Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark | |
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Birth name | Elbernita Clark |
Born | November 15, 1954 |
Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
Genres | Gospel |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, organist, pianist |
Instruments | Vocals, organ, piano |
Years active | 1966–present |
Labels | Sound of Gospel, Tyscot, Crystal Rose, Tribute, Verity, EMI Gospel |
Associated acts | The Clark Sisters, Dorinda Clark Cole, Jacky Clark Chisholm, Karen Clark Sheard |
Website | www |
Notable instruments | |
Ivory Hammond Super CX-1 |
Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell (born November 15, 1954) is an American gospel singer, composer, musician, and evangelist, as well as member of the Hammond organ Hall of Fame. She is a member of The Clark Sisters, an influential gospel vocal ensemble active since the late 1960s.
Clack is the leader of the gospel group the, Clark Sisters, which included Gospel musicians such as Dr. Karen Clark-Sheard, evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole and Nurse Jacky Clark-Chisholm. She wrote much the music for the group. The group is mostly know for their hit singles, "You Brought the Sunshine" and "Is My Living In Vain". In 2016 the group was honored at the Essence festival.
Since leaving The Clark Sisters she has recorded several solo albums intermittently including Comin' Home, Masterpiece ( Produced by top gospel/jazz artist and musician, Ben Tankard. In 2002, she recorded her first live solo album Live in Charlotte. Twinkie's son John Terrell raps on the album. Its success warranted another live effort, the Asaph Ward-produced Home Once Again: Live in Detroit, two years later. She also released a collaboration project with the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir called Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir which also was a mainstay in the Billboard Gospel top 10 in late 1996.
Clark's influences include jazz, reggae, classical, funk and blues. This is evidenced by listening to her first two solo albums Praise Belongs to God and Ye Shall Receive Power recorded for Sound of Gospel Records while still with The Clark Sisters.
Twinkie Clark is a Stevie Wonder fan, and hopes to one day do a duet with him.