The Clark Sisters

The Clark Sisters are recognized as one of the most successful female gospel groups in history, often referred to as the First Ladies of Gospel and Queens of Contemporary Gospel. The group originally consisted of five sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm, Denise Clark-Bradford, Elbernita Clark, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, they are the daughters of gospel musician and choral director Mattie Moss Clark, who assembled and trained them to form a powerful gospel ensemble. The sisters began singing at an early age and by the late 1960s were performing together in church services, often singing songs written and arranged by their mother.

Blending styles such as blues, jazz, R&B, and classical, the Clark Sisters developed a distinctive sound known as The Clark Sound. Early in the group's development, Twinkie Clark served as chief songwriter, music and vocal arranger, and producer, with a vocal range spanning from soprano to low baritone. Karen Clark Sheard is known for her high soprano, which has influenced artists including Mariah Carey and Faith Evans, while Dorinda Clark-Cole is recognized for her jazz-inspired vocal techniques and preaching. The group recorded its first album, "Jesus Has a Lot to Give," followed by "He Gave Me Nothing to Lose," which reached the top 20 of the Billboard Spiritual Albums chart. Their breakthrough came with the live album "Is My Living in Vain" and the studio album "You Brought the Sunshine." The song "You Brought the Sunshine" peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Black Singles chart and achieved crossover success, selling more than 200,000 records beyond the traditional gospel market.

With 16 albums and millions in sales, the Clark Sisters are the highest-selling female gospel group in history. They reunited for the album "Live One Last Time," recorded before a sold-out crowd in Houston. The reunion earned them four Gospel Stellar Awards, including Gospel Artist of the Year, Gospel Group or Duo of the Year, CD of the Year, and Traditional Group/Duo of the Year, as well as three Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Gospel Album, Best Gospel Performance, and Best Gospel Song for "Blessed and Highly Favored." The group has received seven Grammy nominations, with its first nomination for the album "Sincerely."

The Clark Sisters' influence extends beyond the recording studio. They performed at Aretha Franklin's funeral, delivering a rendition of "Is My Living in Vain." A biographical film, "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel," produced by Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, and Missy Elliott, premiered on Lifetime. The Yale Institute of Sacred Music has hosted the group for a concert, symposium, and masterclass. The Recording Academy recognized the Clark Sisters with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and they have also received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the Stellar Awards and have been inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. Credited with helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream, the Clark Sisters are regarded as pioneers of contemporary gospel, continuing to influence artists and audiences worldwide.