Newsboys Snags 25th No. 1 Hit

Christian pop rock band newboys picked up their 25th radio hit weeks ahead of their upcoming album release.

According to the Radio & Records Christian AC Indicator chart, "In the Hands of God," the title track of the newsboys' fourteenth studio album, landed at No. 1 earlier this month, marking "a new era for the band," as newsboys manager Wes Campbell commented.

“Whilst this is just one of many number one singles the band has received, they are all important to us,” he said, “and we have great appreciation to all the radio stations out there that have continued to support both our music and passion for ministry.”

“We’re thrilled that ‘In The Hands of God’ hit No 1,” added newsboys member Jeff Frankenstein. “It’s a song that means a lot to all of us. In times like these, it’s great to be reminded of God’s love for His children and to be encouraged that ultimately, He has everything under His control.”

“In the Hands of God” is one of ten tracks that appear in the newsboys upcoming project of the same name. Produced by Max Hsu (Superchick, tobyMac) along with newsboys’ Frankenstein and Peter Furler, the album boasts the classic rock sound that has made newsboys’ music legendary among Christian music fans for more than two decades.

Songs in the upcoming album include “No Grave,” “The Way We Roll” and “Glorious.”

Also included are background vocals by Michael Tait of dc Talk, who last month stepped into the role of new frontman for newsboys.

The band had announced the change on March 9 and posted a statement by former frontman Furler about the move more than two weeks later.

“For me, the decision is that after traveling many thousands of miles across land and sea for over 22 years, along with needing to constantly keep writing and reach production deadlines–let alone feed my dog, It was time for something to give, and my booking agent and his GPS drew the short straw,” Furler explained.

The band did report, however, that Furler would continue with the band and that his trademark songwriting and production would remain as he focuses his professional career toward future newsboys recordings.

They also said Furler would make special appearances throughout the year.

In The Hands of God, however, is expected to be the last album on which former frontman Furler will sing.

The street date for the album is May 5.

Christian Music News Source

As a late addition, Newsboys bring new face to Spirit West Coast

DEL MAR, Calif. — Everything is coming up new at this year’s Spirit West Coast. The Newsboys, a mainstay at the annual Memorial Day weekend event, are a new, late addition after a previous scheduling conflict. And this year, they take the stage with a new sound and a new face as former dcTalk frontliner Michael Tait joins the band as lead vocalist.

Tait is a permanent replacement for lead singer Peter Furler who, after 22 years, has opted out of the grueling traveling schedule to concentrate on studio work and songwriting for the group.

“Newsboys is more than a band to me,” Furler said in a statement. “It is a group of people: men and women, husbands and wives, sons and daughters pooling together their gifts and talents, making many sacrifices, and believing that together we are all making a difference in telling the good news of the saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ to our generation. I am happy to say that this has not changed.

“I will continue on with the band as friend, songwriter, cheerleader and prayer partner.”

Those attending the May 22 to 24 festival at the Del Mar Fairgrounds will be among the first to experience the retooled group since the announcement was made in early March.

Although Tait played with the band for several weeks prior to the March 9 announcement, it shocked many in contemporary Christian music. The disclosure came without fanfare while Tait was leading the band at an Acquire the Fire event in Dallas.

“More than anything, over the last couple of weeks, we’ve really bonded as a band,” Newsboys drummer Duncan Phillips said in a video interview immediately after the concert and which the group posted on its Web site.

Tait called the transition the merger of two great Christian rock traditions with dcTalk and Newsboys.

“Mac Powell (of Third Day fame) said it best. It’s like merging McDonalds and Burger King together making it a super burger. We’re not sure what that burger is going to taste like just yet. We think the crowd ingested some of it tonight.”

Keyboard player Jeff Frankenstein said he expects the buzz to last for quite some time, a reward to those attending this year’s Spirit West Coast.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun for fans as we kinda get this thing rolling throughout the summer and at festivals and stuff. I think people are going to be curious to see how this whole thing works out,” he said, “We’re going to have a lot of fun.”

The addition of the Newsboys complements an already amazing lineup of Mercy Me, Relient K, Tobymac, Kutless, Needtobreathe, Family Force 5, Red, Todd Agnew, Flatfoot 56, Lincoln Brewster, Barlowgirl, Phil Wickham, Fireflight, Stellar Kart, A Current Affair, Project 86, Starfield, Josh Wilson, Above The Golden State, Addison Road, Wavorly, Ruth, Runkidrun, Seabird, Unspoken, The Wedding, Manic Drive, House of Heroes, Sarah Macintosh, Storyside B, Sleep For Sleepers, Sonflowerz and Richard Andrew.

Christian Music News Source

NEWSBOYS MEETS FAN FRED BARNES OF FOX NETWORK

CAPTION: Inpop Records' newsboys greets Fred Barnes, FOX network co-host of "The Beltway Boys" and a regular contributor to "Special Report with Brit Hume," the No. 1 weeknight political program on cable, in Vero Beach, Fla. Sunday, April 26. Barnes and his wife flew from Washington, D.C. to attend the sold-out show on newsboys spring' "Join The Tribe" tour, wrapping early May. Pictured (l-r) are Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips and Michael Tait of newsboys, Fred Barnes, and newsboys' Jeff Frankenstein.

Christian Music News Source

Newsboys coming to sing at Stanislaus County Fair

The Newsboys are delivering some good news: If you missed the Christian pop rock band's concert Sunday at Calvary Temple in Modesto, you can see the band perform Aug. 3 at the Stanislaus County Fair. And the show will be free.

The Dove Award-winning band is the latest group to be added to the fair's free concert lineup. The 2009 Stanislaus County Fair opens July 31 for a 10-day run.

Christian Music News Source