Newsboys Biography

Newsboys formed in 1985 in Mooloolaba, Australia by Peter Furler and George Perdikis.

Newsboys in the Early Days

For the first two years after they formed, the band we now know as Newsboys was called The News, and they played shows in church basements and in pubs in their native Australia. They released one indie album and that was enough to get the attention of Refuge Communications. After signing with Refuge in 1987, they came to the U.S. and changed their name to The Newsboys to avoid conflict with Huey Lewis and the News.

Major Label Days

In 1990, the group signed with Star Song and went on to release their next seven albums with the label. By album number three, the band was getting attention. A partnership with musician, songwriter and producer Steve Taylor took them to the next level. EMI/Sparrow bought Star Song and the new driving force helped push the band even farther.

Newsboys Members

• Jody Davis - guitar
• Michael Tait - vocals
• Jeff Frankenstein - keys
• Duncan Phillips - drums

Former Newsboys Members

• Peter Furler - drums followed by vocals (1985 - 2009) - Peter is a successful solo artist
• George Perdikis - guitar (1985 - 1990)
• John James - vocals (1986 - 1998) - John is an evangelist and co-founder of i-REACH International
• Sean Taylor - bass (1986 - 1994) - Sean is now a teacher
• Phil Yates - guitar (1987 - 1989) -
• Corey Pryor - keys (1989 - 1990 and 1991 - 1993) - Corey is back in Australia, working as a producer, music director and consultant
• Jonathan Geange - guitar (1990 - 1991) - Jonathan teaches guitar through SupaStarGuitar
• Vernon Bishop - guitar (1991 - 1992)
• Kevin Mills - bass (1994 - 1995) - Died on December 3, 2000 after a motorcycle accident
• Phil Joel (Urry) - bass (1995 - 2006) - After a successful solo career, Phil and his wife founded the ministry deliberatePeople
• Bryan Olesen - guitar (2003 - 2006) - Bryan is a founding member of VOTA
• Paul Colman - guitar (2006 - 2009) - Paul is a successful solo artist

Discography

• Hallelujah For The Cross, 2014
• Restart, 2013 
• God's Not Dead, 2011
• Christmas! - A Newsboys Holiday EP, 2010
• Born Again, 2010
• In The Hands Of God, 2009
• newsboys live: Houston We Are GO, 2008 
• The Greatest Hits, 2007
• Go | Remixed, 2007
• Go, 2006 
• He Reigns: The Worship Collection, 2005
• Devotion, 2004
• Adoration: The Worship Album, 2003 - Certified RIAA Gold
• Thrive, 2002
• Shine - The Hits, 2000 - Certified RIAA Gold
• LoveLibertyDisco, 1999
• Step Up to the Microphone, 1998 - Certified RIAA Gold
• Take Me To Your Leader, 1996 - Certified RIAA Gold
• Going Public, 1994 - Certified RIAA Gold
• Not Ashamed, 1992
• Boys Will Be Boyz, 1991
• Hell Is For Wimps, 1990
• Read All About It, 1988
• He's Coming Back, 1987

Newsboys #1 Radio Singles:

• "Born Again"
• "Way Beyond Myself"
• "Save Your Life"
• "Something Beautiful"
• "You Are My King (Amazing Love)"
• "He Reigns"
• "Million Pieces"
• "It Is You"
• "Joy"
• "Entertaining Angels"
• "Woo Hoo"
• "Believe"
• "Step Up To The Microphone"
• "Take Me To Your Leader"
• "Reality"
• "Let It Go"
• "Good Stuff"
• "Beautiful Sound" 
• "Shine"
• "Spirit Thing"
• "Truth & Consequences"
• "Real Good Thing"
• "Not Ashamed"
• "One Heart"

Awards and Other Media

They haven't just been on our radios. Newsboys has been featured on TV and in print.

TV Features:

• "CBS Sunday Morning"
• "CNN Headline News"
• "Crook & Chase"
• "Entertainment Tonight"
• "Good Morning America"
• "Good Morning Australia"
• "Nightline Australia"
• "WGN Morning Show"
• CBN
• CNBC
• Daystar TV
• E!
• ESPN II
• Life Today
• PAX Concert
• PBS
• VH1

Print Features:

• Album Network
• Arizona Republic
• Chicago Tribune
• Dallas Morning News
• Details
• Detroit Free Press
• ELLE - Australian
• Entertainment Weekly
• Forbes
• Guitar Player
• HITS
• Los Angeles Times
• Modern Drummer
• Motorcross Journal
• Newsweek
• Pollstar
• RayGun
• Rolling Stone
• San Francisco Chronicle
• Sydney Morniing Herald
• Teen
• Teen People
• The Australian
• USA Today

Newsboys Awards:

• 2003 - CCM Magazine Reader's Choice - Favorite Artist of the Year
• 2000 - SESAC Christian Songwriter of the Year (Peter Furler)
• 1999 - Billboard Music Video Award - Best CCM Video ("Entertaining Angels")
• 1999 - CCM Magazine Reader's Poll Awards - Favorite Song ("Entertaining Angels") and Favorite Live Performers
• 1999 - Crosswalk.com Internet Poll Awards - Favorite Song ("Entertaining Angels") and Favorite Video ("Entertaining Angels")
• 1999 - International Angel Award - Video ("Entertaining Angels")
• 1999 - Dove Awards - Short Form Music Video ("Entertaining Angels")
• 1998 - Nashville Music Award - Favorite CCM Album (Step Up To The Microphone)
• 1997 - Dove Awards - Recorded Music Packaging (Take Me To Your Leader)
• 1995 - International Angel Award - Video ("Shine")
• 1995 - Dove Awards - Rock Recorded Single ("Shine")
• 1995 - Dove Awards - Rock Album (Going Public)

In addition to these numerous wins, Newsboys have also received 17 more Dove Award nominations and four Grammy nominations.