Donnie
McClurkin is a gospel giant. walks through the Johnson Publishing
headquarters in Chicago it's easy to see why the towering 6-foot-3
singer earned the title. The Trumpet Award Foundation however, didn't
single out the two-time Grammy Award-winner for his physical stature.
They chose him for the passion he emanates through his music and
ministry.
On January 22 McClurkin officially will be honored as a "Gospel Giant" during the foundation's 15th annual celebration.
"It's really surreal. Gospel giants to me are like James Cleveland, Edwin and Walter Hawkins and the Winans. I'm just a minister," explains McClurkin, who's served as pastor of Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, NY, for the past five years. "I'm just a singer who does what God calls me to do.
"A Gospel Great is an icon. I don't know how I got there but I thank God for it."
Xernona Clayton, founder, president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, knows exactly how he got there.
"Donnie McClurkin is a giant in his profession and he typifies the individual we choose for a Trumpet Award honoree ... the one who succeeds in spite of obstacles he faces," says Clayton. "Donnie McClurkin has proven that sears can be transformed into stars. He overcame personal adversity and became a giant to many."
Rev. Marvin L. Winans of the famous gospel singing family, the Winans, and pastor of Perfecting Church in Detroit, says his unique relationship with McClurkin "goes from brother to friend, from pastor to mentor, from colleague to fan." He also says that his pal is deserving of the honor.
"He qualifies as a gospel giant. He's a powerful young man that's a great talent," notes Winans. "He's just a great asset to gospel music."
McClurkin's visit to the Windy City is a stop on his concert tour with songstress CeCe Winans, who will also receive a Gospel Giant Award.
"He's my eighth brother," she says of McClurkin. "We love each other and we enjoy each other's company, but most importantly we love God and have the same desire to see people's lives change and hearts turned toward God."
Next month the duo plans to take their act to Europe and Africa.
Before McClurkin's next show he rests his tall frame down on the sofa for an interview. The first topic of discussion: his new lean look.
"I came down with diabetes in July." he explains. "I've lost 27 pounds."
McClurkin, 46, says he developed Type 2 diabetes by "eating everything that's wrong in the world without regard, and through genetics. "It runs in the family."
By eliminating fried foods, starches and sweets and running 30 minutes three times a week he has been able to control the illness.
"I'm using diabetes as my thrust into better fitness," states McClurkin who overcame leukemia in the '90s. "My goal is to have a six-pack and pecks and biceps, triceps and glutes by the time my next recording comes."
The minister/singer/songwriter, whose hit songs include Stand, We Fall Down and Speak to My Heart, hopes to have a new CD out this summer. According to McClurkin, gospel music is constantly changing. He believes it will continue to progress and transcend multiple barriers including secular, classical, jazz, R&B, and the hip-hop generation, which he predicts will be big.
Change is inevitable and it can even be good but McClurkin maintains that musically he knows where he belongs.
"I'm going to continue to do what I've been known to do and that's to represent God, and to make sure that it's progressive enough to keep up with the times but not try to conform to the times."
McClurkin doesn't claim to have a formula for success but he does point out that the gospel music industry is as lucrative as you make it.
"The more you know and the more willing you are to take a chance to gamble on yourself, the more lucrative it becomes," he explains. "There are billions of dollars that can be made in this industry as a whole."
When asked to reveal his financial worth he simply replies, "I'm a child of God. There is no limit to my worth." He does, however, state that he has a financial stability he never thought he would have and "not a bill to owe anybody."
Part of the reason for McClurkin's success and the reason he is receiving the Trumpet Award is because he uses his life as a testimony to help others.
At the ages of 8 and 13 McClurkin was sexually abused by an uncle and cousin, who are now both deceased. In his award-winning documentary From Darkness To Light: The Donnie McClurkin Story, the gospel superstar reveals that the horrific events led to his 20-year battle with sexuality, which according to McClurkin, no longer burdens him.
"The Bible says, 'If any man is in Christ he is a new creature,' notes the singer who found refuge from the outside world in the church. He adds, "If your spirit is changed your flesh will follow."
The Amityville, NY, native is proof that no matter how large the obstacle, immoveable faith and determination can alter life for the better. But despite the fame and favor from the heavens McClurkin says he still doesn't have what he wants most.
"My greatest desire is to be able to grow old with somebody," he says. "What I want now in this stage in my life is to be married and I want to work through all the things that cause me to be void in this area."
He admits that most of his relationships fail after he asks himself: "Does she like me for me or does she like me for what I have?"
"I become suspicious and I become really, really cautious to the point where no woman in her right mind is going to deal with it. And consequently I sabotage it."
The lucky lady who is able to steal McClurkin's heart should know that he comes with a package deal--his 21-year-old adopted daughter Michelle (who he raised from the age of 9) and his son Matthew who will be 7 this year.
While singing gospel and preaching, McClurkin admits that he "messed up" by having his son out of wedlock.
"I did the very thing I told others not to do," he says. "I don't regret my son. I love him. But I didn't do right. That personal failure is something that still hurts my heart to this day ... It's going to affect him in ways that I'm going to have to really work hard to make sure that he doesn't feel."
It is because of his openness about his mistakes as well as his accomplishments that people are naturally drawn to McClurkin's singing and preaching. But soon fans will have to adjust to hearing more sermon and less song.
After the release of his summer CD McClurkin is under contract to record one more project. He then plans to retire from music and focus on his ministry. When time permits, he will continue to host his nationally syndicated self-titled radio show and work on heading up his own gospel recording company.
"There's so much to do and so many great artists coming up," says McClurkin of his retirement and future endeavors. "Somebody's got to get off the stage so there's room."
Donnie McClurkin's Chart-Topping Hits Include:
* Stand
* Speak To My Heart Album: Donnie McCiurkin (1996)
* We Fall Down Album: Live in London and More (2000)
* Again
* The Prayer (featuring Yolanda Adams) Album: Bonnie McClurkin ... again (2003)
* I Call You Faithful
* Ooh Child (featuring Kirk Franklin) Album: Psalms. Hymns and Spiritual Songs (2005
On January 22 McClurkin officially will be honored as a "Gospel Giant" during the foundation's 15th annual celebration.
"It's really surreal. Gospel giants to me are like James Cleveland, Edwin and Walter Hawkins and the Winans. I'm just a minister," explains McClurkin, who's served as pastor of Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, NY, for the past five years. "I'm just a singer who does what God calls me to do.
"A Gospel Great is an icon. I don't know how I got there but I thank God for it."
Xernona Clayton, founder, president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, knows exactly how he got there.
"Donnie McClurkin is a giant in his profession and he typifies the individual we choose for a Trumpet Award honoree ... the one who succeeds in spite of obstacles he faces," says Clayton. "Donnie McClurkin has proven that sears can be transformed into stars. He overcame personal adversity and became a giant to many."
Rev. Marvin L. Winans of the famous gospel singing family, the Winans, and pastor of Perfecting Church in Detroit, says his unique relationship with McClurkin "goes from brother to friend, from pastor to mentor, from colleague to fan." He also says that his pal is deserving of the honor.
"He qualifies as a gospel giant. He's a powerful young man that's a great talent," notes Winans. "He's just a great asset to gospel music."
McClurkin's visit to the Windy City is a stop on his concert tour with songstress CeCe Winans, who will also receive a Gospel Giant Award.
"He's my eighth brother," she says of McClurkin. "We love each other and we enjoy each other's company, but most importantly we love God and have the same desire to see people's lives change and hearts turned toward God."
Next month the duo plans to take their act to Europe and Africa.
Before McClurkin's next show he rests his tall frame down on the sofa for an interview. The first topic of discussion: his new lean look.
"I came down with diabetes in July." he explains. "I've lost 27 pounds."
McClurkin, 46, says he developed Type 2 diabetes by "eating everything that's wrong in the world without regard, and through genetics. "It runs in the family."
By eliminating fried foods, starches and sweets and running 30 minutes three times a week he has been able to control the illness.
"I'm using diabetes as my thrust into better fitness," states McClurkin who overcame leukemia in the '90s. "My goal is to have a six-pack and pecks and biceps, triceps and glutes by the time my next recording comes."
The minister/singer/songwriter, whose hit songs include Stand, We Fall Down and Speak to My Heart, hopes to have a new CD out this summer. According to McClurkin, gospel music is constantly changing. He believes it will continue to progress and transcend multiple barriers including secular, classical, jazz, R&B, and the hip-hop generation, which he predicts will be big.
Change is inevitable and it can even be good but McClurkin maintains that musically he knows where he belongs.
"I'm going to continue to do what I've been known to do and that's to represent God, and to make sure that it's progressive enough to keep up with the times but not try to conform to the times."
McClurkin doesn't claim to have a formula for success but he does point out that the gospel music industry is as lucrative as you make it.
"The more you know and the more willing you are to take a chance to gamble on yourself, the more lucrative it becomes," he explains. "There are billions of dollars that can be made in this industry as a whole."
When asked to reveal his financial worth he simply replies, "I'm a child of God. There is no limit to my worth." He does, however, state that he has a financial stability he never thought he would have and "not a bill to owe anybody."
Part of the reason for McClurkin's success and the reason he is receiving the Trumpet Award is because he uses his life as a testimony to help others.
At the ages of 8 and 13 McClurkin was sexually abused by an uncle and cousin, who are now both deceased. In his award-winning documentary From Darkness To Light: The Donnie McClurkin Story, the gospel superstar reveals that the horrific events led to his 20-year battle with sexuality, which according to McClurkin, no longer burdens him.
"The Bible says, 'If any man is in Christ he is a new creature,' notes the singer who found refuge from the outside world in the church. He adds, "If your spirit is changed your flesh will follow."
The Amityville, NY, native is proof that no matter how large the obstacle, immoveable faith and determination can alter life for the better. But despite the fame and favor from the heavens McClurkin says he still doesn't have what he wants most.
"My greatest desire is to be able to grow old with somebody," he says. "What I want now in this stage in my life is to be married and I want to work through all the things that cause me to be void in this area."
He admits that most of his relationships fail after he asks himself: "Does she like me for me or does she like me for what I have?"
"I become suspicious and I become really, really cautious to the point where no woman in her right mind is going to deal with it. And consequently I sabotage it."
The lucky lady who is able to steal McClurkin's heart should know that he comes with a package deal--his 21-year-old adopted daughter Michelle (who he raised from the age of 9) and his son Matthew who will be 7 this year.
While singing gospel and preaching, McClurkin admits that he "messed up" by having his son out of wedlock.
"I did the very thing I told others not to do," he says. "I don't regret my son. I love him. But I didn't do right. That personal failure is something that still hurts my heart to this day ... It's going to affect him in ways that I'm going to have to really work hard to make sure that he doesn't feel."
It is because of his openness about his mistakes as well as his accomplishments that people are naturally drawn to McClurkin's singing and preaching. But soon fans will have to adjust to hearing more sermon and less song.
After the release of his summer CD McClurkin is under contract to record one more project. He then plans to retire from music and focus on his ministry. When time permits, he will continue to host his nationally syndicated self-titled radio show and work on heading up his own gospel recording company.
"There's so much to do and so many great artists coming up," says McClurkin of his retirement and future endeavors. "Somebody's got to get off the stage so there's room."
Donnie McClurkin's Chart-Topping Hits Include:
* Stand
* Speak To My Heart Album: Donnie McCiurkin (1996)
* We Fall Down Album: Live in London and More (2000)
* Again
* The Prayer (featuring Yolanda Adams) Album: Bonnie McClurkin ... again (2003)
* I Call You Faithful
* Ooh Child (featuring Kirk Franklin) Album: Psalms. Hymns and Spiritual Songs (2005
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