Byron Cage
Encyclopedia
Byron Cage is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....

 recording artist.

Early years

Inspired by the singing of the late Rev. Donald Vails and Thomas Whitfield, Cage began singing gospel music as a teenager. Cage went on to attend Morehouse College
Morehouse College
Morehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Wabash College, Morehouse is one of three remaining traditional men's colleges in the United States....

 in Atlanta, GA, where he was a member of the Morehouse College Glee Club
Morehouse College Glee Club
The Morehouse College Glee Club, founded in 1911, is the official choral group at Morehouse College. The Glee Club has a long tradition of significant public appearances, having performed at Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral, President Jimmy Carter's inauguration, Super Bowl XXVIII, and the 1996...

. He also joined New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta. He also served as music director for Greater Grace Temple (PAW
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World is a Pentecostal Christian denomination. Founded in 1914, it is one of the oldest Oneness Pentecostal organizations in existence. Headquarters are in Indianapolis, Indiana, and The Christian Outlook is the church's official publication...

), in Detroit, Michigan.

1995-1996: Purpose

While signed to Atlanta International, Byron Cage & Purpose released two live recordings: Dwell Among Us
Dwell Among Us
Dwell Among Us is the debut gospel CD by Byron Cage & Purpose. Recorded in 1995, this live album produced contemporary worship music standards "Dwell Among Us", "The Blood" and "The Glory Song".-Track listing:...

 in 1995, which featured "Dwell Among Us", "The Blood" and "The Glory Song" & Transparent in Your Presence
Transparent in Your Presence
Transparent in Your Presence is the second and final gospel CD recorded by Byron Cage & Purpose released in the summer of 1996. Recorded at New Birth Missionary Bapstist Church in Atlanta, GA. This album peaked at #2 on the U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

 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
Live at New Birth Cathedral
Byron Cage: Live At New Birth Cathedral is the solo, self-titled, debut album by Byron Cage, released in 2003 on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live in Atlanta, Georgia and features production by famed gospel vocalist Kurt Carr.Live at New Birth Cathedral peaked at #4 on the U.S....

 with an accompanying DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....

. His most celebrated work to date, Live showcases the production abilities of his labelmate Kurt Carr
Kurt Carr
Kurt Carr is an American gospel music composer and performer. While living in the city of Hartford, Connecticut he served as Minister of Music at The First Baptist Church of Hartford located at the time on Greenfield Street...

, as well as the writing ability of famed gospel vocalist Donnie McClurkin
Donnie McClurkin
Donald Andrew McClurkin, Jr. is an American gospel music singer and minister. He has won three Grammy awards, ten Stellar awards, two BET awards, two Soul Train awards, one Dove award and one NAACP Image award for his work....

, 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
An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship is Byron Cage's second release on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia under the production of PAJAM and peaked at #2 on U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

 he enlists the production of PAJAM
PAJAM
PAJAM is an American songwriting and production team, made up of Paul Allen, J Moss and Walter Kearney, all of Detroit, Michigan. The team works with gospel, soul and R&B artists....

, as evident on the track entitled "We Love You", which features J Moss
J Moss
J. Moss , Detroit, Michigan is an American singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, and producer.-Early years:...

, a prominent member of the production trio. On the CD/DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....

 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
An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship is Byron Cage's second release on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia under the production of PAJAM and peaked at #2 on U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

 was nominated for three Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...

 and a Grammy in 2007.

2007: The Proclamation (Live At The Apollo)

Cage recorded a live CD/DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....

 entitled The Proclamation at the legendary Apollo Theater
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...

 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

 on April 26, 2007. The project featured special guests Kelly Price
Kelly Price
Kelly Price is an American R&B and soul singer, formerly on the Def Soul label.-Life and music career:Kelly Cherelle Price was born in Queens, New York. She was first discovered by Mariah Carey in February 1992 and subsequently introduced to Sony Columbia's then CEO Tommy Mottola...

, Kim Burrell
Kim Burrell
Kimberly Burrell is an American gospel singer from Houston, Texas. She calls her musical style jazz gospel. Though she is comparatively new to the gospel music industry, having only performed since 1989, she has quickly become one of the most influential voices in the genre, often named as "this...

, & Dave Hollister
Dave Hollister
Dave Hollister is an American R&B vocalist who found fame during the 1990s as one quarter of the Platinum-selling R&B quartet Blackstreet before going on to a solo career.-Biography:...

 and was produced by his An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship is Byron Cage's second release on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia under the production of PAJAM and peaked at #2 on U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

 collaborators, PAJAM
PAJAM
PAJAM is an American songwriting and production team, made up of Paul Allen, J Moss and Walter Kearney, all of Detroit, Michigan. The team works with gospel, soul and R&B artists....

. The album was released on September 18, 2007.

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
Karen Clark Sheard
Karen Clark-Sheard is an American gospel four-time Grammy Award winning singer, musician, and songwriter. The youngest daughter of pioneering gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark, Sheard began her career as a member of the Grammy-Award winning, gospel legendary female group, The Clark Sisters...

, and Marvin Winans
Marvin Winans
Marvin Lawrence Winans is an American gospel singer and member of the musical Winans family. He is also known for his recurring role in the hit show Tyler Perry's House of Payne.-Personal life:...

. Grammy Award winner and Israel Houghton
Israel Houghton
-Other recordings :* "Champions for Christ" - Hi5 * "Where Are the Fathers?" from He-Motions * "Send Me to the Nations" from A Wing & A Prayer...

's writing/producing partner Aaron Lindsey will handle the production. The album was released on October 27, 2009.

Personal life

On May 22, 2004, Byron married pediatric dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...

, Dr. Sonya Windham Cage, before 1,000 guests at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...

, NC.

Byron Cage serves a minister of music at Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fort Washington
Fort Washington, Maryland
Fort Washington, Maryland is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland in the suburbs of the capital city of the United States of America, Washington, D.C., south of the downtown district. It is a prosperous community with an African American majority...

, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...

.

Albums

  • 1995: Dwell Among Us
    Dwell Among Us
    Dwell Among Us is the debut gospel CD by Byron Cage & Purpose. Recorded in 1995, this live album produced contemporary worship music standards "Dwell Among Us", "The Blood" and "The Glory Song".-Track listing:...

  • 1996: Transparent in Your Presence
    Transparent in Your Presence
    Transparent in Your Presence is the second and final gospel CD recorded by Byron Cage & Purpose released in the summer of 1996. Recorded at New Birth Missionary Bapstist Church in Atlanta, GA. This album peaked at #2 on the U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

  • 2003: Byron Cage: Live at New Birth Cathedral
  • 2005: An Invitation to Worship
    An Invitation to Worship
    An Invitation to Worship is Byron Cage's second release on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia under the production of PAJAM and peaked at #2 on U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

  • 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
  • Faithful to Believe

Awards

Award Year Music Category Result
Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...

2007 An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship is Byron Cage's second release on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia under the production of PAJAM and peaked at #2 on U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

Praise and Worship CD of the Year Nominated
Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...

2007 I Will Bless the Lord Song of the Year Won
Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...

2007 An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship is Byron Cage's second release on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia under the production of PAJAM and peaked at #2 on U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

Recorded Music Package of the Year Nominated
Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...

2007 An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship is Byron Cage's second release on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia under the production of PAJAM and peaked at #2 on U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Grammys 2006 An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship is Byron Cage's second release on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia under the production of PAJAM and peaked at #2 on U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

New Gospel Album of the Year Nominated
NAACP Image Awards 2006 An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship is Byron Cage's second release on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia under the production of PAJAM and peaked at #2 on U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

Best Gospel Performance Nominated
NAACP Image Awards 2006 An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship
An Invitation to Worship is Byron Cage's second release on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live at the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta, Georgia under the production of PAJAM and peaked at #2 on U.S. Gospel charts.-Track listing:...

New Gospel Album of the Year Nominated
Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...

2004 Live at New Birth Cathedral
Live at New Birth Cathedral
Byron Cage: Live At New Birth Cathedral is the solo, self-titled, debut album by Byron Cage, released in 2003 on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live in Atlanta, Georgia and features production by famed gospel vocalist Kurt Carr.Live at New Birth Cathedral peaked at #4 on the U.S....

Male Vocalist of the Year Won
Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...

2004 Live at New Birth Cathedral
Live at New Birth Cathedral
Byron Cage: Live At New Birth Cathedral is the solo, self-titled, debut album by Byron Cage, released in 2003 on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live in Atlanta, Georgia and features production by famed gospel vocalist Kurt Carr.Live at New Birth Cathedral peaked at #4 on the U.S....

CD of the Year Won
Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...

2004 The Presence of the Lord Is Here
The Presence of the Lord Is Here
"The Presence of the Lord Is Here" is a contemporary worship song, written by gospel musician, Kurt Carr, that was originally recorded by Byron Cage on the Live at New Birth Cathedral CD. Since its release in 2003, it has become a common praise & worship song. The presence of the Lord was very...

Song of the Year Won
Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...

2004 Live at New Birth Cathedral
Live at New Birth Cathedral
Byron Cage: Live At New Birth Cathedral is the solo, self-titled, debut album by Byron Cage, released in 2003 on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live in Atlanta, Georgia and features production by famed gospel vocalist Kurt Carr.Live at New Birth Cathedral peaked at #4 on the U.S....

Producer of the Year Won
Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...

2004 Live at New Birth Cathedral
Live at New Birth Cathedral
Byron Cage: Live At New Birth Cathedral is the solo, self-titled, debut album by Byron Cage, released in 2003 on Gospocentric Records. The album was recorded live in Atlanta, Georgia and features production by famed gospel vocalist Kurt Carr.Live at New Birth Cathedral peaked at #4 on the U.S....

Contemporary CD of the Year Won
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