***Original Post: 3/9/09: 8:53 AM ***
***UPDATED 3/9/09 6:00 PM ***
I told this morning that I got a tip early today from my friend, Mark Weber, host of the ChristianMusicDaily.com, who said he heard that Peter Furler was leaving the Newsboys and that former dcTalk member Michael Tait was taking over as lead vocalist.
At a show in Texas last night it was announced that Michael Tait was taking over as lead vocalist of the Newsboys, and we’ve all been waiting for confirmation.
Well, it came this afternoon.
WOW. THAT’S at total shocker!

According to the press release, Furler will focus his energies on songwriting and producing future Newsboys projects.
Wes Campbell, Newsboys manager explains, “While 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 1990s that in 2009 our paths would cross once again. It’s an exciting time for all of us.”
There wasn’t anything more specific about why Peter Furler either needed or requested to be replaced on the road, although he is quoted in the release as saying, “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.” So from what it sounds like, technically, Furler’s not leaving the band, just handing over the frontman reins to Tait?

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. The release also says taht in the coming days Peter release a personal statement on the band’s website in more detail.
So what do you think of the news? Is Michael Tait a good replacement? Is the Newsboys still the Newsboys without Peter Furler front and center on stage, even if he’s still at the helm behind the scenes?
And head over to this post for a Christian Music Poll: Should The Newsboys Change Their Name?
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