Major Christian radio network K-LOVE said it’s “resting” the Newsboys and DC Talk from air play following sex abuse allegations against Newsboys’ former lead singer Michael Tait, published recently by The Roys Report (TRR).
“We are aware of the allegations against Michael Tait, former frontman of the Newsboys,” a K-LOVE spokeswoman emailed TRR today. “As the investigation proceeds, our prayers are with all those involved. In the meantime, our Programming Team is resting Newsboys and DC Talk music on our stream.”
DC Talk is the Grammy award-winning Christian rap and rock trio Tait sang with from 1989—2000. Tait began playing with the Newsboys in 2009 and abruptly resigned last January.
Last week, TRR published the first article from our years-long investigation of Tait and the Newsboys. The article included the accounts of three men who say Tait sexually assaulted them as early as 2004. One alleged that Tait offered him cocaine.
K-LOVE is heard by 14 million listeners weekly and is played on more than 400 stations in 48 states. It is America’s largest Christian radio network and the second-largest radio network of any genre.
Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you can elect to receive “Primal Fire: Reigniting the Church with the Five Gifts of Jesus” by Neil Cole, click here.
The network’s decision is a major blow to the Newsboys, who just released Worldwide Revival (Deluxe), their first album since Tait left the band in January.
K-LOVE is the biggest network to pull Newsboys from rotation to date, after a series of local stations in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; and Geelong, Australia made the call to do so permanently, or for a period of time.
Another station was KYCC 90.1-FM Radio, an online Christian broadcaster based in Stockton, California. In a statement to listeners today, the station stated it believes the credibility of TRR’s allegations and was shocked and saddened after having recently hosted the band in their studio.
“The leadership of KYCC has decided to not play any Newsboys songs till further notice,” they stated on air.
“We have already heard from listeners who believe that hearing the Newsboys on the radio would trigger negative emotions, and we agree,” the statement continued. “In the meantime, we are praying for the victims, the other band members, the Newsboys management, and all Newsboys fans who are emotionally impacted by this news. We also offer a prayer for Michael himself, that the power and grace of God will do a mighty work in his life.”
Some stations decided to not only pull Newsboys, but also DC Talk and TAIT, Tait’s band between 2001 – 2004.
In a statement on social media referencing TRR allegations, the Newsboys stated that Tait left the band after admitting he was “living a double life.” This statement has since been shared on Billboard, USA Today, New York Post, The Independent and People, causing fans to question what information the band and management was privy to before Tait stepped down.
Tait and his representatives have not responded to TRR’s repeated requests for a statement.
Jessica Morris is a music journalist, podcaster and author based in Melbourne, Australia.
English 
Spanish
17 Responses
“The network’s decision is a major blow to the Newsboys, who just released Worldwide Revival (Deluxe), their first album since Tait left the band in January.”
Worldwide revival starts when people turn from sin, not when they listen to music.
“In a statement on social media referencing TRR allegations, the Newsboys stated that Tait left the band after admitting he was “living a double life.” This statement has since been shared on Billboard, USA Today, New York Post, The Independent and People, causing fans to question what information the band and management was privy to before Tait stepped down.”
Exactly. How can they recover without, at minimum, disclosing what they knew and when they knew it? They themselves were kind of living a double life if they knew something but did nothing. What they knew before this disclosure is more significant. What serious effort they made for inquiries responding to rumors is the central issue. The details will probably leak soon if they are not forthcoming.
It’s so bad in the ccm industry that these singers and groups have so impressed so many even though many of them act no different than their secular counterparts. Boozing it up on the bus an the sexual experiences is evidence of another problem, the great desire to be in the spotlight. The whole industry is suspect as it no longer is a ministry, what with managers and recording contracts etc. To me, this will be one of the anti Christ main tools.
What has been getting to me over the last 10 years that I have followed this news site is what I would call “Christian sympathy for the Devil.” It is all those fanboys of whatever horrid snake who is biting people telling everyone to pray for the son of the Devil “Christian” celebrity who did whatever awful thing they did. Rape, child molestation, grooming, clergy sexual abuse, lying, stealing and the list just goes on. Too little mention of the victims. No mention whatsoever of the Fear of the Lord. People who cannot have ever read a Bible for it is quite clear about such things. I have seen a cell in hell reserved for goats, most real thing I have ever experienced. Do fear God. Do choose to be a disciple for your own sake. Do not count on calling yourself a Christian being enough. You actually have to act like you KNOW JESUS when no one else is watching. Click on my name for the testimony if you dare…
Just wondering why they are pulling Newsboys music from before Michael Tait even joined the band. Much preferred the band with Peter Furler & Phil Joel.
My guess is that the thought was that, since with the exception of Adam Agee, the other members of Newsboys were part of the band at the time of the incidents that took place while Michael Tait was part of the band; that raises questions about how in the dark could they have been (again, the “what did they know and when did they know it” analogy).
I agree with April. Pull DC Talk albums, Tait albums, and Newsboys with Michael Tait albums. Leave Newboys with Peter Furler albums alone.
I agree, they shouldn’t pull the Newboys when Peter Furler was the lead singer. The band released a statement that they didn’t know what was going on with Michael Tait and I believe them. They wouldn’t have let him continue in the band if they had known. These aren’t twenty-something year olds just starting to get a taste of fame. They’ve been doing this for 30 years or more, clearly they are doing it for the Lord as well as the enjoyment of using their musical talent. It’s not fair to the other members of the band. Also, where is the FORGIVENESS Christians (Christian radio stations). Michael confessed his sin to the world and didn’t need to do that. I hope everyone can find a solution that puts the Newsboys back on the radio eventually, they are an incredible talent. Maybe they could re-record all of the albums where Michael Tait sang, I’m not sure what the answer is, but I hope this isn’t the end of the Newsboys due to one person’s sins.
well k love . are you quite the champions..of christian rightesnous..you pull the newsboys..ok ,,but you are a big ,promoter of. Tiffany Arbuckle aka plumb..who is one big advocate of lgbt agenda.seems you are selective in judging who gets censord , for sin and who doesnt
I don’t think that they have played her music in awhile.
My feelings exactly! The Pharisees are alive and well today, I see! John 8:7- He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone. And get the plank out of your eye while you are at it! What do you think Jesus would say about this? Read Michael’s letter again, this time with your heart, without the religious spirit. Prayer and mercy are called for here and now! Donna Garner
Criminal and civil charges should follow for everyone in and around the band—who KNEW FOR YEARS but covered it up.
It appears that K-Love radio or any other so-called “christian” radio station only responds when evidence is quite apparent concerning the conduct of any person classifying themselves as a “christian” artist. This action they are taking are not because these stations or “christian” artist are capable of discerning what is not “worship” music or maybe knew of their other life, but only because it is only about the money. Give them six months to a year and after it has all blown over, suddenly their music will be back on air. Jerry Macguire statement from his only client screams real loud in this situation.
A shame. KLOVE plays a lot of theologically unsound CCM worship songs on their radio station. TobyMac was a part of DC Talk. So are they not playing any of pre- Michael Tait Newsboys songs? I stopped listening to Christian music radio stations altogether in 2014. KLOVE is in my area. But I don’t listen to them. I got so sick and tired of Christian radio stations playing the 30 to 40 of the same songs ad nauseam. Especially the worship songs that weren’t/aren’t biblically sound. Also, do we have to hear something like “Good, Good Father or Oceans” 50 times in one day? It’s bad enough when every contemporary church played those songs every Sunday for months.
I think K love is being excessive in pulling all Newsboys and DC Talk music, I pray Michael Tait gets right with God, I pray for his family, and his restoration! Let us not be haters of the man, but hate the sin, we are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory, but praise His name He sent Jesus to redeem us!
I’ve always wondered why we don’t see Cosby show reruns on TV, but Michael Jackson is still OK.
It’s very unfortunate that this is happening with someone who inspired me with the newsboys and even with DC Talk too. And unfortunately, on my network, I will be cutting off the music there too of both Newsboys and DC talk due to Due to all this as well too. It’s sad, but unfortunately, it has to do with a lot more business than anything else, especially within Christian industries along with the secular industries as well too.
I don’t agree with their decision to pull the band’s songs. None of the other members were involved or aware. Their music is loved by thousands and should not be removed from rotation due to one person’s sin. We as Christians are supposed to love the sinner and pray for them. Michael needs our love and prayers right now. And we need their music.