Karen Clark-Sheard

Karen Clark-Sheard is the youngest sibling of the group Clark Sisters. She was involved with one of the most popular gospel groups of the 1980s and 1990s. The Detroit native whose angelic voice has been compared to Aretha Franklin has helped take gospel music into a new era. She began singing with the group at the age of six and stayed with them for many years until she started a solo career in 1997. Karen Clark-Sheard decided to strike it on her own upon the suggestion of Producer/Songwriter Stanley Brown who heard her sing "Don't Give Up" on the Island Inspirational All-Stars with Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker, and Kirk Franklin. As a result, Karen Clark-Sheard with the blessing of her sisters produced her first solo record for Island Inspirational Records. The end result was Finally Karen...Live!, which was released in the fall of 1997. The album was produced by Stanley Brown, Donald Lawrence, and James Moss and featured many portions recorded live in Detroit with the Tri-City Singers.

Karen truly appears to be receiving her blessings since the release of her solo album "Finally Karen". She has truly enjoyed the success of her hit album but admits it's not the same on the road without her sisters.The highly talented singer is also referred to as the Grammy of Gospel Music with an impressive showing at the 1999 Stellar Awards. Shortly after winning Best Gospel Artist award at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, Karen's solo debut, "Finally Karen" was nominated for nine Stellar's awards. As a result, she took home four for Female Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Children's Performance of the Year accompanied by her 10-year old daughter Kierra. She is also featured on the Top 40 featured Artists of June 30, 1999.

Karen has become the premier gospel artist of Island Inspirational with the release of her self-titled solo debut, Finally Karen. Her album displays her dynamic voice with a youthful energetic choir keeping in rhythm with one of the tightest bands I've ever heard live. Songs like "Praise Fest" and "Balm In Gilead" will have everyone bouncing and lifting up holy hands giving God the praise. Unrestrained live performances on her album balance soulful studio tracks on this album of groove-laden inspiration. The album features the talent of Faith Evans with the single "Nothing Without You." The disc also includes Boyz II Men's Stone Creek producers Kowan "Q" Paul and Milton Thornton on the beautiful ballad "Just For Me." The remaining Clark Sisters appear on "Love Song," and even Karen's 11 year-old daughter (in the Clark family tradition) Kierra, joins her mother on "The Safest Place." The collection is packed full of tracks that will not only appeal to fans of Christian music, but across the board. She has indeed changed gospel music forever and paved the way for many of today's gospel artists.

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