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.
Musical career
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.
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 To You."
The album's success garnered Cage five
Stellar Award wins in 2004.
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.
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 26,
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.
[1]
2009: Faithful To Believe
On Friday, March 13, 2009, Byron recorded his next album entitled
Faithful to Believe
live in Detroit. The album will feature special guests
Tye Tribbett,
Karen Clark Sheard, and
Marvin Winans. Grammy Award winner and
Israel Houghton's writing/producing partner Aaron Lindsey will handle the production. The album will be released on October 27, 2009.
[2]
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.
[3]
Byron Cage serves a minister of music at Ebenezer
African Methodist Episcopal Church in
Fort Washington,
Maryland, under the pastoral leadership of Co-pastors Rev. Dr. Grainger & Jo Ann Browning. The church membership of about 12,000 makes it one of the largest AME churches. Since 1998, Cage uses his tenor vocals and choir director skills to assist Ebenezer. Byron is also a member of the
Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
In preparation for his 2007 release,
Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation
, Cage lost 28 lbs in 40 days, using the
Body Balance Program
.
[4]
Discography
Albums
- 1995: Dwell Among Us
- 1996: Transparent in Your Presence
- 2003: Byron Cage: Live at New Birth Cathedral
- 2005: An Invitation to Worship
- 2007: Live At The Apollo: The Proclamation
- 2009: Faithful to Believe
DVDs
- Byron Cage Live
- An Invitation to Worship
- Live At The Apollo: The Proclamation
Filmography
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
| 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
| Producer of the Year
| Won
|
| Stellar Awards
| 2004
| Live at New Birth Cathedral
| Contemporary CD of the Year
| Won
|
References
- New Release Tuesday
- Verity Gospel
- Out the Box
- Gospel Train: Grace & Peace