The Clark Family are to Gospel what nothing else is to secular. Influence, prestige and longevity combined with humility and a continuing relevance make this incredible collection of Detroit-based singers a true tour-de-force. Gospelflava.com's Ceeairrah Van Cobb took in the Clark Sisters concert on March 27 2004, and files this report.


There is a remnant in the Gospel laden city of Detroit, carved from the musical lineage of Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark. Armed with a longevity in music that defies legends and trends, is the Clark musical dynasty.

And now a new generation is adding to the Camelot-like magic of The Clark Sisters and Dr. Clark.

“And don’t let it be forgot that...” Mattie’s girls are keeping their shining moments coming. The undeniable Clark sound and charm were fully in force at a hometown concert featuring sisters Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark Sheard, along with Karen’s daughter Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, on March 28 2004 at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ.

Kierra Sheard, the newly signed EMI Gospel recording artist, opened with two selections from her forthcoming album I Owe You, backed by the energetically engaging Wisconsin Youth Choir. The new album, slated for an August 2004 release, showcases the producing talents of Rodney Jerkins, T. Bizzy and J. Moss, offering a fresh appeal of both producers’ pulse on music.

Kierra, wearing a graffiti-scrawled shirt labeled with the words “Mattie’s Girl”, brought the crowd to its feet by her captivating presence, with an opening reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller' video. Praise dancers backed Kierra’s efforts.

Kierra processes qualities both physically and vocally that remind you of who she is genetically, and yet, as demonstrated on a verse in which she sang “I’m not Karen,” showed that Kierra is following after her own anointing. Now grown from the shy little girl featured on her mother’s Finally Karen video into a young woman holding her own, her mother proudly looks on.

Other Clark Features

Click on the above CD images to check out individual solo projects that Twinkie, Dorinda and Karen have each released. Check here for even more Clark features.

Offering her own brand of the Clark sound, Kierra covered “The Will of God”, this time without her mother’s vocals. She also sampled her aunt Twinkie Clark’s “Saved”, with Twinkie looking on proudly. Even with runs equaling Karen’s and squalls mirroring Twinkie’s, Kierra takes her place as one of Mattie’s girls in her own right.

She offered heartfelt testimonies with tears of thanksgiving and praise for God throughout her ministering with untainted innocence. This sixteen year-old embraces her legacy respectfully, ending with a nostalgically familiar, “You Brought the Sunshine”.

Dorinda Clark-Cole, the musically sophisticated “rose of Gospel”, changed the dynamics of the room once she graced the stage entering with “If It Had Not Been For The Lord” from her Stellar-winning solo debut. She had her usual exuberance and was backed by the Eastern Michigan Choir and praise dancers.

Dorinda has been set aside by her distinctive voice that enlivens any song she touches. She revisited some of classics —”My Redeemer Livet” and “It’s in the Name of Jesus”, with a new but familiar sound that touched older fans as well as the new. Coming full circle she brought the room back to her new hit, “No Not One”, and a not-yet-released song from her forthcoming album that describes being in this new season in her life.

Dorinda’s charismatic personality, yet infused with a wonderful vulnerability, gave “I’m Still Here” a victorious seasoning coated with renewal after the suicide attempt of which she often testifies. In staying with tradition, Dorinda passed along encouragement in the form of her signature roses that she handed out across the room. She changed the atmosphere again to praise as she performed “Nobody Like Jesus”, with an engaging dance routine that she eased into gracefully before ending with the equally energetic, “Right Now God”.

Finally, Karen Clark Sheard entered the sanctuary down the center aisle, draped in gold silk, while snippets of songs from all three of her albums played in the background. She took the stage with the usual innocence that she has displayed throughout her tenure as a Gospel artist.

Karen’s powerful vocals zestfully rejuvenated “Heaven”, “Gotta Right” and “Balm in Gilead”, from her 1997's Finally Karen. Her testimony complimented “2nd Chance”, as she delivered an effective assertion in what God did when He allowed her to come back from the doors of death.

A replica of Jesus Christ on the cross backdropping the stage deepened the worship when Karen came back from a costume change in biblical clothing, singing directly to the cross. Her song, “The Secret Place” heightened the atmosphere as she ministered to both the crowd and to herself.

Karen then welcomed her daughter Kierra back to the stage and they performed their cover of Jill Scott’s “You Love Me”. Karen also performed the songs, “Glorious” and “We Acknowledge You”, from her latest album, The Heavens are Telling. The finale was title track to that project, conveying what the ministry of music is all about.

With all three generations of Clarks keeping in line with the level of originality, continuing to be ministry-minded, and remembering the lessons of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, the Clark music continues to be force in Gospel.

Kierra, Dorinda, and Karen, along with the others of the Clark Family shine as the remnant that lives on.