Tag Archives: The Clark Sisters

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Church of God in Christ Bishop Patrick Wooten Call’s Beyoncé’s ‘Church Girl’ Sample A ‘Piece of Trash’ But Dorinda Clark-Cole of The Clark Sisters Says ‘Leave Beyoncé Alone’…

 

Hello World,

This story is filed in “Stories I Don’t Really Care About But Maybe Y’all Will…” So Beyoncé’s latest album “Renaissance” is causing controversy every whicha kinda way mainly because of all of the samples she used…and let me just insert this here…I LOVE a good sample and a good remix, but something about all of the popular samples that Bey used in her latest album is annoying me…The Kelis sample annoyed me because I believe that Beyoncé could have alerted Kelis beforehand although she was not legally contracted to do so. Additionally, I love me some Kilo from back in the day because he represents Atlanta from when I was coming of age and so to hear one of his classic songs melded into a song that no longer represents that time doesn’t sit quite right from me. But Kilo is probably happy about the sample (read mo money) unlike Kelis who apparently is not motivated by cash…

So Beyoncé also sampled from gospel hits such as “Center Of Thy Will” by The Clark Sisters for her song “Church Girl.” I don’t like it.,Not because of the lyrics which are explicit, by the way, to me. But because it’s not all that good to me. Remember from my bio, I wrote that I “don’t mind backin’ that thang up to old school rap” and that I “embrace the reverent and the irreverent” so I’m not above jamming to a song that wouldn’t be sung in the house of God. But whether in the house of God or outside of the house of God, the song has to be at least good to me…But before the BeyHive comes for me, as a fellow twin mom, much of what she has done professionally and even personally has proven to be inspirational for me, but that doesn’t mean that I have to like every single Beyoncé song… But I digress…Bishop Patrick Wooten has plenty more to say about “Church Girl.” See below…

On the other hand, The Clark Sisters don’t mind the sample at all…See their statements below…

This is what Twinkie Clark said when the song first came out…but Dorinda Clark-Cole even more recently doubled down on the unbothered stance of The Clark Sisters…See her statement below…

If you’re gonna offend the church, at least let the song be so powerful that you have to reckon with the message…Madonna got that right with “Like a Prayer” back in the day…See below…

Anywho, that’s all I have on this topic…

Any thoughts?

 

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Winners of 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Announced, Premieres Sunday, Aug. 1 at 8/7c on BET (PHOTOS)!

Hello World,

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards celebrated its 36th year honoring excellence in gospel music, featuring soul-stirring performances that will awe audiences who love sounds of inspiration. Hosted by gospel chart-toppers Jekalyn Carr and Tye Tribbett, this year’s ceremony showcased an eclectic mix of gospel legends and industry standard-bearers along with the unstoppable force of young, contemporary artists who are spreading the good news in new ways. The annual celebration, set to premiere Sunday, August 1st at 8PM ET/PT on BET,  underscored the power of artists who boldly proclaim a Christ-centered identity, represent the unique sounds of their region, and display the rich diversity filling gospel music with a healing and uplifting energy that reaches the masses. 

A new generation of gospel artists showed up and showed out during the celebration as a testament to the genre’s staying power. Among them, Pastor Mike Jr., nominated for multiple Stellar Awards this year, performed “Big,” and host Jekalyn Carr belted her songs, “Change Your Story” and “Jehovah Jireh.” Maverick City Music treated audiences to the harmonious sound of “Jireh,” and various emerging artists such as Jokia, Terrian, and Nia Allen were spotlighted as up-and-coming gospel talent. 

Big winners at the 36th Stellar Gospel Music Awards include Pastor Mike Jr., who was named Artist of the Year and won Rap/Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year. Kierra Sheard was feted during the ceremony with Song of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year, and Maverick City Music won both New Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. Other multiple Stellar Awards winners include Jonathan McReynolds, who was named Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, and as part of a group that won Producer of the Year; and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, whose wins included Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Praise and Worship Album of the Year, and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year.  

Select categories and winners are featured on Instagram @TheStellars. Social media lit up during the event, generating more than two million impressions with posts featuring performances, winners, and other notable moments. The audience and performers were pleased to return to an in-person ceremony after the Stellar Awards went virtual last year due to pandemic lockdowns. COVID-19 safety protocols were enacted as part of the in-person event.   

Among many highlights from “The Greatest Night in Gospel Music,” Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, and Avery*Sunshine joined together to deliver a powerful tribute to Lady Tramaine Hawkins, who was honored with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award presented by Toyota. The trio performed a medley including widely-known Hawkins’ songs such as “Holy One,” “Changed,” and “Going Up Yonder.” The Clark Sisters, who received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award presented by AT&T, also performed rousing renditions of “Is My Living In Vain,” “Blessed & Highly Favored,” “You Brought The Sunshine,” and “His Love.” The legendary group received three nominations for this year’s Stellar Awards. 

Kierra Sheard gave a spirited offering of “Something Has To Break,” and Sheléa and Christina Bell sang The Clark Sisters’ classic hit “You Brought The Sunshine.” Leading nominee Jonathan McReynolds lifted his voice to the sounds of “Grace” and “Movin’ On,” joined by Mali Music, and CeCe Winans burst into song with “Never Lost” and “Believe For It.”  

Viewers worldwide can expect to witness these dynamic performances and find out who won across all categories when the Stellar Awards airs Sunday, August 1, on BET, BET Her, and BET Gospel at 8 p.m. ET / PT. The show will also air August 2 on BET International. The ceremony, held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, on Saturday, July 10, will also be carried in various markets for national broadcast syndication from August 7 through September 5.  

The Stellar Awards not only recognizes the year’s best performances in the genre, but also honors gospel music icons and those who have been instrumental in advocating for the gospel industry. Top nominees for this year’s ceremony include former Stellar Awards host Jonathan McReynolds, who received eight nominations this year. Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Kierra Sheard, Maverick City Music, and Pastor Mike, Jr. each received seven nominations, including a nod each for Artist of the Year. Other celebrated artists receiving multiple Stellar nominations include Tasha Cobbs Leonard, The Clark Sisters, Rev. Luther Barnes and the Restoration Worship Center Choir, the Chicago Mass Choir, and host Jekalyn Carr. 

See photos, taken Photography By Gip III for Central City Productions, from the Stellar Awards below:

Maverick City with Award…

Shirley Caesar…

LaTocha Scott…

Jonathan McReynolds on stage with award…

Lady Tramaine Hawkins…

Master P and son…

Jekalyn Carr and Jawaan Taylor…

Yolanda Adams and daughter Taylor…

The Clark Sisters on carpet…

 

Jordan Kelly and Kierra Sheard Kelly…

Lecrae…

AT&T is proud to be this year’s presenting sponsor. With support from additional sponsors, including State Farm (Song of the Year presenter), Toyota, P&G (Traditional Female Vocalist presenter), and McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, the 2021 Stellar Gospel Music Awards is set to be the gospel event of 2021.For additional updates, follow The Stellar Awards on social media and check our website.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:  WWW.STELLARAWARDS.COM  AND BET.COM 

Any thoughts?

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OWN Kicks Off Holiday Season With Premiere of its First Ever Gospel Music Special ‘Our OWN Christmas’ Hosted by DeVon Franklin & Meagan Good on Dec. 1!

Featuring The Clark Sisters, Kierra Sheard, Erica Campbell, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Lalah Hathaway, Le’Andria Johnson, Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight & More!!!

Hello World,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends even if it was a socially distanced one. That’s what we did. Hubby and I stopped by my parents and in-laws for a few minutes each while wearing our masks. Long enough to pick up plates of food from each household which we are still eating on as of today! Question: How long do you make Thanksgiving leftovers last? I think today will  be the last day for me. Or maybe tomorrow. What say you?

Anywho, now that we have taken some time to thank God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us (with His presence being the most important  blessing of all), it’s time to celebrate the birth of His son, our savior Jesus Christ! This year OWN is kicking off the holidays early with the premiere of its first ever gospel music special Tuesday, December 1 called “Our OWN Christmas” which is hosted by DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good.

Below is the official description:

The one-hour long special, which starts at 9 p.m., will feature festive collaborations, uplifting holiday moments, surprise acts of giving, and a whole lot of inspiration to help spread the holiday cheer this season. Viewers will enjoy magical performances of Christmas classics ranging from “Oh Holy Night” to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to get them in the holiday spirit right at home from music’s most celebrated artists including legendary award-winning gospel group The Clark Sisters, Grammy-Award winners and iconic gospel singers Kierra Sheard, Erica Campbell, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Lalah Hathaway and Le’Andria Johnson and singer-songwriter Ne-Yo, BJ The Chicago Kid, singer and record producer PJ Morton, a capella groups Shelby 5 and The Walls Group. With a must-see collaboration between Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight.

I was blessed to be able to watch an advance screening “Our OWN Christmas” so let me give you my top reasons to watch the show.

1. Hosts Devon Frankin & Meagan Good  — So this year’s quarantine has led to some, shall we say, “different” hairstyle choices. For a long time, many of us halted our hairdresser appointments so that we would lessen our chances of being exposed to COVID-19. I don’t know when this was filmed, but I wonder if that is why Meagan choose to wear a brown turban/head wrap during the broadcast. At one point, when my grays were getting impossible to camouflage, I wore a head wrap for an interview I conducted via Zoom. Hair conundrums were definitely happening this year!

Also, DeVon may be a bit more high maintenance than his beloved because while Megan rocked one outfit the whole time, DeVon rocked two looks. My favorite was a black Gucci scarf with red and green highlights that was paired with a snug green turtleneck.  Also, I enjoyed their trading of corny jokes such as DeVon referring to his wife as, “Meagan Good or Ms. Franklin if you’re nasty.” Also, I learned that one of DeVon’s Christmas traditions is a lip sync contest complete with costumes. Meagan talked about being a part of the show for the first time I imagine around the time they were getting to know each other or in the earliest days of their marriage. Anywho, I love cute couples and they are among the cutest black couples in Hollywood. If you want to know more about them, you should definitely watch “Our OWN Christmas.”

2. Boyz to Men & Bryan McKnight  — Boyz to Men & Bryan McKnight can sing anything I imagine, but I loved their rendition of “Let it Snow.” So how about I was today year’s old when I realized that Bryan McKnight was on the original version of this song when it debuted in 1993. I Googled it as I was writing this and discovered the original version. Here is the original video:

So what has changed since the original video? How about Wanyá Morris, Shawn Stockman and Nathan Morris all have a bit of gray in their beards now! LOL. But I can’t talk. My family grays early so I’ve been hiding my grays for years now. Know what else? Michael McCary and his beautiful bass voice! I wish the group would figure out a way to reconcile. If Will Smith and the original Aunt Viv can reconcile so can they…

As an aside, did you know that Wanyá’s children, four of which are named Wanya (yeah, that’s EXTRA), have a group entitled WanMor? They can saaang too! Check them out HERE!

3. Socially Distanced Filming  — Number 50-11 on the list of Quarantine Quandaries is likely how to film while socially distanced. I think OWN has figured it out! I believe that Erica Campbell may have been singing “Joy to the World” with The Clark Sisters from her back yard. Although she was surrounded by Christmas trees while she was standing on a stage surrounded by poinsettias, I could see palm trees in the distance while The Clark Sisters were in another location altogether. Also, she wore some kind of reddish,sequined head garb that wasn’t the best choice by wardrobe. Additionally, we got to see a portion of the kitchen of DeVon & Meagan. Finally, there were struggle Christmas trees behind Shelby 5 and The Walls Group in their respective homes. LOL

4. Michelle Williams — Although she didn’t perform, she was included in the show. On behalf of AT&T’s Dream in Black and Shea Moisture, she awarded $10,000 to mother and daughter authors Fionna Wright and Madison Martin who wrote the book “100 Days Inside,” a children’s book about being quarantined this year. Also, and this is most exciting of all, Michelle is going to help rerelease the book by recording an audio version to include her voice as well as the voices of the original authors. How exciting is that?

I could say more, but I don’t want to reveal too much! But here is the trailer:

Will you be watching “Our OWN Christmas” Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 9 pm?!!!

“Our OWN Christmas” is in partnership with Relevé Entertainment, which was founded by multi-faceted producer Holly Carter. The company consistently delivers high-quality, “break-through” family and faith-based programming that engages national audiences. Most recently, Carter created and executive produced “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel,” the highest-rated original TV movie of 2020. In addition, the OWN network has ordered two new unscripted series to development, “Back to the Altar” about divorced couples working to mend their broken relationships, and “Love & Faith” following the women behind some of the faith community’s best-known pastors.

Any thoughts?