Home > Music > Artists
dc Talk
| Genre: |
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Pop, Rock, Urban/R&B |
| Members: |
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Toby McKeehan (vocals), Michael Tait (vocals), Kevin Max (vocals) |
| For fans of: |
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Red Hot Chili Peppers, Seal, Faith No More, Color Me Badd |
| Label: |
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Forefront Records |
 Discography
Solo (2001)
Intermission: The Greatest Hits (2000)
Supernatural (1998)
Welcome To the Freak Show (1997)
Jesus Freak (1995)
Free At Last (1992)
Nu Thang (1990)
dc Talk (1989)
If you like this artist, try …
tobyMac, Tait, Kevin Max, John Reuben, Pete Stewart, Skillet
INTERVIEW
10 Years of Free at Last
courtesy of Forefront Records
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of dc Talk's landmark recording with special downloads and audio / video excerpts.
[ Go to more interviews ]
 REVIEW
Solo
ChristianityToday.com
If you simply can't wait until the release of the solo albums from all three members of dc Talk this summer/fall, here's a sampler of what you can expect.
[ Go to more reviews ]
Biography (courtesy of Forefront Records)
Like modern-day musical Lewis and Clarks, the three members of dc talk have spent more than a decade exploring uncharted territory and expanding our notions of the world. Along the way, this acclaimed and best-selling band of pioneering musicians has transformed the Christian music industry and broken down the walls. Their albums have mixed rock, rap and pop in previously unimaginable ways, winning numerous Grammy and Dove awards in the process. Their energetic concerts have continually broken new ground for rock performance and theatrics. Their video and film projects have expanded the boundaries of music and movies. And their rock-solid commitment to creatively proclaming Jesus's message to millions of young people who are trying to make their way in our turbulent times has continued to amaze Christian critics.
Now, with the release of intermission: the greatest hits, Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait and Kevin Max are taking time to reflect on the many miles they have traveled and the many musical and ministry milestones they have passed. Featuring classic award-winning cuts like "Jesus Freak" and "Between You and Me," along with two brand new songs — "Sugar Coat It" and "Chance" — intermission does what its name implies: it signifies the end of a drama's opening act and lets the audience catch its breath for what's coming up next. dc talk has already achieved so much in such a short time. But the band isn't resting on its laurels. And contrary to recurring rumors, it isn't breaking up. Rather, Toby, Michael and Kevin are taking a moment to stop, look back, and celebrate the mysteries of both God and the music biz before heading out on their next exciting venture into uncharted territory.
Toby McKeehan
Toby McKeehan spent his childhood growing up in the Washington D.C. area, not far from where he went to college at Lynchburg, Virginia's Liberty University. It was during his time at Liberty that Toby met fellow dc Talk members Michael Tait and Kevin Max. Ten years and six albums later, just as dc Talk has evolved musically, Toby's own life and career have become quite diversified.
While he records and tours extensively with dc Talk, Toby also focuses much of his time and energy developing and producing other artists on his own record label, Gotee Records. Since the label's inception in 1994, Gotee's roster has grown to include such acts as Out of Eden, Grits, Jennifer Knapp, Sonicflood, The Katinas, and others. Gotee also houses 40 Records, a newly created modern praise & worship venture between Toby and Christian music veteran Bill Gaither. In 1997, Toby joined his manager Dan Pitts and Gotee President Joey Elwood in the formation of the E.R.A.C.E. Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting racial reconciliation. E.R.A.C.E. became a natural fit for dc Talk's platform because the topic of reconciliation is one that is close to the hearts of Toby, Michael and Kevin.
On a personal note, Toby and his wife of four years, Amanda, became proud parents in 1998. Truett Foster McKeehan was born on September 4, 1998. Along with a day-to-day relationship with God, Toby's family is the most important element in his life, and he admits that it has changed him only for the better. "The impact Amanda and Truett have made on me has been great," he shares. "The focus I have on my life has been so intensely adjusted, and I'm grateful for that. I love what I do, but the other people in my life are so important to me and I never want to take that for granted."
Michael Tait
Michael Tait admits he is a true "people person," a trait he most likely acquired while growing up in Washington, D.C. in a house full of siblings—five sisters and three brothers. He watched his sisters sing in church throughout his childhood, but Michael's involvement in music didn't come until later in high school, and then in college at Liberty University, where he met fellow dc Talk members Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max. Within the span of their 10-year relationship, dc Talk has now recorded a total of six albums.
When he's not in the recording studio or on the road with Toby & Kevin, Michael has been spending more and more time developing his songwriting and production skills. Some of his side musical projects have included performing a couple of years ago with his own solo band, Curious George; co-producing and co-writing the song "My Will" for the Exodus album; and most recently, producing Forefront artist Pete Stewart's solo album. He also worked with close friends Brian White and Chad Chapin on the album Talk Show Circuit, co-writing some of the songs and singing background vocals on most of them. The album, recorded under the band name Crowd of Faces, is available at Christian bookstores everywhere.
Some of Michael's favorite pastimes include "extreme" sports of every kind. He enjoys rock climbing and mountain biking, but one of his main loves is snowboarding, which has taken him to the mountains of Colorado, Utah, Idaho and even Switzerland. Even in his hometown of Nashville, you'll often find him on the back of his Harley Davidson motorcycle riding with friends.
Over the past couple of years, Michael has dealt with tragedy in his life with the passing of his sister and his father, Nathel. Michael has always been very close to his father and credits him for much of his own outlook on life. His dad grew up an African American in Alabama, and encountered different forms of racism on a regular basis. In fact, Nathel's grandfather was killed by the Ku Klux Klan. Through it all, Michael says his father could have easily come through life with feelings of racially motivated bitterness or hatred, but instead he set an example for his family to love all people—with no regard to race or color. "My dad was just a lover of people and of life," Michael says. "I'm definitely thankful of that gift from God that my dad passed on to me—to appreciate people and to want to stretch the boundaries and do things that others may not always think about, whether it be in conversations or establishing new friendships. That's how I know God is in my life, because he has given that passion to me."
Kevin Max
Kevin Max was raised just outside of suburban Grand Rapids, Michigan, where music was a big part of his childhood. He began singing when he was only four years old. "I remember being carted around to schools, churches and radio programs, even at that age," Kevin recalls. "I've always been a singer for as long as I can remember."
Kevin spent a lot of time singing with music groups on campus at Liberty University, where he eventually met band mates Toby McKeehan and Michael Tait, and formed dc Talk. The three have now been performing for more than 10 years, yielding six albums to their credit.
Kevin has been married to his wife Alayna since August of 1997, and the two now make their home in Nashville, Tennessee. When he isn't recording or on the road with dc Talk, Kevin is perfecting his art of writing poetry, a hobby he began in high school and has brought to fruition over the last several years. Some of Kevin's best poems have been published in a book entitled At the Foot of Heaven, and he has just completed a new poetry book to be released soon. Additionally, his current activities include work on an upcoming solo album and solo performance dates. Keep up with Kevin at his website www.kevinmax.com.
Interviews
10 Years of Free at Last
"What Rap Does Right," CT interview with Toby McKeehan, 1/08/01
Christianity Today 12/06/99, Elegy For a Jesus Freak
ChristianityToday.com interview with Michael Tait
Campus Life May/Jun 1999, My Dad My Hero
Campus Life Nov/Dec 1998, Out of This World
Campus Life May/Jun 1998, So What Would Jesus Do?
Reviews
ChristianityToday.com, Solo, April 2001
ChristianityToday.com, Intermission: The Greatest Hits
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