JFH News: Girder Announces Debut Release of Newsboys' "Not Ashamed" on Vinyl

Girder Announces Debut Release of Newsboys' "Not Ashamed" on Vinyl

Pre-orders open now!
Expected to Release September 18

NEWS SOURCE: Girder Music
June 24, 2026

Released on September 29, 1992, Not Ashamed stands as the definitive breakthrough album for the Australian Christian rock band Newsboys. After releasing three early projects that struggled to find a mainstream audience, the band was in desperate need of a fresh creative direction. They found exactly that by teaming up with legendary singer-songwriter and producer Steve Taylor. Taylor did far more than sit behind the mixing console; he completely reshaped the band's identity. By stepping in to co-write lyrics with drummer Peter Furler, Taylor infused the tracks with his trademark witty, quirky, and fiercely direct lyrical style. This partnership also catalyzed a massive shift in the group's vocal dynamic. While John James remained the primary lead vocalist, Furler began stepping out from behind the drum kit to share lead duties, establishing a dual-vocal formula that would define the band's multi-platinum 1990s era.

The lineup that brought this pivotal album to life featured John James on lead vocals, Peter Furler on drums and vocals, Corey Pryor on keyboards and programming, and Vernon Bishop on guitars. Together, they delivered a hook-heavy, synth-driven pop-rock sound that became an instant goldmine for Christian radio. The album's explosive title track, "I'm Not Ashamed," marched straight to number one on the CHR charts and became the band's very first signature anthem. The record proved it had remarkable depth, spawning a string of major radio hits including the driving rock track "Upon This Rock," the quirky fan-favorite "I Cannot Get You Out of My System," and a brilliant pop-rock medley of "Where You Belong / Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus."

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One of the key moments for 80's Christian Rock fans is their cover song of DeGarmo and Key's, Boycott Hell.

While Not Ashamed didn't initially secure the RIAA certifications of its immediate successors, Going Public and Take Me to Your Leader, it laid the entire commercial and critical foundation for the Newsboys' career. The album climbed to number 11 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Christian chart, and Billboard Magazine went so far as to name it the Number One CCM Album of the Year, heralding the band as the future of the genre. Driven by heavy rotation of its companion music video VHS and relentless touring, the record sold hundreds of thousands of copies and set the stage for a career that would eventually eclipse 10 million albums sold. It was the exact moment where the hooks, the humor, and the production finally clicked, solidifying their place in CCM history.

Remastered, Reloaded... the Full Girder Treatment.

This album will come with the exquisite Girder treatment, completely remastered and reloaded with a high-quality 2-sided full color print and and collector grade audiophile inner-sleeve on high quality, heavy duty magenta wax.

Why?

Because the first time on vinyl needs to be special.

At Girder Music, we have a strict rule: we don't mess with original cover art. We spend hours cleaning up the original graphics to bring them up to flawless 2026 standards, but we never redesign them. Altering original album art is taboo, and as fans ourselves, we respect that.Where wedowork our magic is everything on the inside. We give the booklet and tray card a complete makeover. Remember when lyrics used to be unreadable? Not anymore. We include all original credits, lyrics, and liner notes, but format them for maximum clarity. When granted the rights, we go even further — adding exclusive stories, fresh insights, and licensed background imagery. If new photos are used, the photographers always get their rightful credit.The same respect applies to the music. We remaster the audio to give it maximum punch, clarity, and life — but weneverremix. Remixing alters the soul of the songs, which doesn't honor the artist's legacy or what the fans want.Furthermore, every release is 100% legitimate. All publishing, mechanical royalties, and master licenses are paid in full so the artists get paid exactly what they are owed. We always give the artists as much or as little involvement as they want.Keeping this music alive has been our number one priority for 21 years. This is the Girder Treatment: honoring the history, elevating the quality, and keeping the legacy alive.

Side A

I Cannot Get You Out of My System (3:18)

I'm Not Ashamed (3:52)

Where You Belong / Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (5:32)

Upon This Rock (4:39)

Strong Love (4:02)

Side B

Dear Shame (3:50)

Boycott Hell (3:41)

We Come Together (4:36)

Love Comes True (3:32)

Lost the Sky Again (5:05)