The Clark Sisters

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)
The First Ladies Of Gospel The Queens of Contemporary Gospel
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresGospel, urban contemporary gospel
Years active1973–present
LabelsBillmo, Sound Of Gospel, Westbound/Elektra, Rejoice/Word, Sparrow, EMI Gospel Karew
Members
Past members
Websitetheclarksisters.net

The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group originally consisting of five sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm (born 1948), Denise "Niecy" 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 gospel musician and choral director Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. They are credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream and are considered pioneers of contemporary gospel.

Their biggest hits include "Is My Living in Vain", "Praise the Lord (Hallelujah)", "I Can Do All Things Through Christ That Strengthens Me", "A Praying Spirit", "Nothing to Lose, All to Gain", "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".

As a group, the Clark Sisters have won two Grammy Awards[1] and are the highest-selling female gospel group in history.[2] In 2020, the Clark Sisters were honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the 35th Annual Stellar Awards.[3] In 2022, the group was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.[4] In 2024, the group (including Denise Clark-Bradford) was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the fifth gospel act to receive the award, after Mahalia Jackson, The Staple Singers, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Shirley Caesar.[5]

  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. ^ Aderoju, Darlene (June 13, 2022). "Black Music Month & Juneteenth 2022: Industry Celebrations (Updating)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  5. ^ Nina Frazier (January 5, 2024). "The Recording Academy Announces 2024 Special Merit Award & Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees: N.W.A, Gladys Knight, Donna Summer, DJ Kool Herc & Many More". Retrieved January 11, 2024.