Cynthia Clawson
| Cynthia Clawson | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 11, 1948 |
| Origin | Austin, Texas, USA |
| Genres | CCM, worship, gospel |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter, composer |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Associated acts | Bill and Gloria Gaither, Bruce Greer |
| Website | www.cynthiaclawson.com |
Cynthia Clawson (born October 11, 1948 in Austin, Texas) is a Grammy Award-winning American gospel singer. She has been called "The most awesome voice in gospel music" by Billboard Magazine, and has received five Dove Awards, 15 Dove Award nominations, and a Grammy for her work.[citation needed]
Biographical information
Cynthia was three years old when her father asked her to sing in the small church he pastored. From that time, she sang in local neighborhood churches, and Robert Schuller's The Hour of Power.
Cynthia graduated from Howard Payne University with a major in vocal performance and a minor in piano. She won the Arthur Godfrey Talent Show her senior year in college.[1]
Career
Cynthia was spotted by a CBS television producer who signed her to headline a summer replacement for The Carol Burnett Show called the CBS Newcomers. That show led her to a recording contract with record producer Buryl Red. Around that time, Buryl was writing a new musical with Ragan Courtney titled Celebrate Life; Cynthia was invited to record the solos for the original cast album.
Ragan Courtney and Cynthia Clawson were married within six months and began a creative collaboration.
In 1981, her recording of "The Lord's Prayer" with Andrae Crouch, The Archers (Janice Archer, Steve Archer, Tim Archer), B.J. Thomas, Dony McGuire, Reba Rambo, Tramaine Hawkins & Walter Hawkins won the Grammy Award for the Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary Or Inspirational category. She performed on the Grammy show that year.
In 1985, Cynthia's rendition of "Softly and Tenderly" was included in the soundtrack of the Academy Award winning movie The Trip to Bountiful.
In later years, Cynthia became closely associated with Bill and Gloria Gaither, and frequently sang with them. She has sung in a variety of prestigious venues, including a concert at London's Wembley Stadium.
She was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Houston Baptist University in 1995.
Current life and family
Cynthia Clawson Courtney and Ragan Courtney are currently co-pastors of The Sanctuary in Austin, Texas where they design worship services using theatre and music as a means of religious expression.
Cynthia has a son, Will, and a daughter, Lily. Lily graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in Religious Studies and works for the family-owned music production company. Will and Lily have released their own Indie rock CD called Brothers and Sisters.
Discography
- In The Garden (1974)
- A Private Showing (1975)
- The Way I Feel (1977, reissue 2005)
- It Was His Love (1979)
- You're Welcome Here (1981, reissue 2005)
- Finest Hour (1982, reissue 2005)
- Forever (1983 resissue 2005)
- Immortal (1986, reissue 2005)
- Hymnsinger (1988)
- Carolsinger (1989)
- Words Will Never Do (1990)
- Cynthia's Greatest Hits (1991)
- Blessed Assurance: Songs My Grandmother Taught Me (1993)
- River of Memories (1994)
- Prayers and Plainsong (1995)
- Smoke on the Mountain (1998)
- Broken: Healing the Heart (1999)
- Carols and Chant (2005)
- See Me, God (2006)
- Episodes (2008)
- Always (2009)
Awards
- 1980 Dove award Female Vocalist of the Year[2]
- 1981 Dove award Female Vocalist of the Year
- 1981 Dove Award Inspirational Album of the Year—You're Welcome Here;
- 1981 Dove Award Recorded Music Packaging of the Year—You're Welcome Here
- 1981 Grammy Award Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary Or Inspirational--"The Lord's Prayer"[3]
- 1982 Dove Award Recorded Music Packaging of the Year—Finest Hour
- 2005 Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame (July 2005)[4]