Print edition: 
Replacing the lead singer of an established band is never easy. Most vocalists write the songs and are the face of the act, so inserting someone new as the figurehead isn't done lightly.
Michael Tait, who recently succeeded Peter Furler as the singer of the Newsboys, was excited when he scored his new gig in 2009. However, the former lead vocalist of DC Talk had some butterflies before he made his debut at a Newsboys concert.
"There was a little bit of fear because you want to be accepted," Tait said in a phone interview from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "But I was confident. I heard it from some fans. They said they were a little nervous until they heard the first song. After the show ended, they were totally cool with me being the Newsboys vocalist. Who could blame them for being nervous? The Newsboys have been around a long time and have accomplished so much."
The band, which will headline Winter Jam Sunday at Intrust Bank Arena, has been one of the most popular Christian pop-rock bands since it formed in Australia in 1985.
What made the transition relatively easy for Tait is that he has been friends with the members of the Newsboys — guitarist Jody Davis, keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein and drummer Duncan Phillips — for years.
"We've known each other for a very long time and it's always been good between us," Tait said. "We're pals and the other good thing is that if you're a Newsboys fan, you were probably a DC Talk fan, so it's not as if the fans of this band don't know me. I'm a familiar face. It's just a matter of getting used to me singing these songs and that's a privilege I don't take lightly."
The Newsboys are touring behind their latest album, "In the Hands of God," which was released last May. The disc, which was recorded with Furler as vocalist, is a straightforward rock album.
"The album hits hard lyrically and musically," Tait said. "I'm so fortunate to start out with this band with such an album. Peter did such a great job. I'm just the next guy."
Furler left the band to focus on his family and songwriting.
"He just felt it was his time to move on," Tait said. "You have to respect that. I got Peter's seal of approval. He has seen our show and he told me, 'Tait, the show is fantastic.' I can't believe this is all happening. All I can say is that I tremble at the power of God. Who could have ever guessed that I would join this band? It's incredible."
Tait foresees himself as a longtime Newsboy. "I've done DC Talk, the solo thing and now I'm ready to wrap myself all around this for many years," he said. "It's a gift that I have this opportunity. I'm going to make the most of it."
