"Passion & Purpose" is the perfect title for a Chris Cates album because that is exactly how he has lived his life. From a young age Chris was always attracted to music, art and sports and wholeheartedly participated in all three. As far back as third grade Cates and long time music/business partner Jeramy Lamanno were publishing their own line of comic books and were making primitive music albums; while Cates was aggressively playing whatever sport was in season.

Several years and 27 albums later, Chris Cates is still staying true to his life purpose of entertaining and inspiring others through his music and art

Cates still performs all over the world with his band The MasterPlan, an incredible group of seasoned musicians made up of talented bass player Chris Singleton, Cates's longtime bandmate Jason Peeler on drums and brilliant sax man John Kell. As a group Chris Cates & the MasterPlan effortlessly flow in and out of songs and improvisational music to create one of a kind shows every night while continuing to create a few albums a year in the studio.

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Cates also releases several records a year on Synergy Shift Records (formerly dust bunny records), produces 4 or 5 albums a year with new artists (Heartstar 7, Kovacs & the Polar Bear etc.) and plays competitive golf on the local Amateur Golf Tour while co-hosting WWNC's 'Speaking of Golf' Radio show with host Tom Horan, Mrs. Speaking of Golf and Adair Cates. "Speaking of Golf is the only golf variety show in Western North Carolina and is rapidly becoming one of the most popular sports shows in the region.

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Growing up in Morganton, a small town in the foothills of North Carolina provided the perfect inspirational setting for writing music and Chris Cates took advantage with his many bands (The Seeing Eye Band, The Silver Plated Six Shooters etc.) and talented friends. He then moved to Boone attended and graduated from Appalachian State University with an English major and music minor while never stopping a feverish schedule of touring, writing and recording.

After college, Cates moved to the music rich streets of Athens, Georgia and started his music production business Mealtime Brown, which started out as a CD duplication business before becoming a full scale music production studio. Cates spent eight years doing one service or another for virtually every musician and group (big and small) in the Athens/Atlanta area including artists like DangerMouse, The Drive By Truckers, Randall Bramblett, Kevn Kinney, Soundtribe Sector Nine etc.

During Cates's stay in Athens he toured the world, put out four records under the name PARAKEET NELSON, produced, photographed, designed, peformed on countless records and played guitar and sang for several other bands while building a name for himself as a songwriter and stage persona.

On the eve of his departure from Athens in June of 2004, Cates and Parakeet Nelson won Funk Band of the Year for the second year in a row and Album of the Year for "Risky Biscuits" at Athen's annual Flagpole Music Awards.

The mountains were calling again, so Cates moved back to the North Carolina mountains to set up his new studio complex in Asheville and has had an explosion of creativity as an artist, producer, writer and musician releasing: "Getaway Plans", "...sneak preview", the incredibly successful "Triple Bogey with 17 Holes to Play - The Golf CD" and now "Dead Man's Suit" and "Passion & Purpose" on the same day. Asheville has also been a great place for Cates to produce other bands, to dabble in modeling (Freds, Double Tree Biltmore, Flamingo Hotel & Casino) and to do a bit of movie work and of course to start his new radio/media career.

The latest phase of Chris Cates's passion & purpose is the grandest and most rewarding part of his life so far. 'Dead Man's Suit,' the latest rock album by Chris Cates & the MasterPlan, may be Cates's tightest record yet, with thoughtful up beat songs and just the right amount of humor. The song "My Town" rivals "Gasoline" in it's backwoods drama and "Why Not Right Now" could be the feel good song of the year!

Cates's positive thinking motivational rock album "Passion & Purpose" has also been a huge hit in the self development industry and recently landed him onstage with Bob Proctor, star of the hit movie "The Secret" and one of the greatest motivators of our time. This album was done in conjunction with Adair Cates's book 'Live With Intention' which teaches people to become aware of their thoughts and focus on their goals in different areas of their life.

Another exciting album Heartstar 7 'The Future is Now" co-produced by Cates and brillant songwriter Neil Laurence is now in stores as well. It features incredible songs performed by Laurence on vocals and ukulele with Cates on guitar, keys and piano and the MasterPlan's Chris Singleton on bass.

Recently Chris Cates & the MasterPlan won the Earthday Asheville Award for best rock band based on an online vote of more than 5400 people. Chris Cates has also been featured on WLOS TV and has garnered a lot of press for "Dead Man's Suit" and for his rising popularity in the golf world. Recent article by Keith Jarrett in the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Cates now tours with The MasterPlan worldwide performing in virtually every scenario. The band splits it's dates between club dates, festivals, private and corporate parties and puts a special focus on charity events. Look for their fun genre bending music in your area.

Cates can also be found performing and broadcasting from golf courses around the world or with his wife Adair Cates at her speaking events.

You can also find Chris Cates performing solo acoustic or with Chris Singleton having fun and playing songs almost anywhere on the East Coast.

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