The horrifying allegations against Michael Tate have raised questions about the industry that built him.
Paramore frontwoman Haley Williams spoke boldly to the disgraced former lead singer of the News Boys, denounced the entire modern Christian music (CCM) industry. She wrote in an Instagram post that she hoped it would “crash.”
While some certainly stack up in the way of the CCM industry, others like Rhett Walker encourage a softer approach.
He declared in a recent Instagram post that he would make money as a Christian artist, but he’s not wrong.
At the start of his post, Walker condemned Tate’s alleged behavior – including predatory behavior, watching rape and attacking young people, where the two are minors, writing that he should be jailed.
Tait posted his first apology but does not cover the range of the many accusations that have been levelled against the 59-year-old singer.
He allegedly claimed that another person’s heinous crime would negate the value of the CCM industry.
“My calling is my job,” he wrote. “So I have to pay the bill, and this is what I pay my bill. I hope your calling is your job too. If the plumbers have the same allegations and they are true again… prison. But I will not cancel the plumbing industry. The crime will have consequences.
He wrote that “like me” remains among the people at CCM. “I’m interested in sharing the gospel through music,” he said, “I know a lot of artists, radio voyeurs, promoters and more about sharing the gospel.”
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Walker added that fame was not a priority for him.
“I am a follower, a husband and a father,” he wrote. “I don’t care about being famous.”
It is noteworthy that Tait’s intended actions as an “open secret” in the CCM world has poured fuel into a fire of irony aimed at faith-based industry.
For example, Christian singer-songwriter Cory Asbury wrote in her Instagram story that “everyone knew” about the allegations against Tait. That insight came in response to followers who asked the “reckless love” artist if they knew their claims against Tait before becoming public knowledge.
Another follower asked, “How many ‘Christian’ bands/artists lead double lives like Michael Tate (?),” Asbury simply wrote “a lot.”
Christian apologeer Mike Winger took him to his X account. So he replied. “The reason Michael Tate missed it for so many other people in his industry also escaped it, leading to a culture where everyone is considered a threat to everyone.”
Perhaps the reason Michael Tight missed it for so long is because many other people in his industry are also fleeing it. pic.twitter.com/cb099c4lck
– Mike Winger (@mikewingerii) June 17, 2025
As for Walker, one of his followers on Instagram responded to his post, believing that they “need to cleanse” everything about CCM, claiming that Tait’s former bandmate had no idea what was going on.
“As an outsider and person who have purchased tickets multiple times, it’s a shame that excessive drinking is the norm on buses and there are far fewer drugs,” the follower wrote. “If the other members know these allegations and issues and don’t say the words, that’s a shame. Asbury said everyone knows. Who knows. Everyone knows. Everyone knows now.”
He continued, ”
Walker said he agreed to “100%” what people close to TAIT should be “questioned,” but ultimately warned that TAIT’s choice would damage the reputation of everyone within the CCM industry.
“(l)et just moves forward by calling a spade,” writes Walker. “What the problem with the CCM industry is that we have all the artists on the same platform.
The Capitol Christian Music Group dropped Newsboy from the label after an investigation into the claims against Tait. Additionally, K-Love pulled songs from DC Talk and Newboys from its rotation.
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