The Clark Sisters still Riding High on Sucess

Acclaimed gospel quartet The Clark Sisters are still riding off the success of their latest CD, ‘Live: One Last Time.’

After winning their first three Grammy Awards in 2008 for the Donald Lawrence-produced CD, the singing sisters have apparently decided to record new music for EMI Gospel, including a forthcoming Christmas CD later this year.

Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Jacky Clark Chisholm and Elbertina “Twinkie” Clark will announce later this week that they have inked a new deal with EMI Gospel via a partnership with an upstart label launched by Sheard called Karew Records.

Pronounced KA-RUE, the label is apparently a hybrid of Sheard and her husband, Pastor J. Drew Sheard, Sr.’s names.

Sheard is president of the label and her husband is a partner as well. Their son, producer J. Drew Sheard will work in an A&R capacity for the imprint.

In addition to the upcoming holiday recording by The Clark Sisters, Sheard will also release a long awaited follow-up to her 2006 solo release ‘It’s Not Over’ on the label this fall.

The Clark Sisters will also record a new CD as a collective that is tentatively slated for 2010.

There’s early buzz that the other three sisters will also eventually record and release solo offerings via Karew/EMI Gospel as well.

Sheard’s daughter, Kierra “KiKi” Sheard will continue to record directly for EMI Gospel.

The long-term deal between EMI Gospel and Karew Records will allow the Detroit-bred sisters to own their masters.

Best known for hits like ‘You Brought The Sunshine,’ ‘Miracle’ and ‘Is My Living In Vein,’ The Clark Sisters were recently featured on the TV One series, ‘Unsung,’ which showcases popular recording artists that didn’t meet their full professional potential for various reasons.

The group will perform two songs as the special birthday guests of ‘The View’ co-host Sherri Shepherd during the ABC talk show’s live broadcast on April 22.

A rep for EMI Gospel was unavailable to comment at press time