Newsboys
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Newsboys is considered one of the cornerstones of contemporary Christian music. The band has been around for almost two decades, releasing fifteen albums and scoring numerous awards from both Christian and mainstream music associations. Newsboys has appeared on national and international television, performed at Pope John Paul II's World Youth Day, played in various music festivals, among many others.
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About
Newsboys was formed in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia in 1985. They later moved to the US in 1987 to pursue their musical career. The band was originally called The News, but changed their name after going to the US since another US band owned the name.
In 1988, Newsboys released their first album, Read All about It, after signing with Refuge Communications. They followed their initial release with Hell is for Wimps in 1990 and Boys Will be Boyz in 1991, both under Star Song Records. But it was their fourth release, Not Ashamed (1992), that gained attention in the Christian scene. Steve Taylor, one of CCM's legendary artist, produced their Not Ashamed record and the succeeding album, Going Public (1994). Going Public soared the band towards musical success, producing #1 hits including "Shine" and "Let It Rain." The album also gave Newsboys their first two Dove Awards, one of which is the "Rock Album of the Year" in 1995.
It was also in this album, Going Public, that the band became more cohesive, unlike the previous efforts where other players came and went. The core members John James and Peter Furler were joined by Duncan Philipps, a fellow Australian and long-time friend of James and Furler. Take Me to Your Leader(1996), the band's follow up album after Not Ashamed, continued to give Newsboys a string of #1 hits, such as "God is not a Secret," "Breakfast," and "Take Me to Your Leader." Unfortunately, John James left the band in 1997. Furler took the role from the drummer to the band's vocalist. Philipps, from being the band's keyboardist and percussionist, assumed Furler's seat as the new drummer. Jeff Frankenstein became the band's keyboardist while Phil Joel played bass.
The album released after James's departure and Furler as the new vocalist was Step Up to the Microphone (1998). The album's single, "Entertaining Angels" won the "Short Form Music Video of the Year" during the 1999 Dove Awards.
Between the years 1999-2005, Newsboys released seven more albums, including a greatest hits compilation, Shine: The Hits (2000) and a couple of praise and worship records: Adoration: The Worship Album (2003), Devotion (2004) and He Reigns: The Worship Collection (2005). In 2003, Jody Davis left the band and was replaced by Bryan Olesen. In 2006, Olesen went to focus on his own band Casting Pearls. Paul Colman, a fellow Aussie and long-time friend of Furler, replaced Olesen as guitarist.
The band released their recent album Go in October 2006 under their new label, InPop Records. Newsboys have always been a heavily evangelical band, and in this record the band has committed to continue on their mission, spreading The Music across nations, loving others of different backgrounds and beliefs, no matter the cost.
Band Members
Peter Furler - lead vocals,backing vocals, guitar, drums (1985 - Present)
Phil Joel - bass guitar,backing vocals,lead vocals (1995 - Present)
Jeff Frankenstein - keyboards (1994 - Present)
Duncan Phillips - drums, percussion (1993 - Present)
Paul Colman - guitar,backing vocals (2006 - Present)
Awards & Certifications
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | GMA Dove Awards | Rock Album of the Year, Going Public |
| 1995 | GMA Dove Awards | Rock Recorded Song of the Year, "Shine" |
| 1995 | Intl. Angel Awards | Award for Video "Shine" |
| 1997 | GMA Dove Awards | Recorded Music Packaging of the Year, Take Me to Your Leader |
| 1999 | GMA Dove Awards | Short Form Music Video of the Year, "Entertaining Angels" |
| 1999 | Billboard Music Video Awards | Best CCM Video, "Entertaining Angels" |
| 1999 | Intl. Angel Awards | Award for Video "Entertaining Angels" |
| 1999 | Nashville Music Awards | Favorite CCM Album, Step Up to the Microphone |
| 2000 | SESAC Awards | Christian Songwriter of the Year, Peter Furler |
| 2001 | GMA Dove Awards | Special Event Album of the Year, City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise (Various Artists, including Peter Furler's "Unified") |
Chart Toppers
| Year | Album | Billboard 200 Peak | Top Contemporary Christian/ Top Christian Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Not Ashamed | #11 | |
| 1994 | Going Public | #2 | |
| 1996 | Take Me to Your Leader | #35 | #1 |
| 1998 | Step Up to the Microphone | #61 | #1 |
| 1999 | Love Liberty Disco | #80 | #5 |
| 2000 | Shine: The Hits | #122 | #5 |
| 2002 | Thrive | #38 | #3 |
| 2003 | Adoration: The Worship Album | #33 | #1 |
| 2004 | Devotion | #56 | #5 |
| 2005 | He Reigns: The Worship Collection | #35 | |
| 2006 | GO | #51 | #4 |
News
Tours & Concerts
Go Tour
Jan 28, 2007 Edmonton, Al, CA (Break Forth Canada)
Jan 02, 2007 Detroit, MI (State Theater)
Feb 16, 2007 Anderson, IN (Reardon Auditorium)
Feb 17, 2007 Cedarville, OH (Cedarville University)
Feb 18, 2007 Kalamazoo, MI (Wings Stadium)
Feb 22, 2007 Bethleham, PA (Stabler Arena - Lehigh University)
Feb 23, 2007 Charleston, WV (Charleston Municipal Auditorium)
Feb 24, 2007 Williamsport, PA (Community Arts Center)
Feb 25, 2007 Grove City, PA (Grove City College Arena)
Mar 02 , 2007 Norfolk, VA (Norfolk Scope Arena-Prism Theater)
Mar 03 , 2007 Hershey, PA (Herseypark Arena)
Mar 04 , 2007 Baltimore, MD (1st Mariner Arena)
Mar 09 , 2007 Grand Forks, ND (The Allerus Center)
Mar 10 , 2007 Lincoln, NE (Pershing Center)
Mar 11 , 2007 Moline, IL (The Mark)
Mar 15 , 2007 Louisville, KY (The Palace)
Mar 16, 2007 Hoffman Estates, IL (Life Changers Intl. Church)
Mar 17, 2007 Appleton, WI (Fox Cities Performing Arts Center)
Mar 18 , 2007 Minneapolis, MN (Target Center - US Bank Theater)
Mar 22, 2007 Kennewick, WA (Toyota Center)
Mar 23 , 2007 Spokane, WA (Spokane Arena)
Mar 24 , 2007 Salem, OR (Oregon State Fair Pavillion)
Mar 25 , 2007 Everett, WA (Everett Event Center)
Mar 26, 2007 Central Point, OR (Jackson County Expo)
Mar 28 2007 Reno, NV (Lawlor Events Center - U of Nevada)
Mar 29 , 2007 Visalia, CA (Visalia Convention Center)
Mar 30 , 2007 Roseville, CA (Adventure Christian Church)
Mar 31 , 2007 Bakersfield, CA (Rabbobank Theatre)
Apr 01 , 2007 Irvine, CA (Bren Center)
Apr 05 , 2007 Pheonix, AZ (Dodge Theater)
Apr 06 , 2007 Albuquerque,NM (The Pit - U of NM)
Apr 07 , 2007 Denver, CO (Magness Arena)
Apr 11 , 2007 College Station, TX (Reed Arena - A&M College)
Apr 12 , 2007 San Antonio, TX (Municipal Auditorium)
Apr 13 , 2007 The Woodlands, TX (Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion)
Apr 14 , 2007 Pensacola, FL Grace Fest 2007
Apr 19 , 2007 Tyler, TX (Oil Palace)
Apr 20 , 2007 Alverado, TX (Come Worship Texas - Diamond W)
Apr 21, 2007 Oklahoma City, OK (Thrive Festival)
Apr 22, 2007 Poplar Bluff, MO (Black River Coliseum)
Discography
Albums
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Compilations & Live Releases
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Live One Night In Pennsylvania (NTSC/VHS) | Sparrow Records |
| 2000 | Shine: The Hits Live-One Night In Pennsylvania (DVD) | Sparrow Records |
| 2002 | Thrive: From The Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame (DVD) | Sparrow Records |
Other artists
Similar artists
Influences
Contemporaries
Trivia
- At concerts and festivals, the band often plays "Breakfast" as the final song. It has been customary for fans to purchase boxes of Captain Crunch and throw the cereal onto the stage due to the line "And Captain Crunch is waving farewell."
- During the resulting "Step Up to the Microphone" tour, the band featured the drums on a rotating platform that could tilt downward up to 90 degrees. There were two sets of drums played by Peter Furler and Duncan Philipps, both wearing seat belts so they wouldn't fall out in their rotating drum-offs. This feature is still used on their tours and has grown to be quite popular.
- Newsboys helped start and headlined the annual traveling CCM festival "Festival Con Dios" with Audio Adrenaline and The O.C. Supertones. The festival was known for featuring popular Christian bands and for its motorcross stunts.
- Newsboys' music is featured in the Christian video game Dance Praise. "Woo Hoo" from the Step Up to the Microphone album is included with the game. "You Are My King" and "It is You" can be added to the song list via the Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume I: Modern Worship. "Devotion" can be added to the game via the Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 3: Rock and Pop Hits.
