{{short description|American gospel vocal group from Detroit, Michigan}} {{About|the gospel group|the 1950s vocal group also known as "The Clark Sisters"|The Sentimentalists}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Use American English|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Clark Sisters | image = | caption = Clark Sisters in 2020 | alias = Twinkie Clark and The Clark Sisters (1974–1980)<br />The Dynamic Clark Sisters (1980)<br />The Legendary Clark Sisters (2017–present)<br />The First Ladies Of Gospel
The Queens of Contemporary Gospel | origin = Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | genre = Gospel, urban contemporary gospel | years_active = 1973–present | label = Billmo, Sound Of Gospel, Westbound/Elektra, Rejoice/Word, Sparrow, EMI Gospel Karew | associated_acts = Mattie Moss Clark, Donald Lawrence, Bill Moss, Sr., Kierra Sheard, J Moss, Bill Moss, Jr. | website = {{URL|theclarksisters.net}} | current_members = * Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark * Jacky Clark Chisholm * Dorinda Clark Cole * Karen Clark Sheard | past_members = * Denise "Niecy" Clark-Bradford | background = group_or_band | image_size = }}
'''The Clark Sisters''' are an American gospel vocal group originally consisting of 5 sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm (born 1948), Denise "Niecy" Clark-Bradford (born 1953), Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark (born 1954), Dorinda Clark-Cole (born 1957), and Karen Clark Sheard (born 1960). The Clark Sisters are the daughters of gospel musician and choral director Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. They are credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream and are considered pioneers of contemporary gospel.
Their biggest hits include "Is My Living in Vain", "Name It, Claim It", "Jesus Is a Love Song", "I’ve Got An Angel", "Take Me Higher", "Praise the Lord (Hallelujah)", "A Praying Spirit", "Nothing to Lose, All to Gain", "Endow Me", "Pure Gold", "Expect Your Miracle", and their mainstream crossover hit, "You Brought the Sunshine"; which made its way to #16 on the Hot Black Singles chart in 1983, two years after its original 1981 release on the album of the same name. More recent hits include "Blessed & Highly Favored", "Livin’", "Victory", and "His Love", which features rapper Snoop Dogg.
As a group, the Clark Sisters have won two Grammy Awards<ref name="Grammys">{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/clark-sisters/7784|title=Clark Sisters|work=Grammy.com|publisher=Recording Academy|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> and are the highest-selling female gospel group in history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ravaldavis/2020/04/22/now-playing-10-binge-worthy-titles-with-black-and-brown-faces-behind-and-in-front-of-the-camera/|title=Now Playing: 10 Binge Worthy Titles With Black And Brown Faces Behind And In Front Of The Camera|first=RaVal|last=Davis|work=Forbes|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> In 2020, the Clark Sisters were honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the 35th Annual Stellar Awards.<ref name="Stellars Lifetime">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/stellar-award-nominations-announced/|title=2020 Stellar Award Nominations Announced|date=January 22, 2020|website=CCM Magazine|language=en|access-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref> In 2022, the group was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Aderoju |first=Darlene |date=2022-06-13 |title=Black Music Month & Juneteenth 2022: Industry Celebrations (Updating) |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/black-music-month-juneteenth-industry-celebrations-2022-1235079450/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> In 2024, the group (including Denise Clark-Bradford) was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the fifth gospel act to receive the award, after Mahalia Jackson, The Staple Singers, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Shirley Caesar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-special-merit-awards-recipients-lifetime-achievement-award|title=The Recording Academy Announces 2024 Special Merit Award & Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees: N.W.A, Gladys Knight, Donna Summer, DJ Kool Herc & Many More|author=Nina Frazier|date=January 5, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2024}}</ref>
==Career== ===Early career=== The Clark Sisters were born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, to gospel choir director and musician Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Dr. Clark was married twice: her first marriage in 1945 to Leo H. Cullum, Sr. produced two children, Leo, Jr. and Jacqueline (Jacky). After her divorce, she met and later married Pastor Elbert Clark in 1952. This marriage produced four daughters: Denise, Elbernita (Twinkie), Dorinda, and Karen. They each began singing at an early age in the choir at their father's Church of God in Christ, and by the late 1960s they were all performing together in church services, usually singing songs written and arranged by their mother.<ref>Court Stroud, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/courtstroud/2020/04/10/the-writer-behind-lifetimes-new-clark-sisters-movie-shares-her-inspiration/?sh=4a8072e145b6 The Writer Behind Lifetime’s New Clark Sisters Movie Shares Her Inspiration], forbes.com, USA, April 10, 2020</ref> Shortly after the Clarks' divorce in 1973, Dr. Clark formally created "the Clark Sisters" and the sisters recorded their first album, ''Jesus Has a Lot to Give'', on their uncle (their mother's younger brother) Bill Moss' local label Billesse Records.<ref>Kurt Anthony Krug, [https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/2020/04/09/detroits-clark-sisters-finally-get-story-told-lifetime-film/5121066002/ Detroit's Clark Sisters finally get story told in Lifetime film], detroitnews.com, USA, April 9, 2020</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jlentertainment.com/artistbio.cfm?artistname=The%20Clark%20Sisters|title=The Clark Sisters Biography|publisher=JLEntertainment.com|access-date=November 25, 2006|archive-date=October 22, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022023016/http://www.jlentertainment.com/artistbio.cfm?artistname=The%20Clark%20Sisters|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first television appearance of the Clark Sisters was on ''TV Gospel Time''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kgeb.net/gospel-music-pioneers-who-paved-the-way/|title=Gospel Music Pioneers Who Paved The Way|publisher=KGEB TV 53|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>
The following year, ''Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents the Clark Sisters'' was released and people around Detroit began to take notice of the group. The Clark Sisters signed to Sound of Gospel Records in 1974. Under this association, the group released albums such as ''Unworthy'', ''Count It All Joy'', and ''He Gave Me Nothing to Lose'', which hit the top 20 of the ''Billboard'' Spiritual LPs chart.<ref name="Spiritual LPs Nov 1 1980"/><ref name="Spiritual LPs Dec 6 1980"/> By this point, Dr. Clark had turned over control of the group to Twinkie, who continued to write, arrange, conduct, and produce all of the Clark Sisters' recordings. Their popularity soared with the release of the live recording ''Is My Living in Vain'', in 1980.<ref>Kimberly Denise Williams, [https://www.vibe.com/features/opinion/clark-sisters-impact-gospel-music-597500/ We Need To Put More Respect On The Clark Sisters’ Names], vibe.com, USA, July 22, 2018</ref> Their debut live recording was first ranked on the 1981 ''Billboard'' Spiritual Albums year-end chart at number 21, before topping the year-end Spiritual Albums chart of 1982.<ref name="Spiritual Year-End 1981">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BCQEAAAAMBAJ&q=is+my+living+in+vain+billboard&pg=PT83|title=Spiritual Albums|page=YE-32|date=December 26, 1981|magazine=Billboard|via=Google Books|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Top Spiritual Albums 1982"/> Opening with the bluesy title track, each sister vocally declares that their dedication to Christ is not a useless effort. The innovative "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)" was funky enough to find its way into a Tonex-produced track over two decades later. Karen Clark's lead on "Speak Lord" expresses deep faith while the call to worship is raised on "Now Is the Time". Another hit from this release, "Expect Your Miracle", is still a staple in African American churches across the country.<ref name="theclarksisters.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.theclarksisters.com/discography.html |title=The Clark Sisters Fan Club |access-date=2010-05-06 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110045508/http://www.theclarksisters.com/discography.html |archive-date=January 10, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
===Mainstream success (1981–1984)=== Their next release, ''You Brought the Sunshine'' (1981), became successful due to its title track. Reminiscent of Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster (Jammin')", the song became a hit in churches and on dance floors across the country, including New York's Studio 54.<ref>Deborah Evans Price, [https://www.reuters.com/article/music-clarksisters-dc-idUSN1932295220071019 Clark Sisters tour together for 1st time in 20 years], reuters.com, USA, October 19, 2007</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prayzehymnonline.com/articles_80scountdown.html|title=80's Countdown|publisher=PraiseHymnOnline.com|author=J. Matthew Cobb|date=August 31, 2007|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318004026/http://www.prayzehymnonline.com/articles_80scountdown.html|archive-date=March 18, 2007}}</ref> "You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life)" was picked up from its original independent gospel record label Sound of Gospel and distributed by both Westbound Records and Elektra Records. In 1983, the song peaked at number 16 on ''Billboard'' Black Singles, number 27 on Dance Club Songs and in 2020 – the ''Live: One Last Time'' (2007) recording – hit number 11 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p2239/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}}|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History|publisher=Allmusic}}</ref> The album was also a commercial success, peaking at number 9 on the US Top Gospel Albums chart and also appeared on both the 1983 and 1984 year-end charts at number two and 25 respectively.<ref name="Gospel Year-End 1983">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1983/gospel-albums|title=Top Gospel Albums – Year End (1983)|work=Billboard.com|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Gospel Year-End 1984">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1984/gospel-albums|title=Top Gospel Albums – Year End (1984)|work=Billboard.com|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref> Furthermore, ''Billboard'' ranked The Clark Sisters as the number-four Top Gospel Albums Artist of 1982 and number-one Top Gospel Albums Artist of 1983.<ref name="Gospel Albums Artist Year-End 1982">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1982/gospel-albums-artists|title=Top Gospel Albums Artists – Year End (1982)|magazine=Billboard|via=Billboard.com|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Top Gospel Albums Artists - Year End (1983)">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1983/gospel-albums-artists|title=Top Gospel Albums Artists – Year End (1983)|magazine=Billboard|via=Billboard.com|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref>
The sisters delivered another album in 1982, ''Sincerely'', which included "Name It, Claim It" and the politically charged "World". Though its success was overshadowed by ''You Brought the Sunshine'', the sisters received their first Grammy Award nomination for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group for the album at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards.<ref name="theclarksisters.com"/><ref name="Grammys"/> Shortly after winning the Grammy nomination, the Clark Sisters won the NAACP Image Award for best gospel group for 1983.<ref name="crisis84">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pSoEAAAAMBAJ&q=NAACP+Entertainer+of+the+Decade+1983+michael+jackson&pg=PA119 |title=The Crisis | date=March 1984 |page=119 |access-date=September 17, 2020}}</ref> After receiving a second Grammy nomination in the Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group category for the song, "He'll Turn Your Scars into Stars" – later included on the album ''Heart & Soul'' (1986) –<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-01-11-ca-8552-story.html |title=GRAMMYS MAY OFFER A FEW SURPRISES |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 11, 1985 |access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> the sisters were invited to perform live on the following 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1985, alongside their mother, where they performed "Hallelujah" as part of a medley with the year's fellow gospel nominees.
===Denise's departure and subsequent projects (1986–1994)=== In 1986, after a 4-year gap between releases, the sisters Jacky, Twinkie, Dorinda, and Karen (sister Denise left the group earlier that year) continued to release music, signing with Rejoice Records, a division of Word. This new deal yielded the Grammy-nominated ''Heart & Soul'', featuring the mainstream single "Time Out". This project made a top-five debut on Billboard's Gospel Charts and garnered the group a Dove Award. It featured the original versions of "Jesus Is a Love Song", "There Is a Balm in Gilead", and "Pray for the USA", all of which have been re-recorded several times. Although not pictured, Denise had contributed to the album before her departure but was later removed from the album. The music took on a more contemporary sound with programmed drums and synthesizers. Also included on this album were "Smile, God Loves You", "I Am Blessed", and the funky aforementioned "He'll Turn Your Scars into Stars".<ref name="theclarksisters.com"/>
In 1988, The Clark Sisters released their ''Billboard'' chart-topping and critically acclaimed album ''Conqueror''. It featured a bolder, more intense sound, with synthesizers, drum machines, and more funk-oriented beats. ''Conqueror'' quickly became a fan favorite with hits like "The Darkest Hour Is Just Before the Day", "Take Me Higher", "For the Love of the People", "Computers Rule the World", and the original studio version of "Jesus Forevermore".<ref name="theclarksisters.com"/>
In 1989, The Clark Sisters released their live album, ''Bringing It Back Home'', recorded in their home town of Detroit. It was the last recording from The Clark Sisters on Word Records' Rejoice imprint and the last group album with Twinkie just before the launch of her solo career. The album included both previous hits and new material. It also featured guest appearances from Rance Allen and backing choir vocals from the Michigan State Choir under the direction of their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark.<ref name="theclarksisters.com"/>
In 1994, The Clark Sisters (Jacky, Dorinda, and Karen) released their only studio album of the decade, ''Miracle'', which was the first album recorded without the compositions and vocals of sister Twinkie. Produced by BeBe Winans and Michael J. Powell, this disc featured a modernized version of the Clark Sisters classic "Expect Your Miracle" (now simply titled "Miracle") and a remake of "Jesus Is the Best Thing". Dorinda made her songwriting debut on a Clark Sisters recording with "Work to Do". The album, although it fared well in sales, did not match the success of previous albums due to the Clark Sisters not being able to tour and promote the project due to the illness of their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, who died in September 1994 from diabetes complications.<ref name="theclarksisters.com"/>
===Solo careers (1995–2006)=== Following their last Word Records release, Twinkie resumed her calling as a minister and her solo career. She had previously released two solo albums under the Sound of Gospel Record label: 1979's ''Praise Belongs to God'' and 1981's ''Ye Shall Receive Power''. In 1992 she recorded her independent solo album ''Comin' Home''. She re-appeared in 1996 with a pair of albums to her credit: the solo studio release ''The Masterpiece'' for Ben Tankard's Tribute Records label and the live project ''Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir''. She later released the following albums: ''Twinkie Clark & Friends: Live in Charlotte'' in 2002, ''Home Once Again: Live in Detroit'' in 2004, ''With Humility'' in 2011, ''Live & Unplugged'' in 2015, and with her nephew Larry Clark (her sister Denise's oldest son) ''The Generations'' in 2020.
Karen delivered her solo debut ''Finally Karen'' in 1997. The album, featuring The Clark Sisters, Faith Evans, and daughter Kierra Sheard, was nominated for a Grammy Award, in addition to winning a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award. She has since released five more solo albums: ''2nd Chance'', ''The Heavens Are Telling'', ''It's Not Over'', ''All in One'', and ''Destined to Win''.
Dorinda released her self-titled debut solo album, ''Dorinda Clark-Cole'' in 2002, earning her two Stellar Awards, and a Soul Train Lady of Soul award. She has since released four more solo albums: ''Live in Houston'' and ''Take It Back'', each of which have earned her the award for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Stellar Awards; ''I Survived'' in 2011, and in 2015, she released her fifth solo album, ''Living It'', which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album.
Jacky released her first solo project, ''Expectancy'', in 2005, which features The Clark Sisters on the track "Blessing Me". In 2014, she released an urban-inspired single, "My Season", followed by singles "Cover Me" and "Shout". In February 2020, she released a single "Feel Good", featuring Mary J. Blige and rapper Tia P.
The Clark Sisters have all contributed in various capacities to each other's albums, whether they sang or wrote lyrics.
===''Live...One Last Time'' and Grammy recognition (2007–2009)=== On July 8, 2006, The Clark Sisters (Jacky, Twinkie, Dorinda, and Karen) recorded a live album in Houston, Texas, entitled ''Live...One Last Time''.<ref>McClatchy-Tribune, [https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2007-04-15-0704140224-story.html The Clark Sisters reunite to record 'One Last Time'], baltimoresun.com, USA, April 15, 2007</ref> The recording was directed and produced by Donald Lawrence and was released as a CD on April 10, 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theclarksisters.com/whatsnew.htm |title=What's New |access-date=2007-02-09 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213174605/http://www.theclarksisters.com/whatsnew.htm |archive-date=February 13, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> on EMI Gospel, followed by a CD/DVD Special Edition release on June 19, 2007. In support of the reunion album, the Clark Sisters embarked on a 25-city concert tour beginning October 4, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee.<ref>[http://www.gospelcity.com/news/events/379 The Clark Sisters Concert Tour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012003252/http://gospelcity.com/news/events/379 |date=October 12, 2007 }} GospelCity.com.</ref> Though they had been thrice nominated previously for the Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy with 1982's ''Sincerely'', 1986's ''Heart & Soul'', and 1988's ''Conqueror'' without a win,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/factsheets/awardsdb/env-awards-db-search,0,7169155.htmlstory?selectsearch=awardsdb&target=article&searchtype=all&Query=Clark+Sisters|title=Awards Database|date=June 16, 2025 |publisher=The Envelope}}</ref> the group was nominated for two Grammys in 2008. ''Live...One Last Time'' won the award for Best Traditional Gospel Album. Its album track "Blessed & Highly Favored" won the award for Best Gospel Performance, and as songwriter of "Blessed & Highly Favored," sister Karen Clark Sheard won the individual award for Best Gospel Song.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.grammy.org/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_Show/list.aspx|title=50th Annual Grammy Awards Nomination List|publisher=Grammy.org|access-date=January 28, 2008|archive-date=February 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208153354/http://www.grammy.org/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_Show/list.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_show/list.aspx|title=50th Annual Grammy Awards Nomination List|publisher=Grammy.org}}</ref> Additionally, at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony featuring a gospel segment with Aretha Franklin, BeBe Winans, Israel & New Breed, and Trin-i-tee 5:7, the Clark Sisters performed a snippet of their signature hit "You Brought the Sunshine" when the ceremony was broadcast on February 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046733/beyonce-rihanna-underwood-performing-at-grammys|title=Beyonce, Rihanna, Underwood Performing At Grammys|magazine=Billboard|date=January 24, 2008|first=Mariel|last=Concepcion}}</ref>
Following the group's resurgence in popularity, Rhino Entertainment released a greatest-hits collection including material from three albums recorded for Word Records from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, including the Grammy-nominated ''Heart & Soul''. The album, ''Encore: The Best of the Clark Sisters'', was released on February 12, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nuthinbutgospel.com/newreleases.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040916194126/http://www.nuthinbutgospel.com/newreleases.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 16, 2004|title=NuthinButGospel.com New Releases 2008|access-date=October 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011B9W1A Encore: The Best of The Clark Sisters] on Amazon.com</ref> In December of that year, TV One's popular hour-long music documentary series ''Unsung'' featured the Clark Sisters in its second episode. The episode, which highlighted the group's role in breaking down barriers in gospel music, featured interviews with each sister except sister Denise Clark-Bradford, who since leaving the group, had relocated to California and had begun a ministry.
In 2009, the Clark Sisters released their second Christmas album, entitled ''The Clark Sisters' Family Christmas'', which featured special appearances by Karen's daughter Kierra Sheard, and their cousins Bill Moss, Jr. and James Moss (known as J. Moss). The album was produced by Karen's son, J. Drew Sheard, II.
===Lifetime movie and ''The Return'' (2018–present)=== On November 11, 2018, it was reported that The Clark Sisters would have a television biopic, ''The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel''. The film aired on Lifetime on April 11, 2020, and netted a viewership of 2.7 million, giving the network its highest rated original movie in four years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/the-clark-sisters-first-ladies-of-gospel-biopic-lifetime-tv-ratings-1202907356/|title= 'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies Of Gospel' Biopic Marks Highest-Rated Lifetime Movie In Four Years|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|date=2020-04-13|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2020-04-25}}</ref> The film was executive produced by Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, and Mary J. Blige, and starred Aunjanue Ellis as Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Angela Birchett as Jacky Clark Chisholm, Raven Goodwin as Denise Clark-Bradford, Christina Bell as Twinkie Clark, Sheléa Frazier as Dorinda Clark Cole, and Kierra Sheard as her mother, Karen Clark Sheard.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/entertainment/clark-sisters-biopic-queen-latifah-mary-j-blige-missy-elliott-lifetime-2019/|title=Clark Sisters Biopic Produced By Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige And Missy Elliott Coming In 2019|date=23 October 2020 }}</ref> The movie was directed by Christine Swanson, the story was by Camille Tucker, with a teleplay by Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt10098482/|access-date=2019-07-11}}</ref>
On October 18, 2019, the Clark Sisters debuted their new single "Victory" on Erica Campbell's radio show ''Get Up Erica''.<ref>{{Citation|title=Exclusive: The Clark Sisters Debut "Victory" Single, Discuss Making Of Upcoming Biopic [AUDIO]|date=18 October 2019|url=https://getuperica.com/126161/the-clark-sisters-new-music-biopic/|access-date=2019-10-18}}</ref> The single was later released on November 15, 2019, through Karew/Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG<ref>{{Citation|title=Victory – Sing by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/victory-single/1485815391|access-date=2019-11-15}}</ref> On March 13, 2020, the Clark Sisters released their seventeenth album, ''The Return''. Their first release in over a decade, it featured production from J. Drew Sheard, II, Warryn Campell, Rodney Jerkins, Jermaine Dupri, Mano Hines, and Kurt Carr, with a special feature by Snoop Dogg on the track, "His Love".
In September 2023, the Clark Sisters embarked on the Reunion Tour with Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribbett, Israel Houghton, and Tamela Mann.<ref>{{Citation|title=Kirk Franklin 'The Reunion Tour' 2023: Tickets, dates, venues, and all you need to know |date=17 June 2023 |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/kirk-franklin-the-reunion-tour-2023-tickets-dates-venues-need-know}}</ref> The tour spanned 29 shows across North America and ended in Dallas, Texas on November 24, 2023.
In January 2024, it was announced that the Clark Sisters would be honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In June 2025, the Clark Sisters were selected for induction to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri in September.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://cbs4indy.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/819379292/the-gospel-music-of-hall-announces-its-2025-inductees-with-more-than-100-record-breaking-inductions|title=The Gospel Music of Hall Announces its 2025 Inductees with More than 100 Record-Breaking Inductions|website=CBS4Indy|date=June 5, 2025|accessdate=June 7, 2025}}</ref> In September, the group appeared on Mariah Carey's album, ''Here For It All'' (2025) on a track titled "Jesus I Do".
==Artistry== ==="The Clark Sound"=== Since early in the group's development, Twinkie has been the chief songwriter, vocal arranger, and producer for the group. The Clark Sisters as a whole are renowned for their group style, dubbed as "the Clark Sound". They incorporate high and fast melismas, acrobatic trills and riffs, and deep, soulful growls or "squalls". While they have been praised for their precise harmonies, The Clark Sisters are also known for their individual, distinctive vocal styles, and while there is no single lead vocalist in the group, each sister has led a handful of songs over the years.
In his influential study ''The Gospel Sound'' (1971, updated 1997) author and Gospel producer Anthony Heilbut dismisses The Clark Sisters as representing an "overly busy, annoyingly mannered style". Heilbut states:
{{Quote box |quote = "Gospel singers still exhibit awesome power and range but their common denominator is the overly busy, annoyingly mannered style I call the "gospel-gargle" or "Detroit disease" (most of its authors, like Rance Allen or the Clark Sisters call the Motor City home). The excessive virtuosity defeats its own purposes, whether of expressing spirit or asserting self. One Philadelphia old-timer observes "I've never seen a whole generation sound alike." |source = Anthony Heilbut, ''The Gospel Sound'', Postscript II (1997), p. 334, Limelight Editions, New York, 1997}}
{{Quote box |quote = "Me and my sisters got a lot of our riffs and runs from her. The way she did her moans and groans, we’d do the same way... the way she’d improvise and ad lib, hit high notes, then go all the way down and hit low notes, we listened to all of that." |source = —Twinkie Clark speaking about Aretha Franklin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/entertainment/feature-entertainment-clark-sisters-facts/|title=10 Things You Need To Know About The Clark Sisters|author=Brooklyn White|date=April 14, 2020|access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref> |width = 50% |align = right }}
The Clark Sisters have cited Aretha Franklin, who also grew up in Detroit, as a major musical influence. When Franklin died of pancreatic cancer in 2018, the Clark Sisters sang one of their signature songs, "Is My Living in Vain", at her funeral service.
===Group timeline and structure===
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bar:Denise text:Denise bar:Dorinda text:Dorinda bar:Elbertina text:"Twinkie" bar:Jacky text:Jacky bar:Karen text:Karen
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bar:Denise from:01/01/1973 till:01/01/1986 color:Vocals bar:Dorinda from:01/01/1973 till:end color:Vocals bar:Elbertina from:01/01/1973 till:12/31/1989 color:Vocals bar:Elbertina from:01/01/2007 till:end color:Vocals bar:Jacky from:01/01/1973 till:end color:Vocals bar:Karen from:01/01/1973 till:end color:Vocals
LineData = layer:back color:lines1 at:01/01/1973 at:01/01/1974 at:01/01/1976 at:01/01/1978 at:01/01/1979 at:01/01/1981 at:01/01/1982 at:01/01/1986 at:01/01/1988 at:01/01/1994 at:01/01/2009 at:01/01/2020 }}
===Influence and covers=== The Clark Sisters are credited as vocal inspirations to singers such as Shirley Murdock (whom is often likened to being a “long-lost Clark Sister”)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/IcvJDgSavuc?si=x_WMyGfv7ViAdGIv|title=Shirley Murdock discusses the influence of Twinkie Clark|author=YouTube|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=November 17, 2021}}</ref>, Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, Kelly Price, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, and Yebba, as well as to girl groups like Xscape, SWV, and Destiny’s Child.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/04/the-clark-sisters-inspired-music-moments|title=Sounds Of Sisterhood: 10 Music Moments Inspired By The Clark Sisters|author=Eric Edwards|date=April 26, 2018|access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://praisedc.com/1355583/black-history-inspiration-spotlight-the-clark-sisters/|title=Black History Inspiration Spotlight: The Clark Sisters|author=Cheryl Jackson|date=15 February 2013|access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref> Their musical influence has been celebrated through covers and interpolations from both religious and secular artists alike.
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" style="width:70%;" |+ List of selected covers and samples of The Clark Sisters' music, with artists and song titles listed ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Original work ! scope="col" | Artist ! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Album |- |align="center"| 2018 | "A Praying Spirit" | KEY! and Kenny Beats | "Demolition 1 + 2" | ''777'' |- |align="center"| 2018 |rowspan="2"| "Center of Thy Will" | Blood Orange <small>(feat. Ian Isiah)</small> | "Holy Will" | ''Negro Swan'' |- |align="center"| 2022 | Beyoncé | "CHURCH GIRL" | ''Renaissance'' |- |align="center"| 2006 | "Endow Me" | Coko <small>(feat. Faith Evans, Fantasia, and Lil' Mo)</small> | "Endow Me" | ''Grateful'' |- |align="center"| 1983 | "Expect Your Miracle" | Arthur Scales & John Marshall High School Gospel Choir | "I'm Looking For A Miracle" | ''Put God First! / I'm Looking For A Miracle'' <small>(single)</small> |- |align="center"| 2017 | "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)" | Jay-Z <small>(feat. Beyoncé)</small> | "Family Feud" | 4:44 |- |align="center"| 2014 | "He'll Turn Your Scars into Stars" | Kierra Sheard | "You Don't Like What You See (Interlude)" | ''Graceland'' |- |align="center"| 2016 | "I'm in Good Hands" | NxWorries, Anderson .Paak, and Knxwledge | "H.A.N." | ''Yes Lawd!'' |- |align="center"| 1996 | "I've Got An Angel" | Aaliyah | "Never Givin' Up" | ''One in a Million'' |- |align="center"| 1993 |rowspan="5"| "Is My Living in Vain" | Xscape | "Is My Living in Vain" | ''Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha'' |- |align="center"| 1999 | 4 Trey | "Hustlin in Vain" | ''Prophecy of Profits'' |- |align="center"| 2006 | Zie'l | "Is My Living In Vain" | ''Genesis'' |- |align="center"| 2017 | Deante' Hitchcock | "Talking to God, Pt. 2" | Non-album single |- |align="center"| 2021 | Ms. Carrie Stacks | "Is My Living in Vain" | ''Q & A'' |- |align="center"| 2002 | "It's Gonna Be Alright" | Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers | "It's Gonna Be Alright" | ''Go Get Your Life Back'' |- |align="center"| 2011 | "Jesus Is a Love Song" | Kim Burrell | "Jesus is a Love Song" | ''The Love Album'' |- |align="center"| 2006 | "Jesus Loves You" | Count Bass D | "Internationally Known" | ''Act Your Waist Size'' |- |align="center"| 2023 | "Now is the Time" <small>(feat. Mozzy)</small> | Killer Mike | "SHED TEARS" | ''MICHAEL'' |- |align="center"| 2005 | "Pure Gold" | Atmosphere | "Get Fly" | ''You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having'' |- |align="center"| 2020 | "Speak Lord" | dvsn | "Blessings" | ''Amusing Her Feelings'' |- |align="center"| 2014 |rowspan="2"| "There Is a Balm in Gilead" | Kierra Sheard | "Balm (Interlude)" | ''Graceland'' |- |align="center"| 2019 | Sunday Service Choir | "Balm in Gilead" | ''Jesus Is Born'' |- |align="center"| 2001 |rowspan="5"| "They Were Overcome (By The Word)" | Mary J. Blige | "Checkin' for Me" | ''No More Drama'' |- |align="center"| 2014 | Kierra Sheard | "2nd Win" | ''Graceland'' |- |align="center"| 2019 | Statik Selektah and Paul Wall | "Overcame" <small>(feat. Benny the Butcher)</small> | ''Give Thanks'' |- |align="center" rowspan="3"| 2020 | Kanye West | "Donda" | ''Donda'' |- | Westside Gunn | "Versace" | ''Pray for Paris'' |- | "Unworthy" | Navy Blue | "With Sage" | ''Àdá Irin'' |- |align="center"| 1985 | rowspan="7"| "You Brought the Sunshine" | Al Green | "You Brought the Sunshine" | ''He Is the Light'' |- |align="center"| 1990 | Shirley Murdock | "You Brought the Sunshine" | ''Rubáiyát: Elektra's 40th Anniversary'' |- |align="center"| 1996 | Out of Eden | "You Brought the Sunshine" | ''More Than You Know'' |- |align="center"| 2001 | Lejuene Thompson | "You Brought the Sunshine" | ''Soul Inspiration'' |- |align="center"| 2003 | Kelly Price | "You Brought the Sunshine" | ''Priceless'' |- |align="center"| 2018 | Pastor Troy | "Thank You God" | ''Clubber Lang'' |- |align="center"| 2019 | Sunday Service Choir | "Sunshine" | ''Jesus Is Born'' |- |}
==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:21em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br><ref name="Gospel Albums">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/sll/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Top Gospel Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Christian<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/ill/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Top Christian Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Holiday<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/xml/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Top Holiday Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 23, 2020}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|''Jesus Has a Lot to Give'' | * Released: 1973 * Label: Bilesse Records <small>(#BM 354)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Jesus-Has-A-Lot-To-Give-/release/7131011|title=The Clark Sisters – Jesus Has A Lot To Give (1973, Vinyl)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1973 }}</ref> * Formats: LP | — || — || — |- ! scope="row"|''Mattie Moss Clark Presents the Clark Sisters'' | * Released: 1974 * Label: Bilesse Records <small>(#BM 356)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Mattie-Moss-Clark-Presents-The-Clark-Sisters/release/7373725|title=The Clark Sisters – Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters (1974, Vinyl)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1974 }}</ref> * Formats: LP | — || — || — |- ! scope="row"|''Unworthy'' | * Released: 1976 * Label: Sound Of Gospel <small>(#SOG 075)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Unworthy/release/1360543|title=The Clark Sisters – Unworthy (1976, Vinyl)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1976 }}</ref> * Formats: LP | — || — || — |- ! scope="row"|''Count It All Joy'' | * Released: 1978 * Label: Sound Of Gospel <small>(#SOG 081)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Count-It-All-Joy/release/6970549|title=The Clark Sisters – New Dimensions Of Christmas Carols (1978, Vinyl)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1978 }}</ref> * Formats: LP | 20<br/>{{Citation needed|date=May 2020|reason=No citation provided. Please provide a citation for the album appearing on Billboard's Spiritual LPs or Gospel Albums charts.}} || — || — |- ! scope="row"|''New Dimensions Of Christmas Carols'' | * Released: 1978 * Label: Sound Of Gospel <small>(#SOG 085)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Mattie-Moss-Clark-Presents-The-Clark-Sisters/release/7373725|title=The Clark Sisters – New Dimensions Of Christmas Carols (1978, Vinyl)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1974 }}</ref> * Formats: LP | — || — || — |- ! scope="row"|''He Gave Me Nothing to Lose'' | * Released: 1979 * Label: Sound Of Gospel <small>(#SOG 092)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-He-Gave-Me-Nothing-To-Lose-But-All-To-Gain/release/5639167|title=The Clark Sisters – Unworthy (1976, Vinyl)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1979 }}</ref> * Formats: LP | 18<br><ref name="Spiritual LPs Nov 1 1980">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZiQEAAAAMBAJ&q=clark+sisters+He+Gave+Me+Nothing+To+Lose+billboard&pg=PT39|title=Best Selling Spiritual LPs|page=40|magazine=Billboard|date=November 1, 1980|access-date=April 21, 2020|via= Google Books}}</ref><ref name="Spiritual LPs Dec 6 1980">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3SQEAAAAMBAJ&q=clark+sisters+He+Gave+Me+Nothing+To+Lose+billboard&pg=PT27|title=Best Selling Spiritual LPs|page=28|magazine=Billboard|date=December 6, 1980|access-date=April 21, 2020|via= Google Books}}</ref> || — || — |- ! scope="row"|''You Brought the Sunshine'' | * Released: 1981 * Label: Sound Of Gospel <small>(#SOG 132)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Clark-Sisters-You-Brought-The-Sunshine/master/702996|title=The Clark Sisters – You Brought The Sunshine|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1981 }}</ref> * Formats: LP, cassette | 3<br><ref name="Spiritual LPs June 11, 1983">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1983/1983-06-11-Billboard-Page-0037.pdf#search=%22spiritual%22|title=Best Selling Spiritual LPs|page=37|magazine=Billboard|date=June 11, 1983|access-date=January 14, 2022|via=worldradiohistory.com}}</ref> || — || — |- ! scope="row"|''Sincerely'' | * Released: 1982 * Label: New Birth Records <small>(#NEW 7058)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Sincerely/release/1280243|title=The Clark Sisters – Sincerely (1982, Vinyl)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1982 }}</ref> * Formats: LP | 8<br><ref name="Spiritual LPs June 11, 1983"/> || — || — |- ! scope="row"|''Heart & Soul'' | * Released: 1986 * Label: Rejoice Records <small>(#WR 8346)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Sincerely/release/1280243|title=The Clark Sisters – Heart & Soul|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1982 }}</ref> * Formats: LP, CD, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/heart-soul/454872388|title=Heart & Soul by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref> | 4 || — || — |- ! scope="row"|''Conqueror'' | * Released: October 18, 1988<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Conqueror-Clark-Sisters/dp/B002DQDW54/ref=ntt_mus_dp_dpt_6|title=Conqueror by The Clark Sisters on Amazon Music – Amazon.com|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> * Label: Rejoice Records, A&M Records <small>(#WR-8400)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Conqueror/master/317576|title=The Clark Sisters – Conqueror|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1988 }}</ref> * Formats: LP, CD, cassette, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/conqueror/1167824586|title=Conqueror by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref> | 7 || 29 || — |- ! scope="row"|''Miracle'' | * Released: March 22, 1994<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Clark-Sisters/dp/B000005KWL/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&qid=1587581077&refinements=p_32%3AThe+Clark+Sisters&s=music&sr=1-11|title=The Clark Sisters – Miracle – Amazon.com Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> * Label: Sparrow Records <small>(#G2 7243 8 51368 2 5)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Miracle/master/855790|title=The Clark Sisters – Miracle|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1994 }}</ref> * Formats: CD, cassette, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/miracle-remastered/716388719|title=Miracle by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref> | 8 || — || — |- ! scope="row"|''The Clark Sisters' Family Christmas'' | * Released: October 6, 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Clark-Family-Christmas-Sisters/dp/B002N1AF9K/ref=sr_1_35?dchild=1&qid=1587581478&refinements=p_32%3AThe+Clark+Sisters&s=music&sr=1-35|title=The Clark Sisters – Clark Family Christmas – Amazon.com Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> * Label: EMI Gospel <small>(#94724)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Sincerely/release/1280243|title=The Clark Sisters – The Clark Family Christmas|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1982 }}</ref> * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/family-christmas/715822939|title=Family Christmas by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref> | 15 || — || 18 |- ! scope="row"|''The Return'' | * Released: March 13, 2020 * Label: Karew Records, Motown Gospel <small>(# B003051902)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-The-Return/master/1718874|title=The Clark Sisters – The Return|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs}}</ref> * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-return/1500823265|title=The Return by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref> | 2 || — || — |- |}
===Live albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:21em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"| US<br><ref name="BB200">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/tlp/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 28, 2020}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br><ref name="Gospel Albums"/> |- ! scope="row"|''Is My Living in Vain''<br><small>(with Mattie Moss Clark)</small> | * Released: 1980 * Label: New Birth Records <small>(#NEW-7056)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Dynamic-Clark-Sisters-With-Mattie-Moss-Clark-Is-My-Living-In-Vain/master/297348|title=Is My Living In Vain|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1980 }}</ref> * Formats: LP, CD, cassette tape, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/is-my-living-in-vain/331251837|title=Is My Living In Vain by Mattie Moss Clark & The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref> | — || 1<br><ref name="Spiritual LPs 5/12/81">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3CQEAAAAMBAJ&q=is+my+living+in+vain++sales+billboard&pg=PT63|title=Best Selling Spiritual LPs|page=44|magazine=Billboard|date=December 5, 1981|access-date=April 23, 2020|via= Google Books}}</ref><ref name="Spiritual LPs 7/11/81">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3iQEAAAAMBAJ&q=1981+spiritual+lps+billboard&pg=PT2|title=Best Selling Spiritual LPs|page=59|magazine=Billboard|date=November 7, 1981|access-date=April 23, 2020|via= Google Books}}</ref><ref name="Top Spiritual Albums 1982">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YyQEAAAAMBAJ&q=clark+sisters+spiritual+lps+billboard&pg=PT87|title=Top Spiritual Albums|page=TIA-42|magazine=Billboard|date=December 25, 1982|access-date=April 21, 2020|via= Google Books}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|''Bringing It Back Home'' | * Released: 1989 * Label: Word Records, A&M <small>(#CD 8449)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Bringing-It-Back-Home/master/855795|title=The Clark Sisters – Bringing It Back Home|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1989 }}</ref> * Formats: LP, CD, VHS,<ref>{{cite book|title= Amazon.com: Bringing It Back Home [VHS]: Clark Sisters: Music|asin = 6303614787}}</ref> digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/bringing-it-back-home/373798525|title=Bringing It Back Home by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref> | — || 13 |- ! scope="row"|''Live - One Last Time'' | * Released: 2007 * Label: Rejoice Records, A&M Records <small>(#EGD 81094)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Live-One-Last-Time/master/822002|title=The Clark Sisters – Live – One Last Time|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs}}</ref> * Formats: CD, digital download | 56 || 1 |}
===Compilation albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:21em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="1" style="width:1em;"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br><ref name="Gospel Albums"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''Best'' | * Released: 1986 * Labels: Spirit And Truth Records <small>(#SAT 6000)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Best/release/6152185|title=Playlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr Singers – Kurt Carr|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|year=1986 }}</ref> * Formats: LP | — |- ! scope="row"| ''Count It All Joy / He Gave Me Nothing to Lose'' | * Released: October 8, 2002<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Count-All-Gave-Nothing-Loose/dp/B000TQ0FKA|title= Count It All Joy / He Gave Me Nothing To Loose by The Clark Sisters|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> * Labels: Sound Of Gospel Records * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/count-it-all-joy-he-gave-me-nothing-to-lose/168469959|title=Count It All Joy / He Gave Me Nothing To Loose by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music|archive-date=September 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901155520/https://music.apple.com/us/album/count-it-all-joy-he-gave-me-nothing-to-lose/168469959|url-status=dead}}</ref> | — |- ! scope="row"| ''You Brought the Sunshine / Unworthy'' | * Released: October 8, 2002<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Brought-Sunshine-Unworthy-Clark-Sisters/dp/B0010HK1SI/ref=ntt_mus_dp_dpt_1|title= You Brought The Sunshine / Unworthy by The Clark Sisters on Amazon Music - Amazon.com|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> * Labels: Sound Of Gospel Records <small>(#SOG 2CD-3000)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-You-Brought-The-SunshineUnworthy/release/14981147|title=The Clark Sisters – You Brought The Sunshine/Unworthy (2002, CD)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs}}</ref> * Formats: CD, digital download | — |- ! scope="row"| ''Encore: The Best of The Clark Sisters'' | * Released: February 12, 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Encore-Clark-Sisters/dp/B0011B9W1A/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_1|title= Clark Sisters - Encore - Amazon.com Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> * Labels: Dexterity Sounds, Rhino Records <small>(#R2 419452)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-Encore-The-Best-of-The-Clark-Sisters/release/13400993|title=The Clark Sisters – Encore: The Best of The Clark Sisters (2008, CD)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs}}</ref> * Formats: CD | 12 |- ! scope="row"| ''The Clark Sisters: The Definitive Collection'' | * Released: May 20, 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Gospel-Collection-Clark-Sisters/dp/B001929CPW/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpi_4|title= The Definitive Gospel Collection by The Clark Sisters on Amazon Music - Amazon.com|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> * Labels: Word Entertainment, Warner, Curb Records <small>(#WD2-887407)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-The-Clark-Sisters-The-Definitive-Collection/release/14981071|title=The Clark Sisters – The Clark Sisters: The Definitive Collection (2008, CD)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs}}</ref> * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-definitive-gospel-collection/1167810045|title=The Definitive Collection by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref> | 37 |- ! scope="row"| ''Power Play: 6 Big Hits! - The Clark Sisters'' | * Released: January 22, 2010 * Labels: Motown Gospel, EMI Gospel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Power-Play-Hits-Clark-Sisters/dp/B0030U1TXE/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&qid=1587581077&refinements=p_32%3AThe+Clark+Sisters&s=music&sr=1-3|title=Clark Sisters – Power Play: 6 Big Hits – The Clark Sisters – Amazon.com Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/power-play-6-big-hits-the-clark-sisters/715849929|title=Power Play: 6 Big Hits!: The Clark Sisters by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> | — |- ! scope="row"| ''Beginnings'' | * Released: January 24, 2012 * Labels: Special Markets, Word<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Beginnings-Clark-Sisters/dp/B006VA4IRY/ref=ntt_mus_dp_dpt_5|title= Beginnings by The Clark Sisters on Amazon Music - Amazon.com|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/beginnings/1165957890|title=Beginnings by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref> | — |- ! scope="row"| ''Best of the Clark Sisters (Live)'' | * Released: January 1, 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/best-of-the-clark-sisters-live/1443741453|title=Best of The Clark Sisters (Live) by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 23, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref> * Labels: Motown Gospel * Formats: Digital download | — |- ! scope="row"| ''Icon'' | * Released: January 7, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/ICON-Clark-Sisters/dp/B00GC82ENU/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&qid=1587581077&refinements=p_32%3AThe+Clark+Sisters&s=music&sr=1-5|title=The Clark Sisters – ICON – Amazon.com Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Amazon.com}}</ref> * Labels: Capitol Christian Music Group, Motown Gospel <small>(#B001961302)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-The-Clark-Sisters-The-Definitive-Collection/release/14981071|title=The Clark Sisters – Icon (2013, CD)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs}}</ref> * Formats: CD | 28 |- ! scope="row"| ''You Brought the Sunshine <br>(The Sound Of Gospel Recordings 1976–1981)'' <br><small>(with Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark)</small> | * Released: January 31, 2020 * Labels: Westbound Records <small>(#CDSEWD 159)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Clark-Sisters-And-Elbernita-Twinkie-Clark-You-Brought-The-Sunshine-The-Sound-Of-Gospel-Recording/release/14749213|title=The Clark Sisters And Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark* – You Brought The Sunshine (The Sound Of Gospel Recordings 1976–1981) (2020, CD)|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=Discogs|date=31 January 2020 }}</ref> * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/you-brought-sunshine-sound-gospel-recordings-1976-1981/1496163077|title=You Brought The Sunshine – The Sound Of Gospel Recordings 1976–1981 by The Clark Sisters on Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=Apple Music|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217062453/https://music.apple.com/us/album/you-brought-sunshine-sound-gospel-recordings-1976-1981/1496163077|url-status=dead}}</ref> | — |}
===Singles=== ====As lead artist==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of singles, with selected chart positions and sales, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;| Year ! scope="col" colspan="5"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Sales ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br><ref name="Billboard Gospel Songs">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/gsi/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Hot Gospel Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br>Airplay<br><ref name="Billboard Airplay">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/gos/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Gospel Airplay|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 23, 2020}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br>Digital<br>Sales<br><ref name="Billboard Gospel Digital Sales">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/gdt/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Gospel Digital Sales|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 23, 2020}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Dance<br><ref name="Billboard Dance">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/dsi/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Dance Club Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US R&B<br>/HH<br><ref name="Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/bsi/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Jesus Has a Lot to Give" | rowspan="1" | 1973 | — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="1" | ''Jesus Has a Lot to Give'' |- ! scope="row"| "Is My Living in Vain" | rowspan="1" | 1980 | — || — || 3 || — || — | | ''Is My Living In Vain'' |- ! scope="row"| "Name It, Claim It" | rowspan="2" | 1982 | — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" | ''Sincerely'' |- ! scope="row"| "World" | — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life)" | rowspan="1" | 1983 | — || — || 2 || 27 || 16 | * US: 200,000 <small>(as of 1985)</small><ref>{{cite magazine |last1= Chin|first1= Brian|title= danceTRAX|magazine= Billboard|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=RyQEAAAAMBAJ&q=clark+sisters+Count+It+All+Joy+billboard&pg=PA63|date= November 2, 1985|page= 63|access-date= April 22, 2020|via= Google Books}}</ref> | ''You Brought the Sunshine'' |- ! scope="row"| "Jesus Is a Love Song" |rowspan="2" | 1986 | — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="3" | ''Heart & Soul'' |- ! scope="row"| "Pray for the U.S.A." | — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Time Out (Remix)" | 1987 | — || — || — || 43 || — | |- ! scope="row"| "My Redeemer Liveth" | rowspan="2" | 1991 | — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" | ''Bringing It Back Home'' |- ! scope="row"| "Medley" | — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Blessed & Highly Favored (Live)" | rowspan="2" | 2007 | 1 || 1 || 1 || — || — | | rowspan="5" | ''Live: One Last Time'' |- ! scope="row"| "Livin'" | 2 || 2 || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Looking to Get There (Heaven) [Live]" | rowspan="2" | 2008 | — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Something New (Live)" | — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Instrument (live)" | rowspan="1" | 2009 | — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row"| "Victory" | rowspan="1" | 2019 | 6 || 1 || 5 || — || — | | rowspan="2" | ''The Return'' |- ! scope="row"| "His Love"<br><small>(featuring Snoop Dogg)</small> | rowspan="1" | 2020 | 11 || 1 || — || — || — | |- |}
====As a featured artist==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;| Year ! scope="col" colspan="5"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br><ref name="Billboard Gospel Songs"/> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br>Airplay<br> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>AC<br><ref name="Billboard AC">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/asi/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Adult Contemporary|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>R&B<br>/HH<br><ref name="Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop"/> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Adult<br>R&B<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-clark-sisters/chart-history|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Lift Every Voice and Sing"<br><small>(Melba Moore featuring Gerald Albright, Anita Baker, Bobby Brown, <br>Terri Lyne Carrington, the Clark Sisters, Howard Hewett,<br> Freddie Jackson, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osbourne, Jake O, Dionne Warwick, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Stevie Wonder)</small><ref name="Melba">{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Melba-Moore-Lift-Every-Voice-And-Sing/master/915908|title=Melba Moore – Lift Every Voice And Sing|work=Discogs|year=1990 |access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> | rowspan="1" | 1990 | — || — ||— || 9 || — | rowspan="1" | ''Soul Exposed'' |- ! scope="row"| "The First Noel"<br><small>(Mary J. Blige with the Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="1" | 2014 | — || — || 21 || — || — | ''A Mary Christmas'' |- ! scope="row"| "Dance"<ref name="Dance">{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/6ojblANvXgceb7VeUn2QSS|title= Dance · 3 Winans Brothers|work=Spotify|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="1" | 2015 | 7<br><ref name="Billboard.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/3-winans-brothers/chart-history/gsi/|title=3 Winans Brothers Chart History: Hot Gospel Songs|work=Billboard.com|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> || — || — || — || 15<br><ref name="Billboard.com"/> | ''Foreign Land'' |- ! scope="row"| "Hey Devil!"<br><small>(CeCe Winans featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="1" | 2017 | 22 || 24 || — || — || — | ''Let Them Fall in Love'' |- ! scope="row"| "Jesus I Do"<br><small>(Mariah Carey featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="1" | 2025 | 5<br><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-here-for-it-all-number-1-billboard-album-charts-1236083410/|title=Mariah Carey’s ‘Here for It All’ Tops 4 Billboard Album Charts|date=October 7, 2025|accessdate=October 8, 2025|author=Keith Caulfield}}</ref> || 1<br><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/tlp/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History|accessdate=May 13, 2026}}</ref> || — || — || — | ''Here For It All'' |}
====Other charted songs==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;| Year ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak<br>chart<br>positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br><ref name="Billboard Gospel Songs"/> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br>Digital<br>Sales<br><ref name="Billboard Gospel Digital Sales"/> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US<br>Gospel<br>Stream.<br><ref name="Billboard Gospel Streaming">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-clark-sisters/chart-history/gss/|title=The Clark Sisters Chart History: Gospel Streaming|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 23, 2020}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Expect Your Miracle" | rowspan="1" | 1980 | — || 7 || — | ''Is My Living In Vain'' |- ! scope="row"| "You Brought the Sunshine (Live)" | rowspan="2" | 2007 | 11<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9365372/lifetime-biopic-the-clark-sisters-gospel-charts|title=New Lifetime Biopic Sparks The Clark Sisters on Billboard's Gospel Charts|magazine=Billboard|via=Billboard.com|date=April 24, 2020|access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> || 2 || 15 | rowspan="2" | ''Live: One Last Time'' |- ! scope="row"| "Name It Claim It (Live)" | — || 9 || — |- ! scope="row"| "Blessed & Highly Favored (Remix)"<br><small>(Snoop Dogg featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="1" | 2018 | — || 24 || — | ''Bible of Love'' |}
===Other appearances=== <!-- If your contribution is billed under the name of one or more of the sisters, and not as "The Clark Sisters", please put it in the discography of the respective sister's solo Wikipedia page! --> {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of album appearances, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" style="width:19em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Album |- ! scope="row"| "Won't You Come a Christmasing"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Wont-Come-Christmasing-Clark-Sisters/dp/B00123EJFG|title=Won't You Come A Christmasing [with the Clark Sisters] by Shirley Caesar on Amazon Music - Amazon.com|work=Amazon.com|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Shirley Caesar featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | 1986 | ''Christmasing'' |- ! scope="row"| "Jesus Forevermore (Live)"<ref name="Black Gospel Explosion">{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2OFQFPtUzrUvsBYg3C2Q7I|title=Black Gospel Explosion: Recorded Live · Various artists|work=Spotify|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(The Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="2"|1989 | rowspan="2"| ''Black Gospel Explosion: Recorded Live'' |- ! scope="row"| "Hallelujah (Live)"<ref name="Black Gospel Explosion"/><br><small>(The Clark Sisters)</small> |- ! scope="row"| "Lift Every Voice and Sing"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/soul-exposed/1444045225|title= Soul Exposed by Melba Moore on Apple Music|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Melba Moore featuring Gerald Albright, Anita Baker, Bobby Brown, <br>Terri Lyne Carrington, The Clark Sisters, Howard Hewett, <br>Freddie Jackson, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osbourne, Jake O, <br>Dionne Warwick, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Stevie Wonder)</small><ref name="Melba"/> | 1990 | ''Soul Exposed'' |- ! scope="row"| "Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/handels-messiah-a-soulful-celebration/373802261|title= Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration by Various Artists on Apple Music|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Commissioned & the Clark Sisters)</small> | 1992 | ''Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration'' |- ! scope="row"| "Nothing to Lose"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2bpVDG20svJTW3F5eH01xj|title= Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents · The Florida A&M University Gospel Choir |work=Spotify|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(The Florida A&M University Gospel Choir featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | 1996 | ''Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents'' |- ! scope="row"| "Jesus is a Love Song"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/finally-karen/1444031474|title= Finally Karen by Karen Clark Sheard on Apple Music|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Karen Clark-Sheard featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="2"| 1997 | ''Finally Karen'' |- ! scope="row"| "Pure Gold"<ref>{{cite AV media | people = Karen Clark Sheard featuring The Clark Sisters | date = November 4, 1997 | title = Finally Karen Live! | trans-title = Pure Gold | medium = Live recording | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ_rYKJ2BgU | access-date = April 22, 2020 | format = Video | time = 24:45 | location = Bailey Cathedral, Detroit, Michigan | publisher = Polygram Video, Island Records | asin = 6304707355 | via = YouTube }}</ref><br><small>(Karen Clark-Sheard featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | ''Finally Karen...Live!'' |- ! scope="row"| "Show Me the Way"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/dorinda-clark-cole/347582692|title= Dorinda Clark-cole by Dorinda Clark-Cole on Apple Music|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Dorinda Clark-Cole featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | 2002 | ''Dorinda Clark-Cole'' |- ! scope="row"| "You Brought the Sunshine"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Priceless-Kelly-Price/dp/B000VZO41A|title=Priceless by Kelly Price on Amazon Music – Amazon.com|work=Amazon.com|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Kelly Price featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="2"| 2003 | ''Priceless'' |- ! scope="row"| "I'm Not Perfect"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/This-Test-Amended-Version-Clean/dp/B00120EAEE/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=this+is+not+a+test+missy&qid=1587585799&s=dmusic&sr=1-1|title= This Is Not a Test! [Clean] by Missy Elliott on Amazon Music - Amazon.com|work=Amazon.com|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Missy Elliott featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | ''This Is Not a Test!'' |- ! scope="row"| "I Made It"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/home-once-again-live-in-detroit/1240753675|title= Home Once Again (Live in Detroit) by Twinkie Clark on Apple Music|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Twinkie Clark featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | 2004 | ''Home Once Again: Live in Detroit'' |- ! scope="row"| "Blessing Me"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gospelflava.com/reviews/jackyclarkchisholm.html|title=Jacky Clark-Chisholm (Expectancy) – Reviews – GospelFlava.com|work=GospelFlava.com|first=Stan |last=North |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Jacky Clark-Chisholm featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | 2005 | ''Expectancy'' |- ! scope="row"| "Higher Ground"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/aprilweb-only/ohhappyday-mini.html|title=Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration|work=Christianity Today|date=April 7, 2009|first=Andrew |last=Greer |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Robert Randolph & the Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="2"| 2009 | ''Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration'' |- ! scope="row"| "I Wanna Thank You"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1RJcTyUVMHQD1VRMas8u8r|title= Silky Soul Music... an All-star Tribute to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly · Various artists |work=Spotify|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(The Clark Sisters, J. Moss, Kierra Sheard)</small> | ''Silky Soul Music...an All-star Tribute to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly'' |- ! scope="row"| "Hallelujah Remix"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7sBnw7UOKSBz2gJYUvrZ5e|title=Live & Unplugged · The Clark Sisters|work=Spotify|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Twinkie Clark featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="2"| 2013 | ''Live & Unplugged'' |- ! scope="row"| "The First Noel"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/a-mary-christmas/1440819962|title= A Mary Christmas by Mary J. Blige on Apple Music|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Mary J. Blige featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | ''A Mary Christmas'' |- ! scope="row"| "Dance - Louie Vega Funk House Radio Edit"<ref name="Foreign Land">{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1yJm6DUODZ3PAl5GlF7FRM|title= Foreign Land · 3 Winans Brothers|work=Spotify|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | rowspan="3"|2015 | rowspan="3"|''Foreign Land'' |- ! scope="row"| "I'm Not Ashamed"<ref name="Foreign Land"/><br><small>(3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> |- ! scope="row"| "Dance"<ref name="Foreign Land"/><br><small>(3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> |- ! scope="row"| "Look to the Hills"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/gei-live/1144192661|title=GEI Live by G E I on Apple Music|access-date=April 25, 2020|website=Apple Music}}</ref><br><small>(G E I featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | 2016 | ''GEI Live'' |- ! scope="row"| "Hey Devil!"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/let-them-fall-in-love/1168821004|title= Let Them Fall in Love by CeCe Winans on Apple Music|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(CeCe Winans featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | 2017 | ''Let Them Fall in Love'' |- ! scope="row"| "Blessed & Highly Favored (Remix)"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/snoop-dogg-presents-bible-of-love/1341747511|title= Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love by Snoop Dogg on Apple Music|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(Snoop Dogg featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | 2018 | ''Bible of Love'' |- ! scope="row"| "Dance - Mike Dunn's Gospel Re-Touch"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0SbX1z2VYPbOzA53crT9Cj|title= Unreleased Project EP, Vol. 03 · Various artists|work=Spotify|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref><br><small>(3 Winans Brothers, the Clark Sisters, Mike Dunn)</small> | 2019 | ''Unreleased Project EP, Vol. 03'' |- ! scope="row"| "Jesus I Do"<br><small>(Mariah Carey featuring the Clark Sisters)</small> | 2025 | ''Here For It All'' |}
==Awards== ===BET Awards=== {{main|BET Awards}} The BET Awards are awarded annually by the Black Entertainment Television network. The Clark Sisters have received 2 nominations.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;" |- ! style="width:3%;"| Year ! style="width:23%;"| Award ! style="width:20%;"| Nominated work ! style="width:5%;"|Result |- | align="center"| 2008 | Best Gospel Artist | Themselves | {{nom}} |- | align="center"| 2020 | Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | "Victory" | {{nom}} |}
===Dove Awards=== {{main|Dove Awards}} The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. The Clark Sisters have won 2 awards from 10 nominations.<ref name="Dove">{{cite web|url=https://doveawards.com/awards/past-winners/|title=Past Winners|website=Dove Awards|at=Enter 'The Clark Sisters' into the 'Search:' field to see list of awards|access-date=April 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cmnexus.org/awards/Dove_Awards/|title=Dove Award History|accessdate=June 16, 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;" |- ! style="width:3%;"| Year ! style="width:23%;"| Award ! style="width:20%;"| Nominated work ! style="width:5%;"|Result |- | align="center"| 1983 | Inspirational Black Gospel Album of the Year | ''Sincerely'' | {{nom}} |- | align="center"| 1987 | Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year | ''Heart & Soul'' | {{won}} |- |align="center"| 1995 | Traditional Black Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Amazing Grace" | {{nom}} |- | align="center" rowspan="4"| 2008 | Artist of the Year | rowspan="2"| Themselves | {{nom}} |- | Group of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Blessed and Highly Favored" | {{nom}} |- | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | ''Live – One Last Time'' | {{nom}} |- | align="center" rowspan="3"| 2020 | Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Victory" | {{nom}} |- | Inspirational Film of the Year | ''The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel'' | {{nom}} |- | Traditional Gospel Album of the Year | ''The Return'' | {{won}} |}
===Grammy Awards=== {{main|Grammy Awards}} The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The Clark Sisters have won 3 awards from 7 nominations, including a Lifetime Achievement award.<ref name="Grammys"/><ref name="Grammys Karen">{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/karen-clark-sheard/7992|title=Karen Clark-Sheard|website=Grammy Awards|access-date=May 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/grammy-lifetime-achievement-awards-2024-1235695776/|title=Gladys Knight, N.W.A, Laurie Anderson & Tammy Wynette Among 2024 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees|date=January 5, 2024|accessdate=January 6, 2024|author=Greg Evans}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;" |- ! style="width:3%;"| Year ! style="width:23%;"| Award ! style="width:20%;"| Nominated work ! style="width:5%;"|Result |- | align="center"| 1983 | Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group | ''Sincerely'' | {{nom}} |- | align="center"| 1987 | rowspan="2"| Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus | ''Heart & Soul'' | {{nom}} |- | align="center"| 1988 | ''Conqueror'' | {{nom}} |- | align="center"| 1990 | Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album | ''Bringing it Back Home'' | {{nom}} |- | align="center" rowspan="2"| 2007 | Best Gospel Performance | "Blessed & Highly Favored" | {{win}} |- | Best Traditional Gospel Album | ''Live: One Last Time'' | {{win}} |- | align="center"| 2009 | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | "Higher Ground" | {{nom}} |- | align="center"| 2024 | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award | Themselves | {{won|place=Honored}} |}
===NAACP Image Awards=== {{main|NAACP Image Awards}} The NAACP Image Awards are awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The Clark Sisters have won 2 awards from 6 nominations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/2026-naacp-image-award-nominations-list-analysis/|title=Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Teyana Taylor & More Lead 2026 NAACP Image Award Nominations: Full List|author=Paul Grein|date=January 12, 2026|accessdate=January 12, 2026}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;" |- ! style="width:3%;"| Year ! style="width:23%;"| Award ! style="width:20%;"| Nominated work ! style="width:5%;"|Result |- | align="center"| 1983 | rowspan="2"| Outstanding Gospel Artist | rowspan="2"| Themselves | {{won}} |- | align="center"| 1989 | {{nom}} |- | align="center"| 2020 | Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song – Traditional or Contemporary | "Victory" | {{nom}} |- | align="center"| 2021 | Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album | ''The Return'' | {{won}} |- |rowspan="2" align="center"| 2026 | Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional) |rowspan="2"| "Jesus I Do" <small>(with Mariah Carey)</small> | {{nom}} |- | Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song | {{nom}} |- |}
===Soul Train Awards=== The Soul Train Music Awards are awarded annually. The Clark Sisters have received 3 nominations.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;" |- ! style="width:3%;"| Year ! style="width:23%;"| Award ! style="width:20%;"| Nominated work ! style="width:5%;"|Result |- | align="center" | 1988 | Best Gospel Album – Group or Choir | ''Heart & Soul'' | {{nom}} |- | align="center" | 1989 | Best Gospel Album | ''Conqueror'' | {{nom}} |- | align="center" | 2020 | Best Gospel/Inspirational Award <ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9481713/2020-soul-train-awards-nominations|title= H.E.R. & Chris Brown Lead 2020 Soul Train Awards Nominations: Here's the Complete List|author=Paul Grein|magazine= Billboard|date=November 11, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref> | Themselves | {{nom}} |}
===Stellar Awards=== The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. The Clark Sisters have received 8 awards and 2 honorary awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gospelflava.com/stellar.html|title=Stellar Award History - Gospel Flava|accessdate=June 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://detroitgospel.com/another-stellar-affair-uplifts-gospels-grandeur/#:~:text=The%20Clark%20Sisters%20have%20established,Chevrolet%20Most%20Notable%20Achievement%20Award.|title=2007 Stellar Award Winners!|date=January 16, 2007 |accessdate=June 16, 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;" |- ! style="width:3%;"| Year ! style="width:23%;"| Award ! style="width:20%;"| Nominated work ! style="width:5%;"|Result |- |align="center"| 2007 | The Chevrolet Most Notable Achievement Award | Themselves | {{won|place=Honored}} |- | align="center" rowspan="4"| 2008 | CD of the Year | rowspan="4"|''Live... One Last Time'' | {{won}} |- | Artist of the Year | {{won}} |- | Group or Duo of the Year | {{won}} |- | Traditional Group/Duo of the Year | {{won}} |- | align="center" | 2009 |rowspan="2"| Special Event CD of the Year | ''Encore: The Best of the Clark Sisters'' | {{won}} |- | align="center" | 2010 | ''Silky Soul Music... An All-Star Tribute to Maze'' <small>(with Kierra Sheard and J. Moss)</small> | {{won}} |- | align="center" | 2020 | James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award | Themselves | {{won|place=Honored}} |- | align="center" rowspan="3"| 2021 | Contemporary Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | rowspan="2"| ''The Return'' | {{won}} |- | Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | {{nom}} |- | Traditional Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | ''Gospel According to PJ'' | {{won}} |- |}
===Miscellaneous honors=== {| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;" |- ! style="width:3%;"| Year ! style="width:23%;"| Organization ! style="width:23%;"| Award ! style="width:20%;"| Nominated work ! style="width:5%;"|Result |- |align="center"| 1999 |colspan="2"| Michigan's International Gospel Music Hall of Fame |rowspan="5"| The Clark Sisters <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.igmhf.org/website/html_pages/inductees.html|title=International Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductees|accessdate=September 6, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/awards-events/2019-essence-festival/mary-j-blige-clark-sisters-cicely-tyson-strength-of-a-woman-brunch/|title=Mary J. Blige Celebrates Clark Sisters, Cicely Tyson At Essence Fest's Strength Of A Woman Brunch|date=December 6, 2020|accessdate=September 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/inductees-announced-for-the-black-music-and-entertainment-walk-of-fame-june-2022-induction/|title=Inductees Announced For The Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame June 2022 Induction|date=May 16, 2022|accessdate=September 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ugospel.com/p/the-clark-sisters-set-to-receive|title=The Clark Sisters Set to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star|date=July 3, 2025|accessdate=September 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gospelmusic.org/news/the-clark-sisters-set-to-receive-hollywood-walk-of-fame|title=The Clark Sisters Set to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame|date=July 8, 2025|accessdate=September 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2025/08/20.TheGospelMusicHallofFameAnnouncesits2025InducteesandSpecialAwardRecipientsDuringBlackMusicMonth.asp|title=The Gospel Music Hall of Fame Announces Its 2025 Inductees|date=August 20, 2025|accessdate=August 28, 2025}}</ref> | {{won|place=Inducted}} |- |align="center"| 2019 | Essence Fest's Strength Of A Woman Brunch | Strength of A Woman Award | {{won|place=Honored}} |- |align="center"| 2022 |colspan="2"| Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame | {{won|place=Inducted}} |- |align="center"| 2025 |colspan="2"| Missouri Gospel Music Hall of Fame | {{won|place=Inducted}} |- |align="center"| 2026 |colspan="2"| Hollywood Walk of Fame | {{won|place=Inducted}} |- |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.theclarksisters.net}} * [https://www.myspace.com/officiallytheclarksisters Clark Sisters Official Myspace Page] * [http://clarkspace.activeboard.com The Clark Sisters Official Message Board] * [https://www.myspace.com/theclarkmarathon Clark Sisters Marathon on Myspace] * [http://www.live365.com/stations/love4myclarks Clark Sisters Internet Radio Station] on Live365 * [http://www.thestellarawards.com Stellar Awards] * [http://blackgospel.com/alerts/clarksisters/liveonelasttime-le/ Clark Sisters: Live, One Last Time] (Release Alert on BlackGospel.com) * [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VUdDU44uo3KwSHc9lAEFE The Clark Sisters] on Spotify * [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdH6cw9Keq7eQVpmOfBumvg The Clark Sisters] on YouTube * [https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/7/archival_objects/3583925 2023 Interview with the Oral History of American Music (Yale University)]
{{The Clark Sisters}} {{Moss-Clark-Sheard}} {{Karen Clark Sheard}} {{Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark Sisters, The}} Category:Grammy Award winners Category:American gospel musical groups Category:Singers from Detroit Category:American gospel singers Category:Sibling musical quartets Category:African-American musical groups Category:Musical groups from Detroit Category:African-American Christians Category:American Pentecostals Category:Members of the Church of God in Christ Category:American girl groups Category:Musical groups established in 1966 Category:1966 establishments in Michigan Category:African-American women musicians Category:Sister quartets Category:Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners