Dorinda Clark Cole
Encyclopedia
Dorinda Clark-Cole is a two-time Grammy Award winning American
evangelist
and gospel
singer. She is best known as a member of The Clark Sisters
and as a daughter of pioneering choral director Mattie Moss Clark
.
, Clark-Cole began singing at an early age with her sisters Karen
, Twinkie
, Jacky
, and Denise. The sisters sang in their pastor
father's church and usually performed songs written and composed by their mother. Clark-Cole, who is referred to as the "jazzy sister" of the group, helped develop what is known as "The Clark Sound", which often features high and fast melisma
s, riff
s, runs, and soulful growls
. Dorinda sang lead on "Overdose Of The Holy Ghost", "My Reedemer Liveth" the B-side to The Clark Sisters' biggest single "You Brought the Sunshine"
, released in 2002, won two Stellar Awards
and a Soul Train
Lady of Soul Award (Best Female Gospel Artist). The album featured the hit single "I'm Coming Out". Her second album, The Rose of Gospel, was released in 2005. The live portions of both albums were produced by Asaph Ward
, famous for his work with Kim Burrell
, who counts Dorinda as well as the Clark Sisters as a direct vocal influence. Dorinda won one Stellar award.
Dorinda was featured on the title track of Kirk Franklin's Hero album.
After being pushed back from a prematurely stated date in fall 2007, Dorinda Clark-Cole's third solo CD Take It Back was released on April 15, 2008. The album included the songs "Faithful", "Praise Your Way Out", "Yesterday", "It's Ok", "No Weapon", "If I Were", "Got To Hold On," and the current radio single "Take It Back". Producers Alex "Asaph" Ward, PAJAM, and Rodney Jerkins contributed to the project. Dorinda recently did a brand new (EP) album entitled In The Face Of Change which was released September 21. This project includes hit songs such as "Change" written by her son J.Cole, "This Is It" and "One World One Love". The album consists of only six songs.It was released on her own ministry label "Harvestime Ministries".The album was never heard of and was announced the day of its release. A video on YouTube has a preview of all of the new songs on the record. Dorinda Clark Cole has a funky and surprising blend with her sister Karen Clark Sheard.
In 2011 Nikkia and husband Deon Beach Sr gave birth to a son Deon Beach jr.
In addition to being a recording artist and evangelist, Clark-Cole is a prominent figure in the Church of God in Christ
of which she is a licensed National Evangelist, assistant supervisor of women, for the Michigan North Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ and Assistant Elect Lady of the COGIC's International Evangelism Department. She is an administrator and instructor at the Clark Conservatory of Music
in Detroit (founded by Mattie Moss Clark in 1979), and is an administrator of ministry at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC, pastored by her brother-in-law, J. Drew Sheard. As of 2007, Dorinda serves as the spokesmodel for Donna Vinci clothing where she launched her own line "The Rose Collection. She also has her own television show called "Dorinda" on the TCT network.
In 1999, as founder and CEO of Lifeline Productions, Inc., she created an annual Singers & Musicians Conference. Through this conference it is her goal to educate a new generation of ministers of the importance of “keeping ministry in the music” by offering various activities including daily workshops and evening worship services featuring from artists whose ministries have gone beyond ministering in song.
Dorinda says that if she did not have a career in music that she would be "dancing on Broadway
," and her dream would be "to sing with Bette Midler
, Cher
and Celine Dion
".
In 2011, Clark-Cole will be playing Kia Radisson in The Marriage Lover.
Dorinda clark-cole is a great singer. She loves the lord and that's why she sing.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
evangelist
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
and gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
singer. She is best known as a member of The Clark Sisters
The Clark Sisters
The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group consisting of four sisters:Jacky Clark Chisholm, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard. A fifth sister, Denise Clark Bradford, no longer performs with the group. The Clark Sisters are the daughters of legendary...
and as a daughter of pioneering choral director Mattie Moss Clark
Mattie Moss Clark
Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark was an American gospel choir director and the mother of The Clark Sisters, a world-renowned gospel vocal group...
.
Early life
Born and raised in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, Clark-Cole began singing at an early age with her sisters Karen
Karen Clark Sheard
Karen Clark-Sheard is an American gospel four-time Grammy Award winning singer, musician, and songwriter. The youngest daughter of pioneering gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark, Sheard began her career as a member of the Grammy-Award winning, gospel legendary female group, The Clark Sisters...
, Twinkie
Twinkie Clark
Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell is a two-time Grammy Award–winning American gospel singer, composer, musician, and evangelist. She is a member of The Clark Sisters, an influential gospel vocal ensemble active since the late '60s.-The Clark Sisters:...
, Jacky
Jacky Clark-Chisholm
Jacky Clark-Chisholm is a two-time Grammy Award winning American gospel singer, most notably known as a member of The Clark Sisters.-Early life:Jacky is the eldest daughter of legendary gospel innovator Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark...
, and Denise. The sisters sang in their pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
father's church and usually performed songs written and composed by their mother. Clark-Cole, who is referred to as the "jazzy sister" of the group, helped develop what is known as "The Clark Sound", which often features high and fast melisma
Melisma
Melisma, in music, is the singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession. Music sung in this style is referred to as melismatic, as opposed to syllabic, where each syllable of text is matched to a single note.-History:Music of ancient cultures used...
s, riff
RIFF
The Resource Interchange File Format is a generic file container format for storing data in tagged chunks. It is primarily used to store multimedia such as sound and video, though it may also be used to store any arbitrary data....
s, runs, and soulful growls
Growling
Growling or growl is a low, guttural vocalization produced by predatory animals as a warning to others, as a sign of aggression, or to express anger. Low or dull rumbling noises may also be emitted by human beings when discontent with something or angry...
. Dorinda sang lead on "Overdose Of The Holy Ghost", "My Reedemer Liveth" the B-side to The Clark Sisters' biggest single "You Brought the Sunshine"
Recording career
Clark-Cole's self-titled solo debut Dorinda Clark-ColeDorinda Clark-Cole (album)
Dorinda Clark-Cole is the debut album of Gospel singer Dorinda Clark-Cole, which was released on June 25, 2002.Dorinda won two Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best Female Gospel Artist from the album....
, released in 2002, won two Stellar Awards
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards is the first Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music Artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in...
and a Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
Lady of Soul Award (Best Female Gospel Artist). The album featured the hit single "I'm Coming Out". Her second album, The Rose of Gospel, was released in 2005. The live portions of both albums were produced by Asaph Ward
Asaph Ward
-Background:Ward came to the forefront of the gospel music industry as producer of the groundbreaking 1998 album Everlasting Life for gospel jazz singer Kim Burrell. Since then, Ward has also produced the self-titled debut of Dorinda Clark Cole, as well as the recent 2004 release from Twinkie...
, famous for his work with Kim Burrell
Kim Burrell
Kimberly Burrell is an American gospel singer from Houston, Texas. She calls her musical style jazz gospel. Though she is comparatively new to the gospel music industry, having only performed since 1989, she has quickly become one of the most influential voices in the genre, often named as "this...
, who counts Dorinda as well as the Clark Sisters as a direct vocal influence. Dorinda won one Stellar award.
Dorinda was featured on the title track of Kirk Franklin's Hero album.
After being pushed back from a prematurely stated date in fall 2007, Dorinda Clark-Cole's third solo CD Take It Back was released on April 15, 2008. The album included the songs "Faithful", "Praise Your Way Out", "Yesterday", "It's Ok", "No Weapon", "If I Were", "Got To Hold On," and the current radio single "Take It Back". Producers Alex "Asaph" Ward, PAJAM, and Rodney Jerkins contributed to the project. Dorinda recently did a brand new (EP) album entitled In The Face Of Change which was released September 21. This project includes hit songs such as "Change" written by her son J.Cole, "This Is It" and "One World One Love". The album consists of only six songs.It was released on her own ministry label "Harvestime Ministries".The album was never heard of and was announced the day of its release. A video on YouTube has a preview of all of the new songs on the record. Dorinda Clark Cole has a funky and surprising blend with her sister Karen Clark Sheard.
Personal and Religious life
Clark-Cole is married to Greg Cole and they have 2 children, Nikkia Cole Beach and Gregory Jr.In 2011 Nikkia and husband Deon Beach Sr gave birth to a son Deon Beach jr.
In addition to being a recording artist and evangelist, Clark-Cole is a prominent figure in the Church of God in Christ
Church of God in Christ
The Church of God in Christ is a Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination with a predominantly African-American membership. With nearly five million members in the United States and 12,000 congregations, it is the largest Pentecostal church and the fifth largest Christian church in the U.S....
of which she is a licensed National Evangelist, assistant supervisor of women, for the Michigan North Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ and Assistant Elect Lady of the COGIC's International Evangelism Department. She is an administrator and instructor at the Clark Conservatory of Music
Clark Conservatory of Music
The Clark Conservatory of Music was founded by Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Now headed by her daughter Dorinda Clark Cole, the conservatory is located in Detroit, Michigan, United States....
in Detroit (founded by Mattie Moss Clark in 1979), and is an administrator of ministry at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC, pastored by her brother-in-law, J. Drew Sheard. As of 2007, Dorinda serves as the spokesmodel for Donna Vinci clothing where she launched her own line "The Rose Collection. She also has her own television show called "Dorinda" on the TCT network.
In 1999, as founder and CEO of Lifeline Productions, Inc., she created an annual Singers & Musicians Conference. Through this conference it is her goal to educate a new generation of ministers of the importance of “keeping ministry in the music” by offering various activities including daily workshops and evening worship services featuring from artists whose ministries have gone beyond ministering in song.
Dorinda says that if she did not have a career in music that she would be "dancing on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
," and her dream would be "to sing with Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
, Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
and Celine Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
".
In 2011, Clark-Cole will be playing Kia Radisson in The Marriage Lover.
Dorinda clark-cole is a great singer. She loves the lord and that's why she sing.
Albums
- Dorinda Clark-ColeDorinda Clark-Cole (album)Dorinda Clark-Cole is the debut album of Gospel singer Dorinda Clark-Cole, which was released on June 25, 2002.Dorinda won two Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best Female Gospel Artist from the album....
(2002) - Live From Houston: The Rose of Gospel (2005)
- Take It Back (2008)
- In The Face Of Change (EP)(2009)
- I Survived (2011)
| Year | Album | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
U.S. Gospel Billboard charts The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine... |
U.S. Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
||
| 2002 | Dorinda Clark-Cole Dorinda Clark-Cole (album) Dorinda Clark-Cole is the debut album of Gospel singer Dorinda Clark-Cole, which was released on June 25, 2002.Dorinda won two Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best Female Gospel Artist from the album....
|
— | 5 | 14 |
| 2005 | Live From Houston: The Rose of Gospel
|
159 | 3 | 4 |
| 2008 | Take It Back
|
104 | 3 | - |
| 2011 | I Survived
|
120 | 3 | - |
Singles
- "No Not One (featuring J MossJ MossJ. Moss , Detroit, Michigan is an American singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, and producer.-Early years:...
)" (2002) - "I'm Coming Out" (2002)
- "Still Here" (2002)
- "Great Is The Lord" (2005)
- "So Many Times" (2005)
- "Take It Back" (2008)
- "Change" (2009)
- "This Is It" (2009)
- "Back to You"(2011)
- "He Brought Me" (2011)
- "God Will Take of You" (2011)
- "For My Good" (2011)
Other
- "Hero (featuring Dorinda Clark Cole)" - Kirk FranklinKirk FranklinKirk Dwayne Franklin is an American Gospel music musician, choir director, and author, and is most notably known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew .- Early years :...
(from Hero) - "Tis So Sweet" - Dorinda Clark Cole (from Build A Bridge)
- "Higher Ground" - Missy ElliottMissy ElliottMelissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
, Karen Clark SheardKaren Clark SheardKaren Clark-Sheard is an American gospel four-time Grammy Award winning singer, musician, and songwriter. The youngest daughter of pioneering gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark, Sheard began her career as a member of the Grammy-Award winning, gospel legendary female group, The Clark Sisters...
, Kim BurrellKim BurrellKimberly Burrell is an American gospel singer from Houston, Texas. She calls her musical style jazz gospel. Though she is comparatively new to the gospel music industry, having only performed since 1989, she has quickly become one of the most influential voices in the genre, often named as "this...
, Mary MaryMary MaryMary Mary is an American gospel music duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell and Tina Atkins-Campbell . The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz...
, Dorinda Clark ColeDorinda Clark ColeDorinda Clark-Cole is a two-time Grammy Award winning American evangelist and gospel singer. She is best known as a member of The Clark Sisters and as a daughter of pioneering choral director Mattie Moss Clark.-Early life:...
, and Yolanda AdamsYolanda AdamsYolanda Adams is an American Grammy- and Dove-award-winning Yolanda Adams is an American [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]- and [[Dove Awards|Dove]]-award-winning...
(from Miss E... So Addictive) (Elektra, 2001) - "It Will All Be Worth It" - Mary MaryMary MaryMary Mary is an American gospel music duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell and Tina Atkins-Campbell . The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz...
feat. Gospel Legends (from The SoundThe Sound (Mary Mary album)The Sound is the fifth studio album by R&B/gospel duo Mary Mary. It was released on October 21, 2008 in the U.S.. In the UK, The Sounds release had been delayed to September, then it had since been delayed again till October...
) - "Im Wrapped in You (featuring Dorinda Clark Cole)" - Bishop Eddie L. Long (from The Kingdom, Vol. 1 (feat. GW's))
- "Still Mighty, Still Strong (feat. Dorinda Clark Cole)" - Youthful PraiseYouthful PraiseYouthful Praise is an American gospel choir led by James "J.J." Hairston who directs the choir and composes most of their material.-Biography:...
, Resting On His Promise (2009)
Videography
- Dorinda Clark Cole Live (2003)
- Live From Houston: The Rose of Gospel (2007)
External links
- The Clark Space
- Dorinda Clark Cole on MySpace
- Dorinda Clark Cole Fan Club on Myspace
- The Clark Sisters' Official Website (Source of Dorinda Clark Cole's biography)
- GospoCentric Records Official Website
- Dorinda Clark Cole Official Site
- Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole's Annual Singers and Musicians Conference Official Site