UB Celebrates: The Clark Sisters and Dr. Mattie Moss Clark
Born and raised in Detroit, MI., The Clark Sisters are a legendary and iconic Gospel music group comprised of sisters Jacky Clark Chisholm, Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark, Dorinda Clark Cole and Karen Clark Sheard.
Near the start of “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel,” their mother, the esteemed renowned gospel musician and choral director Mattie Moss Clark. Wakes up her five daughters in the wee hours of the morning. A nearby clock shows that it’s 3:13 a.m., which is Detroit‘s area code. “That’s my little wink to 313,” director and Detroit native Christine Swanson stated to a publication.
“I’m gonna make you stars for Jesus,” Aunjanue Ellis declares as she enters the role of Mattie Moss Clark. Cheekily referred to as Joe Jackson.
Known for their stellar harmonies and soaring vocals, The Clark Sisters’ illustrious career began at Word Records with the release of three #1 albums, “Bringing It Back Home,” “Heart & Soul” and “Conqueror.”
They’ve been singing and performing together since 1966. The recipients of numerous notable awards and honors, including 3 GRAMMY Awards, The Clark Sisters have released 17 albums to date.
Revered by numerous Pop and R&B artists such as Mariah Carey, Jill Scott, Beyonce and Shanice, The Clark Sisters were honored at the 2016 Essence Music Festival for their musical contributions with remarks from Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Kierra Sheard and Yolanda Adams.
Their vocals have been featured on the tracks by hip-hop artists Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg. Credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream, The Clark Sisters are considered pioneers of contemporary gospel music.
Some of their crossover hits include “Blessed & Highly Favored,” “Is My Living In Vain?,” “Hallelujah,” “He Gave Me Nothing to Lose,” “Endow Me,” “Jesus Is A Love Song,” “Pure Gold,” “Expect A Miracle,” and “You Brought The Sunshine,” their largest main- stream crossover; which was often played on Urban/R&B radio formats and as well as club venues.
The Clark Sisters are the highest-selling female Gospel group in history with millions of record sales to their credit.
“The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel,” is executive produced by Grammy Award winners Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott.
The Lifetime authorized musical of incomparable gospel singers, The Clark Sisters, recounts the story of the female gospel group in history and their trailblazing mother, played by Aunjanue Ellis.
Credited with bringing Gospel music to the mainstream, the five Clark sisters (Christina Bell as “Twinkie,” Kierra Sheard as “Karen,” Sheléa Frazier as “Dorinda,” Raven Goodwin as “Denise,” Angela Birchett as “Jacky”) overcame humble beginnings in Detroit, enduring abuse, loss, rejection, betrayal, and sibling rivalries to achieve international fame as icons of the Gospel music industry.
“First, it wasn’t supposed to happen until Kierra was old enough to play her mother. And two, I had to meet my partner Shakim Compere, who brought essential elements like Queen Latifah, Mary and Missy to seal the deal. At the end of the day, I realized it was going to happen when it was supposed to. A vision whose time has come is most powerful.”
– Producer Holly Carter
Christine Swanson (Chicago P.D.) directed, based on a script written by Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker.
Executive producers include Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott and Loretha Jones. Holly Carter also executive produces for Revele Entertainment while Shakim Compere executive produces for Flavor Unit.
Tune Into “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel” TONIGHT Saturday, April 11th at 8/7c on Lifetime.
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Dr. Mattie Moss Clark (Official Biography)
Dr. Mattie Juliet Moss Clark remains one of the most influential and important figures in the history and progression of gospel music as well as in the history of the Church of God in Christ. Her legacy has created and helped to shape some of the most successful gospel artists including Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Donald Vails, Commissioned, Esther Smith, Keith Pringle, Rev. Rance Allen, the late Rev. James Moore and her own daughters, The Clark Sisters. She taught that one should never try to sing, preach, teach, or reach without prayer and that Christ must always be the center of attraction and the center of one’s life.
Born the seventh of nine children to Fred J. Moss and Mattie J. Walker in Selma, AL, she began playing the piano at age six. By 12, she became the musician for mother’s services at the Church of Christ and Prayer. After high school, she attended Selma University and received training in classical music and choral singing. In addition, she continued to travel with her mother and play at her mission services.
She moved to Detroit in 1947 to be with her sister Sybil Burke and became a member of Greater Love Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. There, under the leadership of Bishop W. Rimson, she was baptized in the Holy Ghost and subsequently became the Minister of Music. She served an historic tenure as Minister of Music for both Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction and Bailey Temple Church of God in Christ, under Bishop John Seth Bailey. Soon she was in demand to train choirs at churches throughout the brotherhood of COGIC. She married her first husband, Mr. Cullum and that union produced two children Leo and Jacqueline. Her next marriage was to Elder Elbert Clark and unto their union four daughters were born, Denise, Twinkie, Dorinda, and Karen.
In 1958, she recorded “Going to Heaven to Meet the King,” with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, becoming the first person to commit the sounds of a choir to record. She was also the first person to separate vocal parts into soprano, alto and tenor. She received three gold albums with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, and went on to write and arrange hundreds of songs and record over 50 albums.
She directed Cadillac Motor Company’s Christmas choir for eleven years and also conducted community wide mass choirs for the prestigious NAACP Freedom Fund Dinners. In 1979, she founded the Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit, which established itself as one of the most prestigious schools of its kind in the country. In 1981, Trinity College in Pennsylvania conferred upon her one of their highest honors, the degree of Doctor of Humanity. After the death of Bishop Bailey in 1985, she continued as State Minister of Music for Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction #1, attending Greater Mitchell Church of God in Christ, under Bishop J.H. Sheard. She was also one of the editors and contributors to the hymnal published by the Church of God In Christ entitled “Yes, Lord.”
When the late Bishop J. O. Patterson appointed her the International President of The Music Department in 1968, she worked to instill within musicians and choirs a responsibility to Christ as well as capability for Christ. Throughout her efforts, young people especially received her and many were saved, and uplifted by her music and message.
She completely revolutionized the music departments. She gave definition to the rold of State Minister of Music, traveled year-round to every state in the country conducting workshop, rehearsals and musicals to prepare choirs for service on the National Church level and organized the structure of the National Music Convention of the Church of God in Christ. Dr. Clark introduced the workshop and seminar concept to the convention, and along with her staff, structured classes for the convention and created “A Song Is Born,” the program where new talent was introduced before thousands.
As her health declined, Dr. Clark never lost the fire and passion for her mission, and she learned to give all she had with whatever God gave her and believed He would do the rest. An accomplished musician, singer, arranger, composer, leader, director, teacher, and exemplary woman of God, Dr. Clark died on September 22, 1994. The legacy of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark is one that will stand as a testament to the anointing of God and his gifts, what she accomplished is matched by only a handful of anointed vessels, cementing her standing as the true “First Lady” of gospel music.
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