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Newsboys (sometimes stylised as newsboys) is a band that has existed in various permutations since its founding in 1985 in , Queensland, Australia, by and George Perdikis. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States, the band has released 17 studio albums, six of which have been certified gold. As of 2025, the band consists of guitarist Jody Davis, keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein, drummer, and percussionist Duncan Phillips, and lead vocalist, and bassist Adam Agee (formerly of and ); no founding members remain in the lineup. In addition to performing music, the band has appeared in the films God's Not Dead, God's Not Dead 2, and .

History
1980s
The band was formed in , Queensland, Australia in 1985 by two young men: and his school mate George Perdikis. Furler and Perdikis practiced in a garage 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. Newsboys 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 received that much attention and the band's line-up changed with every release. It wasn't until their 1992 album, (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. , 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 lineup 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 for "Rock Album of the Year". 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", and in 2006, listed "Shine" in the top 10 in its ranking of the 100 Greatest Songs in Christian music. Shine is considered by fans to be the band's signature song.

The 1996 follow-up album Take Me to Your Leader was recorded with an expanded line up with new additions bassist 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". This album spawned the Newsboys' first movie, Down Under the Big Top (1996), which was based on the song "Reality".

In late 1997 just after completing the Take Me To Your Leader Tour, lead singer John James announced he would be leaving the band to start a preaching ministry. In 2007 he told UK Christian magazine that he had actually been pushed out due to a drug and alcohol addiction. James recalled that at one point, he was drinking at least one carton of alcohol per day, and sometimes took the stage while under the influence. James said that other members likely saw he was spiraling long before he confided in Furler while recording the vocals for Step Up to the Microphone.

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 and in 1997 Newsboys hit the studio to record Step Up to the Microphone. 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" and a year later. "Entertaining Angels" won the 1999 Dove for "Short Form Music Video of the Year".

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.

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

2000s
In 2000, Newsboys headlined the annual, travelling CCM concert, Festival Con Dios, with and The O.C. Supertones. That same year, Newsboys released a greatest hits compilation, , 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 .

After the success of "It Is You", the Newsboys then followed with two praise and worship albums: in 2003 and Devotion in 2004. Late in 2003, Davis departed and was replaced by 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. They also recorded their Creation 2005 set for a live DVD to be released with their upcoming album. In 2006, Olesen left the band to focus on his own band and was replaced by , 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 ), 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. That December, Joel announced that he would leave the band to pursue his own projects and albums. On 8 May 2007, the band released which was made up of new versions of the songs from GO and featured remixes by Tedd T., Jeff Frankenstein, Max Hsu of and Lee Bridges. 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 . In 2007, the band's co-founder George Perdikis renounced Christianity and declared himself an atheist. He had not been involved with the band for seventeen years, nor was he in any way involved with their commercially and critically successful singles or albums.

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."

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 , formerly of , 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." On March 17, 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 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 September 11 in Orlando, Furler announced that this would be his final guest appearance with the band. His full departure left no original members remaining in the band.

2010s
The Newsboys' first studio album featuring lead singer Michael Tait, Born Again, was released on 13 July 2010 and debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, their highest debut position, 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. Their newest live album, title Live in Concert: God's Not Dead, came out on 22 October 2012. In the same year they released their single "The League of Incredible Vegetables" for the video of the same name. The band released their 16th studio album Restart on 10 September 2013. The "Restart Tour" ran from 20 September to 27 October 2013. The band is also a part of the Winter Jam Tour 2013 from November 2013 through March 2014.

The band appeared in a sequence for the film God's Not Dead, released in 2014. 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." Duncan Phillips added in a similar interview that "Disney's plays a college student whose faith is challenged by his professor, played by from Hercules. 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."

The band embarked on the "We Believe Tour". They performed at the BigChurchDayOut 2014 and again in 2017. In 2015, the Newsboys started the "We Believe God's Not Dead Tour". Love Riot was released in 2016 and a tour followed. The band also appeared in the 2016 film God's Not Dead 2. It was announced in late 2017 that Peter Furler and Phil Joel would participate with Newsboys on the Newsboys United Tour in 2018. Along with the tour, it was announced that the band is doing an album, United, with Furler and Joel, which was released 10 May 2019. The last tour date with Furler and Joel was in August 2021.

2020s
The band released their twentieth album Stand on 1 October 2021. On 29 March 2023, it was announced that Adam Agee, formerly of and would be joining the band as the fifth member. The band also announced "He Lives" as a digital single marking the first single with Agee, which was released on 31 March 2023. In 2024, Newsboys announced a two-part album: World Wide Revival. World Wide Revival Part 1 was released on 19 July 2024. Its first single, "How Many Times" and its music video were released the same day as well. On 16 January 2025, Tait released a statement on social media saying he would be stepping down as lead singer of Newsboys. Adam Agee stepped in as lead vocalist. On 14 March 2025, the band released their first single with Agee as the vocalist, "How Many Times (Oh How You Love Me)".

"Worldwide Revival (Deluxe)" was released on 30 May 2025. It includes 4 more songs than "Worldwide Revival Part 1", and also had some songs re-recorded with Agee.

In June 2025, it was reported that Tait was accused of sexual misconduct by three different men, with the alleged assaults occurring in 2004, 2010, and 2014. The remaining members of the band issued a statement saying that while Tait had confessed to "living a double life" as a reason for leaving the band, they were unaware of the allegations made against him prior to the reports. Furthermore, they expressed support to the victims involved and encouraged others to come forward.

Two days later, the band confessed that they had heard rumors of Tait's behavior, which he denied when initially confronted about it. Following this development, several Christian radio stations removed the band's music from rotation, with certain levels of rotation bans. Some allowed material recorded before 2009 (when Tait joined the group), and in other cases, new music recorded in 2025 after Agee rerecorded songs to replace Tait, to continue being on rotation. Others, including banned their music outright. Most stations with outright or post-2009 era bans held them responsible for perceived complicity in Tait's actions.

On June 10, Tait released a public statement admitting to the allegations, apologizing to the victims, the band, and everyone else affected by his actions. He said that furthermore a reason for his abrupt departure was to seek treatment and counseling and vowed to continue pursuing repentance and spiritual healing away from the stage. Nine days later, it was reported by The Roys Report that a woman anonymously said that she was drugged by Tait and then sexually assaulted by the Newsboys' lighting technician Matthew Brewer in a hotel room in December 2014, with Tait watching. She also alleged that the Newsboys' tour manager Steve Campbell helped cover up the assault and although she reported it to police, no action was taken. Hotel security footage was presented to back her statement.

On June 22, the Newsboys announced that they had been dropped by their record label, Capitol Christian Music Group, due to the allegations surrounding Tait. In July, it was revealed that band manager Wes Campbell resigned as a board member of the Gospel Music Association. Wes also stated that his brother Steve was placed on leave from his role in the Newsboys organization amidst investigations surrounding the 2014 incident.

Band members
Current
  • Jody Davis – guitars, backing vocals (1992–2003, 2009–present), occasional lead vocals (2025–present)
  • Duncan Phillips – drums (1997–present), percussion (1993–present), keyboards (1993–1997)
  • Jeff Frankenstein – keyboards, backing vocals (1994–present), synth bass (2007–present)
  • Adam Agee – lead vocals (2025–present), bass guitar, guitar (2023–present), backing vocals (2023–2025)

Former

  • – lead vocals (1985–2009, 2018–2021), guitars (1997–2009, 2018–2021), drums (1985–2007)
  • George Perdikis – guitars (1985–1987)
  • Sean Taylor – bass guitar (1986–1992)
  • John James – lead vocals (1986–1997)
  • Phil Yates – guitars (1987–1990)
  • Corey Pryor – keyboards (1989–1990, 1991–1993)
  • Jonathan Geange – guitars (1990–1991, 1992)
  • Vernon Bishop – guitars (1991–1992)
  • Kevin Mills – bass guitar (1992–1994, died 2000)
  • – bass guitar, backing and lead vocals (1994–2006, 2018–2021)
  • – guitars (2004–2006)
  • – guitars (2006–2009)
  • – lead vocals (2009–2025)

Timeline
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Colors = 

 id:vocals   value:red       legend:Lead_vocals
 id:bvocals  value:pink      legend:Backing_vocals
 id:guitar   value:green     legend:Guitar
 id:keys     value:purple    legend:Keyboards
 id:bass     value:blue      legend:Bass
 id:drums    value:orange    legend:Drums
 id:album    value:black     legend:Album
 id:ep       value:gray(0.6) legend:EP

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:4 start:1985 ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1985

BarData = 

 bar:PF     text:"Peter Furler"
 bar:JJ     text:"John James"
 bar:MT     text:"Michael Tait"
 bar:GP     text:"George Perdikis"
 bar:PY     text:"Phil Yates"
 bar:JG     text:"Jonathan Geange"
 bar:VB     text:"Vernon Bishop"
 bar:JD     text:"Jody Davis"
 bar:BO     text:"Bryan Olesen"
 bar:PC     text:"Paul Colman"
 bar:CP     text:"Corey Pryor"
 bar:DP     text:"Duncan Phillips"
 bar:JF     text:"Jeff Frankenstein"
 bar:ST     text:"Sean Taylor"
 bar:KM     text:"Kevin Mills"
 bar:PJ     text:"Phil Joel"
 bar:AA     text:"Adam Agee"

PlotData= 

 width:11
 bar:PF        from:01/01/1985 till:01/01/1986   color:vocals
 bar:PF        from:01/01/1986 till:10/01/1997   color:drums
 bar:PF        from:10/01/1997 till:12/31/2006   color:guitar
 bar:PF        from:01/01/1986 till:12/31/2006   color:vocals width:3
 bar:PF        from:01/01/2007 till:03/09/2009   color:vocals
 bar:PF        from:01/01/2007 till:03/09/2009   color:guitar width:3
 bar:PF        from:01/01/2018 till:08/31/2021   color:vocals width:3
 bar:PF        from:01/01/2018 till:08/31/2021   color:guitar
 bar:JJ        from:01/01/1986 till:10/01/1997   color:vocals
 bar:MT        from:03/09/2009 till:01/16/2025   color:vocals
 bar:AA        from:03/29/2023 till:01/16/2025   color:bass
 bar:AA        from:03/29/2023 till:01/16/2025   color:bvocals width:3
 bar:AA        from:01/16/2025 till:end          color:vocals
 bar:AA        from:01/16/2025 till:end          color:bass  width:7
 bar:AA        from:01/16/2025 till:end          color:guitar  width:3
 bar:AA        from:03/29/2023 till:01/16/2025   color:guitar width:7
 bar:GP        from:01/01/1985 till:12/31/1986   color:guitar
 bar:GP        from:01/01/1989 till:12/31/1989   color:guitar
 bar:PY        from:01/01/1987 till:12/31/1988   color:guitar
 bar:JG        from:01/01/1990 till:12/31/1990   color:guitar
 bar:JG        from:01/01/1992 till:01/31/1992   color:guitar
 bar:VB        from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/1991   color:guitar
 bar:JD        from:02/01/1992 till:12/31/2002   color:guitar
 bar:JD        from:01/05/2009 till:end          color:guitar
 bar:BO        from:01/01/2003 till:12/31/2005   color:guitar
 bar:PC        from:01/01/2006 till:01/05/2009   color:guitar
 bar:ST        from:01/01/1986 till:12/31/1991   color:bass
 bar:KM        from:01/01/1992 till:12/31/1993   color:bass
 bar:PJ        from:01/01/1994 till:12/31/2006   color:bass
 bar:PJ        from:01/01/1994 till:12/31/2006   color:vocals width:3
 bar:PJ        from:01/01/2018 till:08/31/2021   color:bass
 bar:PJ        from:01/01/2018 till:08/31/2021   color:vocals width:3
 bar:CP        from:01/01/1988 till:12/31/1988   color:keys
 bar:CP        from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/1993   color:keys
 bar:DP        from:01/01/1993 till:10/01/1997   color:keys
 bar:DP        from:10/01/1997 till:end          color:drums
 bar:JF        from:10/01/1994 till:end          color:keys
 bar:JF        from:12/31/2006 till:01/01/2018   color:bass   width:7
 bar:JF        from:08/31/2021 till:03/29/2023   color:bass   width:7
     

 color:bvocals width:3
 bar:JF        from:10/01/1994 till:end
 bar:JD        from:02/01/1992 till:12/31/2002
 bar:JD        from:01/05/2009 till:end
 bar:VB        from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/1991
 bar:PJ        from:01/01/1994 till:10/01/1997
 bar:ST        from:01/01/1990 till:12/31/1991
LineData = 
layer:back
 at:12/01/1988 color:album
 at:07/31/1990 color:album
 at:08/09/1991 color:album
 at:09/29/1992 color:album
 at:07/26/1994 color:album
 at:02/20/1996 color:album
 at:04/09/1998 color:ep
 at:06/30/1998 color:album
 at:11/16/1999 color:album
 at:03/26/2002 color:album
 at:04/08/2003 color:album
 at:11/02/2004 color:album
 at:09/12/2006 color:ep
 at:10/31/2006 color:album
 at:09/30/2008 color:album
 at:05/05/2009 color:album
 at:01/05/2010 color:ep
 at:07/13/2010 color:album
 at:10/01/2010 color:ep
 at:10/26/2010 color:ep
 at:11/15/2011 color:album
 at:10/22/2012 color:album
 at:09/10/2013 color:album
 at:11/04/2014 color:album
 at:03/04/2016 color:album
 at:05/10/2019 color:album
 at:10/05/2021 color:album
 at:07/19/2024 color:album

Major tours

Discography
John James era

  • Read All About It (1988)
  • Hell Is for Wimps (1990)
  • Boys Will Be Boyz (1991)

Peter Furler era

  • (1992)
  • Going Public (1994)
  • Take Me to Your Leader (1996)
  • Step Up to the Microphone (1998)
  • Love Liberty Disco (1999)
  • Thrive (2002)
  • (2003)
  • Devotion (2004)
  • Go (2006)
  • In the Hands of God (2009)

Michael Tait era

  • 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)

Adam Agee era

  • Worldwide Revival (Deluxe) (2025)

Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
|- | 1992 || Not Ashamed || Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album || |- | 1994 || Going Public || Best Rock Gospel Album || |- | 1996 || Take Me To Your Leader || Best Rock Gospel Album || |- | 2003 || || Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album || |-

Dove Awards
|- | 1993 || "I Cannot Get You Out of My System" || Short Form Music Video of the Year || |- | rowspan=5| 1994 |- | rowspan=1| Going Public || Rock Album of the Year || |- | | n/a || Group of the Year || |- | rowspan=3| "Shine" || Rock Recorded Song of the Year || |- | | Short Form Music Video of the Year || |- | 1996 || Song of the Year || |- | rowspan=5| 1997 |- | rowspan=2| Take Me To Your Leader || Rock Album of the Year || |- | | Recorded Music Packaging of the Year || |- | | "Take Me to Your Leader" || Short Form Music Video of the Year || |- | | "God Is Not a Secret" || Rock Recorded Song of the Year || |- | rowspan=4| 1999 |- | rowspan=3| "Entertaining Angels" || Song of the Year || |- | | Group of the Year || |- | |Short Form Music Video of the Year || |- | 2000 || One Night in Pennsylvania || Long Form Music Video of the Year || |- | rowspan=2| 2001 || "Love Liberty Disco" || Short Form Music Video of the Year || |- | | City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise || Special Event Album of the Year || |- | 2003 || Thrive: Live from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame || Long Form Music Video of the Year || |- | rowspan=5| 2004 |- | rowspan=2| "He Reigns" || Worship Song of the Year || |- | | Song of the Year || |- | | Adoration: The Worship Album || Praise & Worship Album of the Year || |- | | n/a || Group of the Year || |- | 2005 || Devotion || Praise & Worship Album of the Year || |- | 2008 || Go: Remixed || Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year || |- | rowspan=3| 2012 |- | | "Born Again" || Rock Song of the Year || |- | | "Miracles" || Short Form Music Video of the Year || |- | 2013 || Jesus, Firm Foundation: Hymns of Worship || Special Event Album of the Year || |- | rowspan=3| 2015 |- | rowspan=2 | "We Believe" || Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year || |- | | Song of the Year || |- | rowspan=2| 2016 || Love Riot || Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year || |- | | "We Believe" || Worship Song of the Year || |-

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

External links

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