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In March 2009, one of Christian music's most enduring bands, Newsboys, had a newsflash: After 22 years (and more than 2000 shows) with the band, frontman Peter Furler was stepping away from the grueling touring schedule, and Michael Tait, formerly 1/3 of supergroup dc Talk, would take Furler's place on stage. At the time, a press release said that Furler would "continue with the band and his trademark songwriting and production will remain as he focuses his professional career toward future Newsboys recordings."

In the year-plus since, it hasn't quite turned out that way. Furler has really stepped away from the band, and Tait has moved in not just as concert frontman, but as the band's new leader in many ways, including taking a major role in songwriting for their new album, the aptly named Born Again, which releases today. Tait says that Furler is still on board as a "creative consultant," but is mostly enjoying long overdue time with his family.

The remaining Newsboys members have welcomed Tait with open arms: "I can't believe Michael was available," said drummer Duncan Phillips. "His vocal range and style allow us to musically explore avenues we haven't in the past." Adds guitarist Jody Davis, "Tait is great for us because he's a real team player and brings a lot of enthusiasm to the mix of personalities." "We're getting a new lease on life from this," adds keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein. "It's providential. I couldn't see things happening any other way."

After about a decade of moderate success as a solo artist (since the 2000 break-up of dc Talk), Tait is thrilled to be with a group that he has considered friends for decades. We recently caught up with him to talk about the move.

I'm having trouble saying Michael Tait and Newsboys in the same sentence. How about you?

Michael Tait: I'm still getting used to it. But when you see our live show—this ain't me being cocky, this is the truth—all doubt is erased. Then you go, "Oh, this makes total sense." People can't imagine that Peter Furler was replaced with some guy with braided hair, dreads, and dark skin. But dc Talk and Newsboys have been buddies forever. And if you were a fan back in the days of dc Talk or Newsboys, you were a fan of the other band. It's all in the mix. You know?

Tait (center) with Newsboys in 1991

You've been friends with the other guys for a long time?

Tait: Oh man, we go back so far that we recently found a picture of dc Talk and Newsboys from a long time ago, around 1991, on a day when I was hanging out with the Newsboys. In this picture, we stood in front of it like we were a band, and I pretended I was the lead singer. I'm in the middle of the photo, totally the lead singer in the photo, 19 years ago, just as a joke. How weird is that?

So, how did this all come about?

Tait: Wes Campbell [Newsboys manager] called me and said that Peter Furler [lead singer] has been on the road for too long, that he needs to come off the road and spend some time with his family. He's been making records for twenty years, he's been touring for twenty years, and he's tired. We asked, "Can you do this thing?" I misconstrued it at first, thinking they wanted me for just a couple of months. But they wanted a total overhaul, brand new everything, Newsboys 2.0. They wanted the whole kit and caboodle.

At first, I thought, My gosh, there's no way I can do this. I prayed about it and thought about it for a while. Then I said, you know what, I've got to do this thing. I felt it in my heart. So I learned all the words to their songs; Newsboys fans will make sure I've got them right. Michael Tait can't be reading words from a piece of paper when on stage. No cheat sheet. So I stuck it out, and I'm telling you, man, it couldn't be better.

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