Best Male Christian Vocalists of All Time

Below is our list for the best male Christian vocalists of all time.

This list is not just based on vocal prowess, criteria also include song quality, impact on industry, ability to play an instrument and/or craft a song, and of course my personal bias...

10.  Matthew West
9. Ken Tamplin
8. Michael Tait (also of dc Talk & Newsboys) & Kevin Max (also of dc Talk and Audio A)
7. John Elefante
6. Michael Sweet (also of Stryper fame)

5. Michael W. Smith

4. Jeremy Camp
3. Bryan Duncan

2. Steven Curtis Chapman

1. Russ Taff

Honorable Mentions:

Brandon Heath

Charlie Peacock

Chris Tomlin

Mark Schultz
Phil Keaggy
Todd Agnew
Warren Barfield

On the way to establishing post-band career:
Peter Furler (of Newsboys)
John Schlitt (of Petra fame)
Martin Smith (of delirious?)

To make the list manageable, we've also excluded vocalists who are primarily fronting a band without a body of solo work.  That list is here.

Thoughts?

DC Talk Members Join on Newsboys Upcoming CD

 Boldly redefined by the best-selling "Born Again" record, the Newsboys continue their powerful journey on November 15th with "God’s Not Dead." This rock-driven modern worship project was produced by "Born Again’s" co-producer Seth Mosley.

"God’s Not Dead" finds the band enlivening today’s most embraced modern worship anthems. Putting their signature touch on seven tunes that have recently topped the CCLI chart, including “God’s Not Dead (Like A Lion)”, “Forever Reign” and “Revelation Song,” five originals round out the project such as “The King is Coming,” “Here We Stand,” and “All The Way.”

When Tait joined in 2009, the group wanted fans to know that their worship emphasis would never change. In fact, plans for "God’s Not Dead" began before "Born Again" was released. “There are so many things I love about being a Newsboy—we really are a band of brothers—but the biggest one is that our music always shares the gospel outright,” says Tait. “The message is unchanging whether you look at a song as rock or worship.”

Their mission is surely accomplished on “God’s Not Dead (Like A Lion),” which reunites Tait with Kevin Max, both formerly part of the multi-platinum trio dc Talk. Written by Daniel Bashta, the piece was inspired by the band’s tie to I Am Second, a ministry that reaches out to struggling people and encourages them to live first for God.

At the album’s core, "God’s Not Dead" sings of victory over a century’s worth of philosophers who thought otherwise. Friedrich Nietzsche once proclaimed, “God is dead.” But as Newsboys' friend and pastor Rice Broocks likes to say, “A funny thing happened on the way to the funeral.” The belief that God is indeed alive is the truth Newsboys are amplifying. “God’s not dead, let’s worship Him,” says Michael Tait. “We serve a living God!”

Tait’s outspoken message is carried by Newsboys' signature sound that Frankenstein, Phillips, and Davis have shaped together for nearly two decades now. The band will hit the stage this fall headlining the west coast leg of the Winter Jam tour, as well as joining The Story tour, which runs through December 18th. At the start of 2012, Newsboys will embark on their “God’s Not Dead Tour.”

Newsboys Born Again at #4

Newsboys notches its best showing ever on the Billboard 200 as its "Born Again" album bows at No. 4 with 45,000 -- the act's highest sales week since SoundScan began tracking data in 1991. The set is the first from the quartet to feature dc Talk's Michael Tait as its lead vocalist, who steps in for Peter Furler. Newsboys have been charting on the Billboard 200 since 1996, when "Take Me to Your Leader" debuted and peaked at No. 35, but, the act has never risen higher than No. 28 with "In the Hands of Good" in 2009. The new "Born Again" album also naturally debuts at No. 1 on Top Christian Albums -- the act's fourth No. 1 there.

The title had decent competition, charting above new releases from such artists as Sting and M.I.A. The excitement of a new lead singer as well as outlets such as FOX News, Rhapsody, Billboard, gmclife.com, CCM, Charisma, TitleTrakk.com, CBN, and more have promoted Born Again helping it launch well.

Kevin Max Trying to Reunite DC Talk?

As buzz continues to build for the first release of the new Michael Tait-fronted Newsboys on July 13th, and TobyMac continues to celebrate his recent fourth solo project, the third member of DC Talk has begun rallying fans in support of petitioning a reunion of the band for 2011. As JesusFreakHideout reports, last night, Kevin Max posted on his Twitter feed/Facebook page, "Trying to get a dct tour happening, perhaps next year, any of you down? ;)"

The response to Max's teaser post was overwhelming, and he soon responded "Oh and to answer all of your lovely enquiries, yes I am serious- I don't want to see the bands legacy go down like a Lost Titanic." Again Max posted again on his Facebook page, "Who wants to start a petition with me right here to bring dctalk back after the Intermission? - sign your name and I will forward to the appropriate people."

We have to wonder how likely it would be for Toby and Michael to pull away from their full-time duties with their respective ventures for a reunion. Would Toby be willing to put his thriving solo career with the Diverse City Band on hold? Would Michael be able or interested in leaving the Newsboys for such a reunion? Or, more realistically, would it have to be a tour that would include all the bands (and wouldn't it be rather exhausting to perform two major shows in one night for a tour?)?

It's probably much too early to tell whether anything will come of this, but the mere fact Max is being so adamant about the idea of a DC Talk reunion and their "Intermission" ending really has us curious. What DC Talk fan hasn't dreamed of a reunion tour or new music since they disbanded after their "DC Talk Solo Tour" in 2001? And after all, a tour next year would be the 10 year anniversary since their last one.

Max shared with GMC:

I am happy for both of the guys and their own careers, but I do believe that the dcTalk legacy and the band that we created and worked together for years in building has suffered from disregard. I am probably equally to blame for this, as the initial push for my own solo project started at the Intermission period. But I thought we all held in the back of our minds the chance and inspiration to create music together again at some other juncture. I guess we will have to wait and see how the others members feel about that now.

Coincidentally, JesusFreakHideout announced the results of their 7th Annual Reader's Choice Awards earlier this week and DC Talk won the category of "Artist You Would Like To See Return" by a landslide.

Nashville Musicians Come Together To Help Haiti

More than 50 musicians got together Wednesday night to record "Come Together Now," a song that will help raise money for Haitian relief efforts. Michael W. Smith wrote "Come Together Now" soon after seeing the devastation caused by a major earthquake in Haiti.

"What I am seeing out here, I'm pretty blown away," Smith said after looking out into the recording studio.

Within twelve days Smith had rounded up enough of his friends to record the song. The artists who answered the call came from all genres of music and are all stars in their own right.

"What I love is that everyone left their egos at the door. People came here with a mission, to help Haiti, to bring aide to the Haitian people," said Christian artist Michael Tait.

"To be here for Michael, I would do anything for Michael W.," said country superstar Wynonna Judd.

Artists included Michael W. Smith, dc Talk, Oak Ridge Boys, Wynnona Judd, Matt Maher, Nicole C. Mullen, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, Point of Grace, Chris Sligh, Mandisa and more. This is the second such effort by Christian artists this month.

Michael W. Smith hopes to have "Come Together Now" ready for download in a couple of weeks. The money raised will go to the American Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse.

New Newsboys Sound Like Tait

The Newsboys have released 5 new songs with new lead singer Michael Tait on vocals on newsboys.com, Facebook and as an EP for pre-buying their new CD during the Winter Jam Tour.

The music sounds really good, but it sounds like Michael's previous band, Tait. I'm curious to see how fans react. Below is their first video from the upcoming CD.

Newboys Kick Off Fall Tour With New Lead Michael Tait

Now we'll see how Newsboys fans really feel about Michael Tait at the helm of the Newsboys. They kick off their Fall "The Way We Roll" tour today, with special guests Seventh Day Slumber and Bread of Stone, and it'll be interesting to track ticket sales.

This is the Newsboys' first full-length tour featuring new front man Michael Tait, who stepped into the role mid-tour earlier this year after longtime leader Peter Furler decided to take a more behind-the-scenes role.

The change took many Newsboys' fans by surprise and was met with a mixed emotions. Some fans thought the change was good; some thought it was too much DC Talk mixed with Newsboys. But most were disappointed they didn't know ahead of time that Tait had taken over the lead spot and weren't offered the opportunity for a refund.

Michael Tait is the New Lead Singer for the Newsboys on the Road

After 22 years and more than 2,000 shows, Peter Furler will no longer front the newsboys in concert. Michael Tait will tour with the band as lead singer with Peter making special appearances throughout the year according to a press release by the band.

Peter will continue with the band and his trademark songwriting and production will remain as he focuses his professional career toward future newsboys recordings.

Michael has been on the road with the band over the past weeks working alongside Peter in what has been a positive and enjoyable experience for both parties. It has been a graceful process that both Peter and Michael have worked through as they prepare to make the change in the coming weeks.

Peter states,

“newsboys to me has always been a mission, and I entrust Mike, Jeff, Jody and Duncan to continue all that is in store for us as a band. I’m looking forward to focusing on the band’s studio career and spending time in my own bed after many years in a tour bus and hundreds of thousands of miles on the road.”

Wes Campbell, newsboys manager, explains,

“Whilst the decision to replace Peter on the road was a painstaking one, when the idea of dc Talk vocalist Michael Tait was presented, it was a no-brainer to all of us. No one can replace Peter, but we know Michael will bring a new attitude, energy and vocal style that will thrill our audience. To be able to continue a world class show and still have Peter behind the scenes guiding the career and making of newsboys music is a huge opportunity for all of us. It’s amazing that after many years of touring with dc Talk in the 1990’s, that in 2009 our paths would cross once again. It’s an exciting time for all of us.”

Michael Tait shares:

“When I received the initial call from newsboys to consider joining the band as lead singer, I was speechless! I immediately sought wise counsel and flooded the heavens with endless prayers for insight and vision, and I soon received a clear and definite peace. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to perform my first show as newsboys’ frontman to an audience of 12,000 people. I was completely wrapped in love and support by newsboys’ fans, who are clearly the best fans on the planet. Now I know this is exactly where I belong in this new and wonderful moment in my life’s history. This is a definite highlight of my career and for my 20+ years of walking with Jesus, and I am humbled, proud and privileged to call myself a newsboy.”

In the coming days, Peter will be releasing a personal statement on the band’s website in more detail.

The band has recently finished recording its new studio album, In The Hands of God, which features Peter as lead vocalist on the entire album. Street date for this record is May 5th.

With five gold albums, sales exceeding six million units, more than 20 No.1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards as well as Grammy nominations, newsboys has achieved phenomenal success in its two decades together.

Is Peter Furler Leaving The Newsboys?

Gospel Soundcheck is reporting that Peter Furler may be leaving the Newsboys and that former dc Talk member Michael Tait is taking over as lead vocalist!!!

IF this is true, it will fundamentally change the sound of the Newsboys. Tait is a fantastic vocalist, but I can't see him as a Newsboy.

Update: this has been confirmed