From the family and friends of Walter Hawkins, to Shawn McLemore and Darwin Hobbs, there have been PLENTY of folks to pray for lately.

Today, we’re back with another addition to The Prayer List at GospelPundit.com– this week, I’m adding Jacky Clark Chisholm.

Nothing’s wrong, that I know of– this is just what we do!

As one of the eldest members of the famed Clark Sisters, Jacky is known for her smooth and subtle tone, and as the spokesperson for the female gospel group.  She does a lot beyond the group, as well, and I think we need to edify her through prayer.  Join me, fam?

Father, thank You for the life of Jacky Clark Chisholm.  Thank You for her heart of servanthood, for her humility and for her grace.  Thank You for equipping her with every good gift that she would need to fulfill Your purposes, and to glorify You through her life.

Lord, I pray for peace in her life.  I pray that Your peace, that surpasses all understanding, would guard Jacky’s heart and mind through Christ Jesus.  I pray that she wouldn’t be anxious for anything, but that she would rest in You for all things.  I pray that You would guide her with wisdom and clarity as it relates to any decisions she needs to make.  I pray that she continues to trust in You as her anchor.

God, continue to anoint Jacky for ministry, whether it’s on stage, in her church, or in her day-to-day life.  Please continue to reveal aspects of her being, as You created it, that will be used for bigger and greater things for Your Kingdom.  Shower blessings of love down on her in a way that’s almost tangible.

Father, bless Jacky’s family– from her husband and children to her siblings and extended family.  Draw them even closer to one another, that You would be glorified by their testimonies and be exalted.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Okay, folks… post your prayers here, in the comment section!

I could’ve sworn that I had posted this a long time ago.  It’s definitely been one of my favorite YouTube videos for YEARS now… *shrugs* oh well.

You’re gettin’ it now!

This is Yolanda Adams singing the classic tune “Expect A Miracle,” in tribute to the Clark Sisters a few years ago.  With a little audience participation, Yolanda soars over this performance… she is in great voice and does some bananas ad libs.

Check it out–

Whatcha think???

Famed and legendary gospel vocalist Karen Clark Sheard returns to the marketplace with her newest solo project, All In One, tomorrow, April 6th.

I want to start out and by being verrrry clear– the album is NOT in the same style, musically, as her heralded solo debut, Finally Karen.  So, don’t expect that type of project.

Fortunately, you won’t  be disappointed– the project absolutely stands strongly on its own.  In fact, I may go so far as to say that it is one of my favorite solo albums from Karen Clark Sheard to date… it’s just a lil’ different.

With production from her son, J Drew Sheard II, and her cousin, J Moss, the album definitely offers a more contemporary/urban vibe, as a whole, than her previous projects.  But it works well, as Karen Clark Sheard, one of the greatest vocal influences across genres of the music biz, commands in-the-pocket performances on each of the album’s 11 tracks.

All In One opens with the single “Prayed Up,” which continues to gain airplay at radio across the nation.  I loved it from the moment I heard it, though I must admit that it is not the strongest track on the album.  The single is followed by the energetic “Hold On,” before landing at the quartet-reminiscent “Blessings.”  Karen soars on its vamp as the background vocals just repeat a heart-resounding “thank ya.”

The project then moves to what may be my favorite song on the album, “I Made A Choice.”  The track is urban in all of the right ways– a soulful melody laid over a great beat with straightforward instrumentation… and another killer vamp.  It’s got such a mellow vibe to it that you’d almost think it was her daughter, Kierra Sheard, laying the smooth vocals.  Up next is “Take Me,” a catchy song that does, in fact, feature her daughter, Kierra, along with niece Angel Chisholm, daughter of Jacky Clark Chisholm.

From there, the album continues– great tune after great tune– with solid performances on “Good,” “Because Of You,” “Crazy Praise,” and the musical ear candy offered on the PAJAM-produced “What He Did.”  The album slows again with Karen’s duet with sister Dorinda Clark Cole on “He Knows” before the album wraps up with “Have Your Way.”

I would be lying if I didn’t acknowledge that, in listening, I had a couple of moments where I hoped the next track would be a good ol’ churchy tune like “I Couldn’t Tell It If I Tried” or “Heaven.”  But, I’m rather glad there weren’t any to be found.  The project is a cohesive unit on its own… an awesome urban addition to her solo library, replete with great songs, great production and staggering vocal performances, “all in one.”

Again, the project drops tomorrow, but you can click here to click here to pre-order now.  And I STRONGLY advise you to do so.

If you recall, J Moss, The Clark Sisters and Kierra Sheard recorded a special track a while ago for a tribute album that was released in Frankie Beverly’s honor.

The Trumpet Awards, the annual awards program honoring the achievements of notable African-Americans, honored Frankie Beverly and had the Moss/Clark family on hand to perform that song back in January.  The broadcast of the program is FINALLY hitting television this Sunday, April 4th at 9pm ET on TV One.

Their performance was incredible.  They sound and look great (the Clark fans are gonna looooove the hair)…

OMGEEEEEEEEE! There’s NOBODY in gospel like that family.

Whatd’ya think???

On Friday, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the offices of EMI Gospel, where the INCOMPARABLE Karen Clark-Sheard visited with the execs of the company to share some music she’s been working on.  (I also interviewed her, so check back here in a couple of hours to read what she had to say in our one-on-one!)

After she shared a bit about her heart, her vision and her new label (Karew Records), she played some tracks for us– REALLY GOOD STUFF.

Some info about the album…

The upcoming album, her fifth solo project, is titled All In One.  Her daughter, Kierra Sheard, came up with the title as a way to represent all that her mother does– she’s a wife, a mom, an artist, a pastor’s wife, and now a label president… and she wears each hat well.

Karen played several tracks for us and all were really good.  “Take Me,” which features her daughter, Kierra, and her niece, Angel Chisholm (Jacky’s daughter), has a sort of urban/acoustic feel to it.  Her son, JDS, produced the track and it captures a great performance from all three ladies.

The styles of music are varied, but she handles each genre well.  For example, “Never Let Me Go” is a strong praise & worship track, while another tune, ”Crazy Praise,” starts with an urban vibe before going straight churchy.  A sure favorite for the album will be “He Knows,” which is written by J Moss and features Dorinda Clark-Cole.  It’s kinda got an ol’ skool soul vibe to it.  “What He Did” is J Moss-written, PAJAM-produced, and has so much ear candy that you’ll wanna repeat it just to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

The single from the album, which has hit radio as of last week, is “Prayed Up.”  It’s got a tight sound and is written by Karen & her son, JDS.

AS IF that wasn’t enough, Larry Blackwell (VP of EMI Gospel) convinced Karen to do a little impromptu performance in the board room.  She kinda tossed out the first verse of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” like it was NOTHING, but managed to leave all of us speechless.  I tried to clap for her, but I was all late… mesmerized and what not. LOL

In any event, that’s the deal on the album.  It’s expected to drop in early 2010, so save up NOW.  It’s Karen Clark-Sheard… it’s worth it.

Major shout-out to Ken Pennell, Larry Blackwell and Cameron Hilson for the invitation and hospitality.  Thanks also to Karen Clark-Sheard & Cynthia Ellis for sharing with me.

A Clark Family Christmas will be the first project released on the newly formed Karew Records, and is expected to drop on OCTOBER 13.  Shout-out to Neily for keepin’ folks informed (and for the great family photo below).  Other industry execs in attendance included Karew Records General Mgr. Darrell Thompson, Assistant General Mgr. Cynthia Ellis, EMI Gospel’s Marketing Team (Larry Blackwell & Karen Jackson), and Walter Kearney & Paul “PDA” Allen of PAJAM.

Am I buggin’ or is anyone else extremely eager to hear this?! *marking my calendar and savin’ my pennies NOW*

YesSUH!

From Twinkie playin’ that organ, to each of the Clark Sisters killin’ on the vocals, this is a classic recording with the FAMU Gospel Choir… “Nothing To Lose”:

Is it just me, or is anybody else interested in a solo album from Angel Chisholm, daughter of Jacky Clark-Chisholm?  I kinda wanna hear what she’d do…

Watch this vid from that Urban Soul Cafe event I told y’all about earlier this year.  Angel’s singing a tribute song to her mother, Jacky.

In case you missed it, here’s the Clark Sisters’ performance on Jay Leno’s show last night.

I STRONGLY encourage you to pay close attention to Karen on the vamp from 41:33 through the end. SHE IS NOT PLAYING.

Shout-out to TheClarkSpace.com and the ClarkSistersTV YouTube channel!

[Editor's Note: NBC made TheClarkSpace.com remove the original video, but I've embedded it from another source above now... let's see how long it lasts!]

So, we’re dominating late night TV these days?!  Aight, then… I see you, ladies!

Last night, The Clark Sisters performed their latest hit, “Higher Ground,” with Robert Randolph (from that Oh Happy Day compilation album) on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno.

The vocal-band mix could’ve been better for me, especially cuz I could barely hear Karen clobbering the “HIGHER!” part, but clobber it, she did!  All in all, the vocals were crazy– the harmonies were tight, the riffs were thoughtfully placed.  Plus, they looked great.  Getting even BETTER with age, much?!

By the way, I don’t know who’s working this album, but I haven’t seen ANY of the other artists on this compilation getting as much mainstream attention as The Clark Sisters.  Lemme find out…

Oh, and is it just me, or is Twinkie in better voice than we’ve heard her in a minute?  Gettin’ excited for that new album!

Who else saw it?  What did you think???