Author: Damon Percy
Published: October 27, 2005
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Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole is one of the greatest musical influences of the last three decades. As part of the legendary Clark Sisters, Clark-Cole is partly responsible for changing the sound of contemporary gospel music. As the Clark Sisters -- harmonies, textures, layers of sound, blend of genres and the progressiveness of their music created in the 70s and 80s have had a far- reaching grasp than just the four walls of the church. As a solo artist, Clark-Cole’s instrument is a textured, versatile and flexible, a caramel coated alto with a distinctly defined raspy quality that is unmatched in the area of riffs and runs while able to run the scale and adapt to any style of music presented. Her voice has the strength to go against the most accomplished musician, captivating preacher and the skills to sit down any vocalist.
She is an artist that most who have come into her path will agree that she is the same onstage as she is off. Humble, concerned and anointed, she is dedicated to her ministry more that the accolades and fame that she has garnered, but realizes that from this platform she can quite possible change the world and continue her staggering impact on the Body of Christ.
Live From Houston: The Rose of Gospel is the follow up to her wildly successful self titled solo debut released in 2002. In the three years since the first project, Clark-Cole has seen her star ascend and the ministry that she so desperately wants to share with the masses, take off at lightning speed. Live from Houston is similar in style and sound to the last, but here we find a more comfortable Dorinda, more apt at blending her evangelism and singing in a seamless fashion.
She says that “God gives us inspiration in writing and a lot of times, the inspiration comes when you’re preaching to others, but you’re really preaching to yourself,” and adds that “the inspiration really kind of derives from me ministering the Word of God.”
Clark-Cole is actually one of the few veteran artists who have been able to have a hugely successful solo career, while others who were instrumental in shaping contemporary gospel music have been unable to remain current in today’s market.
She says that “I know that God had something special for me. However, I had no idea that it would turn out in this magnitude. Singing with my sisters actually gave me identity at an early age because my mother had detected the gifts in each one of her daughters.”
With her first release, many people were unsure if she could hold her own as a solo artist, but her individual style and anointing made her successful and marketable. Ironically, while reaching the masses has been her desire in ministry, the music was originally secondary to her calling.
“Mom knew Twinkie had the gift of writing and composing songs and she knew that Karen had the awesome gift of singing and mentoring,” notes Clark-Cole.
“She knew that God was using me in the field of evangelism, ministering and mentoring, but the gift of singing and writing was kind of secondary. So my mother would coach me on writing and assisting her with choirs and it was then that she was preparing me for the ministry of music and being able to step into her shoes.”
She still holds the position as the Vice President of The Music Department of The Churches of God In Christ (COGIC). After ascending the ranks and taking her place in ministry, she says “ It was then that God allowed me to venture out in my solo career and Gospocentric Records gave me the offer of course, Thank God, I didn’t refuse and today “I’m Still Here,” and its by the Grace of God.
Being such an influence, Clark-Cole obviously stands as one of the most unique performers of our day. One question that almost goes unasked is who influences such a person? Of course the biggest influence was her mother, the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, who instilled the values that have helped shaped the woman she is today.
“My mom was such a great influence with such an ability of writing and singing,” says Clark-Cole. “Her leadership and being a person of great influence to inspire so many was an inspiration as well.”
In addition to her mother and sisters, Clark-Cole has been vocally inspired by her other mentor Pastor Shirley Caesar, “I got some of my riffs from her,” and Vanessa Bell-Armstrong, whom her mother would have perform almost as much as Dorinda and her sisters. “She had an Aretha/Mahalia feel to her sound.” As far as the future of gospel music is concerned she admits there are a lot of good singers out in the field, and sees her niece Kierra Sheard carrying on the legacy of her mother, Karen Clark-Sheard and cousin J. Moss carrying the mantle of his parents, Bill Moss (of Bill Moss and The Celestials) and Essie Moss.
As far as The Clark Sisters are concerned, there is still much more to come. A new generation of fans have discovered them and while they have individual projects available, a reunion album is in the works. Clark-Cole says that “there will always be a Clark Sisters, even today, we’re carrying the mantle of our mother and blessed to be alive.”
