Donnie McClurkin

Donald Andrew "Donnie" McClurkin, Jr. (born November 9, 1959) is an American gospel singer and minister. He has won three Grammy Awards, ten Stellar Awards, two BET Awards, two Soul Train Awards, one Dove Award and one NAACP Image Awards. He is one of the top selling gospel artists, selling over 10 million albums worldwide. Variety dubbed McClurkin as a "Reigning King of Urban Gospel".[1]

Donnie McClurkin
Donnie McClurkin
Background information
Birth nameDonald Andrew McClurkin, II
Born (1959-11-09) November 9, 1959
OriginCopiague, New York, U.S.
Genres
Years active1980–present
Labels
Websitewww.donniemcclurkin.com

Early life

McClurkin was born in Chester, South Carolina in the United States of America. When he was eight years old, his two-year-old brother was hit and killed by a speeding driver. Soon after the loss, McClurkin experienced family turmoil due to the loss of his brother, and shortly thereafter, he was a victim of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of his great uncle, and years after that by his great uncle's son. Two of his sisters dealt with substance abuse problems, and that's when the young McClurkin found solace in his going to a church; and, also through an aunt of his who sang background vocals with gospel musician, Andraé Crouch. By the time that he was a teenager, he had formed the McClurkin Singers, and later he formed another group, the New York Restoration Choir, with recordings from as early as 1975.[2][3][4]

Ministry

He was hired, as an associate minister, at Marvin Winans' Perfecting Church in Detroit, Michigan, in 1989.[5] McClurkin served as an assistant to Winans for over a decade.

In 1991, a sharp pain and swelling, followed by internal bleeding led, he says, to his being diagnosed as having leukemia. The doctor suggested immediate treatment, but McClurkin, who was then 31, decided to take his own advice. "I tell people to believe that God will save you," he says, "[and] I had to turn around and practice the very thing that I preached."[6]

He was ordained and sent out by the Winans in 2001 to establish Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, New York, where he is now Senior Pastor.[7][8]

Music

A friendship with a Warner Alliance executive resulted in his signing to the label for his 1996 self-titled LP, with producers Bill Maxwell, Mark Kibble of Take 6, Cedric and Victor Caldwell plus Andraé Crouch. The disc, which featured the perennially popular "Stand," went gold shortly after being publicly lauded by Oprah Winfrey.[9] At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, he won in the category Traditional Soul Gospel Album, for "Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs".[10] McClurkin is best known for his hit songs "Stand" and "We Fall Down" which were played in heavy rotation on both Gospel and Urban radio. His three solo albums have topped the Billboard charts.[11]

Dovetailing off the success of his near double-platinum selling album,"Live in London and More" McClurkin released "Psalms,Hymns and Spiritual Songs" in 2005 and "We All Are One: Live In Detroit" in 2009 which also topped Billboard charts across various musical genres. McClurkin's love for people and desire to share gospel music, globally, is the reason he includes a language medley: Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Dutch in most live performances.

Radio and television

Tom Versen and Tony Sisti of T&T Creative signed McClurkin to a radio syndication deal with advertising giant Dial-Global and syndicator Gary Bernstein. T&T Creative provided a mobile recording studio in Pastor Donnie's church that he can also take on the road. He is quoted as saying, "As much as I love music and singing, I really love doing radio and the direct feedback I get from my listeners all over the country. I never thought I would be having this much fun doing radio and I could touch and impact so many beautiful people."[19]

In 2009, he also broadcast his own television series, Perfecting Your Faith, on cable television.[12] His television appearances include Good Morning America, CBS’s The Early Show, The View, Girlfriends and The Parkers. He has also been featured in such films as The Gospel and The Fighting Temptations. He played a Single Man or a Church Pastor.

Personal life

McClurkin, in 2002, told a Christian website that, due to sexual abuse and porn, he had struggled with homosexuality. "McClurkin believes he "turned" gay because of childhood molestation and traumatic exposure to pornography, but was able to reverse his orientation through will and prayer."[13] He also said that he had rejected that "lifestyle": "I’ve been through this and have experienced God’s power to change my lifestyle. I am delivered and I know God can deliver others, too."[14]

McClurkin's listing as a headlining performer for then-Senator Barack Obama's 2008 Presidential campaign stirred controversy because of his views on homosexuality.[15][16][17] As a result, McClurkin was removed from the performance roster but he still performed at one of the concerts.[18] In August 2013, McClurkin was disinvited from the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom as his ex-gay status was seen as disruptive.[19] In 2015 he spoke out against same-sex marriage in response to the U.S. Supreme Court making it legal nationwide.[20]

In 2016, it was reported that McClurkin had entered a relationship with CCM singer-songwriter Nicole C. Mullen.[21][22]

McClurkin has a son, born in 2000.[23][24]

In 2018, McClurkin survived a serious road accident after he lost consciousness while driving.[25]

Discography

Studio albums
Year Album Chart peaks[26][27] Certifications
U.S. U.S. R&B U.S. Gospel
1996 Donnie McClurkin
  • Released: October 29, 1996
  • Label: Warner Alliance
 — — 4 RIAA: Gold[28]
2003 Again 31 12 1 RIAA: Gold[28]
2014 Duets
  • Release Scheduled: February 28, 2014
  • Label: RCA Inspirational
 45 — 4

Live albums
Year Album Chart peaks[26][27] Certifications
U.S. U.S. R&B U.S. Gospel
2000 Live in London and More...
  • Released: August 22, 2000
  • Label: Verity Records
 69 22 1 RIAA: Platinum[28]
2005 Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs 12 5 1 RIAA: Platinum[28]
2008 We All Are One (Live in Detroit)
  • Released: December 2, 2008
  • Label: Verity Records
 26 7 1
2016 The Journey (Live)
  • Released: August 19, 2016
  • Label: RCA Records
 — — 1
2019 A Different Song (Live)
  • Released: November 15, 2019
  • Label: RCA Records
 — — —

Compilations
Year Album Chart peaks
[26][27]
U.S. R&B U.S. Gospel
2001 The Collection
  • Released: May 29, 2001
  • Label: Savoy
 — —
2007 The Essential Donnie
  • Released: September 25, 2007
  • Label: Verity Records
 — 10
2009 Playlist: The Very Best of Donnie McClurkin 57 9
2010 Donnie McClurkin: Double Play
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Verity Records
 — —

Singles
Year Title Chart positions Album
R&B/Hip-Hop
[29][30]		 Gospel
[29][30]
1996 "Stand" — — Donnie McClurkin
"Speak To My Heart" — —
2000 "We Fall Down" 40 — Live in London and More...
2003 "The Prayer" (featuring Yolanda Adams) — — Again
2005 "I Call You Faithful" — 1 Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs
"Ooh Child" (featuring Kirk Franklin) — 13
2006 "Church Medley" — 5
2009 "Wait on the Lord" (featuring Karen Clark Sheard) — 2 We All Are One (Live in Detroit)
2013 "I Am Amazed" (featuring Erica Campbell & Preashea Hilliard) — 15 Duets
2014 "We Are Victorious" (featuring Tye Tribbett) — 7
"Stand" — — The Journey
"I Need You" — 2
2019 "Not Yet" — 21 TBA

Videography
  • Live in London and More... (VHS) (2001)
  • Again (VHS) (2004)
  • Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs (VHS) (2005)

Music Videos

Filmography

Film

Television

  • 2002: 17th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards – co-host
  • 2004: 19th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards – co-host
  • 2005: 20th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards – co-host
  • 2006: 21st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards – co-host
  • 2006: An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Stevie Wonder (documentary)
  • 2009: 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards – co-host
  • 2010–15: BET's Sunday Best – judge
  • 2010: 25th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards – host

Accolades

Over his storied career, McClurkin has won a number of awards, including three Grammy Awards, two BET Awards and two Soul Train Music Awards.[31]

References
  1. "Hopeville Tour". GARY JACKSON. January 26, 2003. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  2. "WLIB New York Radio Station". WLIB. Archived from the original on 2008-07-23.
  3. "Malaco Gospel". MalacoRecords. Archived from the original on 2008-05-15.
  4. https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-see-a-world-mw0000611138
  5. Jeffers, Glenn (August 2001). "How Donnie McClurkin Overcame, Sexual Abuse and Leukemia Scare To Become A Gospel Music Star". Ebony. Archived from the original on 2009-09-17.
  6. Jeffers, Glenn (August 2001). "How Donnie McClurkin Overcame Rape, Sexual Abuse And Leukemia Scare To Become A Gospel Music Star". Ebony. Archived from the original on 2009-09-17.
  7. "Official Perfecting Faith Church website". PFC.
  8. "Popular Gospel Singer Donnie McClurkin Ordained As Pastor". Jet. June 25, 2001. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007.
  9. Waldron, Clarence (January 6, 2003). "Donnie McClurkin: Gospel Music's Hidden Treasure". Jet. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007.
  10. List of Grammy winners Archived 2009-11-21 at WebCite
  11. "Billboard Charts". Billboard.
  12. "Donnie McClurkin Launches Weekly Television Broadcast". Black Christian News. May 13, 2009. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009.
  13. Broverman, Neal (August 11, 2013). "'Ex-gay' Donnie McClurkin Fired from MLK Concert". Advocate. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  14. "Donnie McClurkin withdraws from March on Washington commemoration concert". Washington Post.
  15. Eleveld, Kerry (October 27, 2007). "Obama Explains Why He's the Best Candidate for LGBT Americans". The Advocate. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  16. TPM Election's story on McClurkin's involvement with the Obama '08 Campaign
  17. Obama Delivers Most Crucial Speech of His Campaign | Election 2008 | Advocate.com
  18. "Embrace The Change Gospel Concert". Barack Obama. October 28, 2007.
  19. Plater, Roz; Conneen, Mike (August 11, 2013). "Donnie McClurkin removed from MLK concert over 'ex-gay' claims, still paid $10,000". WJLA. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  20. Thamosos, Christine (June 30, 2015). "Ex-Gay Gospel Singer Donnie McClurkin Under Fire After Speaking Out Against Same-Sex Marriage Ruling". Christian Post. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  21. "Donnie McClurkin Dating CCM Singer Nicole C Mullen?". www.christianpost.com.
  22. TV, Centric. "Donnie McClurkin Says He and Girlfriend Need Counseling And Are Not Getting Married". CentricTV.
  23. https://myspiritdc.com/1338448/donnie-mcclurkin-repairing-broken-relationship-with-12-year-old-son-matthew/
  24. https://praisecleveland.com/1989080/donnie-mcclurkin-spends-56th-birthday-with-his-son-matthew/
  25. "Donnie McClurkin - Not Yet (I Can't Die Right Now)". YouTube.
  26. Album Chart History, billboard.com
  27. "Donnie McClurkin - Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  28. "Donnie McClurkin Album Certifications". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  29. "Donnie McClurkin - Chart history". Allmusic.
  30. "Donnie McClurkin - Chart history". Billboard.
  31. "Donnie McClurkin". BET. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
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