Cynthia Clawson

Cynthia Clawson was born on October 11, 1948, in Houston, Texas, and grew up as the daughter of a minister, beginning to sing in her father’s church at the age of three. She studied vocal performance and piano at Howard Payne University, graduating with a major in vocal performance and a minor in piano. Later in life, she received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from Houston Baptist University in 1995 and from Howard Payne University in 2007.

Clawson’s career as a gospel vocalist has spanned more than four decades, during which she has released over twenty recordings. Her albums include You’re Welcome Here, Finest Hour, and It Was His Love. Among her well-known songs are “The Lord’s Prayer,” “Softly and Tenderly,” and “Somewhere in Between.” Her rendition of “Softly and Tenderly” was featured on the soundtrack of the Academy Award-winning film The Trip to Bountiful. She has also been a frequent guest on the Bill and Gloria Gaither Homecoming Series.

In addition to her recording career, Clawson has served in pastoral ministry. She and her husband, Ragan Courtney, have served as co-pastors of The Sanctuary in Austin, Texas. Her contributions to gospel music have been recognized with significant honors. In 1981, she won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for “The Lord’s Prayer.” She has also received five Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. In 2005, she was inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame.