The Clark Sisters life and biography

The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group consisting of four sisters: Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell, Jacky Clark Chisholm, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark Sheard. A fifth sister, Denise Clark Bradford, no longer performs with the group. The Clark Sisters are the daughters of legendary 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 crossover hits include: "Is My Living in Vain?" "Hallelujah," "He Gave Me Nothing to Lose," "Endow Me," their hit song "Jesus Is A Love Song," "Pure Gold," "Expect a Miracle,"and their largest mainstream crossover gold certified, "You Brought the Sunshine." Some of the Clark Sister's greatest classics dominated Billboard's R & B and gospel charts during the '70s and '80s. Their albums have sold millions, paving the way for newcomers in gospel to continue to take gospel mainstream such as Detroit's own The Winans Family, including Be Be & Ce Ce Winans, Commissioned, Kirk Franklin, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Mary Mary, and many more contemporary gospel artists. The Clark Sisters have won two Grammy Awards. Despite similarity in names, there is no connection with the 1940s/1950's jazz quartet "The Original Clark Sisters" (also known as The Sentimentalists when they recorded with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra). With 16 albums to their credit and millions-upon-millions in sales, the Clark Sisters are the largest selling female gospel group in the history of gospel music.

Led by organist/vocalist Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell, the five sisters have continued to expand the legacy begun by their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Dr. Clark, who served as National Music Department president of the Church of God in Christ based in Memphis and founded the Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit, where the sisters continue to teach, was the first gospel artist to be awarded a gold record and introduced the concept of choirs singing in tenor soprano and alto sections. In 1983, the Clark Sisters recorded a crossover dance hit, "You Bring the Sunshine." In June 1996, the Clark Sisters recorded an album with the FAMU Gospel Choir of Florida A&M College.

Albums

* 1973: Jesus Has a Lot to Give
* 1974: Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents the Clark Sisters
* 1976: Unworthy
* 1978: Count It All Joy #20 (US Gospel)
* 1978: New Dimensions of Christmas Carols
* 1979: He Gave Me Nothing to Lose (But All to Gain) #18 (US Gospel)
* 1980: Is My Living in Vain #18 (US Gospel)
* 1981: You Brought the Sunshine #9 (US Gospel)
* 1982: Sincerely #12 (US Gospel)
* 1982: Gospel
* 1984: Awosome (Never released)
* 1986: Best
* 1986: Heart and Soul #5 (US Gospel)
* 1988: Conqueror #7 (US Gospel), #29 (US Contemporary Christian)
* 1989: Bringing It Back Home #13 (US Gospel)
* 1994: Miracle #8 (US Gospel)
* 2007: Live - One Last Time #1 (US Gospel), #56 (US Billboard 200)
* 2008: Encore: The Best of the Clark Sisters
* 2008: The Clark Sisters Definitive Gospel Collection
* 2009: A Clark Family Christmas #15 (US Gospel)

Singles

* 1973 "Jesus Has A Lot To Give"
* 1980 "Is My Living In Vain"
* 1982 "Name It Claim It"
* 1982 "World"
* 1983 "You Brought the Sunshine"
* 1986 "Time Out"
* 1986 "Jesus is a Love Song"
* 1986 "Pray for the U.S.A."
* 1991 "My Redeemer Liveth"
* 1991 "Hallelujah"
* 2007 "Blessed & Highly Favored"
* 2007 "Livin'"
* 2008 "Looking To Get There (Heaven)"
* 2008 "Something New"
* 2009 "Instrument (Re-issue live)"

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