The Newsboys dropped by record label following Tait revelations

Record label Capitol Christian Music Group has dropped The Newsboys from their roster because of this of the Michael Tait scandal.

Tait, who was previously the lead singer within the Newsboys, was accused in an investigation by The Roys Report of drug use, and of grooming and sexually assaulting young men in incidents stretching back over 20 years. 

Tait stood down from The Newsboys in January, before the allegations were made. However, following the accusations, he admitted that the allegations were “largely true”.

“For some 20 years, I used and abused cocaine, consumed far an excessive amount of alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way. I’m ashamed of my life selections and actions, and make no excuses for them. I’ll simply call it what God calls it — sin,” he said. 

“I’m ashamed to confess that for years I even have lied and deceived my family, friends, fans, and even misled my bandmates about elements of my life. I used to be, for essentially the most part, living two distinctly different lives.

“I used to be not the identical person on stage Sunday night that I used to be at home on Monday. I used to be violating every thing I used to be raised to consider by my God-fearing Dad and Mom, about walking with Jesus and was grieving the very God I loved and sang about for many of my life. By His grace, I can say that for the past six months, I even have lived a singular life—considered one of utter brokenness and total dependence on a loving and merciful God.”

While The Roys Report claims that the allegations against Tate had been circulating for many years and were “Nashville’s worst kept secret”, Tait’s former bandmates claim to have been completely unaware of his behaviour. 

Speaking at Elevate Music Festival at Highlands Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, Adam Agee, who took over from Tait because the band’s lead singer, told the group that the band had been dropped by its record label, Capitol Christian Music Group, because of this of the Tait scandal.

The Newboys have also had their music taken off air at various radio stations and have been cancelled by various venues and promoters, he said. 

Agee told the group, “It was so shocking to us, because that’s not the guy we knew … The guy that we knew, that we’ve been on the road with, he was our family. He was our brother, and a friend to our families, to our children …

“It just has been devastating to us, and our families have felt like our names (have) been dragged through the mud due to all this, and it’s really, really hurt our children.”