Music / Religion
Twinkie Clark
born 1954
· singer, songwriter, organist, producer
Detroit-born leader, chief songwriter and producer of the Clark Sisters, often called the "Mother of Contemporary Gospel Music".
- Born
Detroit, Michigan
age 71- Birth name
- Elbernita Clark
- Also known as
- Elbernita Clark · Mother of Contemporary Gospel Music
- Detroit years
- 1954–
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Born in Detroit to choir director Mattie Moss Clark and Pastor Elbert Clark, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark studied music under her mother and from 13 toured with her, training church choirs in three-part harmony. She made her recording debut in 1967 as a featured singer with the Southwest Michigan State Choir. When the Clark Sisters formed in 1973 she became their leader, writing, arranging and producing their records, which were first released by Detroit's Sound of Gospel label. Her song "You Brought the Sunshine" (1981), influenced by Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster", crossed from churches to dance floors, reached the R&B Top 20 in 1983 and was distributed by Detroit's Westbound as well as Elektra. She is credited with originating the "COGIC shout" sound on the Hammond organ and has recorded solo albums since Praise Belongs to God (1979). The Clark Sisters received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
Highlights
- Leader and principal songwriter of the Clark Sisters since 1973
- Wrote "You Brought the Sunshine" (1981): R&B Top 20 in 1983
- Credited with the "COGIC shout" organ sound
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 with the Clark Sisters