The ClarkSpace.com GospelPundit readers have spoken. 
When you hear “TIMELESS SONGWRITER IN GOSPEL MUSIC,” who comes to mind?
Twinkie Clark - 114 votes (31%)
Richard Smallwood - 67 votes (18%)
Fred Hammond - 49 votes (13%)
Marvin Winans - 41 votes (11%)
Walter Hawkins – 34 votes (9%)
Donald Lawrence - 32 votes (9%)
Thomas Whitfield – 29 votes (8%)
Now, I love Twinkie as much as the next man, but I have to say that this one may be a bit off. For starters, there’s no way on God’s green Earth that Thomas Whitfield should be at the bottom of this list. And for me, I expected the top votes to go to Richard Smallwood, Fred Hammond and Marvin Winans.
What do y’all think??? And did you wanna add anyone else’s names to the mix? I know at least one reader wanted Andraé Crouch added… he definitely should’ve been an option. Sorry folks.
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@EJ you know who I was going for! lolol But Im with you, Twinkie is my girl n all but The Maestro should have def been a lil further up the list
I really dont think it was Clarkspace this time.......it wasnt even posted......but Fred and Marvin should been close...... wait and richard.......
Thomas should of been up there in the ranks, but don't count Twinkie out. Twinkie has wrote some amazing, timeless songs, that congregations will be singing for years to come. They all are trendsetters in my book, so I salute them all. Yeah EJ, Andrae should of been on the list...and you say you know gospel. LOL. Go back to school! LOL
@gospelfan lolol Thats 2 for Andrae Can I get a third?! lol But seriously, now that I think about it, this up and coming generation really isnt too familiar with Thomas' work since he has passed on. Truly he was in a class all by himself. He introduced praise and worship to us in a way unlike any other, when many of us had NO clue what p/w was but we loved it anyway.
My tops was Marvin and Richard. I have to admit that I truly forgot most of songs written by Thomas until tecent Stellar. I think Andrae and John P. Kee should be added. John and Andrae has some hits....
Go Twinkie! They all have wrote timeless songs that will be sung forever.
My personal favorite is donald Lawrence, but when u say timeless, u have to say Richard smallwood. Center of my joy, total praise, are songs that will never grow old. Plus, total praise is not just a black gospel song, everybody knows that's song. White, black, I've heard everybody do some smallwood.
When I think of 'Timeless' I'm thinking of longevity....which means: 1. Andre Crouch 2. Edwin/Walter Hawkins 3.Twinkie 4.Richard Smallwood 5. Thomas Whitfield I'm tryna go by memory in terms of who was on da scene the longest!! You have to remember, Twinkie started writing when she was very young, long before we heard of some of the others. And she does have classic songs!! So in my mind, it should be determined by longevity!!
lol..i added Andre Crouch....(who I think I am??) lol
Hands down Twinkie Clark
Marvin Winans. . . of course!!!
(in a soft low voice--"oooowee EJ gon be mad at me" lol) How bout we throw that ballot out and have a do over addin Andrae and Thomas Dorsey; people are still singin their songs, both white and black alike. See ya gotta listn to me big baby! lolol kiddin man! dont kick me out!
Praise God for Elbernita getting her rewards on GospelPundit! Amen. Now is the Time They Were Overcome Time to Seek the Lord Praying Spirit What... amd I going to try to name ALL the hits. I love Richard's music more than ALL of you... and I do believe choirs in today's church are more apt to bust out "Total Praise" or "Psalm 8" faster than most any of the listed names, but obviously there are people who acknowledge and appreciate her 40 years of music advancement in contemporary Gospel. She's a pioneer.
sorry for my NON-editing. correction: Am I going to name ALL the hits?
LOL at the Clarkspace scratch out!!! Yeah that bunch can get a lil carried away. Anyhoo my favorite up there has definitely got to be Whitfield!
Now I'm waiting on someone to mention Walter Hawkins. No need to explain, I'l just drop these dimes: Changed Goin' Up Yonder Jesus Christ Is the Way That Kind of Friend Never Alone Be Grateful What Is This(recently remade) When You Pray(For Tramaine) Holy One(for Tramaine) Don't Wait 'Til the Battle Is Over Special Gift Thank You Lord Need any more be said..................................
Richard Smallwood for me!
Ill give this to twinkie....and i dont think clarkspace did it either.....im on there and it wasnt posted to vote.......anyway.... to me Twink was ahead of time.....cuz Pray for the USA....needs to be in constant play today
@downindixie you know your Hawkins! I had a 'sing-off' and the Hawkins kept me going up against the Tommies! Remember: Follow Me, I'm Going Away, 'Give Us Time', He'll BringYou Out, God is Standing By...those were the days!!!!
Oh yeah, I remember all of those. I thought about mentioning those songs, but they weren't as big as the hits that we all know. I just wanted to drop the heavy hitters so I could put an end to this discussion. (LOL)
I voted for Twinkie, I am such a huge fan. LOL
TWINKIE TWINKIE TWINKE... i love'em all. but longevity does play a major roll in this selection. Nothing to Lose Hallelujah Balm in Gilead Is my Living in Vain The Annointing I Tried Him and I Know Him He was hung up for me hang Ups You Brought the Sunshine Name it Claim It Ha YA My Redeemer Liveth Endow Me Got an Angel Whew i was just getting started!! Twink TWink is AWESOME
Marvin Winans, Fred Hammond, and Walter Hawkins DEFINITELY should be near the top...seriously : )
Then again, they're all PHENOMENAL, you know what, I retract that last comment. Its too hard