By Denise Turner // Gospel // EEW Magazine Online

Four-time Grammy winner, Karen Clark Sheard, has inked a deal with Motown Gospel in partnership with her own faith-based record label, Karew Records.

Clark Sheard, 61, who is set to drop a new album later this year, said in a statement, “I am honored and excited to partner with Motown Gospel.”

The upcoming release will be her first in seven years, since the 2015 live album, Destined to Win, was released from Karew Records and Entertainment One Music.

 “I’m passionate about encouraging, inspiring and uplifting people through my music, and I can’t wait to share it with my long-time supporters and with the world,” added Clark Sheard.

“No other female vocalist in gospel music has had as broad an influence as the legendary Karen Clark Sheard,” said Monica Coates and EJ Gaines, co-executive directors of Motown Gospel. “She uniquely brings generations of gospel and R&B music-lovers together with the power of her voice and the purity of her spirit. We are so honored to work with her and the Karew team.”

Clark Sheard, the youngest sibling of The Clark Sisters, first gained success with the group’s 1981 crossover hit, “You Brought the Sunshine.”

In 1997, the now First Lady of The Church of God In Christ, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States, released her debut solo album, Finally Karen, the first of five studio albums. In 2009, her collaboration with Donnie McClurkin, “Wait on the Lord,” won a Grammy for best gospel performance and in 2011, she was awarded the Stellar for female vocalist of the year.

Clark Sheard launched Karew in 2019 in partnership with her husband, Bishop J. Drew Sheard, and signed her daughter, Kierra Sheard, and The Clark Sisters to its artist roster. In 2020, Lifetime released the biopic The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel watched by nearly three million viewers.

Clark Sheard continues to make exciting business moves and inspire women worldwide to cast off restrictions, break through boundaries, and pursue their goals.

A division of Capitol CMG/Universal Music Group, Motown Gospel’s roster includes Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Merry Clayton, Tye Tribbett and Evvie McKinney.