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Meet DC Talk

Toby, Kevin, and Michael met in the mid-1980s as students at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. They were roommates for most of their college years. Michael shares, “Toby, Kevin and I met and became friends in college, before we ever started pursuing music together…Being on stage together…we’re up there as band members and best friends. We call it ‘living integration.’ It's right there in front of people, and it tends to have impact that words alone never have.”

dc Talk’s First Words
After releasing their eponymous debut album in 1989, the trio’s second album, Nu Thang, released in 1991, went gold. 1992's Free At Last set the stage for Jesus Freak's watershed artistic and commercial success. However after releasing Free at Last the band decided to take some time off. Kevin Smith describes this period: “I think that the years since the release of Free At Last have been a time of definition and maturity for us. We all took some time off and pursued other creative outlets. Michael did a lot of songwriting, Toby launched Gotee Records, and I published a book. When we came back together to do dc Talk, it was with a fresh perspective and a fresh energy.” Toby McKeehan explains the subsequent success of Jesus Freak: “Dc Talk has always been a pop group about expressing our faith and we always will be, but we've followed our collective artistic pull a lot more on Jesus Freak. We've experimented with elements that span the full range of the musical spectrum.”

The Future of dc Talk
Perhaps more than any other group in recent years, dc Talk has proven that unabashed Christianity and widespread musical appeal are mutually compatible goals. Judged by virtually any standard, the group has already come a long way: two Grammy Awards, two platinum albums, a gold album, multiple Dove Awards, and a Billboard Award. Recently, Christianity Today recognized the members of dc Talk as three of the “Top 50 Up & Coming Evangelical Leaders in the United States under the age of 40.” But, dc Talk’s acclaim has come from the secular market as well. The Chicago Tribune wrote that dc Talk, “Defies bumper-sticker description. And in considering the group's artistic merits, it's time to bury the over-burdened label 'Christian Band.’ Like Van Morrison or U2 -- bands with strong Christian themes running throughout their music -- dc Talk deserves to be judged by a different standard.”
Their latest album, Supernatural, was released in September 1998 as the most anticipated Christian project of the year.

Some Facts about Toby, Michael, and Kevin
  • Tobias “Toby” McKeehan: Born October 22, 1964 in Fairfax, VA. His favorite book is Oswald Chamber’s “My Utmost for His Highest.” His first job was as a janitor, and in high school he won a state championship for basketball. He graduated from Liberty in 1988 with a B.A. in Political Science.

  • Michael Tait: Born May 18, 1966. He was a big troublemaker in a big family – he has five sisters and two brothers. Michael sings every year for the “Old-Time Gospel Hour Christmas Special.” His first car was an AMC Hornet.

  • Kevin Max Smith: Born August 17, 1967 in Michigan. Kevin began playing piano at the age of four. His first job was as a grocery-bagger. He owns a horse named Churchill, and has a hidden talent for sleeping late. His favorite Bible character is David. He wrote a book of poetry entitled, “At the Foot of Heaven.”

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