20 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About: Michael Tait

We already know what Michael Tait thinks if people label him a “Jesus Freak.” But what unusual facts could we uncover about this soulful rock star from dc Talk and front man for his current outfit, Tait? Plenty! Read on and find out a few obscurities about the artist who’s been spending his spare time holed up in the studio for the second Tait record and is also set to portray Jesus in the upcoming rock opera Hero.

20. Riding his Harley = stress relief.
Forget that bowl of Ben & Jerry’s or lighting an aromatherapy candle if Michael Tait is having a stressful day. For him, stress relief is just a Harley ride away. “When you are on a Harley, you are as carefree as possible,” he muses. “The stress rolls away as you thunder down the road. You’re feeling all powerful just for the moment. I love the vintage look. It’s a Cadillac version of a bike.”

19. Why just ski when you can snowboard?
Although he’s admitted in a few online interviews that his dad encouraged him to stay away from sports because “he was such a little guy growing up,” snowboarding in the Alps is a hobby he can’t get enough of.

18. Michael and Toby competed early on in a voice-off and …
Many years before dc Talk would become a household name in the Christian rock scene, Michael and Toby participated in the same state vocal competition where Toby sang in an octet, and Michael showed off his pipes in a solo endeavor. Final result? Toby’s group placed third, and Michael won the competition.

17. Tales from the dating crypt
As the only bachelor in dc talk, Michael has apparently let the “right one” get away on several occasions. That’s the word on the street, according to his sisters, anyway. “My worst dating experience was having five sisters critiquing each girl I dated, and then telling me I let the right one get away when we broke up.”

16. Now about that balloon mortgage…
In need of a five-bedroom bungalow on the lake? Michael Tait could’ve helped you with that if he hadn’t pursued music. Tait once dreamed of a possible career as a real estate salesman; and, believe it or not, he also considered doing voice-over work in Hollywood. Paging Nemo.

15. Passport, please?
Michael Tait loves to travel and has more stamps on his passport than most of us. It sure doesn’t hurt to have a job like his when it comes to seeing the world. But in all his years of checking suitcases, he’s yet to check out the culture of one particular locale: Russia.

14. And now a message for the fans…
Tait, Michael’s band in the solo phase of his career, is known for having pretty enthusiastic admirers that send all kinds of goodies to the guys. And while he certainly appreciates all the tokens of affection, he has just one piece of advice: “We don’t open mail quickly, and homemade food doesn’t ship well.”

13. Fly fishing, anyone?
If you live just outside of Nashville, you’re quite likely to catch Michael and his Tait cohorts at the movies on a day off. But even with all the recent summer blockbusters hitting the big screen, Michael’s all-time favorite movie is still the fly-fishing classic "A River Runs Through It."

12. Michael’s putting the “quiet” back in quiet times.
While he’s apt to crank up the decibels during a show, Michael says he enjoys a little quiet time when he’s in his car. “Talking to God is very informal for me,” he says.

11. More mangos, fewer cell phone calls.
In a story published on christianmusicplanet.com, Michael says his plan in the next 10 years is: “Living in Brazil with the wife and kids and eating mangos at my thatched beach hut. I want to live in a warm climate. Hopefully, I will still be rocking out and making less calls on the cell phone.”

10. Now for the latest Homecoming video — Michael Tait style.
Did you know that before becoming “heavenbound,” Michael’s first audition was a little less rap and a little more Southern gospel? For the record, his first gig was trying out for the Gaither Vocal Band.

9. Tell me you’re a Politik.
And yes, that’s the correct spelling of the word for any readers who may not be Coldplay fans. Michael is a big fan of the band, and in the case of a chance meeting with front man Chris Martin, he’d pass along these words of wisdom: “I think my background vocals would really showcase your voice.”

8. Tait reveals a few good beauty secrets.
In order to keep his braided locks and luminous skin in tip-top shape, Michael says it’s all about conditioner and moisturizer. “This will keep you from getting dry skin,” he reports.

7. Nosh ’til you drop.
If you’re Michael Tait, what menu do you most like to read? While he’s in Nashville, it’s the cuisine featured at The Boundry. He also claims to have a weakness for Swedish fish when he’s going the junk food route.

6. Dream a little dream.
In several online finds, Tait describes himself: “I’m a dreamer; I like to be in that environment to do that. It’s like an ‘X-Files’ sort of feeling. It’s eerie; but I like it.”

5. Music makes the artists come together.
And in his case, several artists have collaborated with Tait in some fashion over the course of his career, including: Michael W. Smith, Susan Ashton, Aaron Jeffrey, the now defunct Reality Check, Jaci Velasquez, Point of Grace, Pete Stewart, Heather Miller, Everyday Sunday, Newsboys and Third Day.

4. All his troubles seemed so far away…
In his musical tenure, Michael has penned some memorable songs that Christian music fans won’t forget any time soon. But what from musical history does he most wish he’d actually written? “Yesterday” by the Beatles is his top pick.

3. Reading with a purpose.
Like many Christians these days, Michael Tait is learning about life with purpose by reading Rick Warren’s bestseller, "A Purpose Driven Life" (Zondervan). He also credits "Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul" (Thomas Nelson) as a current must-read in his literary collection and enjoys The Message translation of the Bible.

2. News of the weird
Of all the questions he’s often asked, his baby-smooth arms remain a point of contention as “Do you shave your arms?” is the most popular query.

1. A call to arms
Speaking of arms, like Nicole C. Mullen, Michael Tait claims he doesn’t work out to achieve such toned results. “The only workout I get is working out in the kitchen eating,” he says. Must be rough!

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