The following is an edited transcript from a live chat with The Newsboys at ChristianityToday.com on AOL, December 5, 1999:

Room capacity maxed out!

CO Emcee:
Welcome to ChristianityToday.com's interview with the Newsboys! Before we get started, I'd like to tell you how it works. We'll be starting shortly. If you have a question for the Newsboys press ? If you have a statement press ! We will try to use as many of your questions as possible. We'll accommodate as many questions as possible. Before we begin let's open in prayer.

Father, Thank you for bringing the Newsboys to us tonight! We ask that you might be glorified tonight through this chat. That the words of our mouthand our fingersmay be acceptable in your sight. We ask that you might be with each of the Newsboys as they share with us this evening. Take this time now we ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Welcome NEWSBOYS!!!!

NEWSBOYS:
It's good to be here. Fire away with your questions!

CO Emcee:
The Newsboys are a major force in Christian and pop music in the 1990s. Their music is modern, emotional, and really reaches to both churched. During the '90s, the Nashville-based quintet has become one of pop's most solidly accomplished ensembles, selling nearly three million records, earning three Grammy nominations, three gold records, four Dove awards, and numerous other accolades. Their blend of polished, energetic songcraft and resonant lyrical themes have resulted in meaningful music that engages the ears and the soul.

The NEWSBOYS quintet greets the turn of the century with their best work yet; Love, Liberty Disco-Newsboys' 8th album --a stirring piece that brings Newsboys to an exciting new pinnacle of artistry.

NEWSBOYS:
Thanks CO Emcee!

CO Emcee:
Do you have any opening comments?

NEWSBOYS:
It's good to finally have our new album out. It's been out for two weeks now and it's definitely our favorite record. We feel like it's our best to date and it came together quicker than usual for us.

CO Emcee:
EdLuvsJary says- Newsboys I love your music I am also in a band.. how did you know when to begin full time music ministry?

NEWSBOYS:
I guess there is never really a time when you know for sure. In the music ministry, you don't just pick a start time and a stop time. Play when you can and let the powers that be quide the rest. The music ministry can be as big or as small as God decides. Ideally we'd all be in stadiums, but its also needed that we play for worship in church or even just in our homes- that's glorifying to God too.

CO Emcee:
NikkeKole asks, What are your favorite songs of the album?

NEWSBOYS:
I'd have to say track 5 ("Everyone's Someone"), but they all kind of hold a special place for us.

Also, the first track (Phil). It has a beautiful sound.

I think track 5 we really like (Jeff). It's the message I think that makes it special to us. It's easy for us as people to think we are better than others. I think as a band, we have been learning the love of God and that He loves us all the same and we are not more special than anyone else. God loves us all equally that is what track 5 is about.

CO Emcee:
A question from Smigig: How did you guys get started?

NEWSBOYS:
Well, how we got started is not all that important. But on a broader scale, we all started learning our instruments young, fell in love with music and things took off from there.

Let us tell you about how our new album was launched. We went on a promo tour to Houston, Dallas, Portland, and a bunch of cites.

(Phil) We did a video and used a lot of people at the appearances as extras, so in each one of the cities we taught the audience to do this disco dance and we filmed them doing it. They were doing this goofy cliche 70's style disco with old John Travolta type moves.

CO Emcee:
Wow! That must have been fun!

NEWSBOYS:
It was fun, and the dance goes along with the song (at least in the video)

BTW the Spring 2000 tour begins mid February and we will going to 60 cities.

CO Emcee:
Mayflr87 would like to know: How much time do you actually get to spend with your families?

NEWSBOYS:
Yes we do spend quite a bit of time. Jeff says he will be going home for Christmas. Phil is from New Zealand and has family coming to Los Angeles next week, and they are going to do a lot of fun things like go to Disneyland and they'll come back and spend Christmas with me (Phil) in Nashville.

CO Emcee:
I hear you're going to put up and take your own arena on this tour. How does that work?

NEWSBOYS:
Yes, we are still in the planning stages of that right now; but its all being built and planned. It's a 3,500 ft. air-supported dome and we'll be doing the whole tour in that. Instead of having just a stage to work with, we'll have the whole building to work with so we can do even better special effects. If you listen to the Love Liberty Disco song off our new album the song is about our tour in some ways.

CO Emcee:
Wow! How many people can you seat?

NEWSBOYS:
We can seat up to 3,000. We see this tour as being more than a tour-we see us as taking church to people rather than people going to church. We have love, we have liberty and we have family. In the 70's, disco was a place where people were trying to find these things-answers and acceptance, but we as Christians have these things already! And we want to let the world in on it, so we want to bring this to the world.

CO Emcee:
WooHoo79: What are your favorite festivals to play at?

NEWSBOYS:
Certain songs connect and are our favorites. We all have favorite festivals too, for various different reasons, but really we like it all and always have a good time wherever we go.

CO Emcee:
Great! OiBoys1: Heyguys, love ya and what influences did you use for this album? Sounds like some 80's stuff, like The Police.

NEWSBOYS:
We have to laugh ha ha ha

CO Emcee:
LOL

NEWSBOYS:
You don't *use* influences. We really just begin to write songs, and write the best songs we can and its like a process of elimination. We sift through what we don't like and what we DO like, and wham bam we have itthat becomes our record. We don't set about to make a particular style of record. This album has DISCO in the title but its not all disco sound there are sounds that are retro, but not all disco.

CO Emcee:
No, there seems to be a variety of sounds and styles. IMforHim3 is asking: Which person in the Bible can you relate to the most during your walk now?

(Audience member asks when is Jody going to get his hair cut?)

NEWSBOYS:
We want to know if Jody is ever getting a hair cut too. He's saving his hair cut money and we're investing in a set of hair trimmers for him!

CO Emcee:
LOL that was the next question <G>

NEWSBOYS:
LOL sorry back to your question IMforHim3,

Recently, (Jeff) I've been looking into the life of David, a man after God's own heart. But when you look at his life, he had a lot of problems-murder, adultery, etc.

The thing I'm learning from him is that sometimes, as Christians, we feel that if we mess up God can't love us anymore. But David is a good example of God's mercy, love and grace, how God forgives and forgets and that's a powerful lesson to me.

CO Emcee:
GravityG34: NewsboysI want to thank you for your ministry in musicit has really had an impact on my life.

NEWSBOYS:
That's humbling to know. It's great to know that God can use 5 messy individuals like us, so thanks and praise God!

CO Emcee:
When does the Spring 2000 tour begin-how many cities do you plan to cover? What kind of reviews are you getting on this new album?

NEWSBOYS:
We have had unbelievable reviews on this new album. It's been very humbling to see in just two weeks how this has touched people. It's been very cool and we praise God. We will be in 60 cities for this tour-pray for us!

CO Emcee:
SMgig: What do you guys do to have fun?

NEWSBOYS:
SLEEP!!! And yesterday in San diego we rented a ski boat and went out on Mission Bay and the ocean-we had a great time. We also love dirt bikes and motorcycles and go out in the desert-we love the speeeeed =] It helps us unwind

CO Emcee:
IMforHim3: What authors besides Yancey, Shaeffer and Lewis do you recommend?

NEWSBOYS:
Collectively as a band Philip Yancey has been very influential. As individuals we all have our favorites, but really even though you say not to mention him as our favorite, he's IT. =]

CO Emcee:
Several people: Do you have a public e-mail address?

(Audience member asksdid you like Starwars?)

NEWSBOYS:
Starwars was *ok* =] I like the old school Starwars

Our website is www.newsboys.com and there is a message board and chat that goes on there all the time. So check us out at newsboys.com.

CO Emcee:
SSangervas: Why did John James leave the band?

NEWSBOYS:
He'd been on the road a long time and it was just time. He was ready to take a break, move back to Australia and stay off the road for awhile. He's now moving into speaking more.

CO Emcee:
Star Athena 1: Where was the first song on your album taken from, when the crowd sang the hymn at you concerts?

NEWSBOYS:
It's taken from an old standard church song, "Hallelujah". We finish up the concert with it. We all grew up singing it in church. Our desire at the end of the concert is to try and point the glory back to God at the end of the show. Sometimes we are not quite sure at the end that the applause is going to the right ONE, so we like to direct it back. We aren't worthy of it

CO Emcee:
Great idea! NikkeCole: What advice do you have for teens these days?

NEWSBOYS:
Hmmmwelladvice for teenswow! I think definitely remain in the Word, reading it daily. Taking time to pray daily in a quiet (truly QUIET) setting is a habit that once formed is truly invaluable. It will be worth more than any amount of money anyone could ever give you. I know that sounds basic but it's so important-so life changing.

CO Emcee:
LOL and hard to find in my house. (the quiet)

NEWSBOYS:
Yes, we hear you.

CO Emcee:
EiEiO11111: How did you guys come up with the houseplant song? It is awesome!!!

NEWSBOYS:
uhhhLOL Maybe that's Veggie Tales, not usLOL.

CO Emcee:
LOL, I was just thinking that. MegatronMF: Whats your favorite album?

NEWSBOYS:
Love Liberty and Discoof course!

CO Emcee:
LTPromos: There are alot of very talented bands that love the Lord. But because Christian music has turned into such an industry, it's hard to "get in". What are your thoughts on the "industry" of Christian music?

NEWSBOYS:
The industry is just there to facilitate getting the message out. The industry isn't always there for *all* music, which doesn't mean that those bands that do not fit in with the industry are not valid. The industry is never going to stop the message of the Gospel from getting out. The Gospel is way bigger than any industry. So keep on keepin' on.

CO Emcee:
Newsboyz24: Can you please ask them, if there will be any Funky effects on their next Tour?

NEWSBOYS:
More than ever before. The entire tour will be an effect really. We're planning to have an outdoor stage, where bands will be playing before the show, and we will use independent bands from local communities. We'll have a BMX and skateboard tour, as well as doing out door demonstrations of their skills. So the whole tour will be a spectacle designed to be attractive and non-intimidating to the non-Christians.

CO Emcee:
SSangervas: Will Steve Taylor ever sing again or will he just continue working with you in a manager role?

NEWSBOYS:
LOLOLOL

 

1. Steve Taylor NEVER sang on a Newsboys record

2. He has nothing to do with Newsboys managership

3. He's a good friend and a wonderful Christian guy.

 

Did Steve ask this???? LOL

CO Emcee:
LOL. We have time for 1 more question. JesusWurshipr: What singers and groups do you guys listen tosecular or Christian??

NEWSBOYS:
We listen to music all day long. Hard to say any certain one (we all have various different bands we enjoy-one big one is Abba).

CO Emcee:
Thank you for joining us tonight for our chat with the Newsboys. As we close will you join me in prayer for the Newsboys and their upcoming Spring concert tour. Let's pray that God uses them mightily as they travel to 60 cities.

NEWSBOYS:
Please pray that we have a good relaxing replenishing Christmas prior to going on the big tour, and we really appreciate the prayers, as we know seriously, we do feel it on the road. For as many places as we go and as many things we do, we can feel the prayersthanks!

CO Emcee:
Let's pray

Dear Lord, We thank you for bringing the Newsboys here to share with us tonight! We pray for them now in their work and ministry, that Christmas would be a time of rejuvination for them. Please refill their spirits and refresh their hearts. Give them the strength so that they will be ready and willing to go for you as they go on their tour in the Spring. Please continue to give them traveling mercies, and their families as well. We praise you for this time we've had tonight. In Jesus' name, Amen.

NEWSBOYS:
Amen. Thanks all!

CO Emcee:
Everyone say thank you to Phil and Jeff of the Newsboys for joining us here tonight!!!

NEWSBOYS:
God bless all! Thanks again and good night!

CO Emcee:
Thank you all for coming and for being patient during our technical difficulties. :)

NEWSBOYS:
No problemthanks good night all and God bless.

This has been a CO Live event, a conversation with the Newsboys. December 5, 1999. Copyright ChristianityToday.com Inc.

 

Ah, gotta love a chat with our favorite musicians. :) Well, ready to read some more chats?