Kierra Sheard is Living the Bold Right Life

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

In 1997, nine-year-old Kierra Sheard, daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard of the famed Clark Sisters, belted out “The Will of God” on her mother’s solo debut release, Finally Karen.

Her performance put the gospel music community on notice that the third generation of Detroit’s Moss-Clark singing dynasty was coming into its own.

But ask her, and the granddaughter of gospel icon Mattie Moss Clark will tell you her original aspiration was to be a nail technician, acrylic nails in particular.

“I was into nails, basketball, everything else,” Sheard laughed. “I didn’t want to do the song with my mother and she had to make me practice. I never thought that I would be making records. But I’m well pleased with my decision!”

Kierra Sheard, GRAMMY Award-nominated and GMA Dove and Stellar Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer, spoke with TBGB about her latest album, Free. It is her fourth album but her first live recording and first CD on her parents’ record label, Karew Records.

Although Sheard shelved her nail technology dream to become a singer, there was never any pressure for her to follow in the family’s musical footsteps. “My mom pushed me to do what she saw I was into,” Sheard explained. “She never was the type of mother to live her life through me. My parents have been supportive of my good decisions as they pertain to my career or my future.”

She added, “I will say I feel pressure to do some good singing because of my family.”

Besides picking up music techniques from the Clark and Moss Families, Sheard also gleans inspiration from artists such as Andrae Crouch, the Winans, Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin. Her musical interests also include the work of Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, Nat King Cole and Lalah Hathaway. “I love all genres of music and want to make sure I’m appealing to every ear and taking the gospel outside of the church.”

Although Sheard embraces musical eclecticism, the sound of the family’s beloved Church of God in Christ can still be heard in her singing. “That’s where I come from, but that’s not all I know,” she noted. “My family has been on me to get out and hear different things so I can be challenged overall. Some of [my music] is where I come from, the Church of God in Christ, so you’re going to hear that good churchy sound in my music, but it’s well-balanced.”

Sheard’s latest album, Free, was recorded in Chicago in February, 2011 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center. The Center is located at 47th and King Drive, adjacent to the site that once was home to the Savoy/Regal Ballroom, where for decades artists from Louis Armstrong to Duke Ellington to Jackie Wilson delighted audiences.

The live recording environment allowed Sheard to capture her worshipper side on disc. “It was exciting! I wasn’t sure we would fill up the building for the recording, but Chicago showed me so much love. People came out in such a tremendous way. It was God showing me that He’s with me, and that people are interested in me and they enjoy my ministry. It did my heart well. I was honored to be there.”

She laughed, “Of course I did some good shopping before the recording. It was therapy for my nervousness!”

Kierra’s brother, J Drew Sheard II, handled the production. “A lot of people doubted my brother and I as a team,” Sheard said, “but I think this is my best record. My brother challenged me to be far more creative than I have ever been. He pulled out of me what no one else has pulled out of me.”

In addition to promoting the new album, Sheard is about to preview her new blog. “It’s called ‘K-Square.’ It will let people know a little more about me outside of the music. It will also be a platform for young adult Christian believers to blog about arts, culture, fashion, and health.” Sheard anticipates the blog will go live later this month or in April.

Another venture the young singer has taken on is a nonprofit organization called Bold Right Life. She describes BRL as “a group of young adults who are totally inspired and dedicated to ministry and sharing the gospel. We’ve been together for about five years now. We do community service. We share the holidays with the less fortunate.” The group also hosts an annual conference in Detroit at her father’s church, Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ. The “BRL Experience” is held the second week of August.

Last year, Sheard earned her bachelors degree in English with a minor in Psychology from Wayne State University. She is now considering a masters degree in Clinical Psychology. “It’s not set in stone,” she retorted, “because I have so many things I want to do. With [undergraduate] school under my belt, I have a break to do what I want to do to contribute to my career. So I’m stuck in the middle right now as far as making that decision. But I do want to go back. I’ve been accepted into a university so, if not now, it will happen.”

With so much activity on her plate, Sheard keeps herself centered by “making sure I’m around real people. I make sure I’m under my pastor and family, people who will tell me the truth and who love me. At the same time, I invest time in my relationship with God and make sure I’m talking with Him every day.

She laughs. “I love loving and I love love. I hope that I never stop loving, because if I stop loving, people aren’t going to like me!”

Despite the successes and acclaim, Kierra Sheard said it has not been easy. “If I told you how many times I wanted to stop and just go to school or get a regular job…but it’s amazing to see where God has brought me. He’s trusting me with the platform that He’s given me to share my gift with the world. I count it a blessing.”

For more information on Kierra Sheard and Free, visit http://www.karewrecords.com/