The word for this week is………Sisterhood.
The nomination committee for the Essence Festival has done it again! Last year it was Houston’s own, Kim Burrell. This year they’ve selected an iconic gospel group to honor at this year’s 2016 Essence Festival in New Orleans, July 4th weekend. This year’s standing ovation goes to Jacky Clark-Chisolm, Elbertina “Twinkie” Clark Terrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark-Sheard, better known as The Clark Sisters.
The Clark Sisters hail from Detroit, Michigan and although they were singing gospel music in and around Detroit prior to the 1980s, it wasn’t until 1980 the talented sisters became visible on a national level, to more than just the Mid-West Region. They quickly made their presence known with chart-topping songs like, “Is My Living in Vain”, “Name It, Claim It”; and who doesn’t remember the 1981 hit, “You Brought the Sunshine” which sampled Steve Wonder’s, “Master Blaster (Jammin)”? Let it be known, the Clark Sisters sampled an R&B hit, commanded their audience’s attention and conveyed a message fused with Christian lyrics and experiences and it all pre-dates Kirk Franklin.
Singing gospel music was definitely inevitable for the sisters and following in their mother’s footsteps was clearly a predestined calling. Rightfully so considering their mother is, the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. The Clark Sisters are without question true believers in the God they so eloquently sing about. Not only are the Clark Sisters believers, they’re dedicated to their ministries and each has a well-documented resume to prove it.
The Clark Sisters aren’t just four beautiful women but rather the pioneers of Contemporary Gospel Music. Their presence, faithfulness, longevity, and obedience are sheer evidence and a testimony to how wonderful God really is. Psalms 34:8 reads, “Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him.”
Make sure you plan to be in New Orleans July 4th weekend, specifically July 3, 2016 in order to be a part of gospel music history because you know the Clark Sisters will perform and you don’t want to miss a minute of the praise & worship that will go forth. I’ll be there, will you?
I’m curious, what’s your favorite Clark Sisters song?
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