Click Here To Read More Interviews

Michael Tait is no stranger to the Christian music scene. As part of power trio dc talk, Michael has enjoyed success in both Christian and mainstream arenas, amassing a nice collection of Doves, Grammys and six records of various metallic make-up. Since dc talk as a group is on intermission, Michael wasted no time forming a band with roommate Chad Chapin, former Petra bassist Lonnie Chapin (yeah, they're brothers) and former Grammatrain frontman Pete Stewart.

Known collectively as Tait (a nod to Michael's late father), these four guys are bonded by faith, friendship and a whole lot of laughter. Spending some time with the men of Tait, FamilyChristian.com learned that the depth of this tight-knit foursome spans from an engaging dialogue on the spiritual roots of racism to an almost giddy appreciation and love for each other.

FamilyChristian.com: Let's meet the men of Tait. Introductions, please…

Chad: I'll introduce Michael because I live with the guy. I know his deep down secrets. Michael Tait is the brown guy in the band. He has the biggest heart I think that I've ever seen in a person. Not only that, he's definitely my favorite vocalist in Christian music, let alone dc talk.

Lonnie: Michael Tait. Michael Dewayne Tait. What a treat he is to be around. He's such a loving person. He has just become family. He's no longer just a friend anymore. He has become a Chapin and [Chad and I] have become Taits. Michael Tait is someone who would do anything for you and love you regardless of your faults. I love that about him.

Pete: Michael's become not only one of my best friends, but one of the most solid and one of the most fun people that I've ever had as a best friend. Someone who's taught me to love life more than I do on my own. [He's] also been an example of someone who keeps it all in perspective, which I think is why we've become such good friends and why we enjoy working together. There's a lot of people who love to have a good time, but there's not always a lot of those kind of people who are well grounded, who are going to be there when the chips fall. Other than my wife, if I had to pick anybody that I know would be there for me if I'm going through a hard time, Michael would be that person for sure.

Michael: I'm getting teary eyed.

Pete: And he loves rock and roll.

FamilyChristian.com: Let's move on to Chad.

Michael: Chad Chapin…ooh! This is gonna be fun! [laughs]. Chad, honestly, just brings me joy in my life. It's funny that Pete says that I show him how to enjoy life because Chad shows me how to enjoy life. I can get so lost in my world of, "It's got to be right." He just has this unbelievable capacity of love for me. Usually, I'm the kind of person that loves another person. My philosophy is, "Don't love me. Let me love you." Because if I love you, I've got to get to know you and I really don't want to. I want to like you. Chad has definitely loved me so much in my life that I've let some walls down. He's a godsend to my life, for sure. Onto his brother…

Lonnie: Chad Chapin carries a great last name. [laughs]. I respect Chad so much as my brother. Growing up, we never really fought a lot, ever. It is such a joy to finally play in a band together. We grew up playing in youth groups and stuff so to play with him again is one of the largest joys in my life, other than coming to know my Lord and Savior. With Chad, I would absolutely die for him and it wouldn't take a whole lot because he means that much to me. He does. He means that much. He's the kind of guy, too, that he will lay down everything to help you in your time of crisis. He's that kind of guy. It doesn't matter the circumstances or what's going on. Chad is an amazing friend.

FamilyChristian.com: So why is Chad living with Michael and not you?

Pete: That's why they haven't fought yet. [laughs]

Lonnie: I'd rather live with Michael than me too. [laughs]. The house is bigger for heaven's sake. They've got a Jacuzzi!

Michael: Lonnie said something about Chad a long time ago that I love. He said, "Chad, the great defender" and it's true because he's defended. He's very soft-spoken, but when he says something, I'm all ears because I know it's well thought out.

Pete: Chad, I think, out of everyone here, is the most like me. We've already had great times together for the last couple of years playing in a band together before this band.

Michael: Pete Stewart Rock & Roll band.

Pete: Chad's thinks about stuff a lot. He has a big heart and he's content not to be the loudmouth, everybody-look-at-me guy, which I value because that means, like Tait said, when he talks, it means something. There's something calming about being with Chad.

Lonnie: He's so real.

Michael: That's original, too, calming. When my world gets crazy, I come home and he's the only person that can usually be in my life and not just bug me at that moment. Something that he and Lonnie both share, and I'll get to Lonnie in a little bit, but they both they aim to please, the Chapins. Would you agree with that, Pete? It's like it's gross. They aim to please. I love that. It shows in their work ethic and everything.

FamilyChristian.com: So let's talk about Lonnie.

Michael: Lonnie Chapin. It's interesting that Pete said that Chad's a lot like him. I think Lonnie's a lot like me in a weird way. We have a lot of similarities as far as people skills.

FamilyChristian.com: The two introverts and the two extroverts.

Michael: Yeah, that's true. And Lonnie, definitely, once again, aims to please. Probably what I've learned the most of out Lonnie in the last three or four months, he is really…you are a team player and I love that. People ask, "Do you have fights in the band yet? Who has the egos?" or whatever. And I reluctantly say, "If there's any ego in the band, it's probably Michael Tait." I have ideas for the show sometimes and he's able to support me and say, "Well, I'm not really sure, but okay." That means a lot to me because it's hard enough already when you've thrown your idea out as a leader and people think, "Well, I don't know." Please rebut. I love rebuttals too. But at the same time, I love the support that you don't get sometimes.

Empty by Tait

Another one of my favorite qualities, this is not as deep as the others, [is that] Lonnie just does so many stupid, funny, dumb things. I always say his kids are either going to be embarrassed of him or they're going to love him.

Chad: Ever since we were little kids, we grew up playing together and when we first moved to Nashville, we were in a band together. That didn't work out. We went our own ways. For awhile it was like, "Gosh, are we ever going to play together again?" It's really cool that God's opened that door. Lonnie definitely has a heart after God. I see him try and try and try and try and…we all fail, but Lonnie's probably one of the quickest ones to get back up and make things right.

Next Page >

Corporate Informations:
About Family Christian Stores® |  Jobs
Information / Official Logos For Business Partners / Suppliers

© 2009 Family Christian Stores®, Inc.