The Clark Sisters

The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group consisting of five sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm (born 1948), Denise Clark Bradford (born 1953), Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark (born 1954), Dorinda Clark-Cole (born 1957), and Karen Clark Sheard (born 1960). The Clark Sisters are the daughters of pioneering gospel musician and choral director Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. They are credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream and are considered as pioneers of contemporary gospel. Their biggest hits include: "Is My Living in Vain", "Hallelujah", "I Can Do All Things Through Christ", "A Praying Spirit", "Nothing to Lose", "Endow Me", "Jesus is a Love Song", "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)", "Pure Gold", "Expect Your Miracle", and their biggest, mainstream crossover hit, "You Brought the Sunshine". The Clark Sisters have won three Grammy Awards[1] and are the highest-selling female gospel group in history.[2] In 2020, it was announced the Clark Sisters would be honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the 35th Annual Stellar Awards.[3]

This article is about the gospel group. For the 1950s vocal group also known as "The Clark Sisters", see The Sentimentalists.
The Clark Sisters
Also known asThe Dynamic Clark Sisters (1980)
The Legendary Clark Sisters (2017-Present)
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresGospel, urban contemporary gospel
Years active1966–present
LabelsBillmo, Sound Of Gospel, Westbound/Elektra, Rejoice/Word, Sparrow, EMI Gospel Karew
Associated actsMattie Moss Clark, Bill Moss, Sr., Kierra Sheard, J Moss, Bill Moss, Jr.
Websitetheclarksisters.net
Members
Past members
  • Denise Clark Bradford

History

The early years

The Clark Sisters were born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, to world-renowned gospel choir director and musician Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Dr. Clark was married twice: her first marriage in 1945 to Leo H. Cullum, Sr. produced two children, Leo, Jr. and Jacqueline (Jacky). After her divorce, she met and later married Pastor Elbert Clark in 1952. This marriage produced four daughters: Denise, Elbernita (Twinkie), Dorinda, and Karen. They each began singing at an early age in the choir at their father's church, and by the late 1960s they were all performing together in church services, usually singing songs written and arranged by their mother. Shortly after the Clarks' divorce in 1973, Dr. Clark formally created "the Clark Sisters" and the sisters recorded their first album, Jesus Has A Lot To Give, on their uncle (their mother's younger brother) Bill Moss' local label Billesse Records.[4]

The following year, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents the Clark Sisters was released and people around Detroit began to take notice of the group. The Clark Sisters signed to Sound of Gospel Records in 1974. Under this association, the group released albums such as Unworthy, Count It All Joy, and He Gave Me Nothing to Lose, which hit the top 20 of the Billboard Spiritual LPs chart.[5][6] By this point, Dr. Clark had turned over control of the group to Twinkie, who continued to write, arrange, conduct, and produce all of the Clark Sisters' recordings. Their popularity soared with the release of the live recording Is My Living in Vain, in 1980. Their debut live recording was first ranked on the 1981 Billboard Spiritual Albums year-end chart at number 21, before topping the year-end Spiritual Albums chart of 1982.[7][8] Opening with the bluesy title track, each sister vocally declares that their dedication to Christ is not a useless effort. The innovative "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)" was funky enough to find its way into a Tonex produced track over two decades later. Karen Clark's lead on "Speak Lord" expresses deep faith while the call to worship is raised on "Now Is The Time". Another hit from this release, "Expect Your Miracle", is still a staple in African American churches across the country.[9]

Their next release You Brought the Sunshine (1981) would result in unprecedented success due to its title track. Reminiscent of Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster (Jammin')," the song became a hit in churches and on dance floors across the country, including New York's Studio 54.[10] "You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life)" was picked up from its original independent gospel record label Sound of Gospel and distributed by both Westbound Records and Elektra Records. In 1983, the song peaked at number 16 on Billboard Black Singles, number 27 on Dance Club Songs and in 2020 – the Live: One Last Time (2007) recording – hit number 11 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart.[11] The album was also a commercial success, peaking at number 9 on the US Top Gospel Albums chart and also appeared on both the 1983 and 1984 year-end charts at number 2 and 25 respectively.[12][13] Furthermore, Billboard ranked the Clark Sisters as the number four Top Gospel Albums Artist of 1982 and number one Top Gospel Albums Artist of 1983.[14][15]

The sisters delivered another progressive effort in 1982, Sincerely, which included "Name It, Claim It" and the politically charged "World." Though its success was overshadowed by You Brought the Sunshine, the sisters received their first Grammy Award nomination for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group for the album at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards.[9][1] After receiving a second Grammy nomination in the Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group category for the song, "He'll Turn Your Scars Into Stars" – later included on the album Heart & Soul (1986) –,[16] the sisters were invited to perform live on the following 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1985, alongside their mother, where they performed "Hallelujah" as part of a medley with the year's fellow gospel nominees.

More success

In 1986, after a four-year gap between releases, the sisters: Jacky, Twinkie, Dorinda, and Karen (sister Denise left the group earlier that year) continued to release music, signing with Rejoice Records, a division of Word. This new deal yielded the Grammy-nominated Heart & Soul featuring the mainstream single "Time Out". This project made a top 5 debut on Billboard's Gospel Charts and garnered the group a coveted Dove Award. It featured the original versions of "Jesus is a Love Song", "There is a Balm in Gilead", and "Pray for the USA", all of which have been re-recorded several times. Although not pictured, Denise had contributed to the album before her departure. The music took on a more contemporary sound with programmed drums and synthesizers. Also included on this album were "Smile, God Loves You", "I Am Blessed", and the funky "He’ll Turn Your Scars into Stars."[9]

In 1988, the Clark Sisters released their Billboard chart-topping and critically acclaimed album Conqueror. It featured a bolder, more intense sound, with synthesizers, drum machines, and more funk-oriented beats. Conqueror quickly became a fan favorite with hits like "The Darkest Hour is Just Before the Day", "Take Me Higher", "For the Love of the People", "Computers Rule the World", and the original studio version of "Jesus Forevermore".[9]

In 1989, the Clark Sisters released their highly anticipated live album, Bringing it Back Home, recorded in their home town of Detroit. It was the last recording from the Clark Sisters on Word Records’ Rejoice imprint and the last group album with Twinkie just before the launch of her solo career. The album included both previous hits and new material. It also featured guest appearances from gospel icon Rance Allen and backing choir vocals from the Michigan State Choir under the direction of their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark.[9]

In 1994, the Clark Sisters (Jacky, Dorinda, and Karen) released their last studio album of the decade, Miracle, which was the first album recorded without the songwriting and vocals of sister Twinkie. Produced by BeBe Winans & Michael J. Powell, this disc featured a very commercialized version of the Clark Sisters classic "Expect Your Miracle" (now titled "Miracle") and a remake of the classic "Jesus is the Best Thing". Dorinda made her songwriting debut on a Clark Sisters recording with "Work to Do". The album, although it fared well in sales, did not match the success of previous albums due to the Clark Sisters not being able to tour and promote the project due to the illness of their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, who died in September 1994 from diabetes complications.[9]

Emerging solo artists

Following their last Word Records release, Twinkie resumed her calling as a minister and her solo career. She had previously released two solo albums under the Sound of Gospel Record label: 1979's Praise Belongs to God and 1981's Ye Shall Receive Power, both of which have become classics. In 1992 she recorded her independent solo album Comin' Home. She re-appeared in 1996 with a pair of albums to her credit: the solo studio release The Masterpiece for Ben Tankard's Tribute Records label and the live project Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir. She later released the following albums: Twinkie Clark & Friends: Live in Charlotte in 2002, Home Once Again: Live in Detroit in 2004, With Humility in 2011, Live & Unplugged in 2015, and with her nephew Larry Clark (her sister Denise's oldest son) The Generations in 2020.

Karen delivered her solo debut Finally Karen in 1997. The album, featuring star turns from the Clark Sisters, Faith Evans, and daughter Kierra Sheard, was nominated for a Grammy Award, in addition to winning a Soul Train Lady of Soul award. She has since released five more solo albums: 2nd Chance, The Heavens Are Telling, It's Not Over, All in One, and Destined to Win.

Dorinda released her self-titled debut solo album, Dorinda Clark-Cole in 2002, earning her two Stellar Awards, and a Soul Train Lady of Soul award. She has since released four more solo albums: Live in Houston and Take It Back, each of which have earned her the award for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Stellar Awards; I Survived in 2011, and in 2015, she released her fifth solo album, Living It, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album.

Jacky released her first solo project, Expectancy, in 2005, which features the Clark Sisters on the track "Blessing Me." In 2014, she released an urban inspired single "My Season" followed by singles "Cover Me" and "Shout". In February 2020, she released a single "Feel Good", featuring Mary J. Blige and rapper Tia P.

The Clark Sisters have all contributed in various capacities to each other's albums, whether they sang or wrote lyrics.

Live...One Last Time

On July 8, 2006, the Clark Sisters (Jacky, Twinkie, Dorinda, and Karen) recorded a live album in Houston, Texas, entitled Live...One Last Time. The recording was directed and produced by Donald Lawrence and was released as a CD on April 10, 2007[17] on EMI Gospel, followed by a CD/DVD Special Edition release June 19, 2007. In support of the reunion album, the Clark Sisters embarked on a 25-city concert tour beginning October 4, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee.[18] Though they had been thrice nominated previously for the Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy with 1982's Sincerely, 1986's Heart & Soul, and 1988's Conqueror without a win,[19] the group was nominated for two Grammys in 2008. Live...One Last Time won the award for Best Traditional Gospel Album. Its album track "Blessed & Highly Favored" won the award for Best Gospel Performance, and as songwriter of "Blessed & Highly Favored," sister Karen Clark Sheard won the individual award for Best Gospel Song.[20][21] Additionally, at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony featuring a gospel segment with Aretha Franklin, BeBe Winans, Israel & New Breed, and Trin-i-tee 5:7, the Clark Sisters performed a snippet of their signature hit "You Brought the Sunshine" when the ceremony was broadcast on February 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.[22]

Following the group's resurgence in popularity, Rhino Entertainment released a greatest-hits collection including material from three albums recorded for Word Records from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, including the Grammy-nominated Heart & Soul. The album, Encore: The Best of The Clark Sisters, was released February 12, 2008.[23][24] In December of that year, TV One's popular hour-long music documentary series Unsung featured the Clark Sisters in its second episode. The episode, which highlighted the group's role in breaking down barriers in Gospel music, featured interviews with each sister except sister Denise Clark Bradford, who since leaving the group, relocated to California and began a ministry.

In 2009, the Clark Sisters released their second Christmas album, entitled The Clark Sisters' Family Christmas, which featured special appearances by Karen's daughter Kierra Sheard, and their cousins Bill Moss, Jr. and James Moss (known as J. Moss). The album was produced by Karen's son, J. Drew Sheard, II.

Lifetime Movie and New Music

On November 11, 2018, It was reported that the Clark Sisters would have a television biopic, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel. The film aired on Lifetime on April 11, 2020, and netted a viewership of 2.7 million, giving the network its highest rated original movie in four years.[25] The film was executive produced by Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, and Mary J. Blige, and starred Aunjanue Ellis in her critically acclaimed performance as Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Angela Birchett as Jacky Clark Chisholm, Raven Goodwin as Denise Clark Bradford, Christina Bell as Twinkie Clark, Sheléa Frazier as Dorinda Clark Cole, and Kierra Sheard as her mother, Karen Clark Sheard.[26] The movie was directed by Christine Swanson, the story was by Camille Tucker, with a teleplay by Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker.[27]

On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed the Clark Sisters among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.[28]

On October 18, 2019, the Clark Sisters debuted their new single "Victory" on Erica Campbell's radio show "Get Up Erica".[29] The single was later released on November 15, 2019, through Karew/Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG[30] On March 13, 2020, the Clark Sisters released their seventeenth album, The Return. Their first release in over a decade, features production from J. Drew Sheard, II, Warryn Campell, Rodney Jerkins, Jermaine Dupri, Mano Hines, and Kurt Carr, with a special feature by Snoop Dogg on the track, "His Love".

Member timeline

"The Clark Sound"

The Clark Sisters are renowned for their vocal stylings, dubbed as "the Clark Sound." They incorporate high and fast melismas, acrobatic trills and riffs, and deep, soulful growls, or "squalls". The sisters are also known for the individual distinctive sounds that they contribute. Jacky (alto/tenor) is known for her sweet, soft, smooth, and deeper vocals. Dorinda (alto/mezzo-soprano), the "jazzy" sister, inputs scats, riffs, and runs with a fervency that places her in a class of her own, in addition to her being a preacher to be reckoned with. Denise (soprano) was known for her high pitched, piercing, youthful singing voice, in addition to her runs and high melismas, which can clearly be heard on the group's first ten albums. Karen (soprano) is known for her unique riffs, runs, growls, scats, very vast vocal range, ability to belt whilst in the whistle range, and has also been known to implement an "echo" in her live performances. Twinkie, credited with being "the Heart of the Clark Sisters", is known for her complex runs, riffs, powerful mixed-voice belts, soulful squalls, deep growls, and large vocal range spanning from high soprano to baritone—a range very few women have. One of the highest notes recorded by Twinkie came in one of the songs she penned, "The Darkest Hour is Just Before the Day", hitting a powerful F6 (an F in the 6th octave). Early in the group's development, Twinkie was the chief songwriter, music and vocal arranger, and producer.

There is no single lead vocalist in the group. Jacky leads songs such as "Wonderful Counselor," "I've Got An Angel," "So Much Joy", and "God Understands All". Dorinda leads "Overdose of the Holy Ghost," "Time Out", "My Redeemer Liveth", "I Won't Let Go 'Til You Bless My Soul", "Determination", "Looking To Get There (Heaven)", and "Sanctify Me Lord". Karen sings lead on "A Praying Spirit", "Hallelujah," "Endow Me," and the Grammy-winning "Blessed and Highly Favored." Twinkie leads on "Nothing to Lose", "Expect Your Miracle", "Pray for the USA," "I've Got The Victory", and their biggest hit "You Brought the Sunshine." Denise sings lead on "Who Can I Turn To", "Something Worth Living For", "Count it All Joy", and "Christ is Born Today." She co-leads with her sister Twinkie on "Holiness,” “My Life Is Complete,” “Walk In The Spirit," and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," and also with her sister Dorinda on “Sanctify Me Lord,” and the original version of "There is a Balm in Gilead" performed on local television shows, at concerts, and at Convocations before it was recorded on their album. Denise also lends her solo vocals when all of the sisters sing a part, in songs like “Keep Moving, Star Spangled Banner,” and “Is My Living In Vain.”

The group's sound and success have been highly influential on the contemporary genre of gospel music.[31]

Discography

Studio albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Gospel
[32]		 US
Christian
[33]		 US
Top Holiday Albums
Jesus Has a Lot to Give
  • Released: 1973
  • Label: Bilesse Records (#BM 354)[34]
  • Formats: LP
 ———
Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters
  • Released: 1974
  • Label: Bilesse Records (#BM 356)[35]
  • Formats: LP
 ———
Unworthy
  • Released: 1976
  • Label: Sound Of Gospel (#SOG 075)[36]
  • Formats: LP
 ———
Count It All Joy
  • Released: 1978
  • Label: Sound Of Gospel (#SOG 081)[37]
  • Formats: LP
 20
——
New Dimensions Of Christmas Carols
  • Released: 1978
  • Label: Sound Of Gospel (#SOG 085)[38]
  • Formats: LP
 ———
He Gave Me Nothing to Lose
  • Released: 1979
  • Label: Sound Of Gospel (#SOG 092)[39]
  • Formats: LP
 18
[5][6]		——
You Brought the Sunshine
  • Released: 1981
  • Label: Sound Of Gospel (#SOG 132)[40]
  • Formats: LP, cassette
 9
[41]		——
Sincerely
  • Released: 1982
  • Label: New Birth Records (#NEW 7058)[42]
  • Formats: LP
 12
[43]		——
Heart & Soul 4——
Conqueror 729—
Miracle 8——
The Clark Sisters' Family Christmas
  • Released: October 6, 2009[52]
  • Label: EMI Gospel (#94724)[53]
  • Formats: CD, digital download[54]
 15—18
The Return
  • Released: March 13, 2020
  • Label: Karew Records, Motown Gospel (# B003051902)[55]
  • Formats: CD, digital download[56]
 2——

Live albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[57]		 US
Gospel
[32]
Is My Living In Vain
(with Mattie Moss Clark)
  • Released: 1980
  • Label: New Birth Records (#NEW-7056)[58]
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette tape, digital download[59]
 —1
[60][61][8]
Bringing It Back Home —13
Live: One Last Time
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: Rejoice Records, A&M Records (#EGD 81094)[65]
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 561

Compilation albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title[32] Album details[32] Peak chart positions
US
Gospel
[32]
Best
  • Released: 1986
  • Labels: Spirit And Truth Records (#SAT 6000)[66]
  • Formats: LP
 —
Count It All Joy / He Gave Me Nothing To Loose
  • Released: October 8, 2002[67]
  • Labels: Sound Of Gospel Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download[68]
 —
You Brought The Sunshine / Unworthy
  • Released: October 8, 2002[69]
  • Labels: Sound Of Gospel Records (#SOG 2CD-3000)[70]
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 —
Encore: The Best of The Clark Sisters
  • Released: February 12, 2008[71]
  • Labels: Dexterity Sounds, Rhino Records (#R2 419452)[72]
  • Formats: CD
 12
The Clark Sisters: The Definitive Collection 37
Power Play: 6 Big Hits! - The Clark Sisters
  • Released: January 22, 2010
  • Labels: Motown Gospel, EMI Gospel[76]
  • Formats: CD, digital download[77]
 —
Beginnings
  • Released: January 24, 2012
  • Labels: Special Markets, Word[78]
  • Formats: CD, digital download[79]
 —
Best of The Clark Sisters (Live)
  • Released: January 1, 2013[80]
  • Labels: Motown Gospel
  • Formats: Digital download
 —
Icon 28
You Brought The Sunshine
(The Sound Of Gospel Recordings 1976–1981)
(with Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark)		 —

Singles
as lead artist
List of singles, with selected chart positions and sales, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Notes Album
US
Hot Gospel Songs
[85]		 US
Gospel Airplay		 US
Gospel Digital Song Sales		 US
Dance/Club Songs
[86]		 US R&B
/HH
[87]
"Jesus Has A Lot To Give" 1973 ————— Jesus Has A Lot To Give
"Is My Living In Vain" 1980 ——3—— Is My Living In Vain
"Name It, Claim It" 1982 ————— Sincerely
"World" —————
"You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life)" 1983 ——22716
  • US: 200,000+ (as of 1985)[88]
 You Brought the Sunshine
"Jesus is a Love Song" 1986 ————— Heart & Soul
"Pray for the U.S.A." —————
"Time Out (Remix)" 1987 ———43—
"My Redeemer Liveth" 1991 ————— Bringing It Back Home
"Hallelujah" —————
"Blessed & Highly Favored (Live)" 2007 111—— Live: One Last Time
"Livin'" 22———
"Looking To Get There (Heaven) [Live]" 2008 —————
"Something New (Live)" —————
"Instrument (live)" 2009 —————
"Victory" 2019 615—— [89][90][91] The Return
"Expect Your Miracle" 2020 ——7—— Is My Living In Vain
"Name It Claim It (Live)" ——9—— Live... One Last Time
"You Brought the Sunshine (Live)" 11————
as a featured artist
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Gospel
[85]		 US
AC
[92]		 US
R&B
/HH
[87]		 US
Adult
R&B
[93]
"Lift Every Voice and Sing"
(Melba Moore featuring Gerald Albright, Anita Baker, Bobby Brown,
Terri Lyne Carrington, the Clark Sisters, Howard Hewett,
Freddie Jackson, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osbourne, Jake O, Dionne Warwick, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Stevie Wonder)[94]		 1990 ——9— Soul Exposed
"The First Noel"
(Mary J. Blige with the Clark Sisters)		 2014 —21—— A Mary Christmas
"Dance"[95]
(3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2015 7
[96]		——15
[96]		 Foreign Land
"Hey Devil!"
(CeCe Winans featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2017 22——— Let Them Fall in Love
Other charted songs
Title Year Peak
chart
positions		 Album
US
Gospel
[85]
"You Brought the Sunshine" 2020 11
[97]		 Live: One Last Time

Other appearances
List of album appearances, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Won't You Come a Christmasing"[98]
(Shirley Caesar featuring the Clark Sisters)		 1986 Christmasing
"Jesus Forevermore (Live)"[99]
(The Clark Sisters)		 1989 Black Gospel Explosion: Recorded Live
"Hallelujah (Live)"[99]
(The Clark Sisters)
"Lift Every Voice and Sing"[100]
(Melba Moore featuring Gerald Albright, Anita Baker, Bobby Brown,
Terri Lyne Carrington, The Clark Sisters, Howard Hewett,
Freddie Jackson, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osbourne, Jake O,
Dionne Warwick, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Stevie Wonder)[94]		 1990 Soul Exposed
"Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates"[101]
(Commissioned & the Clark Sisters)		 1992 Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration
"Nothing to Lose"[102]
(The Florida A&M University Gospel Choir featuring the Clark Sisters)		 1996 Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents
"Jesus is a Love Song"[103]
(Karen Clark-Sheard featuring the Clark Sisters)		 1997 Finally Karen
"Pure Gold"[104]
(Karen Clark-Sheard featuring the Clark Sisters)		 Finally Karen...Live!
"Show Me the Way"[105]
(Dorinda Clark-Cole featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2002 Dorinda Clark-Cole
"You Brought the Sunshine"[106]
(Kelly Price featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2003 Priceless
"I'm Not Perfect"[107]
(Missy Elliott featuring the Clark Sisters)		 This Is Not a Test!
"I Made It"[108]
(Twinkie Clark featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2004 Home Once Again: Live in Detroit
"Blessing Me"[109]
(Jacky Clark-Chisholm featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2005 Expectancy
"Higher Ground"[110]
(Robert Randolph & the Clark Sisters)		 2009 Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration
"I Wanna Thank You"[111]
(The Clark Sisters, J. Moss, Kierra Sheard)		 Silky Soul Music...an All-star Tribute to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
"Hallelujah Remix"[112]
(Twinkie Clark featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2013 Live & Unplugged
"The First Noel"[113]
(Mary J. Blige featuring the Clark Sisters)		 A Mary Christmas
"Dance - Louie Vega Funk House Radio Edit"[114]
(3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2015 Foreign Land
"I'm Not Ashamed"[114]
(3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters)
"Dance"[114]
(3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters)
"Look to the Hills"[115]
(G E I featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2016 GEI Live
"Hey Devil!"[116]
(CeCe Winans featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2017 Let Them Fall in Love
"Blessed & Highly Favored (Remix)"[117]
(Snoop Dogg featuring the Clark Sisters)		 2018 Bible of Love
"Dance - Mike Dunn's Gospel Re-Touch"[118]
(3 Winans Brothers, the Clark Sisters, Mike Dunn)		 2019 Unreleased Project EP, Vol. 03

Awards

Dove Awards

The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. The Clark Sisters have won 1 award.[119]

Year Nominated work Award Result
1987 Heart & Soul Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year Won

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The Clark Sisters have won 3 awards from 8 nominations.[1][120]

Year Nominated work Award Result
1983 Sincerely Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group Nominated
1987 Heart & Soul Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus Nominated
1988 Conqueror Nominated
1990 Bringing it Back Home Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album Nominated
2007 "Blessed & Highly Favored" Best Gospel Song Won
Best Gospel Performance Won
Live: One Last Time Best Traditional Gospel Album Won
2009 "Higher Ground" Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals Nominated

Covers
  • "You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life)" has been covered by many artists including; Al Green, Kelly Price, Shirley Murdock, Out of Eden, Melinda Doolittle, and LeJeune Thompson.
  • "Is My Living in Vain" (title track of the 1980 live album) was covered by R&B quartet Xscape on their 1993 debut album, Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha, as well as Light Records gospel quartet Zie'l.
  • "I've Got An Angel" (from the 1986 album Heart & Soul), was interpolated by Aaliyah in the song "Never Givin' Up" from the 1996 album One in a Million.
  • "Hallelujah" (originally from the 1974 album Mattie Moss Clark Presents) was covered in the 2002 Denzel Washington film Antwone Fisher.
  • "Endow Me" (from the 1981 album You Brought the Sunshine) was covered by Coko featuring Faith Evans, Fantasia, and Lil' Mo on Coko's 2006 gospel debut Grateful.
  • "They Were Overcome (By the Word)" (from the 1980 live album Is My Living in Vain) was sampled by Mary J. Blige on "Checkin' for Me", from the 2001 album, No More Drama and later sampled by Kierra Sheard on the track "2nd Win".
  • "There Is a Balm in Gilead" and "He'll Turn Your Scars into Stars" (from the 1986 album Heart and Soul) were sampled as interludes, on Kierra Sheard's 2014 album Graceland.
  • "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)" was sampled by Jay-Z and Beyoncé on the song "Family Feud", from the 2017 album 4:44.

References
  1. "Clark Sisters". Grammy.com. Recording Academy. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  2. Davis, RaVal (April 22, 2020). "Now Playing: 10 Binge Worthy Titles With Black And Brown Faces Behind And In Front Of The Camera". Forbes. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  3. "2020 Stellar Award Nominations Announced". CCM Magazine. January 22, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  4. "The Clark Sisters Biography". JLEntertainment.com.
  5. "Best Selling Spiritual LPs". Billboard. November 1, 1980. p. 40. Retrieved April 21, 2020 – via Google Books.
  6. "Best Selling Spiritual LPs". Billboard. December 6, 1980. p. 28. Retrieved April 21, 2020 – via Google Books.
  7. "SPIRITUAL ALBUMS". Billboard. December 26, 1981. p. YE-32. Retrieved April 25, 2020 – via Google Books.
  8. "Top Spiritual Albums". Billboard. December 25, 1982. p. TIA-42. Retrieved April 21, 2020 – via Google Books.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 10, 2010. Retrieved May 6, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. J. Matthew Cobb (August 31, 2007). "80's Countdown". PraiseHymnOnline.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2007.
  11. "The Clark Sisters Chart History". Allmusic.
  12. "Top Gospel Albums – Year End (1983)". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  13. "Top Gospel Albums – Year End (1984)". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  14. "Top Gospel Albums Artists – Year End (1982)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  15. "Top Gospel Albums Artists – Year End (1983)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2020 – via Billboard.com.
  16. "GRAMMYS MAY OFFER A FEW SURPRISES". Los Angeles Times. January 11, 1985. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 13, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2007.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. The Clark Sisters Concert Tour GospelCity.com.
  19. "Awards Database". The Envelope.
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