#Twinkie Clark

[redcarpetview]

Pre-Order GRAMMY-Winners Donald Lawrence & Twinkie Clark’s New Single “Fix Me Jesus!”

       GRAMMY® Award-winning producer, songwriter, and recording artist Donald Lawrence has created another captivating track, with the release of his latest single “Fix Me Jesus.” A visualizer for “Fix Me Jesus” will be released on Juneteenth (June 19). Helming a powerful tribute to Twinkie Clark’s original song, Lawrence presents a newly-recorded performance of “Fix Me Jesus,” joining together with the incredible talents of GRAMMY®-winner Sir The Baptist, and the ensemble Jason Max Ferdinand & The Jason Max Ferdinand Singers.

       Following the release of his first single and music video, "In Him There Is No Sorrow" which featured Yolanda Adams, "Fix Me Jesus" marks the second single from Donald Lawrence's upcoming album, Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark. The album is now available for pre-order, and listeners who pre-save/pre-add will receive the new song “Fix Me Jesus” and "In Him There Is No Sorrow" to enjoy as instant grat tracks. While “In Him There Is No Sorrow” is a tribute to Twinkie Clark’s songwriting and praising God’s steadfast strength to carry you, “Fix Me Jesus” expresses a deep desire for spiritual healing and transformation. 

     "Fix Me Jesus" offers a contemporary arrangement of Twinkie Clark's original track, with gospel maestro Donald Lawrence creating a mesmerizing call-and-response harmonic tapestry with the sounds of Sir The Baptist, Jason Max Ferdinand and his choral ensemble that drives the song’s core message. The song takes listeners on a spiritual journey, with a declaration in calling out in faith and the power of God as a source to overcome obstacles, find strength and fulfillment.

     Set to release on September 15th, Lawrence’s new album Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark, is an album dedicated to celebrating Twinkie Clark's early solo work. The album will feature a special lineup of performances with new covers of Twinkie Clark's songs from her classic Power album, paying tribute to her historic artistry and acclaimed songwriting, which continues to resonate in gospel today. 

      Check out “Fix Me Jesus” and “In Him There Is No Sorrow” available now, and pre-order Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark before its September 15th release. 

    Donald Lawrence and Twinkie Clark - “Fix Me Jesus” (feat. Sir The Baptist, Jason Max Ferdinand & The Jason Max Ferdinand Singers)    

https://DonaldLawrence.lnk.to/FixMeJesusPR 

     Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute To Twinkie Clark Album. 

Get the Singles “In Him There Is No Sorrow” and “Fix Me Jesus” Instantly with Album Pre-Save/Pre-Add. 

https://DonaldLawrence.lnk.to/PowerPR 

      Donald Lawrence & Co. / Twinkie Clark / Yolanda Adams - “In Him There Is No Sorrow” (Official Music Video): 

https://youtu.be/ODxsOJ-rIQw 

     To connect with Donald Lawrence, visit: 

Website: http://donaldlawrence.com/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChXKWkEyaUgQ-lfz45L4-uA 

Instagram and Twitter: @donaldlawrence  

Facebook: /DonaldLawrenceMusic  

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[negrolicity]

Twinkie Clark & Larry Whitfield - Lift Those Hands & Bless Him

Happy Birthday Twinkie Clark!

[recoveredintrovert]

I'm watching this amazing video RIGHT NOW, and it's TOTALLY LITTY! God bless y'all, and enjoy!!

[queersrus]

Candy theme

[candy theme]

for @seraphim-coinz 's event, prompt one !

partnered with our other blogs @dollilian, @objectumluv, @systiveboxes, @skelatomy

(nick) names:

aero, almond, altoid, astro, ayd, airhead bonbon, bonnie, butter, burst, bar, bounty, boyer, bubble, bear, bubba

candi/candie/candy, candice/candace, candiette, cotton, caramel, caramilk, crisp, cadbury, creme, cane, corn, charlston, chew, charlie, chik, chip, choco, chocolate, chuckle, chupa, chup, clark, crunch, crunchy/crunchie

dot, drop, dove, double, dum, dunkaroo five, fazer, ferrera, ferrero, flake, fruitella, fudge, fruit gummy, gusher, galaxy, gob

henry, hershy/hershey, heath, haribo, hi-chew, hubba ike, ice jelly, jello, jellybean, jolly, joy, juice, juicy, juju, jujube

kit, kat, kitkat, kiss, kinder, knopper, krackel lolly/lollie, lollypop/lollipop, lemon, laffy, licorice/liquorice, lindor, lemonhead

mint, minty, mike, milky, mallo/mallow, marsh, marshmallow, maltese, malteser, mamba, mars, mento, milk, milka, milton, moonpie, mound

necco, nerd, nestle orbit, oreo

pixy/pixie, patch, pop, parma, payday, pb, peanut, peep, pez, pocky, peppermnt

reese/rease, ruth, ranch, rancher, rocher, rock, rolo, runt skittle, smartie/smarty, sour, snicker, star, starburst, sixlet, skor, spree, sweetart, sweetheart, symphony

tootsie, taffy, toffee, turk, twizzler, twix, trident, tape, tempo, tic, tac, toblerone, topic, treet/treat, trolli, tupla, twinky/twinkie, twirl violet

way, wunder/wonder, wafer, warhead, whopper, wine, wispa, wonka york zaotang, zero

1st p prns: i/me/my/mine/myself

ai/ae/aery/aeroine(aerine)/aeroself ai/aire/airy/airheadine/airheadself bi/bone/bonbony/bonbonine/bonbonself ci/cande/candy/candine/candyself ci/care/caramy/caramine/caramelself(caramilkself) chi/choce/chocy/chocolatine/chocolateself gi/gume/gummy/gummine/gummyself(gumself) ji/jelle/jelly/jelline/jelloself pi/pocke/pocky/pockine/pockyself ri/ree/reesy/reesine/reeseself ski/skitte/skittly/skittline/skittleself ski/skore/skory/skorine/skorself ti/tootse/tootsy/tootsine/tootsieself ti/taffe/taffy/taffine/taffyself wi/wonke/wonky/wonkine/wonkaself

2nd p prns: you/your/yours/yourself

ao/aer/aers/aerself aio/air/airheaders/airheaderself bo/bonbonr/bonbonrs/bonbonrself co/cander/candiers/canderself co/carameler/caramelers/caramelerself cho/chocor/chocors/chocorself go/gummer/gummers/gummerself jo/jellor/jellors/jellorself po/pocker/pockers/pockerself ro/reeser/reesers/reeserself sko/skittler/skittlers/skittlerself sko/skor/skors/skorself to/tootser/tootsiers/tootserself to/taffer/taffers/tafferself wo/wonker/wonkers/wonkerself

3rd p prns: they/them/theirs/themself

ae/aero, aer/ro, ae/ro, aer/aero, aero/aeros, aero/bar, air/head, airhead/airheads bo/bon, bon/bon, bonbon/bonbons can/dy, can/candy, candy/candys, candy/bar, cara/mel, car/caramel, caramel/caramels, cara/milk, caramilk/caramilks, cho/colate, choco/lat, cho/colat, choc/ olat, choco/chocolat, chocolat/chocolats gum/my, gum/gummy, gummy/gummys jel/jello, jel/lo, jello/jellos po/pocky, po/cky, poc/ky, pock/y, pock/pocky, pocky/pockys re/eses, ree/ses, ree/se, ree/reese, reese/reeses, reeses/pieces ski/skittle, skit/skittle, skittle/skittles, skit/tle, sko/skor, sko/or, skor/skors to/toots, too/tsie, too/tootsie, tootsie/tootsies, ta/taffy, taff/y, taf/fy, taf/taffy, taffy/taffys wo/wonka, wonk/a, won/ka, wonka/wonkas, wonka/bar

titles:

the candy seller, the candy maker, the candy hoarder, the candy man/woman/being, the candy lover, the ruler of candyland

*one who collects vintage candies, one who shares candy, one who owns many candies, one who is making many candies, one who holds candy knowledge

candy maker

*one can be replaced by any prn

[not-another-robin]

What do you think are the justice league member's favorite snacks/meals they like to cook/eat?

Dear anon, I am so glad you asked. Allow me to explain

J'onn - literally everyone is concerned. J'onn eats stuff that's not food just because he can. He will snack on drywall. He eats bugs off of leaves. The actual food he eats isn't much better - his diet consists almost entirely off of processed sugar. Obviously chocos/oreos, but also just the kind of things a seven year old would pack for lunch. Twinkies, sugary cereal, actual candy, donuts, popcorn, chips, etc. He tries, half-heartedly, to insist that Martians nutritional needs are different than humans, but there is literally no evidence to suggest that. Someone in the JL takes him out to eat/brings him food almost every day to make sure he doesn't die.

Wally - only marginally better than J'onn in that he won't eat chalk unprompted. We all know speedsters, they need a lot of food to keep up with their metabolism and energy, but Wally is especially ludicrous in the "will eat anything" category. He will put anything and everything in the fridge into a sandwich, which sounds like a fun thing to ask about, but eventually everyone realizes they just don't wanna know. Also a connoisseur of wild food combos ("icing in chili??" "Hey don't knock it til you try it")

Shayera - A little bit more normal but the bar is in hell so that doesn't mean much. She will try anything at least once, especially on a dare. She also just has an insane pallete for space food. Meals on thanagar were really just anything slightly edible thrown into a trough, so anything that's cooked is fine dining. Also sometimes things that aren't cooked. Raw chicken is one of her favorite snacks - She likes to chew on (and eventually eat) the bones

Bruce - now we're reaching slightly normal human foods, but that doesn't mean Bruce's diet is normal. Honestly, he's just autismcore with a splash of "do rich people really eat that?". His schedule is so fucked he rarely ever has time for an actual meal, so mostly he eats what he can when he can. I have fully adopted the fandom canon that he eats shredded cheese right out of the bag. When he does eat a real meal, it's part of a carefully crafted food schedule developed over decades. He essentially has 31 meals, one for every day - a good mix of recognizable foods and "some guy I traveled the Amazon with made this for me in 1986".

Diana - we have now reached the "can cook" section. One caveat for Diana though, she has no idea how kitchen appliances work. If the oven isn't made of stone she may set something on fire. She's used to the best Themyscira has to offer, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and elaborate feasts. She can't really manage a feast in her apartment, but she knows a good few meals, she eats well. However, she's often too busy to make her own food, so it's like 60% take out.

Clark - this boy eats three square meals a day no matter WHAT. If you sleepover with Clark there will be pancakes and eggs on the table by the time you wake up. He's just a big country boy, his ma taught him well and he uses it. He cooks for himself pretty much every day, the only exception being occasionally going out for lunch during work or picking up a hot dog from a cart (he loves them, no one can understand why).

John - John is your uncle that got really into meal prep. He is religious about his food intake, he only eats the best and has every meal scheduled like a month in advance. He picked up a few recipes from his mom, but he really just picked up a passion for cooking well at some point just to challenge himself. He also eats really healthy, he's known to occasionally go on some weird keto diet that everyone makes fun of him for. He's the kind of person who eats overnight oats. He lectures Wally about his eating habits daily.

So. That was a ridiculous amount thought and effort for a simple headcanon question. This is what they inside of my brain looks like 24/7 thanks got asking <3

[redcarpetview]

Grammy®–Winner Donald Lawrence Honors Twinkie Clark With His Latest Album!  

Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute To Twinkie Clark, Available Now

Donald Lawrence has released his latest full-length album, Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark. The GRAMMY®-winning legendary producer, recording artist, songwriter and music director delivers a reimagined 8-track project honoring the legendary Twinkie Clark’s early solo work. Blazing a new trail, Lawrence creates a packed lineup of special performances with bold, sonic melodies on new covers of Twinkie Clark’s songs from her classic 1981 Power album. 

Making a powerful celebration with the Clark family’s iconic voices and other beloved musical greats, some of the album’s featured stars include performances from The Clark Sisters, Kierra Sheard, Yolanda Adams, Sir The Baptist, PJ Morton, J Moss, among others. The album’s two lead singles are “In Him There Is No Sorrow” (with Yolanda Adams) and “Fix Me Jesus” (feat. Sir The Baptist, Jason Ferdinand & The Jason Ferdinand Singers). Along with the new album, newly-released is a lyric video for the song “Awake O’ Zion” (feat. J Moss & Daniel Weatherspoon), which premiered on YouTube. 

Lawrence’s new album Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark, pays tribute to the historic artistry of Twinkie Clark’s songwriting and her continued impact in gospel music today. Donald Lawerence performs an impactful soulful rendition with the history-making gospel group The Clark Sisters, in the title track “Power” (feat. The Clark Sisters & Mr. Talkbox).

The reinterpretation conveys a powerful message of faith, empowerment, and the significance of the Holy Spirit. Bridging different generations of gospel music together, all the artists in collaboration with Lawrence present their own fresh interpretations on Twinkie Clark’s classic songs, paving the way for her songs to continue impacting the next generation of gospel artists and fans everywhere, with songs like “My Soul Loves Jesus” (feat. Shirley Murdock, Kierra Sheard, Jekalyn Carr & Kelontae Gavin), “Praise The Lord” (feat. PJ Morton), and more.   

Donald Lawrence. Media Image.

Donald Lawrence has established an illustrious career as a producer, songwriter, recording artist, music director, and choir master. His work has garnered recognition around the globe, with numerous prestigious awards, including GRAMMY, Stellar, and Dove Awards, chart-topping songs and albums, over 200 million career streams, and praise for his visually-stunning, musically-unforgettable performances.

Lawrence’s impact on the gospel music landscape continues to shape the style and sound of gospel. He played a pivotal part in shaping the distinctive sound of the renowned group The Clark Sisters and their individual works. He served as the music director for the highly acclaimed 2020 hit Lifetime movie biopic, "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel," and produced its accompanying soundtrack. His work extends across gospel, R&B genres, entertainment and theater, collaborating with artists like Stephanie Mills, En Vogue, Mary J. Blige, BeBe Winans, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Kirk Franklin, and others.

Lawrence has been at the forefront of molding a vibrant style and sound in choir music, both through his own groups, The Tri-City Singers and Company, with the release of celebrated gospel albums and hit tracks, including "Encourage Yourself" "The Blessing of Abraham," "Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus)," and "The Gift." He is back as the music supervisor for the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration ® Gospel Tour, with shows hitting six cities from September to December.

Donald Lawrence, “Awake O’ Zion” (feat. J Moss & Daniel Weatherspoon) Lyric Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O92v6hf9wFY 

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[negrolicity]

Twinkie Clark to turn 70 with a concert fit for Detroit gospel royalty

Happy Birthday Twinkie Clark

[cleaverqueer]

Been working on my new ocs !

There's Richard (Rich) Markarian who is thus far an autistic divorced librarian (maybe a retired detective? Not 100%) with rlly dry humor. He's 6'3 and can be intimidating so he uses that to mess with people sometimes, but he means well. Hes around 45, got married barely out of highschool bc of comphet, internalized homophobia, and to seem Normal in the eyes of his peers, to his best friend. Eventually they divorced bc he (gay) couldnt love her the way she wanted, though he never really vocalized that to her bc he was worried it'd just upset her more. No kids, though he took her loss rlly hard bc they'd been friends (and then married) for so long. But, according to him, since he tried for so long to be straight and it just didn't work, he's 'allowed' to try queerness now, in his own time.

And Nathan Clark, a sarcastic business major (might change also) who's gotta stay closeted to keep his parents support, both emotional and financial. He's a little bit snotty and self concerned, but he feels bad when he catches himself being that way, and tries to work on it. Twinky, but not too noticably until he ratchets it up on purpose. He's probably around 23-25 and mostly has let social standards and the urge to fit in dictate much of his life, til he went away to college and got to try things away from the judgement of his family and highschool friends. He didn't realize he was gay until recently and now he's living it up as much as he can while the going is good

Haven't decided how they met yet, but I'm working on drawing them since I have such a clear picture of them both in my head!

[butmakeitgayblog]

I’ve been missing home lately and reading Midwestern AU is so comforting. I’m a suburban gal but grew up midwestern enough that my best friend said “melk” instead of milk and we ran around her grandma’s fields barefoot picking through the leftover pumpkins come Halloween.

I was telling a coworker the other day about our local Cornfest- how there’d be a Giant tub of boiled corn and back in the day it was Free! You’d get in line, and they’d shuck your ear (leaving the husk as a handle of course) and then proceed to Dunk it in a vat of Butter. 🤤 🤤 oh my gosh I want some boiled sweet corn so bad I could cry.

What’s Lexa’s favorite fest/fair around town? And what’s it like when she shares it with Clarke the first time?

Melk.

The way Lexa would hang her head in shame 😔

ANYWAYYY Lexa's favorite fairs would have to be the bigger state and county fairs. I mean the state fair kinda sucks but it's a right of passage and this can't be missed. I mean where the hell else are you supposed to eat a fried twinkie, deep fried pork chop sandwich, foot long corndog, potato tornado, and a lemonade shakeup all in under an hour??? (Note to Clarke for next year. Do not immediately follow it up with a frolicking turn on the tilt-a-whirl.) Of course there's the sweet corn festivals where, honestly, it's impressive that someone as tiny as Lexa can manage to mow through so many cobs in one sitting. "Corn's a way of life here, love." And can't forget a trip to see the yearly winner of the Butter Cow exhibit. Taking an, albiet quick, stroll through the livestock pavilions so her city girl can make friends with a few pigs and pat some horses. Maybe get her sneaker bit by a goat just for good measure. "It's part of the experience, babe. You'll get used to it 😌."

Now, her favorite autumn festivals would definitely be more of the nature variety. She is a fanatic about riding around the backwoods country side to get to the best apple picking spots, the pumpkin patches that let you walk through the rows for hours with your little pull wagon until you pick the perfect ones for Jack-o-lanterns. She's like a kid taking Clarke around to all the orchids around them and letting her smell the scent of the earth in Fall.

And oh. Oh. When Halloween time rolls around? Saddling Clarke up for hay rack rides and haunted mazes, taking her to the big events like Fright Fest and Terror on the Square (it helps that Lexa of course knows everyone who volunteers, because of course she does) and walking her around while they'r booth dressed up in costumes. It's all the best parts of living where they do. It's probably not all that impressive to anyone but the people who live there, but it's what she loves and dammit it's all tradition 😤

[riley1cannon]

How would you write a friendly outing between two characters?

All right then...

The first thing that popped into my head was something with a Mary Stewart vibe, where the heroine and her aunt on holiday, perhaps in Greece. They've had enough of the official tour bit, however, and want to get out on their own, Someone recommended a certain spot, so they rent a car, pack a picnic lunch, and set out. After a couple of wrong turns, adventures in themselves, they find the spot, and agree that it is idyllic indeed. As her aunt dozes in the warmth of the day, the younger woman sets out to explore a bit, and is delighted to stumble upon some ruins. No one else seems to be around, and she's just started to have a look around when there's a scraping sound, like footsteps. She looks around -- nothing. But no, there's the sound again, and a shower of gravel down the hillside, and the next thing she knows, a young man, panting and disheveled and altogether rather worse for wear, appears, almost colliding with her. "Please, help me," he gasps, clutching at her, just before he faints dead away at her feet.

Of course this is less about the aunt and niece enjoying an excursion, and far more of a nod to The Moonspinners, but it's a start.

Then I adjusted course a bit and went to Clark and Bruce, contemplating an outing to a summer carnival. The players would have to expand beyond just the two of them, with some of the Batkids along -- Dick, Damian, and Jason, I think; Alfred as well -- and it would be a long day of cotton candy and deep fried Twinkies, funnel cake and caramel apples, riding the carousel and Ferris wheel, Tilt-a-Whirl and roller coaster, and Damian getting a lifetime ban from the bumper cars. Jason and Dick would compete in all the games to see who can win the most stuffed animals for Damian (Jason edges out a win, but it's close). Damian throws up once; Dick throws up twice, because cotton candy, popcorn, funnel cake, fried dough, deep fried Twinkies and all the rest aren't exactly how he remembers from his circus days.

The actual reason Clark and Bruce are there, with the kids providing cover, is because Matches Malone picked up intel that Intergang is using the carnival to get up to some nefarious shenanigans. So while the kids are enjoying the rides and stuffing their faces, Clark and Bruce are nabbing Bruno Mannheim and others.

When that's done, Clark insists Bruce has to have a little bit of fun. He hasn't even eaten a deep fried Twinkie or had a corndog. "And I never will," Bruce assures him, but Clark is persistent and eventually persuades him to at least go up on the Ferris wheel with him.

It's gotten on toward twilight by then, and when they reach the top they can see everything all lit up and bright and shiny against the darkness, and Clark says, "It was a pretty good day," and Bruce grunts and allows, "Punching Morgan Edge in the chops wasn't so bad." Clark laughs, and when he slips his hand into Bruce's, Bruce doesn't object, and even privately admits it's not the worst time he's ever had.

And then I thought about Ramses and Nefret, from the Amelia Peabody mysteries, because I'm reading Seeing a Large Cat and getting Ramses/Nefret feels again, and did in fact whip something up -- but it is well on its way to becoming an actual fic, so we shall skip over that, and instead contemplate Highlander: the series, and how they never did a Vegas episode...

Duncan and Methos are on a road trip, because I've always wanted to do a road trip fic and they would be great for that (I think), headed east from Seacouver, and deciding to stop off in Las Vegas for a couple of days. Duncan flashes back to the last time he was there, back in the Rat Pack days, and how he had a run-in with a mobster Immortal. Amanda may have been involved.

And maybe because of Amanda, when Duncan and the mobster Immortal came to blows back in the day it was a draw, but it was an uneasy truce, with the understanding that if they ever crossed paths again it would be a different outcome.

So here they are, sixty+ years down the road, and maybe the mobster runs a casino now or something. Anyway it all comes down to a game of cards: Duncan wins, they both walk away; other guy wins, they draw swords and fight until one of them loses his head.

Long story short (hah!), Duncan wins, and it's not until they're back on the road, Vegas left far behind in the desert dust, that the Highlander discovers Methos engaged in some chicanery -- "Trick I picked up from Houdini." -- because he wasn't taking any chances on Duncan losing. Something like that.

I could do more -- outings to a haunted house, for instance, or picnics that end with someone discovering a dead body -- but I think this enough for now.

Thanks for the inspiration!

[apollocarter23]

COGIC First Lady Karen Clark Sheard and Twinkie Clark taking us to Churc...

[black-is-beautiful18]

For day 2 we’re gonna continue with gospel legends since it’s Sunday. Sisters Jacky Clark Chisholm (1948), Denise "Niecy" Clark-Bradford (1953), Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark (1954), Dorinda Clark-Cole (1957), and Karen Clark Sheard (1960) make up the very distinguished group The Clark Sisters. They were brought up and taught to sing by their mother Dr. Mattie Moss Clark who was a gospel musician and choral director in the COGIC church. The Clark Sisters have many hits but one I’m gonna show y’all today is a good example of how gospel music often crosses over into the mainstream. You Brought the Sunshine was released in 1981 and is an early example of sampling in gospel as well. The song initially got a negative reaction from those in the church since it didn’t have the traditional gospel sound. In fact, it sampled Master Blaster by Stevie Wonder and went on to be played in clubs and many other places outside the church. Another reason for the hate from the church. They thought that gospel was solely for the church, which is stupid, and really weren’t happy. The Clark Sisters wound up going #1 on the Billboard charts and even won and performed at the Grammys though! They are played by many people both old and young, and I encourage anyone who enjoys today’s song to take a look at the rest of The Clark Sisters discography.

It is both Pride and Black Music Month, so it’s only right to start the month off with the Godmother and founder of Rock ‘N’ Roll: Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Born March 20th, 1915 in Cotton Plant , AR, Tharpe was a gospel and secular artist. One of the first to actually do both genres too. She was also a queer woman having a few relationships with women during her lifetime. It is due to her fusion of gospel, delta blues, New Orleanian Jazz, and R&B that we have rock n roll at all. Her chord progressions are so important and imbedded into the genre that without it rock n roll simply wouldn’t exist.

[lboogie1906]

Karen Valencia Clark Sheard (née Clark; November 15, 1960) is a Grammy Award-winning Gospel singer, musician, songwriter, First Lady, and businesswoman. She is the wife of the current Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheared (1984) and she serves as the current First Lady of the COGIC denomination. She is the youngest member of the gospel group the Clark Sisters. She is the mother of contemporary gospel singer and actress Kierra “Kiki” Sheard. She has released five solo albums, seventeen with the Clark Sisters, and collaborated with her son J. Drew Sheard II and her daughter Kierra Sheard.

She was born in Detroit, the youngest child of Reverend Elbert Clark and Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, a gospel choral director. Her siblings are Leo, Jacky, Denise, Elbernita “Twinkie” and Dorinda. She began singing gospel with her sisters at age 5 in what became known as the Clark Sisters. She graduated from Mumford High School in Detroit.

Bishop Sheard was elected to serve as the Presiding Bishop of the COGIC denomination, thus making her the First Lady of the COGIC denomination at-large as well. She recorded her critically acclaimed solo album Finally Karen, which spawned her hit, “Balm in Gilead”, the R&B-flavored “Just for Me” and “Nothing Without You”. Finally Karen became one of the most successful gospel albums of 1998 earning Sheard a Grammy nomination and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for “Best Female Vocalist”.

She was hospitalized in 2001 after a blood vessel burst during a bariatric surgery, resulting in doctors giving her a 2% chance of survival. The experience inspired the title of her second album, 2nd Chance, released in 2002. She recorded two more live albums, including The Heavens Are Telling and It’s Not Over, before releasing All in One, her first all-studio-recorded album in 13 years. The album debuted at #2 on the US Billboard Gospel Chart and #98 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart, while its first single “Prayed Up” peaked at #9 on the US Billboard Gospel Songs chart. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[defilededandies]

"Awake O Zion" (1981) Twinkie Clark