Newsboys Dropped by Record Label Following Singer’s Confession (REPORTS)

Newsboys have reportedly been dropped from their record label, as the fallout widens following vocalist Michael Tait’s bleak social media confession.

Earlier this month, US singer Tait posted an open letter in which he confirmed allegations that he had groped young men and committed abuse.

Formed in Australia, now based in the United States, Newsboys have enjoyed success on the Christian music circuit, and impacted the Billboard charts with signature songs “We Believe,” “Born Again”, “God’s Not Dead” and others.

When the group performed at Arizona’s Elevate Music Festival on Sunday, June 22nd, without Tait in the lineup, the band members revealed they’d been cut from Capitol Christian Music Group roster.

“As a result of all this, and the things that have come out that he’s done, he’s confessed, we’ve been dropped from our record label,” said Adam Agee, who now sings for the outfit.

“We had radio stations pull our music and we’ve been canceled by promoters and venues all over the world,” he continued, according to Variety. “But not tonight,”

Agee stepped into the void left by Tait’s abrupt exit from the lineup in January.

The label did not respond to Variety‘s request for confirmation, though Newsboys are no longer listed on Capitol’s website.

“A couple of weeks ago, our world was rocked by the devastating news about what that confession and what that double life really was,” Agee reportedly told the crowd in Arizona.

“We were shocked because in January, he had mentioned a few things about substance abuse and some personal struggles he was having at home when he wasn’t on the road, but never anything of the magnitude of what we read and what was reported and never anything, ever just anything, that could have made us ever think that he could possibly be a danger to others or anything like that.”

Tait split in January after fronting the group for 16 years. On June 10, the singer posted an open letter on his socials.

“Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true,” he wrote.

“For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way. I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it — sin. I don’t blame anyone or anything but myself. While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them…

The remaining members promptly issued a joint statement. “Last night our hearts were shattered when we read the news alleging drug abuse and inappropriate sexual actions by our former lead singer, Michael Tait. While Michael has not addressed these allegations, we are devastated even by the implications,” their message reads.

“First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims who have bravely shared their stories. If you are a victim, we urge you to come forward. We absolutely do not condone any form of sexual assault.”

Their message concludes, “When he left the band in January, Michael confessed to us and our management that he ‘had been living a double-life’ but we never imagined that it could be this bad.”

With Tait on the outer, the band is touring with the lineup of Agee, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein, and Jody Davis, all of whom signed the joint statement.

Newsboys are said to be one of the most successful bands in Christian music history, with more than 10 million sales across north of 20 studio collections, plus four Grammy Award nominations, two American Music Award noms and multiple Dove Awards.