“We are thrilled to have the Newsboys back in El Dorado to play at MAD! I’m proud to kick off our 2025 concert season with a night of worship with the legendary Newsboys,” said Pam Griffin, MAD President and CEO.
With a decades-spanning career and a vastly impressive catalog blending different styles, genres, and even band members at times, Newsboys is a name within the Christian music space that can’t be ignored. Since the beginning of their careers, Newsboys have propelled countless hits up the charts, explored the universe of books and film, and traveled millions of miles to bring their live show to as many corners of the world as possible; all while in constant pursuit of reinvention and inspiration in the midst of following their calling.
Hits like “We Believe,” “Magnetic,” “Born Again,” and Platinum-certified mega hit “God’s Not Dead,” which birthed a film franchise of the same name, have defined the group’s career. Newsboys have sold more than 10 million albums spanning 24 studio recordings, and the group has no intention of slowing down. In addition, they’ve amassed one RIAA Double Platinum® and eight RIAA Gold® certifications, 33 #1 radio hits, four GRAMMY® nominations, two American Music Award® nods and multiple Gospel Music Association Dove® awards.
One thing is clear about Newsboys...amidst great success in their industry and varying iterations of the group over time, the mission of the group has remained the same for the last thirty years, and it’s not changing anytime soon. In a world rattled by racial division, political tension, war, hunger, and mental health anguish – Tait, Duncan, Jeff, Jody, and Adam are here to be loud about their faith, and about the God they serve. “You can say so much in a three-minute song. You can change a person’s life. In a moment, you can change the world,” Tait shares. “That is an incredibly blessed and privileged position to be in. It’s one we don’t take lightly. We’re here to be conduits of something special, and to share what we believe with whoever will listen.”
Opening act Michael Cochren is a singer-songwriter and worship leader born and raised in a small Indiana town. After graduating from school, Cochren began playing music nationwide with a band of friends, including his wife Leah, under Cochren & Co. (pronounced Cochren and Company). With hope-filled lyrics and timeless melodies, Cochren & Co. blurs the line between American pop/rock and soul/blues to create a classic sound all their own. Dove Award Nominated Cochren & Co. have toured coast to coast amassing a loyal following of new listeners wherever they go.
Nominated for a GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, their debut full-length album Don’t Lose Hope was released on Gotee Records in 2021. The debut included three Billboard Top 10 radio singles; “Church (Take Me Back)”, “One Day”, and “Who Can." The title track “Don’t Lose Hope” was featured in an episode of CBS’s MacGyver. “Church (Take Me Back)” was recently awarded RIAA gold status.
Cochren & Co.’s sophomore project, Running Home (2023), features the group's first No. 1 radio single with the title track which hit #1 for four consecutive weeks on Billboard Christian Airplay as well as the single, “Thank God For Sunday Morning,” which was listed as one of K-LOVE’s 22 Songs that Defined 2022. They recently released their new single “Money Can’t Buy” in August 2024. Cochren & Co. has been featured in various performances including GRAMMY.com's Positive Vibes Only and K-LOVE On Demand's "The Barn Series." Touring for Cochren & Co. has included the TobyMac Hits Deep Tour (multiple years), The TobyMac Drive-In Theatre Tour, MercyMe Together Again tour fall ’25, Newsboys Stand Together Tour, and festivals around the country. Cochren & Co. has performed at the historic Grand Ole Opry numerous times over the last two years.