Ex-Newsboys Producer Says ‘the Whole Things Needs to Burn’
A former producer for the Newsboys is opening up about his time with the group and offering candid insights into the state of the Christian music industry. Steve Taylor worked as a producer with the Newsboys for multiple albums as well as a filmmaker on music videos for several artists, including the Newsboys, Rich Mullins, and Sixpence None the Richer.
Taylor worked with the Newsboys before Michael Tait joined the group, but said he never observed anything improper during his time with the band. Tait is the band’s former lead singer who has been accused of sexual misconduct. He left the Newsboys earlier this year.
He made the comments during an interview with Christianity Today’s Mike Cosper.
“I never saw any hint of any kind of weirdness or impropriety or anything like that,” Taylor said, according to Church Leaders. “They were big practical jokers. They loved to race go-karts or go to paintball things. They loved all that kind of stuff. And even though I’ve not had as much contact with them, I still hold them in high regard.”
Taylor said he found the allegations against Tait “very distressing.” He also believes CCM is filled with both good and bad actors.
“I’ve been on both sides of the music industry, mainstream and Christian,” Taylor said. “When people tell me that there’s no difference, I say, ‘Oh, really. Well, then you haven’t worked in the mainstream music business,’ because my experience in the mainstream music business -- and I’ve worked with some good people as well -- but there is no backstop. You not only have to wonder if what someone is telling you is the truth or not, but you have to wonder if they’re deliberately lying to you to get what they want. And that has typically not been my experience in Christian music. Most people I’ve worked with were upright and honest.”
He added, “I have no doubt that there are bad players and there are people who get into Christian music for the wrong reasons. It would be naive to think otherwise.”
It is, Taylor added, “utter nonsense to believe that Newsboys’ management were unaware of Tait’s alleged abuse.”
“What are we talking about here? It was really disgusting,” Taylor said. He described the situation as a “a cover-up of, like, mafia-like crap, and the whole thing needs to burn.”
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Tibrina Hobson/Stringer
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published July 07, 2025.
