Michael Tait, leading vocalist of his own band TAIT and playing the role of Jesus in Hero!, the Christian rock musical, has accepted an invitation to tour Europe with legendary rock guitarist Carlos Santana.
"It is a great honor for me to accept a vocalist position with music legend Carlos Santana," says Michael Tait, as formerly, co-founder of the four-time Grammy award-winning group dc talk. "To even be asked to join with one of the greatest artists in the history of rock and roll is humbling to say the least. I did not pursue this and was blown away when he called.”
Peter York, President, EMI CMG Label Group, says, "We are thrilled that Michael will have this incredible opportunity to share his gifts on a global level. He is a valued artist in the EMI family and we look forward to an exciting future together. We continue to see great momentum with his current album ‘Lose This Life’ and are pleased to support this exciting new opportunity with Santana."
Although Tait will be on tour with Santana starting July 2 in Amneville, France, he said the tour will not detract from his dedication to his band.
“While this is a great opportunity, let there be no question - I remain 100% committed to my own band, TAIT. One of the most attractive components of this is that I will be able to continue to record and perform with my band. Carlos has been so gracious; he has even asked me to perform two TAIT songs in the live show,” he said.
The tour will also make stops in Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Hungary and the Czech Republic, making its final stop in Schwaebisch, Germany on July 25.
Tait plans to take part in the recording of a new Carlos Santana studio album to be released later in 2004, with a U.S. tour reportedly in the works for next spring.
Santana has won numerous awards for his over-five-decade career. He was inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. His latest release ‘Supernatural’ won nine Grammy Awards and was certified Dectillion Platinum for selling over 10 million copies.
The Forefront Records band will be on tour throughout May and will resume their touring schedule beginning May 1 after Tait returns from his Europe tour. The three member so the band include: Chad Chapin, Lonnie Chapin and Justin York.
"I am so thankful that my band is encouraging me to pursue this path. I look forward to continuing working with these guys. They have poured their heart and soul in to TAIT. I am ecstatic about a future with them,” said Tait.
