Byron Cage

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Byron Cage
Background information
Born	December 15, 1962(1962-12-15) [1]
Origin	Grand Rapids, Michigan
Genre(s)	Gospel, Praise & Worship
Occupation(s)	Vocalist/Singer, Songwriter
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Years active	1989 - Present[2]
Label(s)	Gospocentric
Associated acts	PAJAM J Moss Kurt Carr Commissioned (Background Singer)
Notable instrument(s)
Vocals Organ

Byron Cage is an African-American gospel recording artist.

Contents 1 Early years 2 Musical career 2.1 1995-1996: Purpose 2.2 2003: Byron Cage (Live at New Birth Cathedral) 2.3 2005: An Invitation to Worship 2.4 2007: The Proclamation (Live At The Apollo) 3 Discography 3.1 Albums 3.2 Singles 4 Filmography 5 Awards 6 Personal life 7 References

[edit] Early years

Inspired by the singing of the late, Rev. Donald Vails and Thomas Whitfield, Cage began singing gospel music as a teenager. He also served as music director for the New Birth Church in Atlanta for a decade.

[edit] Musical career

Byron's credits include performing with Dottie Peoples and providing background vocals for BeBe Winans and Commissioned on their Will U B Ready? album in 1989.

He has also worked with the GMWA National Mass Choir, Ebenezer A.M.E. Mass Choir CD, Full Gospel Baptist Mass Choir, and Bishop Dennis Leonard's Heritage Christian Center Mass Choir. Together with his nine-vocalist group, Purpose, which he formed in the mid-'90s, Cage has recorded 2 live albums of spirituals: Transparent in Your Presence, Dwell Among Us and his solo projects include An Invitation to Worship album, a self-titled LP recorded Live at New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia, and his upcoming release Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation.

[edit] 1995-1996: Purpose

While signed to Atlanta International, Byron Cage & Purpose released two live recordings: Dwell Among Us in 1995, which featured "Dwell Among Us", "The Blood" and "The Glory Song" & Transparent in Your Presence in 1996, featuring "Forever I'll Worship", "He's There", and "God's Word. On both albums, Cage served as co-producer.

[edit] 2003: Byron Cage (Live at New Birth Cathedral)

For his first recording with Gospocentric Records, and after having parted ways with Purpose, Byron Cage released his first solo LP Live at New Birth Cathedral with an accompanying DVD. His most celebrated work to date, Live showcases the production abilities of his labelmate Kurt Carr, as well as the writing ability of famed gospel vocalist Donnie McClurkin, on a track entitled "It Is You."

The album's success garnered Cage five Stellar Award wins in 2004.

[edit] 2005: An Invitation to Worship

On Byron's second release from Gospocentric, An Invitation to Worship' he enlists the production of PAJAM, as evident on the track entitled "We Love You", which features J Moss, a prominent member of the production trio. On the CD/DVD set, Cage has found tremendous comfort in his role as a renowned worship leader on church favorites: "I Will Bless the Lord", "He Reigns", and "Lift Him Up".

An Invitation to Worship was nominated for three Stellar Awards and a Grammy in 2007.

[edit] 2007: The Proclamation (Live At The Apollo)

Cage recorded a live CD/DVD entitled The Proclamation the legendary Apollo Theatre in New York City on April 26th, 2007. The project featured special guests Kelly Price, Kim Burrell, & Dave Hollister and was produced by his An Invitation to Worship collaborators, PAJAM. The album was released on September 18, 2007.^[3]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Awards

Award	Year	Music	Category	Result
Stellar Awards	2007	An Invitation to Worship	Praise and Worship CD of the Year	Nominated
Stellar Awards	2007	I Will Bless the Lord by Isaiah D. Thomas on An Invitation to Worship	Song of the Year	Won
Stellar Awards	2007	An Invitation to Worship	Recorded Music Package of the Year	Nominated
Stellar Awards	2007	An Invitation to Worship	Male Vocalist of the Year	Nominated
Grammys	2006	An Invitation to Worship	New Gospel Album of the Year	Nominated
NAACP Image Awards	2006	An Invitation to Worship	Best Gospel Performance	Nominated
NAACP Image Awards	2006	An Invitation to Worship	New Gospel Album of the Year	Nominated
Stellar Awards	2004	Live at New Birth Cathedral	Male Vocalist of the Year	Won
Stellar Awards	2004	Live at New Birth Cathedral	CD of the Year	Won
Stellar Awards	2004	"The Presence of the Lord Is Here"	Song of the Year	Won
Stellar Awards	2004	Live at New Birth Cathedral Produced by Kurt Carr	Producer of the Year	Won
Stellar Awards	2004	Live at New Birth Cathedral	Contemporary CD of the Year	Won

[edit] Personal life

On May 22, 2004, Byron married pediatric dentist, Dr. Sonya Windham Cage, before 1,000 guests at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC.^[4]

Byron Cage serves a minister of music at Ebenezer AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church in Fort Washington, MD where church Membership of 12,000 makes it one of the largest AME Churches. Under the pastoral leadership of Pastors Rev. Dr Grainger & Jo Ann Browning, since 1998, Cage uses his tenor vocals and choir director skills to assist his church.

In preparation for his 2007 release, Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation, Cage lost 28 lbs in 40 days, using the Body Balance Program.^[5]

Byron is also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

[edit] References