Troy Douglas Clark, a behind-the-scenes music industry veteran who worked as both a talent manager and background singer, passed away from liver failure on November 25, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. PT at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, California. Two of Clark’s longtime industry friends, recording executive Neily Dickerson and singer Earnest Pugh, have announced a virtual concert celebrating Clark’s life. Judith Christie McAllister and Pugh will host the Facebook Live virtual concert on Friday, December 4, 2020 at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on the @SetAPartandChosen1 page.
Clark was born on September 27, 1967 in Glendale, California and raised in nearby Altadena. As a teenager, he was an active member of the West Angeles COGIC Church where he came to work with its legendary music department heads, Kurt Carr and Dr. Judith Christie McAllister. In his early twenties, he was a member of the co-ed group, Higher Dimension, and later joined the R&B boy group, Volume 3, which was spotted by future American Idol judge Randy Jackson, who helped them land a deal at Columbia Records in 1992. None of their music was ever officially released and the group eventually disbanded. stage. He eventually ended up at GospoCentric Records, working with its founder Vicki Mack-Lataillade, as A&R director, working with artists such as Stephanie Mills, God’s Property, Kirk FranklinByron Cage, Lawrence Matthews and Carr, among others.
According to Carr, Clark was the first person to publicly sing lead on “For Every Mountain,” one of his signature songs. It’s reported that when Clark sang it at a church service in West Angeles, the response from the congregation was so strong that the pastor—Bishop Charles Blake—was unable to preach that morning. He told Carr that he should definitely record the song. Carr did, and it’s one of his most beloved songs. popular.
Combining his experience with GospoCentric and also with the Screen Actors Guild, Clark eventually formed a talent agency, Clark Management, in 2002. Some of his clients included BSlade (aka Tonex), Earnest Pugh, Octavia Pace, Charles Butler & Trinity, among others. On the side, he often hit the road as a background singer for his best friend, Stephanie Mills. “Troy will be greatly missed by countless souls who touched his heart with his warm smile, humor, and remarkable talent,” says Pugh.
Friends are invited to send video greetings to [email protected] to be included in the virtual concert.
Clark is survived by his mother, Sandra Clark; his sisters Traci Clark and Tamitra Clark; and several extended family members. He was predeceased by his father, Dexter Clark.
Author: [email protected] (Jessie Clarks)
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