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Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark (born November 15, 1954) is an American gospel singer, songwriter, composer, musician, and evangelist. Clark is best known as a member the American gospel singing group The Clark Sisters. Clark has been called the "Mother of Contemporary Gospel Music". In addition to singing, Clark is member of the Hammond Organ Hall of Fame.
Biography
The Clark Sisters
Clark is the leader of the gospel group the Clark Sisters, which included Gospel musicians such as Karen Clark-Sheard, Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole, Dr. Denise Clark-Bradford, and Jacky Clark-Chisholm. The group is mostly known for their hit singles, "You Brought the Sunshine", “Jesus is a Love Song”,"Expect Your Miracle" and "Is My Living In Vain", all written by Twinkie Clark.In 2016 the group was honored at the Essence festival.
Solo career
Since leaving The Clark Sisters, Clark has recorded several solo albums intermittently including Comin' Home, Masterpiece ( Produced by top gospel/jazz artist and musician, Ben Tankard. In 2002, she recorded her first live solo album Live in Charlotte. Twinkie's son John Terrell raps on the album. It was followed by another live album, the Asaph Ward-produced Home Once Again: Live in Detroit, two years later. She is recognized in the Hall of fame as the “Queen of Hammond B-3 Organ”. She also released a collaboration project with the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir called Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir which also was a mainstay in the Billboard Gospel top 10 in late 1996.
Musical influence
Clark's influences include jazz, reggae, classical, funk and blues. This is evidenced by listening to her first two solo albums Praise Belongs to God and Ye Shall Receive Power recorded for Sound of Gospel Records while still with The Clark Sisters.
Discography
Solo albums
- Praise Belongs To God (Sound of Gospel, 1979)
- Ye Shall Receive Power (Sound of Gospel, 1981)
- Comin' Home (Tyscot, 1992) (No. 40 US Gospel)
- Masterpiece (Tribute/Verity, 1996) (No. 19 US Gospel)
- Twinkie Clark-Terrell presents FAMU Gospel Choir (Crystal Rose, 1996) (No. 10 US Gospel)
- Twinkie Clark and Friends: Live In Charlotte N.C. (Verity, 2002) (No. 10 US Gospel)
- Home Once Again: Live In Detroit (Verity, 2004) (No. 66 US R&B/Hip-Hop) (No. 9 US Gospel)
- Praise & Worship (Verity/Legacy, 2006) (Compilation)
- With Humility (Larry Clark Gospel, 2011) (No. 14 US Gospel)
- Live and Unplugged 2013 (No. 16 US Gospel)
Notable singles
- "Power" (Ye Shall Receive Power) 1981
- "You Brought The Sunshine" (The Clark Sisters) (1981)
- "Balm in Gilead" (Karen Clark Sheard) (1997)
- "I Tried Him And I Know Him" (Mattie Moss Clark) (1986)
- "He Gave Me Nothing to Lose" (The Clark Sisters) (1979)
- "Something New" (The Clark Sisters) (2007)
- "Is My Living in Vain" (The Clark Sisters) (1980)
- "Awesome" (Masterpiece) (1996)
- "Bless You Real Good" (Masterpiece) (1996)
- "Worship the King" (Twinkie and Friends: Live in Charlotte) (2001)
- "Everything You Need is Right Here" (Home Once Again: Live In Detroit) (2004)
- "God's Got a Blessing" with Humility (2011)
- "Awesome God" with Humility (2011)
- "I Can Do All Things Through Christ" (The Clark Sisters) (1976)
- "My Mind Is Made Up" (The Clark Sisters) (1976)