LIVE AT THE APOLLO: THE PROCLAMATION is Urban Praise & Worship at its Best
Known for passionately ushering in the very presence of God through his music, Byron Cage is Gospel music’s preeminent praise and worship leader and his gift for songwriting and performing has earned him multiple Stellar Awards, a Grammy-nomination and top chart positions in Billboard Magazine. His new CD, LIVE AT THE APOLLO: THE PROCLAMATION, will be in stores September 18, and its accompanying DVD is scheduled for release October 23.
Recorded live at New York’s Apollo Theatre in Harlem, Byron Cage made history by becoming the first gospel artist to record a live CD at the famous theatre. The 10 -song project features energetic praise songs as well as emotive, impassioned God-focused worship songs. The PAJAM-produced project also introduces Cage as principal songwriter. The first single, "With All Of My Might," is an exciting, praise-inspired number urging listeners to praise God with their all and all. The song is enjoying radio airplay around the country.
Other highlights include the rousing title track; the smooth and melodious "If You Never" with special guests Kim Burrell and J Moss; and the moving "Anyhow" featuring Dave Hollister. While "I Will Bless the Lord" off of his GRAMMY-nominated CD "An Invitation to Worship" was named by Billboard Magazine as the number one Gospel song of 2006, and he has won the Stellar Award for "Song of the Year" (amongst many others) for two consecutive years – the accolades are sure to continue pouring in by droves after the release of his new project, which Cage says is an outpouring of his passion to bring the name of Jesus back to the forefront, especially in Gospel music. "Although we have large ministries and speak about ‘going to the next dimension’, the name Jesus isn’t spoken as much as it used to be," says Cage. My passion is to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus. There is no name higher than the name of Jesus."
The idea for this CD was born at a Gospel music convention, where he heard artists talking about moving in a more ‘inspirational’ direction and omitting the name Jesus in their songs. "I remember sitting there and starting to cry. I thought, ‘Lord why do we feel that in order to reach the masses we have to leave your name out?’" That was the beginning of the concept for LIVE AT THE APOLLO: THE PROCLAMATION.
The night of the recording was a special evening for Cage. Music greats including Donald Lawrence, Rodney Jerkins and Dr. Bobby Jones came out to show their support and Cage was moved by the incredible, energetic response he received from the audience throughout the night. "I’m so thrilled that the night of the recording came off as well as it did," says the artist. "I had the best singers (directed by DeWayne Woods); the best set, the best everything. I wanted people that came out that night to feel such an overwhelming presence of the Lord, even though we weren’t in a church environment. But ultimately, during the night of recording The Proclamation, I wanted people to cross their legs and say, ‘Now that’s how you do gospel music!’"