Twinkie Clark

Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark (born November 15, 1954) is an American singer, songwriter, composer, arranger, organist, record producer, and evangelist. Often called the "Mother of Contemporary Gospel Music", she is best known as the chief songwriter and a member of the gospel group the Clark Sisters, who received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. Clark possesses a 4-octave vocal range, spanning from bass/baritone (G2) to high soprano and whistle register (Bb6), and was named one of NPR's 50 Great Voices.

Renowned for her mastery of the Hammond Organ, she is credited as the originator of the contemporary "COGIC Shout Sound." in gospel music. Clark is frequently referred to as the "Queen of the B3 Hammond Organ", and was inducted into the Hammond Hall of Fame in 2014. Artists such as Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Jazmine Sullivan, Kim Burrell, and Clark's sister, Karen Clark Sheard, have cited Clark as a significant influence on their vocal style and have sampled her songs on several different projects of their own.

Biography Early life Born to Mattie Moss Clark and Pastor Elbert Clark in Detroit, Michigan, Clark began her tutelage in music under the direction of her mother, very early in life. From the age of 13, she began touring nationally with her mother, ministering and training choirs in three-part vocal harmony.

The Clark Sisters

Since their formation in 1973, Clark has been the leader, principal songwriter, and producer of the gospel group the Clark Sisters, which includes sisters Jacky Clark Chisholm, Dorinda Clark Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard (sister Denise Clark Bradford departed the group in 1986). The group achieved their biggest success with the mainstream, crossover hit "You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life)" in 1983, which peaked within the top 20 of Billboard's Gospel and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts and hit a top 30 peak on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. Other hit songs include, "Is My Living in Vain", "Expect Your Miracle" and "Jesus is a Love Song", all written by Clark. Receiving their first Grammy nomination at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards for Sincerely (1982) in the Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group category, they received subsequent nominations for their follow-ups, Heart & Soul (1986) and Conqueror (1988), for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus at the 30th and 31st Annual Grammy Awards. In 1990, the group received its first Grammy nomination for a live album when Bringing it Back Home (1989) was nominated for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards. In 2007, the Clark Sisters were awarded three Grammys at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards: Best Gospel Song and Best Gospel Performance for "Blessed & Highly Favored" which topped both the Billboard Gospel Albums and Christian Music Video charts.

In 2016, the group was honored at the Essence festival. In 2020, it was announced that the Clark Sisters would be honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the 35th Annual Stellar Awards. The same year, a Lifetime biographical film, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel was released, produced by Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, and Missy Elliott, and became the highest rated original movie release by Lifetime in four years.

Solo career Clark has recorded several solo albums. Her debut studio album, Praise Belongs to God (1979), was ranked at No. 28 by Billboard on the 1981 year-end Spiritual Albums chart and followed shortly by Ye Shall Receive Power (1981). In 1992, she released Comin' Home and The Masterpiece in 1996. Also in 1996, she made her live solo debut in a collaborative album Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir, which was a top 10 hit on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart, where it was placed by Billboard as the 34th Top Gospel Album of 1996. In 2002, she released Twinkie Clark & Friends...Live in Charlotte which received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. In 2004, it was followed by the Asaph Ward-produced Home Once Again: Live in Detroit, which became her highest-charting album on Billboards Gospel Albums chart and also appeared on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 2011 and 2013, Clark released With Humility and Live & Unplugged respectively on Larry Clark Gospel, before releasing a collaborative album with Larry Clark (the son of her sister Denise Clark Bradford), The Generations in 2020.

Musical influence Clark has been inspired by different genres of music, including jazz, reggae, classical, funk, and blues, and she lists artists such as Stevie Wonder, Thomas Whitfield, Walter Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, Andraé Crouch, Charles Nicks, Aretha Franklin, and her mother, Mattie Moss Clark, as musical influences.

Clark is principally credited as the originator of "The C.O.G.I.C. Shout Sound". She is a BMI Gospel Trailblazer honoree and the recipient of multiple Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. She is the recipient of an honorary doctorate of sacred music from the Christian Bible Institute and Seminary (CBIS).

Discography Studio albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions USGospel Praise Belongs to God Released: 1979 Label: Sound of Gospel (#SOG 091) Formats: LP 15Ye Shall Receive Power Released: 1981 Label: Sound of Gospel (#SOG 133) Formats: LP —Comin' Home Released: January 15, 1992 Label: Tyscot Records (#GRA30012D) Formats: CD, cassette, digital download 40The Masterpiece Released: April 1, 1996 Label: Tribute Records, Zomba (#7901139226) Formats: CD, cassette, digital download 19With Humility Released: April 5, 2011 Label: Larry Clark Gospel Formats: CD, digital download 14The Generations(with Larry Clark) Released: February 14, 2020 Label: Larry Clark Gospel Formats: Digital download —Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark(with Donald Lawrence & Co.) Released: September 15, 2023 —

Live albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions USGospel USR&B/HH Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents The Florida A&M University Gospel Choir Released: June 13, 1996 Label: Crystal Rose Records, Star Song Communications (#SSD 0127) Formats: CD, VHS, cassette, digital download 10 —Twinkie Clark & Friends...Live in Charlotte Released: August 20, 2002 Label: Verity Records (#01241-43196-2) Formats: CD, cassette, DVD, digital download 10 —Home Once Again...Live in Detroit Released: August 10, 2004 Label: Verity Records (#82876-62293-2) Formats: CD, digital download 9 66Live & Unplugged Released: August 27, 2013 Label: Larry Clark Gospel Formats: CD, DVD, digital download 16 —

Compilation albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions USGospel Formats: CD, digital download —Praise & Worship Released: June 12, 2006 Label: Verity Records, Legacy Records (#01241-43196-2) 39 You Brought the Sunshine (The Sound of Gospel Recordings 1976–1981) (with The Clark Sisters) Released: January 31, 2020 Labels: Westbound Records (#CDSEWD 159) Formats: CD, digital download —

Singles as a lead artist + List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Title Year Peakchartpositions Album USGospel "He Lifted Me" 2005 14 Home Once Again...Live in Detroit "When Praises Go Up" 2010 — "God's Got a Blessing" — With Humility "Awesome God" (featuring Larry Clark) — "God Gave Me Favor" 2013 17 Live & Unplugged "Speak Lord" (featuring Karen Clark-Sheard) — "There is a Word"(featuring Larry Clark) 2014 — "In My Spirit" (with Larry Clark) 2020 — The Generations "In Him There Is No Sorrow" (with Donald Lawrence & Co. and Yolanda Adams) 2023 17 Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark

as a featured artist + List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Title Year Peakchartpositions Album USGospel (Eric Deon featuring Twinkie Clark) 2013 — "I Thank God for Jesus" (Anthony "Junebug" Turner & the Norfolk State University Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir featuring Twinkie Clark) 2014 — "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" (The First Cathedral Mass Choir featuring Moses Tyson Jr., Twinkie Clark) 2014 — The First Cathedral Gospel Music Extravaganza, Vol. 1

Album appearances + List of album appearances, showing year released and album name Title Year Album "He Will Supply Your Need" (Southwest Michigan State Choir of the Church of God in Christfeaturing Mattie Moss Clark, Denise Clark, Dolores Jones, Twinkie Clark) 1967 A Closer Walk with Thee "My Faith Holds Out Til He Comes" (Mattie Moss Clark & the Michigan State Community Choirfeaturing Elbernita Clark) 1972 That's Christ "Trust in Him (He'll Bring You Out)" (Sister Mattie Moss Clark and the South Michigan State Community Choir featuring Twinkie Clark) 1973 The Hands of God Reached Out and Touched Me "I Want To Be More Like Jesus" " (Mattie Moss Clark featuring Twinkie Clark, Dorinda Clark) A Song Is Born Vol. 1 "Oh Give Thanks" (Mattie Moss Clark featuring Ora Watkins, Twinkie Clark) 1974 I Don't Know What I Would Do Without the Lord "Lord I Want to Be Ready" "(Mattie Moss Clark & the Michigan State Community Choir featuring Twinkie Clark) 1975 The Wages of Sin Is Death "He Was Hung Up for My Hang Ups" (Mattie Moss Clark featuring Ora Watkins, Twinkie Clark) 1976 He Was Hung-Up for My Hang-Ups "If My People Which Are Called by My Name" (Mattie Moss Clark & the Michigan State Community Choir featuring Elbernita Clark) 1978 I Am Crucified with Christ "O, Saint of God" (UNAC 5 featuring Elbernita Clark) 1979 Volume Three "The Wonderful Change" (Missionary Essie Moss featuring Twinkie Clark, Maria Gardner) 1980 Take One Day at a Time "Running for the Lord" (COGIC International Mass Choir featuring Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark) I Can Do All Things "Hallelujah" (Mattie Moss Clark presents the Church Of God in Christ International Choir featuring Elbernita Clark) 1986 A Song Is Born UNAC 5 Houston 1986 "The Anointing Breaks The Yoke" (Dr. Mattie Moss Clark featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell) 1989 The Southern California Holy Gospel Feast "Lift Those Hands and Bless Him" (Thomas Whitfield featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell, Larry Whitfield) 1993 A Tribute to "The Maestro" "More Like Thee" (Corey Skinner's Collegiate Voices of Faith featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell, Mattie Moss Clark, Veronica Fly) Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents Corey Skinner's Collegiate Voices of Faith "I Found Jesus" (Dr. Mattie Moss Clark presents the C.O.G.I.C. National Music Choir featuring A. Lyle, Aljarita Stewart, Twinkie Clark-Terrell) 1994 Live in Atlanta "Trust in the Lord" (Mattie Moss Clark & The Michigan State Mass Choir featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell) Watch Ye Therefore "Hold On" (Michael Scott & the Outreach Choir featuring Gerald Rivera, Twinkie Clark-Terrell) 1995 Hold On "Trust in Jesus" (Michael Scott & the Outreach Choir featuring Shavonne Edwards, Twinkie Clark-Terrell) "The Praise" (Rodney Posey with the Whitfield Company featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell) Live in Praise And Worship with the Whitfield Company "Lord, Let Me Hear from Heaven" (Michael Scott & the Outreach Choir featuring Mattie Moss Clark, Twinkie Clark-Terrell) 1996 Lord, Let Me Hear from Heaven "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" (Twinkie Clark-Terrell) 1998 The Real Meaning of Christmas, Vol. 2 "Secret Place" (Robert Lowe & Generations featuring Twinkie Clark) 2000 Total Experience "Joy Unspeakable" (Derrick Starks & Today's Generation featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell) 2001 Sacrifice "Children Go Where I Send Thee" (Michael McDonald featuring Twinkie Clark) In the Spirit: A Christmas Album "Timmy's Choir" (Timmy Vegas featuring Twinkie Clark) 2009 Motivation Too "Thank You" (Dorinda Clark-Cole featuring Twinkie Clark) 2011 I Survived "Coming Out" (Titus Jackson featuring Twinkie Clark) 2015 Changed "God's Got a Blessing" (Larry Clark featuring Twinkie Clark) 2016 Hallelujah "There Is a Word" (G E I featuring Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark) 2016 GEI Live

Awards BET Awards The BET Awards are awarded annually by the Black Entertainment Television network. Clark has received two nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult 2008 Best Gospel Artist The Clark Sisters 2020 Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award "Victory"

BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards The BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards are awarded annually. Clark has been recognized twice.

Year Award Nominated workResult 2022 One of the Most-Performed Songs of the Year "His Love" 2025 "In Him There Is No Sorrow"

Dove Awards The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Clark has won 2 awards from 11 nominations. Year Award Nominated workResult 1983 Inspirational Black Gospel Album of the Year Sincerely 1987 Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year Heart & Soul 2003 Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Endow Me" 2008 Artist of the Year The Clark Sisters Group of the Year Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Blessed and Highly Favored" Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year Live – One Last Time 2020 Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Victory" Inspirational Film of the Year The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel Traditional Gospel Album of the Year The Return 2026 Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Jesus I Do" (with Mariah Carey)

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Clark has won 3 awards from 8 nominations, including a Lifetime Achievement award. Year Award Nominated workResult 1983 Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group Sincerely 1987 Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus Heart & Soul 1988 Conqueror 1990 Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album Bringing it Back Home 2002 Live In Charlotte 2007 Best Gospel Performance "Blessed & Highly Favored" Best Traditional Gospel Album Live: One Last Time 2009 Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals "Higher Ground" 2024 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award The Clark Sisters

NAACP Image Awards The NAACP Image Awards are awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Clark has won two awards from four nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult 1983 Outstanding Gospel Artist The Clark Sisters 1989 2020 Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song – Traditional or Contemporary "Victory" 2021 Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album The Return

Soul Train Awards The Soul Train Music Awards are awarded annually. Clark has received three nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult 1988 Best Gospel Album – Group or Choir Heart & Soul 1989 Best Gospel Album Conqueror 2020 Best Gospel/Inspirational Award The Clark Sisters

Stellar Awards The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Clark has received 8 awards and 2 honorary awards.

Year Award Nominated workResult 2004 Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year Live In Charlotte Traditional CD of the Year 2006 Female Vocalist of the Year Home Once Again: Live in Detroit 2007 The Chevrolet Most Notable Achievement Award The Clark Sisters 2008 CD of the Year Live... One Last Time Artist of the Year Group or Duo of the Year Traditional Group/Duo of the Year 2009 Special Event CD of the Year Encore: The Best of the Clark Sisters 2010 Silky Soul Music... An All-Star Tribute to Maze (with Kierra Sheard and J. Moss) 2012 Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year Twinkie Clark 2014 Special Event CD of the Year Twinkie Clark Live & Unplugged Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year 2020 James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award The Clark Sisters 2021 Contemporary Duo/Group Chorus of the Year The Return Duo/Group Chorus of the Year Traditional Duo/Group Chorus of the Year Gospel According to PJ 2026 Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year "Jesus I Do" (with Mariah Carey)

Miscellaneous honors Year Organization Award Nominated workResult 1999 Michigan's International Gospel Music Hall of Fame The Clark Sisters 2019 Essence Fest's Strength Of A Woman Brunch Strength of A Woman Award 2022 Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame 2025 Missouri Gospel Music Hall of Fame 2026 Hollywood Walk of Fame