<P> The following year, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters was released and people around Detroit began to take notice of the group . The Clark Sisters signed to Sound of Gospel Records in 1974 . Under this association, the group released albums such as Unworthy, Count It All Joy, and He Gave Me Nothing to Lose . It was not until the early 1980s that The Clark Sisters began to become more widely known . Their popularity soared with the release of the live recording Is My Living In Vain . The first live recording by The Clark Sisters spent an entire year at number one on Billboard's Gospel Music chart . Opening with the bluesy title track, each sister vocally declares that their dedication to Christ is not a useless effort . The innovative "Hi ya" was funky enough to find its way into a Tonex produced track over two decades later . Karen Clark's lead on "Speak Lord" expresses deep faith while the call to worship is raised on "Now Is The Time". Another hit from this release, "Expect Your Miracle", is still a staple in black churches across the country . </P> <P> Their next release You Brought the Sunshine would prove to be a monster hit via the title track . Reminiscent of Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster (Jammin')," the song became a hit in church houses and on dance floors, including New York's Studio 54 . "Sunshine" was picked up from its original independent gospel record label Sounds of Gospel and distributed by both Westbound Records and Elektra Records . In 1983, the song peaked at #16 on the Black Singles chart, #27 on the Club Play Charts, and #80 on the Hot R&B Charts driving the album to Gold sales . This album continues to display Twinkie's signature blend of scripture with unprecedented vocal and musical arrangements on biblically based songs like "Psalms 31 ." The album's other songs include the sincere prayer found within the lyrics of both "Center of Thy Will" and "Endow Me," featuring a young but already vocally mature Karen, as well as "Overdose of the Holy Ghost", showcasing Dorinda's vocal dexterity . The disco - inspired "He Keeps Me Company" is noted for its bubbly syncopation . </P> <P> The sisters delivered another progressive effort in 1982, Sincerely, which included "Name It And Claim It" and the politically charged "World ." Though its success was overshadowed by the previous hit "You Brought The Sunshine", the album received a Grammy nomination . </P> <P> In 1983, the Clark Sisters were invited to perform at the Grammy Awards . It proved to be one of the highlights of the annual awards ceremony, but the church did not approve of it . Their denomination (Church Of God In Christ) told their mother, Mattie Moss Clark, that she could not perform with her girls again . </P>

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