Newsboys Celebrate 10 Million in Career Sales

Platinum-selling Newsboys were honored at their Nashville tour stop earlier this week for total career sales in excess of 10 million units. During a VIP reception at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena, FairTrade Services president/founder Jeff Moseley recognized the band's prolific achievement and rare accomplishment within the genre. Since forming in Australia more than three decades ago and arriving in America in 1987, Newsboys have released 23 recordings and are heralded as one of Christian music's most iconic bands.   
 
Moseley also announced a full-length Newsboys United recording, set for release next year. The FairTrade Services project will showcase Newsboys' current lineup--Michael Tait, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis--along with former members Peter Furler and Phil Joel. The supergroup has performed to numerous capacity crowds around the country since reuniting earlier this year. Showcasing "all the hits... under one roof... for one tour," the "Newsboys United Tour" is set to play a total of 100 shows in 2018. 

 
Additionally, Newsboys United performed fan favorite "He Reigns" during the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards, broadcast earlier this week on TBN. The band was also recently announced as headliners of the multi-artist Winter Jam 2019 Tour Spectacular--Christian music's largest annual tour and one of the biggest first quarter outings in the world. Newsboys United are set to take the Winter Jam stage beginning January 11 in Jacksonville, Florida, delivering a string of the biggest hits from their three-decade career. 
 
One of the most influential bands in Christian music history, Newsboys have amassed eight Gold® certifications, 33 #1 radio hits, four Grammy nominations, two American Music Award nominations and multiple Dove Awards. Their signature songs include "We Believe," "He Reigns," "Miracles," "Born Again" and their Platinum-certified mega hit, "God's Not Dead." The latter inspired one of the most popular Christian film franchises of all time.

Newsboys Earn First Platinum Single with God's Not Dead

Newsboys’ anthem, “God’s Not Dead (Like A Lion),” has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. Signifying single sales in excess of 1 million units, the award marks a career milestone for the Grammy-nominated group and is one of the first Platinum single certifications in Christian music this year.  

Written by Daniel Bashta, “God’s Not Dead”  helped inspire the blockbuster Pure Flix film of the same name. Both the God’s Not Dead album and single earned RIAA Gold certifications last year.

Newsboys have sold more than 8 million units, amassing eight Gold certifications, 33 #1 radio hits, four Grammy nominations.

Controversy Brews Around A Co-Founder of the Newsboys

A co-founder of one of the most popular bands in Christian music has revealed that he is now an atheist.

George Perdikis, one of the founding members of the Newsboys penned a piece on the Friendly Atheist blog last week titled, “I Co-Founded One of the Most Popular Christian Rock Bands Ever… and I’m Now An Atheist.”

But admitting to nontheistic beliefs isn't the only thing that Perdikis, who helped launch the band in Queensland, Australia, back in 1985, wrote that has captured some attention in recent days. He also took aim at the Newsboys’ recent involvement in “God’s Not Dead,” a movie named after one of the band’s popular songs, seemingly accusing the group of not being as pure as its image portrays.

“Recently, the Newsboys were featured in the movie God’s Not Dead. The movie demonstrated the pervasive attitude of Christians,” he wrote. “They demonized everyone while giving a pass to their own particular brand of Christianity, making themselves look like fluffy white angels with perfect, synchronized lives.”

Perdikis detailed his journey after exiting the band in 1990 as well, which included marrying, having two kids — and leaving faith behind.

“As I carved out a life for myself away from the church, I began my own voyage of inquiry into what I believed. My perceptions started to transform when I became interested in cosmology in 1992,” he wrote. “I soon found myself fascinated by the works of Carl Sagan, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Lawrence Krauss, Brian Cox, and Richard Dawkins. I learned so much and was blown away by all the amazing scientific discoveries and facts.”

After his marriage ended in 2003, Perdikis said that he began examining “human psychology” and subsequently renounced Christianity in 2007, officially declaring that he no longer believed in God.

Perdikis also shared his upbringing, which included a brief stint at a Christian high school, where he met Peter Furler, who would later join him in forming the band.

“The choice to become a ‘Christian Rock Band’ was heavily influenced by Peter’s parents, Bill and Rosalie Furler,” he wrote. “As fundamentalist Christians, the only acceptable form of music was the kind that worshipped God. Bill and Rosalie were like second parents to me and, for that reason, I never questioned their advice.”

That said, he admitted to never really being comfortable with “the strict rules imposed by Christianity,” writing that he merely wanted to play rock music and was turned off by the religious standards that he felt were imposed upon him. In the end, he left the band after co-writing the first two albums, he said.

Some, like Christian commentator Dr. Michael Brown, have reacted to the revelation by calling for Christians to “pray for … restoration” for Perdikis, with the band’s co-manager, David Wagner, declining to comment on the blog post, telling the Huffington Post that Perdikis is ”a former member who we haven’t had any interaction or heard from in more than 20 years.”

Despite remaining wildly popular, none of the original members of Newsboys are still part of the group, with the last remaining original member exiting in 2009.

As for Perdikis, he’s been gone so long his name isn't even mentioned in a Billboard.com band biography, as the Huffington Post reported.

Read full article.

Peter Furler Band and Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil to Co-Headline Spring Tour

Today, Steve Taylor announced to his Kickstarter campaign backers that Peter Furler Band and Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil will co-headline a Spring tour, called The Perfect Tour. Both bands are releasing new albums this spring as well, starting with Peter Furler Band's 'Sun and Shield' on March 11 and Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil's to follow sometime in April. The Spring tour will launch April 26 and run until May 25.

Earlier today, the Jesusfreakhideout.com staff also announced their 8th annual "Highlighting" picks in which they select their most anticipated projects of the new year, and both bands placed high on the list.

Kevin Max of dc Talk and Dave Ghazarian of Superchick Join Audio Adrenaline

JFH is reporting that Audio Adrenaline which disbanded in 2007 has reformed. Original lead vocalist Mark Stuart has had vocal issues for years, which then played a part in the band's break-up.

Perhaps inspired by Newsboys' decision to recruit former dc Talk vocalist Michael Tait when Peter Furler stepped down, Audio Adrenaline has enlisted the aid of dc Talk vocal powerhouse Kevin Max to take the reins. As far as other Audio A members returning, the only original member to pick up his instrument once again is bass player Will McGinniss. Drummer Ben Cissell will not be returning, and neither will guitarist/vocalist Tyler Burkum who has been on the road with Mat Kearney (almost since Audio A disbanded in the spring of '07) and is also a member of the band Leagues.

Joining Max in the new Audio Adrenaline is former Superchick guitarist Dave Ghazarian on guitar (who also has been playing with Peter Furler's band this year) and Bleach drummer Jared Byers on drums. Byers actually filled in for Cissell on Audio A's final spring tour in 2007 when Cissell had already been committed to his first post-AA job as manager of Nashville youth club Rocketown. To make the band a quintet, solo artist Jason Walker will be providing keys and additional vocals (much like Burkum did, according to McGinniss), and recently worked with AA members Mark Stuart and McGinniss on the Know Hope Collective project.

The newly revitalized band is hoping to raise funds and awareness for the Haitian orphan ministry called The Hands and Feet Project through this new musical chapter in Audio A's history, and are hoping to hop on the festival circuit in the coming months. Audio Adrenaline is also planning a new studio album to be released in 2013!

More details about the new Audio Adrenaline will be announced soon.

Winter Jam Tour Again #1 Among All Tours

The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular has shattered its own record to become the #1 tour in the world (first quarter) for the second consecutive year. According to Pollstar's 2012 Worldwide First Quarter Ticket Sales Charts - Top 100 Tours, Winter Jam outpaced attendance for all other tours, including Cirque du Soleil - "Michael Jackson: The Immortal," Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, The Black Keys, Jason Aldean and Brad Paisley, among others.

Founded and hosted by NewSong and this year headlined by Grammy®-nominated Skillet, the 47-city tour ended April 1 and saw 32 sold-out concerts and surpassed last year's record attendance by more than 10,000, playing to a total of nearly 535,000 people.

"Being the headliner on Winter Jam was an incredible opportunity for Skillet," said the band's frontman, John Cooper. "The fans, the music, and the message were absolutely relevant and impacted people's lives each and every night. The worst part of Winter Jam was having to end the tour and go back to 'normal' life!"

In addition to headliners Skillet, this year's tour also featured Sanctus Real, former Newsboys frontman Peter Furler, Kari Jobe, Building 429, Group 1 Crew, illusionist Brock Gill, and speaker Nick Hall. In addition, the OneVerse Pre-Jam Party included performances from Dara Maclean, For King & Country and We As Human.

Following its January 6 launch in Charleston, West Virginia, The Winter Jam 2012 Tour Spectacular played to capacity audiences in some of the country’s top venues, including Atlanta’s Philips Arena; The Wolstein Center in Cleveland; Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena; the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee; and the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, where more than 20,000 were in attendance.

Since its formation by NewSong in 1995, Winter Jam has featured many of the top names in Christian music, including TobyMac, Jeremy Camp, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North and Fireflight, among others. The tour has also been instrumental in helping launch the careers of such acclaimed artists as Francesca Battistelli, Chris August and Sidewalk Prophets.

For further information, visit www.jamtour.com

The New Life of a Newsboy

After a long tenure of heading up the Newsboys, Peter Furler stepped away from non-stop touring, sold much of what he owned – cars, home, his shares in Inpop Records, a label he’d co-founded in 1999 that launched the careers of such notables as Superchick, Mat Kearney, Newworldson, Shane & Shane, among others – moved to the Gulf of Florida and took time to reflect, express himself through visual art, surf and play music just for pure enjoyment.

“I didn’t have a clue what I was doing next,” Furler reflects. “I’d been doing 100-plus shows a year, writing, then finishing a record for more than a decade. It was good, but it was a merry-go-round that was never going to stop.

So why a new record after leaving the Newsboys?

Although initially not planning to release any of the new music created during this time, the result of this redefining period led to the most joyful and uplifting music of Furler’s career.

“The songs never really stopped. They kept coming,” Furler says. “I’d take a long walk, and a song would come into my head… There is a fire shut up in my bones that I have not been able to hold in since I was a child. For me, I find its release through melody and testimony.”

Read the full article here.

Peter Furler Solo CD Delayed to June 21

Peter Furler's new CD titled On Fire has been pushed back until June 21.

EMI's press release states:
Grammy nominated and Dove award winning Peter Furler needs no introduction. His history in our industry has been well documented as the previous iconic lead voice of the Newsboys. He has not only been given our industry’s top songwriter of the year award, but also driven the sales of five Gold records and sales of over seven million albums as the unforgettable front man for Newsboys. He has written, produced and sung over 25 number one hits including classics such as "He Reigns," "Shine," "Something Beautiful," and "It is You."

This June, Peter Furler begins to write a new chapter in his history with his first solo album, which some are calling Peter's greatest work to date. Like any true artist though, Peter is merely finding an outlet after God called him to take some time away.

"There is a fire shut up in my bones that I have not been able to hold in since I was a child," says Furler. "For me, I find its release through melody and testimony." Furler's fans are eagerly anticipating what will be next from one of music’s most inspirational and charismatic artists.

Peter Furler Signs New Record Deal

Peter Furler, former lead singer of the Newsboys, announced today that he has signed a new record deal with EMI.

He retired from the Newsboys last year so he could take a break from the nonstop touring he had experienced with the Newsboys.

The new CD or first single will be titled Reach.

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.

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.