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Newsboys




  Img Peter Furler2jpg
  Img Capt Lead singer Peter Furler performing in June 2007
  Img Size <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels -->
  Background group_or_band
  Origin Mooloolaba , Queensland , Australia
  Genre Christian Rock <br> Modern Worship
  Years Active 1985–present
  Label Inpop <br> EMI CMG <br> Sparrow <br> Star Song <br> Virgin <br> Refuge
  URL newsboyscom
  Current Members Peter Furler <br> Jeff Frankenstein <br> Duncan Phillips <br> Paul Colman
  Past Members Phil Joel <br> Bryan Oleson <br>Jody Davis<br>John James<br>George Perdikis<br>Phil Yates<br>Jonathan Geange<br>Vernon Bishop<br>Sean Taylor<br>Kevin Mills<br>Corey Pryor


Newsboys is a Christian pop band. The band was formed in Australia in 1985 and has been one of the most popular and best selling Christian music artists of the past two decades.


HISTORY



Formation-1992

Newsboys' original core members, bassist Sean Taylor, vocalist John James, and drummer '', and '' Boys Will Be Boyz ''. None of the three albums garnered much attention, and the band's lineup changed with every release.


1992-2000

It wasn't until their 1992 album, '' Not Ashamed '', that the band gained notice in the Christian music scene. The title track of the album became a huge hit on Christian radio and elevated the band's profile considerably. Notably, Steve Taylor , a quirky singer well-known within the Christian music community, began a partnership with the band, producing the band's record and writing most of the lyrics for their songs; Furler remained the band's primary songwriter.

In 1994, amidst continued lineup changes, the band released '' listed "Shine" in the top ten in its ranking of the 100 Greatest Songs in Christian music. ''Going Public'' turned Newsboys into one of the top acts in Christian music.

The eagerly-anticipated follow-up, '', who had previously played keyboards and percussion for the band, became the new drummer. From 1998 to 2003, the band's lineup of Furler, bassist Phil Joel , guitarist Jody Davis , keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein , and Phillips stayed constant. At concerts and festivals such as Spirit West Coast, the band often plays "Breakfast" as the final song, and often drag out the song. It is 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". The band has been known to switch seats between each other while the other band members have a Captain Crunch fight.

When Newsboys released its first post-James record, '' would wear seat belts, so they wouldn't fall out, and have a rotating drum-off. This feature is still used on their tours and has grown to be quite popular.

The band returned in 1999 with the oddly-titled '' Love Liberty Disco '', the band's only album to majorly deviate from their pop rock sound. Featuring 60's era-inspired pop and disco, the album delivered radio single hits such as "Beautiful Sound", "Good Stuff", and "Love Liberty Disco".


2000-present

In 2000 , 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 motocross stunts.

Also in 2000, Newsboys released a greatest hits compilation, '''', which also included four new songs, two of which ("Joy" and "Who") went to #1. The band did not release any all new material until the spring of 2002 when they released '' Thrive ''. Featuring a return to pop-rock, the album also showcased one of the band's biggest hits: "It Is You".

The success of the worshipful "It Is You" perhaps paved the way for newsboys' first praise and worship album in 2003: ''''. The album soon became the band's best-selling to date, based on the strength of singles "He Reigns" and "You Are My King (Amazing Love)". Late in 2003, guitarist Jody Davis left the band to care for his sick daughter, Bethany; he was replaced by Bryan Oleson, who agreed to be a temporary replacement until the band found a replacement for Davis.

The band returned in 2004 with another worship album: '' Devotion '', led by the single, "Presence (My Heart's Desire)". The album was not nearly as successful as its predecessor, one reason arguably being the modest impact the singles had on Christian radio. In 2006, Bryan Oleson left the band to focus on his own band, Casting Pearls. Paul Colman, a respected Australian singer-songwriter and long time personal friend of Peter Furler, replaced him as guitarist.

Although the band is currently based in Nashville , its lineup remains predominantly Australian. Of the current lineup of Furler, Frankenstein, Phillips, and Colman, only Frankenstein ( Michigan ) hails from outside Australia.

The band's latest radio hits came in 2006 with a live version of " I Am Free " (originally written by Jon Egan of the Desperation Band ), and "Wherever We Go". On October 31 , 2006 , Newsboys have released their newest pop/rock record entitled '' GO '', as well as an iTunes ''GO'' EP, including the songs "Wherever We Go", "GO", and "I Am Free". The album was the band's first under their new Inpop Records label, and received strong reviews, praising the group's return to its original rock sound. "GO" featured upcoming Christian artiste David Eri as a co-writer. Their song "Something Beautiful" was a smash hit and continues to be one still, staying in the top 10 most popular songs in Christian Music.

Newsboys music is featured in the Christian Video Game '' Dance Praise ''. "Woo Hoo" from ''Step Up To The Microphone'' 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 1: Modern Worship''. "Devotion" can be added to the game via the ''Dance Praise Expansion Pack Volume 3: Rock & Pop Hits''.

On December 31 , 2006 , Phil Joel announced he was leaving the band to devote more time to family and personal goals, including his solo project, DeliberatePeople . (http://www.newsboys.com/news/123006.php). The Newsboys have said that they do not plan to replace Joel. Instead, Paul Colman will take up bass duties in the studio, while Jeff Frankenstein handles them live with a keyboard.

In May, 2007 The Newsboys announced that they will release the remixed version of the hit album GO which will include the smash hits "Wherever We Go" and "Something Beautiful." Featuring unique mixes by famed producers Tedd T., Jeff Frankenstein of newsboys, Max Hsu of Superchick and Lee Bridges.


Every Nation Ministries Links

The Newsboys have significant links to bible study called Bible Studies for a Firm Foundation. The site also included a letter from Furler describing how "doing The Purple Book" has changed him.

The Newsboys have also co-authored abook with the chief prophet of Every Nation , Jim Laffoon.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Daily-Blog-Devotions-Laffoon/dp/0310811694 A daily teaching by Laffoon, was also given prominent space on the Newsboy's webpage.Web Archive of Newsboys site from March 13, 2005 {Link without Title}


MEMBERS



FORMER MEMBERS


Lead Vocals

  • John James (1985–1997)



Guitar

  • George Perdikis (1985–1987) — Left the band before their first album, but co-wrote most of the songs on it.

  • Phil Yates (1987–1989)

  • Jonathan Geange (1990–1991, 1992) — Returned to the band briefly after Vernon Bishop left, before Jody Davis joined.

  • Vernon Bishop (1991–1992)

  • Jody Davis (1992–2003) — Left the band to spend more time with his family, and to care for his sick daughter.

  • Bryan Olesen (2003–2006) — Was only a temporary replacement until the Newsboys could find a full-time lead guitarist not tied up with another project.



Bass Guitar

  • Sean Taylor (1985–1993)

  • Kevin Mills (1993–1995) — Left the band to join White Heart ; Died in a motorbike accident on December 3, 2000.

  • Phil Joel (1995–2006) — Left band to pursue "personal interests" and ministry opportunities; Jeff Frankenstein is currently playing synth-bass on keyboards.



Keyboards

  • Corey Pryor (1988, 1990–1993)



MAJOR TOURS



DISCOGRAPHY



Singles



Albums



Extended Plays



DVDs and Videos



MUSIC VIDEOS



AWARDS & NOMINATIONS


Grammy Awards

  • 1992 Nomination for Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album

  • ---''Not Ashamed''

  • 1994 Nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album

  • ---''Going Public''

  • 1996 Nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album

  • ---''Take Me to Your Leader''

  • 2003 Nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

  • ---''Adoration: The Worship Album''



Dove Awards

  • 1994 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year

  • ---"I Cannot Get You Out of My System"

  • 1995 Award for Rock Album of the Year

  • ---''Going Public''

  • 1995 Award for Rock Recorded Song of the Year

  • ---"Shine"

  • 1995 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year

  • ---"Shine"

  • 1995 Nomination for Group of the Year

  • ---Newsboys

  • 1996 Nomination for Song of the Year

  • ---"Shine"

  • 1997 Award for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year

  • ---''Take Me to Your Leader''

  • 1997 Nomination for Rock Album of the Year

  • ---''Take Me to Your Leader''

  • 1997 Nomination for Rock Recorded Song of the Year

  • ---"God Is Not a Secret"

  • 1997 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year

  • ---"Take Me to Your Leader"

  • 1999 Award for Short Form Music Video of the Year

  • ---"Entertaining Angels"

  • 1999 Nomination for Song of the Year

  • ---"Entertaining Angels"

  • 1999 Nomination for Rock Album of the Year

  • ---''Step Up to the Microphone''

  • 1999 Nomination for Group of the Year

  • ---Newsboys

  • 2000 Nomination for Long Form Music Video of the Year

  • ---''One Night in Pennsylvania''

  • 2001 Award for Special Event Album of the Year

  • ---''City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise'' (Various Artists, including Peter Furler's "Unified")

  • 2001 Nomination for Short Form Music Video of the Year

  • ---"Love Liberty Disco"

  • 2003 Nomination for Long Form Music Video of the Year

  • ---''Thrive: Live from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame''

  • 2004 Nomination for Group of the Year

  • ---Newsboys

  • 2004 Nomination for Praise & Worship Album of the Year

  • ---''Adoration: The Worship Album''

  • 2004 Nomination for Song of the Year

  • ---"He Reigns"

  • 2004 Nomination for Worship Song of the Year

  • ---"He Reigns"

  • 2005 Nomination for Praise & Worship Album of the Year

  • ---''Devotion''



Billboard Music Video Awards

  • 1999 Award for Best CCM Video

  • ---"Entertaining Angels"



Intl. Angel Awards

  • 1995 Award for Video

  • ---"Shine"

  • 1999 Award for Video

  • ---"Entertaining Angels"



Nashville Music Awards

  • 1999 Award for Favorite CCM Album

  • ---''Step Up to the Microphone''

  • 2000 Nomination for Contemporary Christian Album of the Year

  • ---''Love Liberty Disco''



SESAC Awards

  • 2000 Award for Christian Songwriter of the Year

  • ---Peter Furler



EXTERNAL LINKS