More Cowbell Please: CCM Stories

The Newsboys have filed a sweeping 204-page federal antitrust and defamation lawsuit in Nashville — and the defendant list will stop you in your tracks.

Wes Campbell and the Newsboys are suing The Roys Report, journalist Jessica Morris (a previous guest on this podcast), MercyMe and all five band members individually, Micah Tyler, World Vision, and a Netherlands-based private equity firm called Waterland — along with the three major Christian concert promoters they allegedly acquired to form a monopoly.

I break it down block by block — no opinion, just the facts as alleged in the public filing.

KEY POINTS COVERED:
- Who the plaintiffs are
- All four defendant groups explained in plain English
- The $50 million deal at the center of the antitrust claim
- The three Fargo claims the complaint makes against TRR and Jessica Morris
- Why the timing — 14 days after police closed the Tait criminal case — matters
- Jessica Morris's Instagram response
- What this lawsuit is NOT (it is not a trial of Michael Tait)

Full complaint available at newsboyslawsuit.com and tcalawsuit.com. Case number 3:26-cv-00484, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee.

All information sourced from publicly filed court documents and established reporting. These are allegations. All parties are presumed innocent.

More Cowbell Please covers CCM stories with depth and integrity.

What does it take to mix five number one records on one album — without ever moving to Nashville?Nick Rad has been doing exactly that from Milwaukee, Wisconsin for over two decades.He started as the drummer in Christian punk band Hangnail on Tooth and Nail Records — touring with Stavesacre and Ghoti Hook, recording at the legendary Blasting Room with Bill Stevenson, and watching a young Aaron Sprinkle record what became one of Christian music's most beloved songs at 1:30 in the morning.Then he walked away from being an artist — and built something extraordinary behind the desk instead.8 Grammy nominations. Credits on records by Toby Mac, Skillet, Matthew West, Rachel Platten, Melissa Etheridge, MisterWives, Leanna Crawford and more. Five number one songs on Toby Mac's Life After Death — the most personal record TobyMac has ever made.All from Wisconsin.In this conversation we talk about:→ The Hangnail and Acceptance years on Tooth and Nail→ The session that almost changed everything (and the one he almost missed entirely)→ How he built a world-class mixing career without moving to Music City→ Mixing Toby Mac's grief — and what it means to serve an artist through loss→ His philosophy on mixing, references, and why the word "organic" drives him crazy→ What he'd tell every young engineer coming upThis is one of my favourite conversations I've had on More Cowbell Please. I think you're going to love Nick Rad.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⏱️ CHAPTERS0:00 Introduction1:12 How Nick Rad Got Hooked on Music2:24 Forming Hangnail & Getting Signed to Tooth and Nail Records3:49 Touring the Christian Music Festival Circuit5:37 Joining Acceptance & Learning From Aaron Sprinkle8:04 Recording With Rebecca St. James9:51 The End of Acceptance & Finding Faith12:35 Starting a Mixing Career in Milwaukee13:30 Landing First Clients (Including Skillet's Ben Kasica)15:39 Moving to LA — and Moving Back Again17:47 Mixing Melissa Etheridge18:45 Networking & The Fallout Boy Story22:03 Mixing Toby Mac's Life After Death23:29 Working With Skillet24:31 Faith in the Music Industry25:01 Does Location Matter? Milwaukee vs Nashville28:17 Learning the Craft & Hearing Your Mix on the Radio30:54 Revision Counts & Serving the Artist32:26 Nick's Studio Setup & Gear33:42 Plugins, Workflow & Mixing In the Box39:44 How to Get the Best From Your Mix Engineer41:38 Nick Rad's Mixing Philosophy44:45 Mix Prep & The Sonic Revelation That Changed Everything48:15 How to Turn Off the Engineer Brain50:03 Closing Thoughts━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎛️ Find Nick Rad:Website: nickrad.comInstagram: @nicrad and @nickradovanovic━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━More Cowbell Please is positive Christian music stories — for CCM fans and the people who make the music.🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀https://vidiq.com/morecowbell

(Reposted - spotify issue!)
Was Steve Taylor the greatest lyricist contemporary Christian music ever produced? We think so — and in this episode of More Cowbell Please, we make the case.
We attended a recent Steve Taylor concert and came away convinced this man never got the tribute he deserved. So here it is. From his origins as a preacher's kid in Northglenn, Colorado — forbidden from listening to secular music until his mid-teens — to hearing The Clash at Biola University and changing CCM forever, this is the full Steve Taylor story.

We cover:
✅ His biography and origin story
✅ The songs that rattled the church — Guilty By Association, We Don't Need No Color Code, I Want to Be a Clone, Meltdown at Madame Tussauds, On the Fritz and more
✅ His role shaping the Newsboys' greatest era
✅ Founding Squint Entertainment and launching Sixpence None the Richer
✅ His film career including Blue Like Jazz
✅ The Dead Sea Squirrels — his new animated series with VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki
✅ Concert footage including the band — Peter Furler (Newsboys), Mark Lee Townsend and John Mark Painter
✅ Why CCM needs more voices like his today

Whether you grew up on 80s Christian music, work in the CCM industry, or you're just discovering Steve Taylor for the first time — this one's for you.
🎵 Songs Featured:Guilty By Association | We Don't Need No Color Code | On the Fritz | Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's | Dead Sea Squirrels Theme

🎸 Band: Steve Taylor | Peter Furler | Mark Lee Townsend | John Mark Painter | Caroline Francis | Kelle | Libby Cates | Kennoniah Dean Bellile
📺
0:00 Cold Open — "We Don't Need No Color Code"
0:26 Introduction
1:21 Origins — Preacher's Kid from Colorado
1:47 Discovering The Clash & New Wave
2:55 The Estes Park Signing
3:28 First Record Release
3:47 CCM in the Early 80s — The Landscape
4:38 "I Want to Be a Clone"
5:14 "This Disco Used to Be a Nice Cathedral"
6:08 "On the Fritz"
6:39 "I Blew Up the Clinic Real Good"
7:15 The Controversy & His Critics
7:32 "Guilty By Association" (Live)
8:50 "We Don't Need No Color Code" (Live)
9:54 "Whatcha Gonna Do When Your Number's Up"
10:22 "Sin for a Season"
10:39 "Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's" (Live)
11:04 The "Some Band" Lineup
11:31 Peter Furler
11:54 Steve Taylor & the Newsboys
12:25 The Iconic Suit & the Museum of CCM
13:10 Chagall Guevara1
3:35 Squint Entertainment1
3:54 Blue Like Jazz & Film Career
14:05 The Dead Sea Squirrels
15:53 The Randy Newman Moment (Live)
16:39 "Hero" & the Woody Allen Story
17:28 Steve Taylor's Legacy
18:04 Where to Find Steve's Music
🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641

Was Steve Taylor the greatest lyricist contemporary Christian music ever produced? We think so — and in this episode of More Cowbell Please, we make the case.
We attended a recent Steve Taylor concert and came away convinced this man never got the tribute he deserved. So here it is. From his origins as a preacher's kid in Northglenn, Colorado — forbidden from listening to secular music until his mid-teens — to hearing The Clash at Biola University and changing CCM forever, this is the full Steve Taylor story.

We cover:
✅ His biography and origin story
✅ The songs that rattled the church — Guilty By Association, We Don't Need No Color Code, I Want to Be a Clone, Meltdown at Madame Tussauds, On the Fritz and more
✅ His role shaping the Newsboys' greatest era
✅ Founding Squint Entertainment and launching Sixpence None the Richer
✅ His film career including Blue Like Jazz
✅ The Dead Sea Squirrels — his new animated series with VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki
✅ Concert footage including the band — Peter Furler (Newsboys), Mark Lee Townsend and John Mark Painter
✅ Why CCM needs more voices like his today

Whether you grew up on 80s Christian music, work in the CCM industry, or you're just discovering Steve Taylor for the first time — this one's for you.
🎵 Songs Featured:Guilty By Association | We Don't Need No Color Code | On the Fritz | Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's | Dead Sea Squirrels Theme

🎸 Band: Steve Taylor | Peter Furler | Mark Lee Townsend | John Mark Painter | Caroline Francis | Kelle | Libby Cates | Kennoniah Dean Bellile
📺
0:00 Cold Open — "We Don't Need No Color Code"
0:26 Introduction
1:21 Origins — Preacher's Kid from Colorado
1:47 Discovering The Clash & New Wave
2:55 The Estes Park Signing
3:28 First Record Release
3:47 CCM in the Early 80s — The Landscape
4:38 "I Want to Be a Clone"
5:14 "This Disco Used to Be a Nice Cathedral"
6:08 "On the Fritz"
6:39 "I Blew Up the Clinic Real Good"
7:15 The Controversy & His Critics
7:32 "Guilty By Association" (Live)
8:50 "We Don't Need No Color Code" (Live)
9:54 "Whatcha Gonna Do When Your Number's Up"
10:22 "Sin for a Season"
10:39 "Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's" (Live)
11:04 The "Some Band" Lineup
11:31 Peter Furler
11:54 Steve Taylor & the Newsboys
12:25 The Iconic Suit & the Museum of CCM
13:10 Chagall Guevara1
3:35 Squint Entertainment1
3:54 Blue Like Jazz & Film Career
14:05 The Dead Sea Squirrels
15:53 The Randy Newman Moment (Live)
16:39 "Hero" & the Woody Allen Story
17:28 Steve Taylor's Legacy
18:04 Where to Find Steve's Music
🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641

Stu G, legendary guitarist of Delirious?, joins More Cowbell Please for a raw, heartfelt conversation.From wiring houses as an electrician to co-writing worship anthems like “Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble,” “Obsession,” and “History Maker,” Stu opens up about:The early Cutting Edge youth events that birthed a movement. How U2 and Queen shaped his career.How Delirious? broke boundaries in worship and faith centered music We cover the highs and the lows, thru the end of an era then his next steps and recovery to his creative comeback, the Beatitudes Project, and life in NashvilleThis is more than a band story—it’s a testimony of faithfulness, creativity, and following God’s call through every season.Full episode out now – subscribe & turn on notifications for more CCM legends! 🕊️🎸#StuG #Delirious #ChristianMusic #WorshipMusic #CCMHistory #morecowbellplease
Chapters
00:00 Intro – Welcome to Stu G!
01:26 Greetings & Fun Banter
01:55 Early Life as an Electrician
02:25 Becoming a Queen Fan
03:17 Starting with Drums03:42 Discovering Guitar
04:07 Buying the First Guitar
04:45 Taking Guitar Lessons
05:31 First Band Experiences
05:55 Phil Keaggy, Church & Conversion
08:37 Full-Time Worship Leading
08:55 The Stuart David Band
10:26 Andy Piercy Connection
11:40 Andy Piercy + Martin Smith Link
12:41 Ben Okafor & Reggae Band
14:52 Noel Richards Forum15:07 Cutting Edge Begins
15:42 Kevin Prosch Influence
18:12 Cutting Edge Band & Events
19:09 Moving to Littlehampton & Back to Electrical Work
22:10 Delirious? Officially Begins
23:46 Making 'Live and in the Can'
24:33 Naming Delirious? (The ? Story)
26:19 Delirious? Early Days
29:26 'Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?' Origin
29:47 Expanding the Reach Beyond Church Walls
32:31 CCM or Mainstream? The Tension
35:14 First Trip Into the USA
38:11 US Showcase at The Roxy
38:50 Mainstream Appearances & Breakthroughs
40:02 Napster, CD Sales Crash & Challenges
40:57 The Studio Albums Overview
44:04 Kingdom of Comfort Era
44:59 Touring Rules & the End of Delirious?
46:43 Delirious? Officially Over
47:02 New Deals & Life After
47:14 One Sonic Society
48:03 Rock Bottom, Counseling & Healing
49:13 The Beatitudes Project Begins
53:25 Touring Gigs While Building Beatitudes
54:33 Tech Issues! (Funny Moment)
55:40 Marketing the Beatitudes Project
56:57 Future Beatitudes Material
57:11 New Life in the USA for the Family
58:34 Testimonial Stories & Impact
1:02:00 Awards, Money & CCM Reflections
1:04:53 How the Name “Stu G” Came About
1:06:30 Delirious? Business Model & Independence
1:07:48 Other Gigs & Collaborations
1:08:55 New Release Discussion
1:10:54 Outro – Thanks Stu G!🎧ALL EPISODES:.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBt6FZ88v_g64fr3KfLjQgPIM0vUYRZy9PODCAST:Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v9dEeIH0OeP1chxSfQ7gj?si=d0HmJihHTjGhiEuwP8cYewListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-cowbell-please/id1796605641Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀https://vidiq.com/morecowbell