I had the pleasure of seeing the Newsboys for the sixth time in less than two years on October 14th at in Keyser, West Virginia. One would think I would get tired of them, but their electrifying concert never disappoints. The concert was held at Potomac State College, before a few hundred enthusiastic fans. Opening up with the energetic title cut from their fourth and latest project Not Ashamed, the Boys, who have undergone some personnel changes recently, didn't let up for almost two hours. Newcomers Jody Davis on guitar (dubbed as having the "best hair in Christian music") and Duncan Phillips on keys seemed right at home during the energetic set.

The show featured most of the songs from Not Ashamed, like the moving "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus/Where You Belong;" as well as from their previous project Boys Will Be Boyz, like the rocking "Kingdom Man." The inspired altar call saw a large percentage of the mostly college-age crowd at this state school come forward to accept Christ for the first time or rededicate their hearts. The night ended with the encore and repeat performance of "I'm Not Ashamed," with drummer Peter Furler's now-famous rotating drum riser in action with a new twist - he stands up in it now.

The Newsboys are known as one of the best live acts around, and if you get a chance to catch them (the Not Ashamed tour continues until the end of the year) you will find out why.

Erik Sellin

From TleM/Lighthouse Magazine, December '93