UB ReVisit: Karen Clark Sheard Talks Aretha, Mary J., Missy & Kierra
This ReVisit of one of our favorite interviews in the last 15 years. Is with one of the worlds music treasures Karen Clark Sheard. We selected today to ReVisit, in support of “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel” airing tonight at 8/7c on Lifetime.
Karen Clark Sheard stands as a bridge between hallowed tradition and bold innovation. Both the profound message and musical excitement that have always been the cornerstones of Gospel music still hold as strong and sturdy as ever. In the care of Karen, a whole generation of musical visionaries have followed in her wake.
As the youngest member of the legendary Clark Sisters, and daughter of Gospel pioneer Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Karen was part of one of the most popular and defining Gospel music families of the ’80s and ’90s. Recording their first album in 1980, Karen and her sisters helped alter the course of modern Gospel music with their classic hit, “You Brought The Sunshine.”
Karen began singing with the group at the age of seven and stayed with them until in 1997, when, with her sisters’ blessings, she embarked on a solo career, releasing Finally Karen in the fall of that year. The album was an out-of-the gate smash, selling over 300,000 units, and garnering four Stellar Awards and a Grammy nomination.
Karen‘s powerful soprano and multi-textured vocal runs and riffs have become signatures of her singular vocal style, and her talents have given inspiration to legions of followers, including Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Kelly Price, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott and Faith Evans, who credits Karen and the Clark Sisters as one of the great musical inspirations of her life.
Karen expresses gratitude for the praises of other such gifted artists, and also sees an opportunity to have an impact that is more than musical. “I talked with Missy Elliott,” she recalls, “and we began just chatting about music; but it wasn’t long before she told me how a number of the Clark Sisters’ songs had really helped her get through difficult situations in her life. That really enlightened me to the influence Gospel music can have on lots of people who we may not have any idea we are impacting for the Lord. Faith Evans and I had a similar conversation that began with music and singing as our common denominator; but she grew up in the church too, and she’s no stranger to the Word. And beyond the very gracious compliments she paid me, and of even far greater significance to me, was her telling me my songs had touched her life in important ways. Ministry is what I’m all about, and when I hear testimonies like that, it’s very, very encouraging to me.”
UB spoke to J. Moss and asked him what’s some of the best advice Karen Clark Sheard has given him about the entertainment business?
“She’s always very supportive, actually I gave her a lot of advice oppose to her giving me some (laughs). It’s so funny, in terms of the business, the music business she use to always stay to herself. I always gave her a little push like, yo you need to do your own label, you need to establish some other artists, you need to take some of these female artists and groom them. Take them under your wing and put them out there. I was instrumental in being able to push her to a lot of those limits. Now her to me, she definitely gave me a lot of pointers as far as stage performance. Nobody on the planet can control a stage like Karen Clark-Sheard does. So a lot of times I would just go to her and say how would you pull off this particular song singing it live, what would you do? So she would say things like well I would eliminate this verse and just go straight to this part because the people are going to respond to it. She’s an architect when it comes to that. She’s a mad scientist, she knows how to handle the floor & go after the hearts of people. Plus her timing is perfect, so she’s helped a lot in that area. I thank God for my family.”
Karen balances a life of music and ministry with her home life in Detroit as the wife of Greater Emmanuel‘s pastor, Reverend J. Drew Sheard, and the mother of two musically gifted children, singer and actress Kierra “Kiki” Sheard and John Jr. (J. Drew) Sheard II a hit-making producer.
They launched a record label entitled Karew Records (Karew being a combination of both their forenames: Karen & Drew, pronounced: Kuh-rue). Which has released music by Karen, Kierra and The Clark Sisters. Including their new release “The Return.”
Aries from UB had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Karen in 2006, in support of her “It’s Not Over” project.
Karen spoke about that album, why she left Elektra Records and her talented children Kiki and J. Drew.
Karen also spoke to us at that time about Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott, who are executive producers of “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel” along with Queen Latifah. Karen got candid and expressed her desire to work with Aretha Franklin, that wish came true in 2011 when she recorded Faithful for Aretha‘s “A Woman Falling Out of Love” album.
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UrbanBridgez.com: What makes this album different from the others?
Karen Clark Sheard: I have a passion, one of them is having my 16 year old son produce on it. I mean he was producing me and telling me what to do (laughs). It was amazing and he really knows how to produce, I was just so proud. I’m proud of my children, it’s like the torch has been passed to the next generation. My next passion is Israel Houghton, he’s so smart with music. Also just working with different producers. Aaron Lindsey who worked with me on my live session. They make is much easier to worship and praise and what better people than Israel and Aaron. My cousin also J Moss, he’s wonderful.
UrbanBridgez.com: Does it feel blessed to be signed to Word over Elektra, wasn’t Elektra trying to convince you to do things you didn’t agree with?
Karen Clark Sheard: To a certain extent. I mean I did love and appreciate the promotion Elektra did in the main stream market. There was a point I wanted to do something and they wanted me to do something else. I didn’t agree with the direction they wanted me to go in.
UrbanBridgez.com: What do you think of your daughter Kierra’s music?
Karen Clark Sheard: She is so Godly, I am so proud of her and her brother. Just seeing that makes me proud and seeing them everyday. The thing I love about her and what made it easier to allow her to get in this business. Is she has a sincerity for God, that’s what makes me support what she’s doing. She loves God, she’s very active in the Church.
UrbanBridgez.com: Tell me about when Mary J. Blige invited you to her show? And what do you think of her current success?
Karen Clark Sheard: How did you know about that (laughs)? It was an experience, a different experience. It was a Sunday night and we were going to Church. Then I got this invite. I told my Husband, I got invited to this Mary J. Blige concert tonight, I don’t know how you are going to react, but I want to go. He was like how is that going to look, but he understood and let me go. She was performing and then she invited me on stage, I didn’t know she was going to do that. So I go up there, I can’t think of the name of the song right now but one of hers. I just got on stage and took it to Church! I turned it into a gospel song (laughs). Not too long after, Mary started crying, people told me later people in the audience were crying. I was like wow! I mean it just proved you don’t have to compromise, I did what I do. She looks up to me, which is something she told me and that’s a blessing to have that. It’s very encouraging. When God gives me something, I am led in the direction to make the right decision. Church folks were at the concert, saying what is she doing here? But I did what I do and didn’t compromise who I am and you should be able to do that.
UrbanBridgez.com: Any truth to the rumor that you have recorded a new song with Missy and Faith?
Karen Clark Sheard: No, not anything new as of yet. I am recording with Mariah Carey soon. It’s still in the process and it’s for her album.
UrbanBridgez.com: How does it feel to have vocally inspired all the singing young female R&B; singers? Singers such as Shanice, Faith Evans, Kelly Price among others all count you as an inspiration. Do you hear Karen-isms when you listen to them?
Karen Clark Sheard: I do hear a lot of me in Faith. Also in Mary, she loves Twinkie (Clark Sisters), she told me. I do hear a lot of us in them, it’s really an honor by them being these mega stars. They look up to us and it’s very encouraging, to know what I’ve done has made an impact on their lives. Them admiring our vocals and hearing what they’ve had to say has encouraged me. We’re always criticized for working with secular artists. We’re just doing what we are called on to do. We’re still doing what we’ve been doing, we’re ministering, talking about God. We’re the artists these stars have grown up on and to see them still worshiping, is refreshing.
UrbanBridgez.com: Who would you like to collaborate with?
Karen Clark Sheard: Aretha Franklin. I’ve always looked up to her for years. She’s the greatest, I’ve did tributes in her honor and she has called me for shows, but I want to record with her. You know as I’m telling you this, I just remembered I am recording with her soon. She asked me to be on her new gospel CD and we’re going to work on that soon.
UrbanBridgez.com: What’s next for Karen?
Karen Clark Sheard: Right now I’m writing a play, doing a movie. It’s going to be the story of the Clark Sisters. From the roots all the way down to my son and daughter.
UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words for your fans?
Karen Clark Sheard: I want to say to all of my fans. Thank you for your love and support for all I have done. You guys make me who I am, if it wasn’t for you supporting me, my work would be in vain. You keep me moving, hearing stories from my fans, motivates me to keep going. With all of the negativity, my fans keep me going. I hope I can continue to have that effect on you and continue to be anointed.
