Twinkie Clark

Background

Born Elbernita Clark on Tuesday, November 15, 1954, to Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and Pastor Elbert Clark in Detroit, Michigan, Twinkie was blessed early in life with the influence of her mother. Her mother was a pioneering gospel musician and choir director. By the time she was a teenager, she started touring with her mother, ministering in parishes, and conducting vocal harmony training for choirs. At the age of 13, she made her recording debut. It was on the song ‘He will supply your need’ from the album “A closer walk with thee” from the Southwest Michigan state choir of the Church of God in Christ.

The gospel ensemble The Clark Sisters was established when Twinkie was 19. The band’s lead vocalist, chief songwriter, and producer was Twinkie. The group includes the Clark sisters Jacky Chisholm, Dorinda Cole, Karen Sheard, and Denise Bradford (who left the group in 1986). With great success, the trio published numerous songs and albums. Among them are ‘Sincerely,’ ‘You brought the sunlight (Into my life),’ ‘Expect your miracle,’ ‘Jesus is a love song,’ and ‘Is my living in vain?’ ‘Sincerely’ was a grammy nominated song in best soul gospel group performance by a duo or group in 1982. The group got other Grammy nominations for “Heart & Soul” at the 30th annual grammy awards in 1986 and “Conqueror” at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards. Both were in the best soul gospel performance by a duo, group, or choir category. In 1990, the group received its first Grammy nomination for a live album when “Bringing it back home” — released in 1989 — was nominated for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Music Album at the 33rd Annual Grammy Music Awards. The group finally got their golden gramophones in 2007 at the 50th annual grammy awards for their song ‘Blessed and highly favored,’ — which was nominated in the Best Gospel song Category and Best Gospel Performance Category. The parent album “Live: one last time,” was also a winner in the Best Traditional Gospel Album Category.

Clark also has 10 highly successful solo albums to her name. Clark admits to being inspired by different genres of music which include: jazz, reggae, funk, classical, and blues. She lists her late mother, Mattie Moss Clark as her biggest influence. Evidence of these influences can be found in her first two solo albums, “Praise be unto God” and “Ye shall receive power.”