It’s been a long time since we’ve heard the original voice of the Newsboys, and honestly, I thought we never would. After leaving the band following a spiral of bad decisions, the Newsboys kept moving forward. New eras came, and their story continues to be written. But for those of us who remember those first tours, it’s still that guy with the shaved head in the shiny suit who comes to mind first, and it may not be the one you’re thinking of. Before Peter Furler ever stepped out from behind the drum kit, a different voice was already stepping up to the microphone. He was a loud, brash, thick-accented Aussie, with some wild dance moves: John James.

Albums like Not Ashamed, Going Public, and Take Me to Your Leader still hold up as some of the best that came out of 90s CCM, but life has a way of intervening, and a long season of darkness stood between us and new music. Now, decades later, John James is back with a new solo album alongside an autobiography, Newsboy: My Story of Hope and Second Chances, that traces his journey from sold-out arenas to personal chaos, and what eventually led his heart to start asking “What’s my motivation?” It’s a story rooted in failure, restoration, and the long road back to faith.

“I’m excited to share something deeply personal — my new book (and album born out of grace, healing, and second chances.” The book, releasing June 2 through Broadstreet Publishing, tells the story in full. “From growing up in Australia, to the rise of the Newsboys, to losing my way at the height of success — and ultimately, to the redemptive road that brought my life, faith, and calling back together again.”

James frames his story not as a career comeback, but the path to finding redemption and peace in your own story.   “This is not just a story of falling and rising again. It’s a message of hope for anyone who has ever felt too far gone, too broken, or too ashamed to believe God could still use them.” A new book is nice, but for us fans of the music, a new solo album came just as much as a surprise to James as it is to us. “I’m releasing something I never imagined would happen again — my first new music in nearly 30 years since leaving the Newsboys. The album is titled God of the Second Chance, and every song flows from the same journey of redemption, healing, and renewed purpose.”

I’ve heard the record. There are moments where it feels like stepping back in time, in the best way. The title track, “God of the Second Chance,” could easily pass for an unreleased cut from those early sessions. Could we really be hearing the follow up to Take Me To Your Leader 30 years later? The voice is still there, and he sounds exactly the same.

Instead of a traditional release, James is doing something different.

“To celebrate the book’s release, I want to gift the entire unreleased album to anyone who pre-orders the book. Simply send a screenshot of your Amazon pre-order to ([email protected]) and I’ll reply with a private download link to the full album.”

It’s not a marketing move. It feels personal.

“Thank you for believing in this story and this mission. If my journey proves anything, it’s that God is never finished with us — no matter how far we’ve fallen or how long we’ve been away.”

Maybe the shiny suit stays in the closet this time… unless I have anything to do with it.

I’m just excited to see him put in the good works and then let him glorify the Lord.

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