CLAIRE CLONINGER

Instruments: Songwriter
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth: Mobile, Alabama

Claire Cloninger has won three Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association including "Song of the Year" in 1989 for "Friend of a Wounded Heart" by Wayne Watson. Cloninger was commissioned to write a new second verse to "The Star Spangled Banner." It was recorded by Sandi Patti and was featured on the official album of the Statue of Liberty Celebration: They Come To America. In addition to Sandi Patti, B. J. Thomas, Amy Grant, both Pat and Debbie Boone, Rosy Greer and many others have recorded her songs. Many of her compositions are beginning to appear in church hymnals. She has had over a half dozen of her songs reach number one on the Gospel Charts.