Elbernita "Twinkie" Dionne Clark (born November 15, 1954) is an American Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, musician, and evangelist. Clark is best known as a member of the American gospel singing group the Clark Sisters, writing the vast majority of their music. Known for her passionate singing and wide vocal range, NPR named her one of the 50 Great Voices.[2] Known for her use of the Hammond Organ, she is often referred to as the "Queen of the B3 Hammond Organ",[2][3] and was inducted into the Hammond Hall of Fame in 2014.
In 2012, Clark was honored by Judith Christie McAllister and the International Music Department of the Church of God in Christ as a living legend and influencer during the 105th International Holy Convocation.
Biography
Early life
Born to pioneering gospel musician and choral director Dr. 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 thirteen, she began touring nationally with her mother, ministering and training choirs in three-part vocal harmony.[4] In 1967, she made her recording debut as a featured vocalist alongside her mother, sister Denise Clark, and Dolores Jones on the Southwest Michigan State Choir of the Church Of God in Christ's "He Will Supply Your Need", from the album A Closer Walk with Thee.[5] Clark later received formal music education at Howard University in Washington, D.C.[4] Twinkie was inspired by her mother's ability to compose music and she began to write and compose her own compositions. From this point Dr. Mattie Moss Clark passed the torch to be in charge of the group (The Clark Sisters). Twinkie became the chief writer for the group, producer and arranger, Twinkie also played the Hammond Organ, Roland Juno Synthesizers, keyboard and piano on the albums recorded by The Clark Sisters. All while being on the road with her Mother Dr. Mattie Moss Clark traveling across the country conducting choir workshops, Twinkie served as the National Organist for the Churches of God In Christ while her Mother was the International President for The Churches of God In Christ’s music department. Twinkie contributed greatly to the sound of music that came from the Churches of God In Christ, known as the “COGIC Sound”. Twinkie along with her Mother fashioned this sound from Twinkie’s well known skills as an organist to the numerous compositions she wrote. Twinkie created a sound that is now used across the country, which in church vernacular is known as “shout or dance music” which is played when the congregation is praising God through dance. Twinkie has created and mastered a unique blend of chords, rhythms, organ licks and a walking bass line that has been used widespread as the foundation for “shout or dance” music for many Christian denominations but is synonymous with the Church of God In Christ.
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).[6] 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.[7][8][9] Other hit songs include, "Is My Living in Vain", "Expect Your Miracle" and "Jesus is a Love Song", all written by Clark.[10] 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.[11] 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"[12] and Best Traditional Gospel Album for its parent album Live: One Last Time,[13][14] which topped both the Billboard Gospel Albums and Christian Music Video charts.[15]
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).[19] 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.[20] In 2002, she released Twinkie Clark & Friends...Live in Charlotte which received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album.[21][12] In 2004, it was followed by the Asaph Ward-produced Home Once Again: Live in Detroit, which became her highest-charting album on Billboard's 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.[22]
Clark is principally credited as the originator of "The C.O.G.I.C. Shout Sound".[25] 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).[26]
Personal Life
Twinkie married John Terrell in 1987. They had one son together prior to divorcing in 1994.
Discography
Studio albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
"I Gotta Feelin'"[70] (Eric Deon featuring Twinkie Clark)
2013
—
non-album single
"I Thank God for Jesus"[71] (Anthony "Junebug" Turner & the Norfolk State University Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir featuring Twinkie Clark)
2014
—
non-album single
"Everything's Gonna Be Alright"[72] (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"[5] (Southwest Michigan State Choir of the Church of God in Christ featuring Mattie Moss Clark, Denise Clark, Dolores Jones, Twinkie Clark)
1967
A Closer Walk with Thee
"My Faith Holds Out Til He Comes"[73] (Mattie Moss Clark & the Michigan State Community Choir featuring Elbernita Clark)
1972
That's Christ
"Trust in Him (He'll Bring You Out)"[74] (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"[75]"[76] (Mattie Moss Clark featuring Twinkie Clark, Dorinda Clark)
A Song Is Born Vol. 1
"Oh Give Thanks"[77] (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"[77] (Mattie Moss Clark featuring Twinkie Clark)
"The Wages Of Sin Is Death"[78]" (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"[79] (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"[79] (Mattie Moss Clark featuring Twinkie Clark, Karen Clark)
"That Shall He Also Reap"[80] (Mattie Moss Clark & the Michigan State Community Choir featuring Elbernita Clark)
1978
I Am Crucified with Christ
"O, Saint of God"[81] (UNAC 5 featuring Elbernita Clark)
1979
Volume Three
"The Wonderful Change"[82] (Missionary Essie Moss featuring Twinkie Clark, Maria Gardner)
1980
Take One Day at a Time
"Running for the Lord"[82] (Missionary Essie Moss featuring Twinkie Clark, Maria Gardner)
"I Can Do All things"[83] (COGIC International Mass Choir featuring Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark)
I Can Do All Things
"Hallelujah"[83] (COGIC International Mass Choir featuring Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark)
"I've Never Seen The Righteous Forsaken"[84] (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"[84] (Mattie Moss Clark presents the Church Of God in Christ International Choir featuring Elbernita Clark)
"For Your Service, Lord"[85] (Dr. Mattie Moss Clark featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell)
1989
The Southern California Holy Gospel Feast
"Lift Those Hands and Bless Him"[86][87] (Thomas Whitfield featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell, Larry Whitfield)
1993
A Tribute to "The Maestro"
"More Like Thee"[88] (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"[88] (Corey Skinner's Collegiate Voices of Faith featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell, Mattie Moss Clark)
"Be Strong in the Lord"[89] (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"[89] (Dr. Mattie Moss Clark presents the C.O.G.I.C. National Music Choir featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell)
"Watch Ye Therefore"[90] (Mattie Moss Clark & The Michigan State Mass Choir featuring Twinkie Clark-Terrell)
Watch Ye Therefore
"Hold On"[91][92] (Michael Scott & the Outreach Choir featuring Gerald Rivera, Twinkie Clark-Terrell)
1995
Hold On
"Trust in Jesus"[91][93] (Michael Scott & the Outreach Choir featuring Shavonne Edwards, Twinkie Clark-Terrell)
"The Praise"[94][95] (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"[96][97] (Michael Scott & the Outreach Choir featuring Mattie Moss Clark, Twinkie Clark-Terrell)
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.
