1994 Interview with Dorinda,Karen & Jacky
Taken from the May/June Issue Of Score (Gospel Today) Magazine
If you are a long time gosple music fan, then you probably know that the Clark Sisters owe their mother, the legendray Dr.Mattie Moss Clark... the credit for their musical sucess. But give Jacky, Dorinda, & Karen an oppurtunity to talk, and you'll discover that their admiration for their mother extends beyond gospel music.
Karen Clark-Sheard says her respect is rooted in a simple yet profound Christian principle. "Mama taught us that you can live this Christian life & live it right, even when you're not at church in front of the saints." She said "You can be behind closed doors & be in the midst of worldy people & still live saved & let that light shine. That's something I'll never forget." Karen declares.
All of the Clark Sisters use the word "example" when they describe the influence their mother has had on their lives. The fact that they have always strived to be respectful women, as Dorinda Clark Cole puts it, directly relates to theri faith in God & to their mother's warning "if you don't see me do it, don't do it". The sisters have remained mindful of the high visibility their mother has within the gospel music community as a national recording artist, composer, musician, & choral director. And because Dr.Clark has always treated her work as an irrevocable ministerial calling, it has had a strong affect on their career choices too.
Dorinda remarks candidly that without their mother's spritual teachings, "We would have strayed & gone into R & B". The oppotunites have certainly been there for the talented sisters, but she believes that it has been their own faith in God, the years of having jobs within the church, & the pattern of their mother's life that has kept them balanced & able to withstand the lure of secular music.
Jacky Clark Chisolm adds that they were the recipients of their mother's wise council as recntly as 1989. Their clebrated sisters Twinkie, who had been the group's musical director, composer & keybardist, announced just before a recording session (Bring It Back Home) that she was leaving to concentrate on evangelism.
"It was devastating, just devastating." Jacky recalls. I had always said that the Clark Sisters were like a car: Twinkie was the engine, Dorinda the battery, Karen the spark plug & I was the steering wheel....It was like the engine had dropped out of the car.
Then Dorinda interjects, "We were in an uproar." But knowing that their mother had faced numerous career disappointments herself, they turned to her for advice. In her famous straight forward manner, she told her three daughters, "Look you still can go on. Forget About It. It's in God hands." They credit their mother's words with helping them regroup, refocus, & stay calm until God put evrything in place for the latest collection. Miracle which just released in March.
The sisters chuckle when asked if their outspoken mother had a hand in the slection of their long time mates: Jacky has been married to Glenn for 20 years, Dorinda to Gregory for twelve, and Karen to Elder Drew for 11. "Actually that was the Lord's doing. But what mama would do is look around the church & point out who had a job & who didn't. After that she'd leave it alone.
Dr.Clark has worked in gospel music for than half a century, particpating as performer & producer as well as assisting or inspiring such talents as Rev.Donald Veils, Vanessa Bell Armstrong & Douglas Miller. Understandably, the physical challenges of the last two years, including a leg amputation (1992) and a stroke (1993) have taken their toll.
But her daughters have stepped in to make certain that the Mattie Moss Clark Conservatory Of Music, founded 14 years ago,continues to serve the community. Along with a staff of five instructtors,Dorinda & Karne hlep teach voice & organ & jakcy who subs as a voice teacher has taken charge of the adminisrtative responsibilities.
The Clark Sisters will certainly be involved when their mother is honored in July by the National Music Department of The Church Of God In Christ. But there are other plans to keep the legacy alive, including a Moss Clark Family Album, produced by their cousin James Moss. Dr.Clark will participate along with Bill & Essie Moss & her daughters. The Clark Ssisters are also gathering material for a book detailing their mother's life & accomplishments. "Our mother has had alot of struggles during her career, but she has so much wisdom to share, we think the gospel community could learn alot." And maybe others will heed her sage advice & benefit, jsut as her daughters have.
By Deborah Smith Barney
If you are a long time gosple music fan, then you probably know that the Clark Sisters owe their mother, the legendray Dr.Mattie Moss Clark... the credit for their musical sucess. But give Jacky, Dorinda, & Karen an oppurtunity to talk, and you'll discover that their admiration for their mother extends beyond gospel music.
Karen Clark-Sheard says her respect is rooted in a simple yet profound Christian principle. "Mama taught us that you can live this Christian life & live it right, even when you're not at church in front of the saints." She said "You can be behind closed doors & be in the midst of worldy people & still live saved & let that light shine. That's something I'll never forget." Karen declares.
All of the Clark Sisters use the word "example" when they describe the influence their mother has had on their lives. The fact that they have always strived to be respectful women, as Dorinda Clark Cole puts it, directly relates to theri faith in God & to their mother's warning "if you don't see me do it, don't do it". The sisters have remained mindful of the high visibility their mother has within the gospel music community as a national recording artist, composer, musician, & choral director. And because Dr.Clark has always treated her work as an irrevocable ministerial calling, it has had a strong affect on their career choices too.
Dorinda remarks candidly that without their mother's spritual teachings, "We would have strayed & gone into R & B". The oppotunites have certainly been there for the talented sisters, but she believes that it has been their own faith in God, the years of having jobs within the church, & the pattern of their mother's life that has kept them balanced & able to withstand the lure of secular music.
Jacky Clark Chisolm adds that they were the recipients of their mother's wise council as recntly as 1989. Their clebrated sisters Twinkie, who had been the group's musical director, composer & keybardist, announced just before a recording session (Bring It Back Home) that she was leaving to concentrate on evangelism.
"It was devastating, just devastating." Jacky recalls. I had always said that the Clark Sisters were like a car: Twinkie was the engine, Dorinda the battery, Karen the spark plug & I was the steering wheel....It was like the engine had dropped out of the car.
Then Dorinda interjects, "We were in an uproar." But knowing that their mother had faced numerous career disappointments herself, they turned to her for advice. In her famous straight forward manner, she told her three daughters, "Look you still can go on. Forget About It. It's in God hands." They credit their mother's words with helping them regroup, refocus, & stay calm until God put evrything in place for the latest collection. Miracle which just released in March.
The sisters chuckle when asked if their outspoken mother had a hand in the slection of their long time mates: Jacky has been married to Glenn for 20 years, Dorinda to Gregory for twelve, and Karen to Elder Drew for 11. "Actually that was the Lord's doing. But what mama would do is look around the church & point out who had a job & who didn't. After that she'd leave it alone.
Dr.Clark has worked in gospel music for than half a century, particpating as performer & producer as well as assisting or inspiring such talents as Rev.Donald Veils, Vanessa Bell Armstrong & Douglas Miller. Understandably, the physical challenges of the last two years, including a leg amputation (1992) and a stroke (1993) have taken their toll.
But her daughters have stepped in to make certain that the Mattie Moss Clark Conservatory Of Music, founded 14 years ago,continues to serve the community. Along with a staff of five instructtors,Dorinda & Karne hlep teach voice & organ & jakcy who subs as a voice teacher has taken charge of the adminisrtative responsibilities.
The Clark Sisters will certainly be involved when their mother is honored in July by the National Music Department of The Church Of God In Christ. But there are other plans to keep the legacy alive, including a Moss Clark Family Album, produced by their cousin James Moss. Dr.Clark will participate along with Bill & Essie Moss & her daughters. The Clark Ssisters are also gathering material for a book detailing their mother's life & accomplishments. "Our mother has had alot of struggles during her career, but she has so much wisdom to share, we think the gospel community could learn alot." And maybe others will heed her sage advice & benefit, jsut as her daughters have.
By Deborah Smith Barney
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