Karen Clark Sheard Signs to Motown Gospel in New Partnership
Motown Gospel has announced the signing of legendary 4-time GRAMMY-winning singer, musician, songwriter, entrepreneur, and First Lady of COGIC (Church of God in Christ) Karen Clark Sheard, in partnership with Karew Records.
Karen will release her first new album in over half a decade later this year. It will follow 2015‘s live album “Destined To Win,” her highest-charting album in her solo career.
“I am honored and excited to partner with Motown Gospel,” states Karen Clark Sheard. “I’m passionate about encouraging, inspiring and uplifting people through my music, and I can’t wait to share it with my long-time supporters and with the world.”
Karen Clark Sheard first rose to prominence as the youngest sibling in The Clark Sisters, the group credited with bringing gospel music to the mainstream. Formed by their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, when Clark Sheard was a teenager, the five sisters released their national crossover hit “You Brought The Sunshine” in 1981.
Karen Clark Sheard has proven to be a prolific solo force as well, releasing five studio albums, and two live albums, garnering multiple Grammy, Dove, NAACP Image, Soul Train and Stellar Awards and nominations along the way. Karen is renowned for her signature, multi-octave vocal range and has been cited as an influence by a variety of artists, including Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, and many more.
In 2020, Lifetime released a biopic on the lives and musical journey of The Clark Sisters entitled The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel. Produced by Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, and Mary J. Blige, the film was the network’s highest-rated original movie in years. Also in 2020, the Clark Sisters appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, performing an unprecedented 17-minute mini-concert medley of their songs – including “You Brought The Sunshine.”
Currently, Karen serves as First Lady of the Church of God in Christ, not only a global Christian denomination consisting of over 8.8-million members, but also the largest Black organization in the world. She is married to Bishop J. Drew Sheard – who was elected Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ denomination last year – and together, they have two children, Kierra Sheard and John Drew “J. Drew” Sheard II, both of whom have followed in their mother‘s musical footsteps and collaborated with her on previous recordings.
Stay tuned for New Music and more from Karen Clark Sheard later this year.
UB ReVisit: Karen Clark Sheard Talks Aretha, Mary J., Missy & Kierra
