After parting ways with Maverick City Music for alleged inappropriate behavior, singer-songwriter Dante Bowe has quietly cancelled his much publicized 14-city “Joyful the Tour” and premiered a new song online for those going through “hard times.”
Six weeks ago, worship band Maverick City Music put a “pause” on its relationship with Bowe over “behavior inconsistent with our core values and beliefs.” Days later, Bowe issued an apology on Instagram but quickly deleted that post.
Bowe had been promoting his “Joyful The Tour”—a series of worship concerts in 14 cities in October and November with additional musical artists Evvie McKinney and Social Club Misfits.
On September 27, The Roys Report (TRR) texted a number listed on Bowe’s website, inquiring whether his Joyful tour was continuing as planned. No one replied for more than a month. We also reached out to a couple churches hosting the Joyful concerts but none of them responded either.
However, last Friday, we received a text from Bowe asking for our email so he could “share my exciting news with you soon.”
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We replied with our email and received a text, stating Bowe “doesn’t have any tour dates scheduled right now” but promising to release his “new schedule for 2023 shortly.”
Apparently, not everyone got the memo.
“I showed up to the Venue at Cape Cod Church on November 6th at 7:10 PM and it was an empty parkinglot (sic) and empty building with all their lights off inside,” commented Phil Ryan on a still active Facebook Post by Premier Productions, the company selling tickets for the event.
The website for “Joyful The Tour” was still live as of publication time, though the ticketing links were inactive.
New song mentions ‘losing it all’
On Monday, Bowe re-emerged on Instagram and posted a new song, “Hold On,” which was written “for anyone who’s had (a) hard couple months.” His 90-second piano ballad, which has received over 390,000 views in two days, mentions God four times and seems to reference Bowe’s own recent struggles.
“Sometimes, you have to lose it all to make room for bigger things,” sings Bowe. “But fight back with only your heart pointed towards God.”
On his Instagram profile, responses to Bowe’s new song have been overwhelmingly positive.
Worship leader Kendrick Love wrote: “Glad you’re still standing brother! Thank you for the encouragement, and you keep holding on!!”
Another fan named Jessica Smith commented: “God has blessed you with immense talent and a beautifully wonderful voice. I know you’ve been having a rough couple of months brother, but keep your chin up and lean into our Father’s arms.”
However, one observer following the story, Simba Musonza, alluded in his comments to the singer’s lack of acknowledgement of past inappropriate behavior.
“When everyone is a victim, no one is repentant,” he wrote. “Express your repentance instead of your victimhood because while He may rightfully reject many of our sacrifices and offerings, a broken, contrite, and repentant heart God will never reject.”
TRR reached out to Bowe for comment but did not receive a reply.
Details of ‘inconsistent’ behavior still vague
Neither Bowe nor Maverick City Music have stated details of the “inconsistent” behavior that caused their rift.
However, several YouTube and TikTok accounts shared video of Bowe on a party bus, dancing and rapping lyrics to a sexually explicit song by rap artist Bad Bunny.
In a since-deleted post following his departure from Maverick City Music, Bowe stated: “I sincerely apologize for the impact of my behavior and that it has offended many people on the platform we share together.”
Bowe had been with the worship group as a singer-songwriter since their 2018 debut album. In April, Maverick City Music’s record “Old Church Basement” won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Gospel Album and they performed live on the telecast. In October, the worship band also won two GMA Dove Awards.
Julie Roys contributed to this report.
Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith, culture, and public policy for several media outlets. He and his wife live in the Washington, D.C. area with their two children.
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One Response
I bought tickets for his Joyful tour on 9/11 at Northview Church Carmel, IN I’m confused how this is being handled? Refunds? Credits?