Karen Clark-Sheard (born Karen Valencia Clark ) is a three-time Grammy Award winning American gospel singer, songwriter, member of seminal group The Clark Sisters, and mother of contemporary gospel singer Kierra "Kiki" Sheard.

KAREN CLARK SHEARD TICKETS Trans-Siberian Orchestra The Eagles Tickets Sebastian Maniscalco Tickets Andrea Bocelli Tickets Rod Wave Tickets Jeff Dunham Tickets

Biography

Karen Clark-Sheard was born November 15, 1960. She has five older siblings : Leo, Jacky Clark Chisholm, Denise Clark-Bradford, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell, and Dorinda Clark Cole. Her parents are Pastor Elbert Clark and Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, a pioneering Detroit based gospel choral director. Clark-Sheard is best known for being a member of iconic gospel group The Clark Sisters.

Personal life

On June 16, 1984, Karen Clark-Sheard wed John Drew Sheard, a minister. Her husband is senior pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit. Together they have 2 children: Kierra (1987), who is also a gospel recording artist, and John Drew Sheard II (1989), a young musician and up-and-coming producer.

In 2001, Clark-Sheard was faced with a life-threatening crisis when a blood vessel burst during a scheduled hernia surgery. Her doctors only gave her a 2% chance of survival due to her complications. After the blood clot was surgically removed, Clark-Sheard fell into a coma. The coma lasted three and a half weeks ^[1], but Clark-Sheard made a miraculous ^{[2] [3]}recovery.

Clark-Sheard recorded her second album 2nd Chance (named so because of the "second chance" given to her by God) ^[4], in 2002. Clark-Sheard's near-death experience is referenced in her daughter Kierra's song "You Don't Know". On February 10th, 2008, Karen won a Grammy for Best Gospel Song: Blessed & Highly Favored in which she wrote.

Career

Karen's involvement in the Island Inspirational All Stars' "Don't Give Up" in 1996 (along with Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker, and Kirk Franklin) led to her signing with Island Records ^[5].

Her solo career began with the release of her debut album Finally Karen in 1997. The album, consisting of half studio recordings and half live recordings, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 1998. The set did however win the Lady Of Soul award for Best Gospel Album the same year ^[6].

After Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark-Sheard became the 2nd gospel artist to sign to Elektra Records. She released her Elektra debut album 2nd Chance in 2002 led off by the single "Be Sure". Though Clark-Sheard was in excellent form vocally, the slick, progressive sound of the disc was not received well in the gospel community. However, the album still performed well in sales figures. The 2003 followup The Heavens Are Telling fared well, but came at an awkward time when Elektra Records was being dissolved into Atlantic Records. In 2005, after a bidding war with several labels, Karen Clark Sheard finally signed with Word Records and issued It's Not Over , the following year.

Singers Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, Coko of SWV, Beyoncé, Blu Cantrell,Lil' Mo,Missy Elliott, and Fantasia all count Karen Clark-Sheard as one of their greatest vocal influences ^{[7] [8]}.

She is in the studio recording a new cd that is slated for release in summer or fall 2009. (Reference needed) Karen has also launched her new record label entitled Karew Records.

Discography

Albums

See also :Category:Karen Clark Sheard albums

Album information

Finally Karen (Island) Released: November 1997 Chart positions: #2 (US Gospel), #28 (US R&B) Singles: "Nothing Without You," "Balm in Gilead," "Will of God" Producers: Donald Lawrence, J. Moss

2nd Chance (Elektra) Released: July 2002 Chart positions: #82 Billboard 200, #27 (US R&B), #2 (US Gospel) Singles: "Be Sure", "Only Call on Jesus", "2nd Chance", "It's Not Over" Producers: Donald Lawrence, Richard Smallwood, J. Moss, Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Mike City, Tim & Bob, Walter Millsap III, Nisan Stewart

The Heavens Are Telling (Elektra) Released: November 2003 Chart positions: #188 Billboard 200, #44 (US R&B), #3 (US Gospel) Singles: "We Acknowledge You", "We Are Not Ashamed," "I Owe", "You Loved Me" Producers: Donald Lawrence, J. Moss, PAJAM

It's Not Over (Word) Released: January 2006 Chart positions: #124 Billboard 200, #4 (US Gospel) Singles: "Favor", "You Showed Me" Producers: Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsay, J. Moss, J. Drew Sheard Album Photography: Lians for www.lmstudios.com

Other

This section documents Karen Clark Sheard's featured solo appearances. For The Clark Sisters' appearances, visit this section.

Year	Title	Artist	Album	Label
1976	"If My People Which Are Called By My Name" "Everything Will Be Alright" "Christ Is Coming Back Again" "Come I'll Give You Rest"	Mattie Moss Clark feat. Karen Clark	He Was Hung Up For My Hangups	Sound Of Gospel
1993	"The Grass Withereth"	Karen Clark-Sheard	Thomas Whitfield: A Tribute to "The Maestro"	Benson/A&M
1996	"Don't Give Up"	Island Inspirational All-Stars featuring Kirk Franklin, Karen Clark Sheard, Hezekiah Walker, and Donald Lawrence	Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood (Soundtrack)	Island
1996	"Act Like You Know"	LaShun Pace featuring Karen Clark-Sheard	A Wealthy Place	Savoy
1996	"I Won't Complain"	FAMU Gospel Choir featuring Karen Clark-Sheard	Twinkie Clark-Terrell presents FAMU Gospel Choir	Crystal Rose
2000	"God's Favor"	Tri-City Singers featuring Karen Clark-Sheard, Kim Burrell, and Kelly Price	Tri-City4.com	EMI Gospel
2001	"Fo Sho'"	Yolanda Adams featuring Karen Clark-Sheard	Believe	Elektra
2001	"King"	Darwin Hobbs & Karen Clark-Sheard	Boycott (Soundtrack)	EMI Gospel
2002	"Christ Is Coming Back Again"	Twinkie Clark featuring Karen Clark-Sheard	Live In Charlotte N.C.	Verity
2002	"Fatal Attraction"	Karen Clark-Sheard	T.D. Jakes Presents: God's Leading Ladies (Various Artists)	Dexterity Sounds/EMI Gospel
2002	"Show Me The Way"	Dorinda Clark-Cole featuring The Clark Sisters	Dorinda Clark Cole	GospoCentric
2004	"Don't Nobody Know"	Ramiyah featuring Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra KiKi Sheard, & Dorinda Clark Cole	Ramiyah	Sony Music Entertainment
2005	"Blessing Me"	Jacky Clark-Chisholm featuring The Clark Sisters	Expectancy	Entheos records
2006	"Wrong Things"	Kierra Sheard (backing vocals by Karen Clark Sheard)	This Is Me	EMI Gospel
2006	"Jesus Is Lord"	Andrae Crouch feat. Karen Clark Sheard	Mighty Wind	Verity
2007	"Know Him"	J Moss feat. Karen Clark Sheard	V2	Gospocentric
2007	"Can't Nobody	Bobby Jones feat. Karen Clark Sheard	The Ambassador	Gospocentric
2008	"It Will All Be Worth It"	Mary Mary feat. Gospel Legends	The Sound	Columbia
2009	"Wait On the Lord"	Donnie McClurkin	'Live in Detroit!'

References

1. Back From The Dead
2. Gospel City Interview
3. Christian Music Planet
4. Karen Clark Sheard Gets '2nd Chance'
5. Karen Clark Sheard
6. Award Nominations at The Envelope
7. An interview with Karen Clark Sheard
8. Title Unavailable