Tait's neighbors are CEOs and bankers, who, Tait remembers, were curious when he first moved in with his big truck, his Harley and his pack of ''colorful friends.'' ''When I first got there, I asked the neighbors if they thought I was a drug dealer,'' Tait said. ''They never judged me, though. They said they did wonder why such a young guy could have such a big house. We all communicate in this neighborhood, which is good because it breaks all the stereotypes when they see I am just like them.''

He is just like them — except that he's black, young, single and a musician by trade who has never seen a 9-to-5 schedule.

Tait, the baby of nine children, inherited his determination to break all social barriers directly from his father, a minister and cab driver in the inner city of Washington, D.C. Nathal Tait was known for loving everyone — despite the hatred that had been placed upon him. He saw his grandfather killed by the Ku Klux Klan.

''It amazes me because even with the death of my great-grandfather and everything my dad saw in the '50s and '60s, he still raised us consciously and deliberately in an environment that was multicultural,'' Tait said. ''We had everybody at our house because he wanted to create a colorful fabric in our lives.

''Other kids were learning that the white man was the blue-eyed devil, and he taught us to love everyone.''

Tait said if anyone had the right to be a racist, it was his father, who died in 1998. Instead, he felt strongly that hate would destroy a person.

''Even black people would question my dad's judgment. He'd bring white speakers into the black inner-city church. He was just big on busting up stereotypes, and he passed that on to me. For a man with no education, homeboy was pretty smart.''

Generation next

Tait has found a number of ways to live out his father's message of unity.

In addition to making music for years as part of dc Talk, a multicultural Christian band with stacks of Grammy and Dove awards, Tait and fellow dc Talk members Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max helped found the E.R.A.C.E. Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at doing away with prejudice.

''E.R.A.C.E. is the number-one thing in my heart as far as making a difference in people's lives,'' Tait said. ''There is nothing more fulfilling than being a part of a foundation we created based on our friendships. We are living integration. We can teach people we are better together than we are apart. If I can be that conduit, I'd die a happy man.''

Tait also takes time away from touring, recording and being a part of two bands to speak to children and tell them the words his father drilled into his head.

At a recent Tennessee Student Leadership Conference, Tait shared what his dad taught him and said watching the children respond was a big thing for him.

''It was tangible,'' he said. ''I knew I was making a difference in those kids' lives.''

His band, named Tait for his father, also recently recorded a song, Altars in the Streets, for the Salvation Army and its programs for at-risk children. The band recently shot the video in New York City and will be a part of a television special hosted by Bill Cosby being aired later this year.

Tait, the band

When the members of dc Talk decided a year ago to take a break and work on solo projects, both McKeehan and Max did just that. They released solo records. Tait decided to form a band and release another group effort. The band's album, Empty, was released last July and earned a Dove nomination for Rock Album of the Year. Both Max and McKeehan earned nods for their projects as well. The Dove Award winners will be announced during a live telecast at 8 p.m. Thursday night on PAX TV.

Tait said he took the band route because, essentially, he hates being on stage alone.

''I think the dimensions are greater with a band,'' he said. ''There is more to look at.''

As for dividing his time between the bands, Tait looks at it like a busy parent.

''It's difficult having two bands, for sure,'' he said. ''But I think of dc Talk as my 11-year-old and Tait is my 6-month-old. They are both my kids, and I love them both, but I have to work hard not to neglect dc Talk sometimes. Tait is so young and fresh.''

He said although dc Talk has taken an indefinite break, the band hasn't seen its demise. They spent several months touring doing dc Talk songs, with each solo project getting a segment of stage time.

''We look at it as a time to celebrate each person's creative individuality. We need these creative opportunities.''

Tait has done several dates alone with his band, but plans to hit the road this fall for a 40-city tour.

Tait, the man

Tait is known as many things to many people. He's a singer. He's a member of dc Talk. He's an activist.

But he's also just Michael Tait.

He loves fashion (and has been known to change clothes more than anyone else in his bands when on stage), he loves escaping on his Harley, he loves European castles and, for now, he loves being single.

''I like to express myself through fashion,'' he said. ''I will wear my favorite Diesels and a Dolce & Gabbana shirt one day and a Prada suit the next. It's my expression.''

As often as people in Brentwood might have questioned how he lives his life and makes his money, he gets the marriage question as well. He defends his singledom by saying that during his last lengthy relationship, he got cold feet.

''I was in a relationship for about two-and-a-half years and I absolutely wore myself out,'' he said. ''I was selfish. I wasn't ready to commit, but needed to make a move, so I ended it. My mom told me that marriage to the right person is hard enough.''

Now Tait said he finds it annoying just to date without some kind of prospect.

''When that one comes along, I'll know it. She'll know it.''

But Tait has one big strike against him when it comes to dating. Being a famous musician can make it hard to know a person's motive.

''When I do meet a girl, I am constantly asking, 'Is it my wallet? Is it my image?' I am a simple guy. I am down to earth and, at the end of the day, I am such a homebody.''

Tait and the rest of his Harley-riding band — Pete Stewart, Lonnie Chapin and Chad Chapin — are participating in the Harley Ride to Adelphia for Special Olympics. Tennessee Titan Frank Wycheck will lead a caravan of some 1,000 motorcycles from Harley-Davidson of Cool Springs to Adelphia Coliseum beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 5.

Tait said he is so at peace on his bike that he has been known to write a song or two while riding.

''When I am on my motorcycle, I feel like I can leave my cares behind in a cloud of noise and smoke.''