THE CLARK SISTERS

Born and reared in Detroit, Michigan, The Clark Sisters were almost predestined the be great women in the ministry. Jacky, Denise, Twinkie, Dorinda and Karen are the five daughters of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark.

Dr. Clark raised her daughters in the fear and reverence of God and gave them a focus on glory at an early age, teaching them them not only how to sing, but instructing them on the importance of singing with an anointing.

The Clark Sisters (photo courtesy J. Cross, The Clark Sisters Fan Club)

By the late 60's all five sisters were singing together in church services, not knowing the path that God had laid out before them.

After Dr. Clark felt that Twinkie was capable and ready, she turned over full control of The Clark Sisters to her, and in 1973, The Clark Sisters recorded their first album, Jesus Has A Lot To Give, on their uncle's (Bill Moss) local label.

The following year, Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters was released and both recordings created a considerable buzz in the Detroit area.

The Clark Sisters (photo courtesy J. Cross, The Clark Sisters Fan Club) Among the classics contained on those two recordings are "Something Worth Living For", "If You Can't Take It" and the COGIC classic "Hallelujah."

In 1976, the sisters signed to Sound Of Gospel Records were they would see their recording career take off. In the late 70's, the Clark Sisters released four albums; Unworthy (1976), Count It All Joy (1978), New Dimensions Of Christmas Carols (1978) and He Gave Me Nothing To Lose (1979). They made a name for themselves on soon to become Gospel staples such as "A Praying Spirit", "I Can Do All Things Through Christ", "Nothing To Lose" and "O Come Ye Emmanuel."

The early 1980s saw the Clark Sisters becoming a nation-wide phenomenon as Twinkie guided the sisters in a live recording which was titled Is My Living In Vain.

The Clark Sisters (photo courtesy J. Cross, The Clark Sisters Fan Club) Upon its release, "Vain" would remain atop of the Billboard Gospel Charts for over a year and yield hits in the form of the title track, "Pure Gold" and "Expect Your Miracle."

The Clark Sisters following release would prove to be an even bigger commercial success. "You Brought The Sunshine" would go on to garner The Clark Sisters a Gold album and a bonafide hit on secular music charts.

God would get the ultimate glory for this amazing feat, however The Clark Sisters were criticized by the church for being too "worldly." And while the detractors talked, The Clark Sisters kept their focus on glory. Throughout the remainder of the 80's , The Clark Sisters would release four more albums; Sincerely (1982), Heart And Soul (1986), Conqueror (1988) and Bringing It Back Home (1989).

2002 Solo Albums

In between these projects, Denise de-emphasized her singing in order to heed to the calling of starting her own ministry.

While commercial success followed The Clark Sisters with all of their releases, they were quick to remember the warnings of Dr. Clark. She would always tell them "never compromise to be recognized, and the message of Jesus Christ never wavered in their music no matter how contemporary the sounds were in their songs.

As the 80's turned into 90's, change was on the horizon for The Clark Sisters.

Twinkie, who was the principle songwriter and vocal arranger for the group, left the Clark Sisters to pursue her calling in the ministry. Jacky, Dorinda and Karen went on to tour as a trio and recorded an album [(Miracle (1994)].

The contributions of the Clark Sisters in the Gospel music industry are great and many. Many artists, secular and Gospel, cite them as their influences, but their contributions go far beyond any riff or run that they could ever do. They are women who are not only EXCELLENT singers but women with hearts for God; women who desire the things of God.

With Dorinda, Karen and Twinkie each releasing solo projects in the summer of 2002, many people are wondering if The Clark Sisters will ever get back together.

Perhaps Karen said it best: "There will always be a Clark Sisters."

What we, as fans, have to realize is that the focus of The Clark Sisters is not on what they did yesterday, or in re-living the glorious past.

Their focus is on one thing and one thing only. Glory!

She is an evangelist, a singer, a composer, and arranger; but most of all, she is an anointed woman of God. Dorinda, often called the jazzy member of group, has an energy that just does not seem to stop. Even though she is just as effective on ballads, she is best known for singing upbeat material. In the words of her sister Twinkie, she just knows how to work a song. Her scats, riffs, and runs can be heard on such Clark classics as My Redeemer Liverh, I Won't Let Go Till You Bless My Soul, Overdose of the Holy Ghost, and Determination. In addition to being a wife and mother of two, she is President of the First Ecclesiastical Southwest Jurisdictional No. 1 of the Church Of God In Christ, and Vice President of the International Music Department of the Churches Of God In Christ. She is an administrator at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church Of God In Christ. She is the Founder and CEO of Harvest Time Ministries and Cole Enterprises, and Co Founder of Lifeline Productions. In 1999, She spearheaded her first Annual Singers and Musicians conference, which showcases up and coming talent in gospel music industry. She was most recently added to the Spiritual Advisory Board of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. In 2002 she released her solo debut DORINDA CLARK COLE which has won her a Stellar Award and a Soul award. Dorinda continues to break new ground in her music and evangelistic ministries.

As The youngest member of The Clark Sisters, Karen Clark Sheard has been revered as one of the greatest vocalists in the world. Lending her vocals to such Clark Sisters classics as "Endow Me", "Hallelujah" and "Take Ma Higher", her riffs, runs and vocal acrobats have been often imitated but NEVER duplicated.

Karen is a wife and mother of two very gifted children, Kierra and J. Drew Sheard. She is also the First Lady of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church Of God in Christ in Detroit, MI where her husband Supt. J. Drew Sheard is the Pastor.

Karen has lent her voice to projects by Ron Winans Family and Friends Choir, Carlton Pearson, LaShun Pace, Donald Lawrence, Missy Elliott, T.D. Jakes and the soundtracks to the movies "Don't Be A Menace...." and "King". It was the Don't Be A Menace... recording that caught the attention of the executives at Island Black Music and Lead to Karen's solo debut.

In 1997 Karen released her critically acclaimed cd "Finally Karen". Through this project, Karen received four Stellar Awards (including one for her daughter Kiera), The Soul Train Lady Of Soul Award, a Grammy nomination and a host of other awards and accolades. Karen was catapulted to the forefront of gospel music and made appearances on such television shows as "Showtime At The Apollo", Teen Summit", "Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards" and "Soul Train Christmas".

In 2001, God once again proved that HE is a miracle worker. While recuperating from a routine surgery, Karen slipped into a coma after a blood vessel burst inside of her and was headed to her heart. Doctors gave her a 2chance to live but the Lord give her a "2nd Chance", a studio recording that featured such noted producers as Richard Smallwood, Donald Lawrence, PAJAM, Mike City and Missy Elliott. For Karen's third recording, it was her desire to sing songs of praise and worship and ahe fulfilled that longing with "The Heavens Are Telling", her latest release on Elektra Records.

As the eldest of The Clark Sisters, Jacky Clark Chisholm often serves as spokesperson for the group. Whether it concerns their national involvement with the American Diebetes Association or developements in their collective ministry. As lead vocalist on such Clark classics as Wonderful Counselor, I've Got An Angel and So Much Joy, her smooth mellow voice is the right ingredient to balance out the unmistakeable "Clark" sound.
In addition to her music minisry with her sisters, Jacky is also a wife and mother of three. She was very responsible for establishing the Clark Conservatory of Music along with her mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and sister Twinkie. She currently serves as an administrator at the school and is responsible for developing a curriculum and organizing workshops that have trained hundreds of students over the years. Juggling a family and a demanding, career, Jacky found the time to earn her nursing degree and served as an instrutor for the American Red Cross. She recenly earned a second degree and has already begun a new career path in grant writing. As a performer, She has had major roles in gospel stage plays such as Mama Don't. Lawd have Mercy and Can A Woman Make A Man Lose His Mind. She has also appeared in a New York Life Insurance television commercial and heard on the radio commercials and announcements. She has been a keynote speaker as far away as Johannesburg, South Africa for a H.O.P.E SOUTH AFRICA fundraiser event. Closer to home, she has been a keynote speaker for special programs, meetings and graduations excercises. She is very active in the music department of her home church New St. Paul Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ and has worked with women's groups within the church. She was appointed coordintor of the Teen Choir of the National Church Of God In Christ.
Jacky has also released a project that has a collection's of praise and worship songs that feature's The Clark Sisters on background vocals.