By Andy Argyrakis

THE NEWEST NEWSBOY

With rumors swirling the internet all week, it’s now official that dcTalk member turned solo star Michael Tait will be taking over for newsboys front man Peter Furler on the road. Oddly enough, Furler just recorded the group’s forthcoming album, In the Hands of God (landing on Inpop May 5), though he’s up for a much earned rest according to a statement: “I’m looking forward to focusing on the band’s studio career and spending time in my own bed after many years in a tour bus and hundreds of thousands of miles on the road.” As for Tait stepping up to the microphone, he offered the following: “For years, dcTalk and newsboys have been family and thus shared the same loyal and adoring fans… This is a definite highlight of my career and for my 20-plus years of walking with Jesus… I am humbled, proud and privileged to call myself a newsboy.”

KYLE RAE SWEET SERVICES

Earlier this week, private services were held for the family of Kyle Rae Sweet, wife of Stryper and Boston singer/solo artist Michael Sweet. As previously reported, Kyle was diagnosed with cancer in February 2007 and passed away last Thursday. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Kyle’s work as a home-school mom can be sent to:

Sweet Children’s College Fund

Sovereign Bank

50 Cohasset Avenue

Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

SARAH EVANS STORY

Faith-based country artist Sarah Evans is doing more than singing her hit songs in the studio and on stage these days. In fact, she just inked a four-book deal with publisher Thomas Nelson, who will release her debut novel later this year. Evans calls the first offering an “emotional, Southern-flavored, multi-generational tale, featuring a compelling love story,” and it also promises to have an inspirational flair, according to the company.

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