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Newsboys

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Newsboys

Newsboys (sometimes stylized as newsboys) are a Grammy Award-nominated Christian pop rock band. Since the band's founding in Australia in 1985, Newsboys have released fourteen studio albums and have been one of the most popular Christian music artists of the past two decades.

History

1980s

Newsboys' original members, bassist Sean Taylor, vocalist John James, and drummer Peter Furler, formed the band in Mooloolaba, Queensland in 1985 along with Furler's guitarist school mate, George Perdikis. The band's original name was The News, but once in the U.S. they changed it to The Newsboys to avoid conflict with the U.S.-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 from 1990 to 1991: Hell Is For Wimps and Boys Will Be Boyz. None of the three albums garnered much attention, and the band's lineup 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. 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, which he would continue until James' departure.

In 1994, amidst continued lineup changes (which included mainstays Jody Davis and Duncan Phillips), the band released Going Public, their fifth album and first success. The record proved to be a watershed for the group, winning a Dove Award for "Rock album of the Year" in 1995 [1]. It also produced #1 hits such as "Spirit Thing", "Let It Rain", 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 ten in its ranking of the 100 Greatest Songs in Christian music.

The 1996 follow-up album Take Me To Your Leader was recorded with the band expanded to six members, including new additions Phil Joel and Jeff Frankenstein. The album produced more #1 hits: "God Is Not A Secret", "Reality", "Breakfast", and the title track. This album also won the group's third Dove, this time for "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year" [2].

In late 1997, John James announced he would be leaving the band to become a pastor and author.[3] Furler moved from drums to vocals. Duncan Phillips, who had previously played keyboards and percussion for the band decided to try the drums even though the position had already verbally been granted to Jesse Sprinkle of Poor Old Lu fame. From 1998 to 2003, the band's lineup 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. The song "Entertaining Angels" won the 1999 Dove for "Short Form Music Video of the Year" [4].

The band returned in 1999 with the oddly-titled Love Liberty Disco, the band's only album to significantly deviate from their pop rock sound.

In 1999 Peter Furler co-founded Inpop Records with Wes Campbell, as an independent contemporary Christian music record label. The label is also affiliated with Every Nation.

2000s

In 2000, Newsboys helped start and headlined the annual, traveling CCM festival 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 #1. The band did not release any all new material until the spring of 2002 when they released Thrive.

The Newsboys followed with two praise and worship albums: Adoration: The Worship Album in 2003 and Devotion in 2004. Late in 2003, guitarist Jody Davis departed and was replaced by Bryan Oleson; in 2006, Oleson left to focus on his own band, Casting Pearls and was replaced by Paul Colman, formerly of Paul Colman Trio. The Newsboys also co-authored a book with Jim Laffoon of Every Nation, published by Inspiro and released 1 November 2005 .[5]

The band's latest 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, Newsboys released a pop/rock record entitled GO. GO featured David Eri as a co-writer. Their songs "Something Beautiful" and "In Wonder" were big hits on Christian Radio.[6] That December, Phil Joel announced that he would leave the band to pursue his own projects and albums. On 8 May 2007 the band released GO Remixed, composed of new versions of almost all of the songs on the original GO album. It featured remixes by Tedd T., Jeff Frankenstein, Max Hsu of Superchick and Lee Bridges.

On 20 November 2007 the Newsboys released The Greatest Hits. The eighteen-song CD also features two new songs "I Fought the La..." and "Stay Strong." This was followed by Newsboys Live: Houston We Are GO, a CD/DVD combo recording package of a show from the Go Tour, released on 30 September 2008.

Present

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

On 5 January 2009, Paul Colman announced he would be leaving the Newsboys to work on his own solo projects. At the same time it was announced that Jody Davis would return to the band, after a 5 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.”[7]

Peter Furler, having toured with the Newsboys since the band began in 1985, decided to step back into a support role continuing as the band's primary songwriter and producer. A replacement lead vocalist was required so the band could continue touring. On 9 March 2009, it was announced on the band's web site 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 Peter making special appearances throughout the year. Peter will continue with the band and his trademark songwriting and production will remain as he focuses his professional career toward future newsboys recordings."[8] On 17 March 2009, Michael Tait performed his first full concert as the lead singer of the Newsboys in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. During their 11 September 2009 concert, in Orlando, Furler announced that this would be his final guest appearance with the band.[9]

Newsboys released the studio album In the Hands of God on 5 May 2009 on Inpop Records. Max Hsu (Superchick and tobyMac) produced the album. Steve Taylor co-wrote all the songs for the album, and sang on one song.[10]

The Newsboys announced that their latest studio album, appropriately titled Born Again will be released on July 13, 2010.[11]

Members

Current members

Former members

Lead vocals
  • John James (1985–1997) Left after admitting to drug and alcohol addiction. (Toured with the Newsboys on their "The Way We Roll Tour," telling the story of his fall and redemption).
  • Peter Furler (1992–2009) Left to focus on family and other interests.
Drums
  • Peter Furler (1985–1997) Switched to lead vocals exclusively.
Guitar
  • George Perdikis (1985–1987,1989–1990) Left the band before their first album, but co-wrote most of the songs on it.
  • Phil Yates (1987–1989)
  • Jonathan Geange (1990–1991, 1992) Returned to the band briefly after Vernon Bishop left, before Jody Davis joined.
  • Vernon Bishop (1991–1992)
  • Randy Williams (2003) Filled in for Jody Davis on several shows, before Bryan Olesen came.[citation needed]
  • Bryan Olesen (2003–2006) Left to front his original band VOTA on a full time basis.
  • Paul Colman (2006–2009) Left to work on his solo career.
Bass guitar
  • Sean Taylor (1985–1992) Left to pursue a career in education.
  • Kevin Mills (1992–1996) Left the band to manage White Heart; Also appeared on the American Dating TV Show Blind Date in 1999 at which point he was working in L.A. as a bartender;[citation needed] Died in a motorbike accident on December 3, 2000.
  • Phil Joel (1996–2006) Left band to pursue "personal interests", a solo career, and ministry opportunities.
Keyboards
  • Corey Pryor (1988, 1990–1993) Left to play with his wife in a band called SoZo.

Major tours

Discography

Studio albums

John James Era

Peter Furler Era

Michael Tait Era

Remix albums

Compilation albums

Live albums

Live Bootlegs

  • Newsboys hired "Disc Live" to record 4 shows on their Adoration tour. 4000 copies of each were produced as two disc sets, and sold after the show, and on the Disc Live website. the shows were:

3.28 Minot, 2004 [Disc Live]

3.27 Minneapolis, 2004 [Disc Live]

3.26 Chicago, 2004 [Disc Live]

3.25 Milwaukee, 2004 [Disc Live]

  • Newsboys also recorded multiple dates on the "Join The Tribe" Tour, which were available for download on the Newsboys website.

Singles

Year Single Album Hot Christian
Songs Peak 		Hot Christian
AC Peak 		Spins
(since 1998)
source: Mediabase
1988 "I Got Your Number" Read All About It 7
1990 "All I Can See" Hell Is for Wimps 3
"In the End"
"Ten Thousand Miles"
1991 "Simple Man" 11
"One Heart" Boys Will Be Boyz 23
"Kingdom Man" 36
"Stay With Me"
"Israel"
"You and Me"
1992 "I'm Not Ashamed" Not Ashamed 20,865
1993 "Where You Belong"/"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" 886
"Upon This Rock"
"I Cannot Get You Out of My System"
"Strong Love" 227
"Dear Shame"
1994 "Be Still" Going Public 1,494
"Shine" 39,018
1995 "Let It Rain" 56
"Spirit Thing" 2,475
"Real Good Thing" 89
"Truth and Consequences" 214
"Going Public" 31
"Reality" Take Me to Your Leader 1,748
1996 "Take Me to Your Leader" 1,038
"Let It Go" 724
"Breakfast" 6,108
1997 "Breathe (Benediction)" 73
"It's All Who You Know" 4
"God Is Not a Secret" 121
"Cup O' Tea" 6
1998 "Entertaining Angels" Step Up to the Microphone 9,887
"Believe" 3,114
"Step Up to the Microphone" 503
"Woo Hoo" 615
"Hallelujah" 144
"Truth Be Known - Everybody Gets a Shot"
(video only) 		7
"Shine 2000" (remix) Entertaining Angels EP
"Not Ashamed" (remix)
1999 "Love Liberty Disco" Love Liberty Disco 992
2000 "Beautiful Sound" 19,019
"I Surrender All" / "Good Stuff"
(released as a double A-side single,
with the former geared towards AC radio,
and the latter towards the CHR/Rock format,
which ended up as the bigger hit) 		90
("I Surrender All")
288
("Good Stuff")
"Joy" Shine: The Hits 31,120
2001 "Mega-Mix" 653
"Who?" 7,511
"God Is Not a Secret"
(featuring TobyMac) 		41
"Praises" 185
2002 "It Is You" Thrive 56,726
"Million Pieces (Kissin' Your Cares Goodbye)" 42,003
"John Woo" 78
"Live In Stereo" 7
"The Fad of the Land" 5
"Giving It Over" 5
"In the Belly of the Whale"
(featuring Steve Taylor) 		Jonah:
A VeggieTales Movie
Soundtrack 		49
2003 "He Reigns" Adoration:
The Worship Album 		4 6 106,102
"You Are My King (Amazing Love)" 1 1 85,794
"In Christ Alone"
"Adoration"
(possibly not a radio single, but received
enough airplay to make it on the charts during the Christmas season) 		34 31 2,460
2004 "Presence (My Heart's Desire)" Devotion 4 4 46,763
"Devotion" 16 16 18,173
"Blessed Be Your Name"
(featuring Rebecca St. James) 		404
"Strong Tower" 103
2006 "I Am Free" (Live) GO 11 11 24,485
"Wherever We Go" 3 15 18,732
2007 "Something Beautiful" 4
(#5 of 2007)[6] 		6 37,823
"In Wonder" 4 5+ 29,312
2008 "Yo Ho Hero"
(featuring Steve Taylor) 		The Pirates Who
Don't Do Anything:
A VeggieTales Movie
Soundtrack
"Stay Strong" The Greatest Hits 19 20 11,225
2009 "In the Hands of God" In the Hands of God 3 4 24,061
"Glorious" 15 3,139
2010 "Born Again" Born Again 13[13] 16
"I'll Be" 32

Extended Plays

Year Title Label Notes
1998 Entertaining Angels EP Star Song
2002 It Is You Pre-Order EP Sparrow Records
2003 8 Great Hits Sparrow Records/EMI CMG
2006 GO EP Inpop Records/EMI CMG
2010 Born Again EP Available at Winter Jam 2010 Concerts and if you pre-order the new album on their website.

DVDs and Videos

Year Title Label
1991 Boys Will Be Boyz (NTSC/VHS) Star Song
1993 Not Ashamed: The Video (NTSC/VHS) Star Song
1996 Down Under the Big Top (NTSC/VHS) Star Song
1999 Live One Night In Pennsylvania (NTSC/VHS) Sparrow Records
2000 Shine: The Hits Live One Night in Pennsylvania (DVD) Sparrow Records
2002 Thrive: From The Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame (DVD) Sparrow Records
2008 Newsboys Live: Houston We Are GO (CD/DVD) (DVD) inpop Records

Music videos

Year Title
1990 "Simple Man"
1991 "One Heart" (shot at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, OK)
"Kingdom Man"
1992 "I Cannot Get You Out of My System"
1993 "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Where You Belong)"
"Dear Shame"
1994 "Shine"
1996 "Take Me To Your Leader"
1998 "Entertaining Angels"
1999 "Love, Liberty, Disco"
2000 "Truth Be Known (Everybody Gets a Shot)"
2002 "Million Pieces"
"In the Belly of the Whale" (for the Veggie Tales movie Jonah)
2003 "He Reigns"
2008 "Something Beautiful"
2010 "Born Again"

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

  • 1992 Nomination for Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album
    • Not Ashamed
  • 1994 Nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album
    • Going Public
  • 1996 Nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album
    • Take Me to Your Leader
  • 2003 Nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
    • Adoration: The Worship Album

Dove Awards

  • 1994 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
    • "I Cannot Get You Out of My System"
  • 1995 Award for Rock Album of the Year
    • Going Public
  • 1995 Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year
    • "Shine"
  • 1995 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
    • "Shine"
  • 1995 Nomination for Group of the Year
    • Newsboys
  • 1996 Nomination for Song of the Year
    • "Shine"
  • 1997 Award for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
    • Take Me to Your Leader
  • 1997 Nomination for Rock Album of the Year
    • Take Me to Your Leader
  • 1997 Nomination for Rock Recorded Song of the Year
    • "God Is Not a Secret"
  • 1997 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
    • "Take Me to Your Leader"
  • 1999 Award for Short Form Music Video of the Year
    • "Entertaining Angels"
  • 1999 Nomination for Song of the Year
    • "Entertaining Angels"
  • 1999 Nomination for Rock Album of the Year
    • Step Up to the Microphone
  • 1999 Nomination for Group of the Year
    • Newsboys
  • 2000 Nomination for Long Form Music Video of the Year
    • One Night in Pennsylvania
  • 2001 Award for Special Event Album of the Year
    • City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise (Various Artists, including Peter Furler's "Unified")
  • 2001 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year
    • "Love Liberty Disco"
  • 2003 Nomination for Long Form Music Video of the Year
    • Thrive: Live from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • 2004 Nomination for Group of the Year
    • Newsboys
  • 2004 Nomination for Praise & Worship Album of the Year
    • Adoration: The Worship Album
  • 2004 Nomination for Song of the Year
    • "He Reigns"
  • 2004 Nomination for Worship Song of the Year
    • "He Reigns"
  • 2005 Nomination for Praise & Worship Album of the Year
    • Devotion
  • 2008 Nomination for Pop/Contemporary Album Of the Year
    • Go:Remixed

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

References

  1. ^ 1995 Dove Awards
  2. ^ 1997 Dove Awards
  3. ^ John James: The Newsboys Ex-lead Singer Speaks About His Fall And Restoration
  4. ^ 1999 Dove Awards
  5. ^ Amazon.co.uk: Our Daily Blog: Devotions by Pastor Jim Laffoon: Books: Jim Laffoon,Newsboys
  6. ^ a b 2007 Year End Charts/Top Christian CHR songs, R&R magazine, Retrieved 6 January 2008
  7. ^ JODY DAVIS RETURNS TO NEWSBOYS!
  8. ^ MICHAEL TAIT TO JOIN NEWSBOYS
  9. ^ "Furler Makes Final Newsboys Appearance In Orlando". Jesus Freak Hideout. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
  10. ^ Christianity Today: Peter Unfurled
  11. ^ "Special Preview EP available on WinterJam tour!". Newsboys.com. 2010-01-09. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  12. ^ Newsboys News: New Album Debuts at No. 1
  13. ^ http://www.billboard.com/song/newsboys/you-are-my-king-amazing-love/11105059#/song/newsboys/born-again/20182132
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