the VeggieTales video of the same name. The band released their 16th studio album Restart on 10 September 2013.[20] The "Restart Tour" ran from 20 September to 27 October 2013.[20] The band is also a part of the Winter Jam Tour 2013 from November 2013 through March 2014.[21]

The band appeared in a sequence for the film God's Not Dead, released in 2014.[22] Michael Tait expressed excitement about the film to The Global Dispatch during an interview, saying that "The movie is powerful because of the whole stance of it…just trying to prove God's existence…sharing the gospel, living the lifestyle, changing the mindset of people around them in this college, in this university."[23] Duncan Phillips added in a similar interview that "Disney's Shane Harper plays a college student whose faith is challenged by his professor, played by Kevin Sorbo from Hercules. Dean Cain from Superman is in it, too. So we got to hang out with a bunch of superheroes. The movie raises a lot of questions and a lot of eyebrows from a culture that questions if there is a God."[24]

The band then embarked on the "We Believe Tour".[25] They performed at the BigChurchDayOut 2014 and again in 2017. In 2015, the Newsboys started the "We Believe God's Not Dead Tour".[26] Love Riot was released in 2016 and a tour followed. The band also appeared in the 2016 film God's Not Dead 2.[27]

It was announced in late 2017 that Peter Furler and Phil Joel would tour with Newsboys for the Newsboys United Tour in 2018.[28] Along with the tour, it was announced that the band is doing an album, United, with Furler and Joel. United was released 10 May 2019.[29] As of 2020 the band has continued touring as Newsboys United while also doing several shows as just Newsboys without Furler and Joel.

Members

Current[30]

  • Jody Davis – guitar, backing vocals (1992–2003, 2009–present)
  • Duncan Phillips – drums (1997–present), percussion (1993–present), keyboards (1993–1997)
  • Jeff Frankenstein – keyboards, synth bass (1994–present), backing vocals (2007–present)
  • Michael Tait – lead vocals (2009–present)

Former

  • Peter Furler – lead vocals (1997–2009, 2018–present[nb 1]), guitar (1996–2009), co-lead and backing vocals, drums (1985–1997)
  • John James – lead vocals (1986–1997)
  • Corey Pryor – keyboards (1989-1990, 1991-1993) – left to play with his wife in a band called SoZo
  • Sean Taylor – bass (1986–1992) – left to pursue a career in education
  • Kevin Mills – bass (1992–1994, deceased 2000) – left the band to manage White Heart, he died in a motorbike accident on 3 December 2000
  • George Perdikis – guitar (1985–1987) – left the band before their first album, but co-wrote most of the songs
  • Phil Yates – guitar (1987–1990)
  • Jonathan Geange – guitar (1990–1991, 1992) – returned to the band briefly after Vernon Bishop left, before Jody Davis joined
  • Vernon Bishop – guitar (1991–1992)
  • Phil Joel – bass guitar, vocals (1994–2006, 2018–present[nb 1])
  • Bryan Olesen – guitar (2004–2006) – left to front his original band VOTA on a full-time basis
  • Paul Colman – guitar (2006–2009) – left to work on his solo career and Paul Colman Trio

Timeline

  1. Credited as a member of Newsboys United

Major tours

Discography
Main article: Newsboys discography

John James era

Peter Furler era

Michael Tait era

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1992Not AshamedBest Rock/Contemporary Gospel AlbumNominated
1994Going PublicBest Rock Gospel AlbumNominated
1996Take Me To Your LeaderBest Rock Gospel AlbumNominated
2003Adoration: The Worship AlbumBest Pop/Contemporary Gospel AlbumNominated

Dove Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1994"I Cannot Get You Out of My System"Short Form Music Video of the YearNominated
1995
"Going Public"Rock Album of the YearWon
Group of the YearNominated
"Shine"Rock Recorded Song of the YearWon
Short Form Music Video of the YearNominated
1996"Shine"Song of the YearNominated
1997
"Take Me To Your Leader"Rock Album of the YearNominated
Short Form Music Video of the YearNominated
Recorded Music Packaging of the YearWon
"God Is Not a Secret"Rock Recorded Song of the YearNominated
1999
"Entertaining Angels"Song of the YearNominated
Group of the YearNominated
Short Form Music Video of the YearWon
2000"One Night in Pennsylvania"Long Form Music Video of the YearNominated
2001"Love Liberty Disco"Short Form Music Video of the YearNominated
"City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise"Special Event Album of the YearNominated
2003"Thrive: Live from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame"Long Form Music Video of the YearNominated
2004
"He Reigns"Worship Song of the YearNominated
Song of the YearNominated
"Adoration: The Worship Album"Praise & Worship Album of the YearNominated
"Devotion"Group of the YearNominated
2005"Devotion"Praise & Worship Album of the YearNominated
2008"Go: Remixed"Pop/Contemporary Album of the YearNominated
2012
"Born Again"Rock Song of the YearNominated
"Miracles"Short Form Music Video of the YearNominated
2013"Jesus, Firm Foundation: Hymns of Worship"Special Event Album of the YearNominated
2015
"We Believe"Pop/Contemporary Song of the YearNominated
Song of the YearNominated
2016"Love Riot"Pop/Contemporary Album of the YearNominated
"We Believe"Worship Song of the YearNominated

Billboard Music Video Awards
  • 1999 Award for Best CCM Video
    • "Entertaining Angels"

Intl. Angel Awards
  • 1995 Award for Video
    • "Shine"
  • 1999 Award for Video
    • "Entertaining Angels"

Nashville Music Awards
  • 1999 Award for Favorite CCM Album
    • Step Up to the Microphone
  • 2000 Nomination for Contemporary Christian Album of the Year
    • Love Liberty Disco

SESAC Awards
  • 2000 Award for Christian Songwriter of the Year
    • Peter Furler
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References
  1. "NbD: The Newsboys". Newsboysdeluxe.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  2. "Music And Life | Christian Radio Online". Cross Rhythms. 26 January 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  3. KURBAN@TRIBDEM.COM, KELLY URBAN. "Christian bands to rock War Memorial in Big Church Night Out". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  4. "I Co-Founded One of the Most Popular Christian Rock Bands Ever… and I'm Now An Atheist". Friendly Atheist.
  5. "Newsboys Co-Founder: I'm Now an Atheist, Richard Dawkins' Had an Influence on My Spiritual Journey". The Christian Post. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  6. 1995 Dove Awards Archived 20 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  7. 1997 Dove Awards Archived 20 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "John James: The Newsboys Ex-lead Singer Speaks About His Fall And Restoration". Crossrhythms.co.uk. 26 January 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  9. 1999 Dove Awards Archived 20 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Newsboys' Love Libery Disco Tour: The Stats". Today's Christian Music. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  11. Our Daily Blog: Devotions by Pastor Jim Laffoon: Books: Jim Laffoon, Newsboys. ASIN 0310811694.
  12. 2007 Year End Charts/Top Christian CHR songs Archived 25 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine, R&R magazine. Retrieved 6 January 2008
  13. "Jody Davis Returns To Newsboys!". Newsboys.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  14. "Michael Tait To Join Newsboys". Newsboys.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  15. "Special Preview EP available on WinterJam tour!". Newsboys.com. 9 January 2010. Archived from the original on 12 January 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  16. "Newsboys Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  17. "Eminem Still Tops on Billboard 200, Korn And Newsboys Arrive High". Billboard. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  18. ""GOD'S NOT DEAD" SET FOR RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 15TH". Newsboys.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  19. "Attention Friends! Our new album, 'Live in Concert: God's Not Dead' releases October 22!". Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  20. "Newsboys Restart Tour Dates Released". The Christian Post. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  21. "Newsboys to Perform on the Winter Jam 2013 Tour". The Christian Post. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  22. "GOD'S NOT DEAD – Official Movie Website". Godsnotdeadthemovie.com. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  23. "Michael Tait talks Newsboys, Restart, Winter Jam 2014, Nothing but the Blood, God's Not Dead".
  24. "Newsboys' Duncan Phillips talks Winter Jam 2014, Restart and 'God's Not Dead' film".
  25. "Newsboys We Believe Spring Tour". 19 February 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014 – via YouTube.
  26. "Newsboys hitting the road with 'We Believe...God's Not Dead' tour". christiantoday.com. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  27. Deborah Evans Price (4 January 2016). "Newsboys Arrive in Theaters & On Charts With 'God's Not Dead 2': 'The Band is the Strongest We've Ever Been'". Billboard. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  28. "Newsboys 'Unite' for unprecedented 2018 tour". 12 December 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  29. Longs, Herb (10 May 2019). "Highly Anticipated Newsboys 'United' Album Now Available". TheChristianBeat. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  30. "Newsboys (official) - About". Facebook. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  31. The Story music tour, Published on 8 November 2011 on About.com Retrieved 26 November 2011
  32. NEWSBOYS EXTEND THEIR "GOD’S NOT DEAD TOUR," ANNOUNCE SPRING 2013 DATES, MusicFaith.com, 2013-01-22. Retrieved 25 January 2013
  33. "NEWSBOYS – RESTART 2013 Fall Tour". 25 June 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  34. "Newsboys 'Unite' for unprecedented 2018 tour". CCM Magazine. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  35. Longs, Herb. "Newsboys United & Michael W. Smith Join Forces For Spring Tour". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  36. "Jesus Freak Cruise Returns With One-Of-A-Kind Experience Featuring Performances From dc Talk". The Gospel Music Association. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  37. "Performances From dc Talk, Newsboys, TobyMac and Kevin Max Alongside John Crist, Mandisa, Aaron Cole and Ryan Stevenson Announced For Jesus Freak Cruise 2019". 25 October 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  38. "Newsboys United Return by Popular Demand to Headline 'Greatness of Our God' Fall Tour". Retrieved 4 June 2019.
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