They were called the most popular Christian music act of all time, and when they announced their hiatus in 2001, they left their fans in a state of shock. The trio of Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait and Kevin Max, together called dcTalk, had bridged the gap between pop, hard rock and rap long before mainstream bands like Linkin Park. Not only were they authentically groundbreaking, they were also tremendously well received -- the rarests of species among musical groups. Twenty-eight years after dcTalk formed on the campus of Liberty University, the band continues to cast a long shadow over the contemporary Christian music stars of 2015.

(Photo : PHOTO: JOSHLANGHOFF.BLOGSPOT.COM)

The pop genius: Toby McKeehan

Long before he was known as Christian music's most prominent pop emcee, Tobymac, Toby McKeehan was just a blue-eyed, blonde-haired kid from Virginia that liked Jesus. McKeehan was also fascinated with hip-hop music (he has cited The Sugarhill Gang and Troublefunk as early influences), particularly the breed of hip-hop/funk born and cultivated in Washington, DC (now known as the "go-go" style). McKeehan's intuitive understanding of how to blend a beat with a good pop hook formed the cornerstone of dcTalk's trademark sound. Although their first recording attempts (Google their self-titled and Nu Thang if you don't know what I'm talking about) might sound, in retrospect, quite clumsy, those initial song recordings show that even then, Toby was keen to experiment with genre, bringing the earnest, vibrato tones of Kevin Max and the classic, smooth sounds of Michael Tait together in contrast to his rhymes. On every dcTalk record there are varying elements of experimentation and boundary pushing, but one of the only constant elements on every song is that persistent, oh-so-distinctive Toby McKeehan rasp.

While dcTalk was still active and recording, Toby McKeehan took his interest in diverse musical artistry to a new level when he co-founded Gotee Records. McKeehan was passionate about getting a label for fledgling R&B sister trio Out of Eden. When he couldn't get any of the big records to bite, he co-founded Gotee Records to be a place where out-of-the-box Christian talent was welcomed. GRITS, Relient K, and even Sonicflood found homes at one time or another on Gotee, which currently hosts Capital Kings and Jamie Grace Harper.

Once the band members decided to pursue solo projects, McKeehan officially inhabited the moniker 'Tobymac' and released 2001's Momentum. His career as a solo artist absolutely took off, with multiple Grammy, Dove and Billboard music awards to his name. His subsequent albums Diverse City, Tonight, and Eye on It have been praised by audiences and critics alike. His humble nature and straightforward, simply-spoken approach to talking about his music is a carryover from the dcTalk days -- and it only adds to his appeal.

McKeehan names his ultimate music icon as Bob Marley (he even named one of his twins 'Marlee'). There are countless Christian musicians that look up to and count Toby McKeehan as their own 'Bob Marley' of sorts, doubtlessly inspired by his courage to create something new, faithful and consistent testimony of faith and his sincere love of God and the music.

(Photo : Facebook: DC Talk)

The soul singer: Michael Tait

Like the central chord that two strings wrap around, Michael Tait's consistently gorgeous voice was the centerpiece to many of dcTalk's greatest hits. He could hold back and present his voice as something understated, almost taken-for-granted (think "So Long, My Friend") or he could really let it loose (like he does in his perfomance on "Consume Me").

Who knows what first drew Toby to Michael on their Lynchburg, VA campus -- perhaps the Marley-obsessed McKeehan gravitated toward Tait's trademark dreadlocks. Whatever the case, their meeting is now the stuff of Christian music legend. The preacher's son with seven other siblings shared McKeehan's passion for reverb, spoken word singing, and complex harmony/vocal layering. 

Once dcTalk disbanded, Michael, announced that he would focus on his side project, rock band Tait. The band was more alternative than grunge, and reception for their albums Empty and Lose This Life was quite warm. However, after some personnel changes, Tait appeared to lose some of its momentum. When Michael Tait was invited to be the new lead singer for The Newsboys in 2010, he accepted. 

Somewhat ironically, dcTalk toured on and off with The Newsboys throughout the Christian grunge/pop rock heyday of the 1990s. With Tait on vocals, he is once again an integral piece of a boundary-pushing, award-winning and chart-topping Christian rock band. Since Michael Tait has toured with the band, the Newsboys have detoured to explore hymns and a Christmas album. Their hit song "God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)" displays Tait at his absolute best, both holding back and belting out, alternately, and the record sales for their album of the same name took off - the recording was certified Gold last May. Michael Tait's career in Christian music has taken some interesting turns, and it's almost a guarantee that he's got some prime years of lead singing -- and more big hits -- ahead of him. 

The rockstar poet: Kevin Max 

While it seems like Michael Tait and Toby McKeehan were destined to be friends, the connection between Kevin Max and the other two is less apparent. However, a quote from the official dcTalk website (go look! It's still up!) sheds some light. Kevin said, "Just as we all share the idea of caring and conscience, we also share the hunger to find truth and meaning in life." 

With frosty blue eyes and a stunning, unique and highly-stylized way of singing, Max has always come across as the most artistically sensitive member of dcTalk. Max's most memorable contributions to dcTalk were not his harmonies, but his solos -- equal parts soaring and haunting, his voice is impossible to forget. Anyone can listen to the down-tempo, breathy end of "What If I Stumble" and feel that for Max, the struggle is very, very personal. 

His performance poem, "There is a Treason At Sea" appears at the end of the Supernatural record, and the last stanza makes quite an impression, "I crave Your freedom in this little ship/For You alone can chart my trip/ And like these waves I lose my grip/And sink into your arms." 

Indeed, it appears that freedom -- artistic freedom, at the very least -- has been Max's priority as a musician since the dissolution of dcTalk. Born Kevin Max Smith in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he has since lived in DC and Nashville as a dcTalk member and also in Hollywood, CA and Las Vegas, NV since. Max currently lives in Franklin, TN, and absorbs the sounds of the surrounding talent.

After his first solo album release, Stereotype Be, did not hit the sales markers anticipated by his label, he was dropped by ForeFront Records. Since then, he has continued releasing music with several other labels, most notably The Blood (Infinity.) The Blood is an album of classic gospel songs with Max's distinctive vocals and a number of collaborators. An adapted version of "The Cross" on the album featured Toby McKeehan and Michael Tait. 

Kevin's musical influences veered more toward the Europop and classic soul genres than those of McKeehan and Tait. So it was a bit of a surprise to cult followers of his solo projects when he was invited, and accepted, to replace Mark Stuart as the lead singer of Audio Adrenaline. In a bit of a twist, it was Toby that first brought Audio Adrenaline's demo to the attention of the executives at Forefront Records, meaning that Tobymac had a bit of a hand in this iteration of Max's career, however indirectly.

Max toured with Audio Adrenaline for two years, during which time the band recorded Kings and Queens, which was deemed a critical and chart success. However, Max left Audio Adrenaline to return to focusing on his solo career. As have many artists in recent years, Kevin has stated that he is now looking for a cross-genre appeal, and not so much seeking to obtain a "Christian" seal of approval. 

(Photo : DC Talk)

The Future of dcTalk

While all three members of the band have achieved varying degrees of commercial and critical success outside of dcTalk, it's interesting to note that the band to this day has never officially "broken up." With the release of their Greatest Hits and Project: solo albums, they announced an indefinite hiatus, to the shock and dismay of their broad fan base. It seemed that dcTalk had really hit their stride at the time of the announcement, settling in nicely after the explosion of attention that came after the release of Jesus Freak with their more demure, but just as powerful, follow up, Supernatural.

There are those among us (maybe this writer is one of them) that still enjoy McKeehan, Tait and Max so much more all together than separated, and cling on to a hope that we haven't seen the last of new music from the trio. The members of the band seem to remain on good terms and still throw fans a bone once in awhile with a hint of a possible reunion tour.

One thing is for sure: the creative force of these three distinct personalities put together left a lasting impression on Christian music that, while impossible to measure, is just as impossible to ignore.