Shirley Caesar

Shirley Caesar Bio

Shirley Caesar is an American gospel singer, songwriter, and recording artist born in Durham, North Carolina on October 13, 1938. She is considered to be “The Queen of Gospel Music” and “The First Lady of Gospel Music” and has been making music for over six decades. Her music career started when she was 19 years old in 1958. She joined the popular gospel group The Caravans in 1958 and was with the band until 1966. Caesar was offered a solo recording contract with Hob Records and her first LP titled I’ll Go. In 1975 she left Hob Records and signed with the label Roadshow Records in 1977. That same year she released her debut studio album titled First Lady. She has since released the albums From the Heart, Stand Still, Just a Word, A Miracle in Harlem, You Can Make It, Hymns, The Gospel Legend, Good God, Fill This House and more. Caesar has released 40 albums and has been part of over 16 compilation albums. Throughout her career she has won 12 Grammy Awards, 18 Dove Awards, 14 Stella Awards among others. In 2000 she was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and in 2010 she was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. In 2016 she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.