Twinkie Clark

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Elbernita "Twinkie" Dionne Clark (born November 15, 1954) is an American Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, musician, and evangelist. Clark is best known as the chief executive writer and member of the American gospel singing group the Clark Sisters. Often called the "Mother of Contemporary Gospel Music";^[2] Clark possesses an incredible 5 octave vocal range spanning from Bass and Baritone (B#1) notes to High Soprano and whistle register notes (G6). NPR named her one of the 50 Great Voices.^[3] Known for her use of the Hammond Organ, she is often referred to as the "Queen of the B3 Hammond Organ",^[3][4] and was inducted into the Hammond Hall of Fame in 2014. Clark is principally credited as the originator of "The C.O.G.I.C. Shout Sound".^[5] She is a BMI Gospel Trailblazer honoree, the recipient of multiple Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and continues to inspire generations of artists today. Artists such as Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans and also her sister, Karen Clark-Sheard have cited Clark as a major influence on their singing and vocal style and have also sampled her music in various songs of their own.^[6][7]

In 2012, Clark was honored by Judith Christie McAllister and the International Music Department of the Church of God in Christ, as a living legend and influencer during the 105th International Holy Convocation, where Clark also received an honorary doctorate of sacred music from Dr. Tony Lewis and the Christian Bible Institute and Seminary (CBIS).^[8]