Richard Smallwood (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Smallwood
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| Background information | |
| Born | November 30, 1948 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Origin | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Genres | Gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, music director, pianist, arranger |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Labels | Onyx/Muscle Shoals Sound, Sparrow, Word, Capitol, Jive, Verity |
| Associated acts | The Richard Smallwood Singers Vision |
Richard Smallwood is an American gospel artist. He was born on November 30, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1977, he formed a famous group called The Richard Smallwood Singers in Washington, D.C.
Contents
Richard Smallwood's Musical Journey
Early Life and Education
Richard Smallwood studied at Howard University. He earned a special degree in both classical singing and piano. He also did advanced studies in ethnomusicology, which is about music from different cultures.
Smallwood was part of The Celestials, the first gospel group at Howard University. This group was also the first gospel act to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. He also helped start Howard's first gospel choir.
Starting a Recording Career
Richard Smallwood's recording career began in 1982. His first album, The Richard Smallwood Singers, was very popular. It stayed on Billboard's Gospel chart for 87 weeks! His next album, Psalms, was nominated for a Grammy Award. Two years later, his album Textures also received a Grammy nomination.
Textures included a very well-known song called "Center Of My Joy." Richard Smallwood wrote this song with Bill and Gloria Gaither. Smallwood won his first Grammy Award and a Dove Award for his work on Quincy Jones' gospel project, Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.
Working with Other Artists
Many famous artists have recorded Richard Smallwood's music. These include Destiny's Child, Yolanda Adams, and Karen Clark-Sheard. He even played the piano for opera star Leontyne Price at a White House Christmas celebration.
With his current group, Vision, Smallwood has released several successful music projects. He earned his master's degree in Divinity from Howard University in 2004. In 2006, he was honored by being inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Smallwood recorded one of his projects live at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. This concert featured special guest singers like Kim Burrell, Kelly Price, and Chaka Khan. Other artists like The Hawkins Family, Tramaine Hawkins, Aretha Franklin, and The Clark Sisters also contributed to the album.
Popular Songs
Two of Richard Smallwood's most famous songs are "Total Praise" and "I Love the Lord." He wrote "Total Praise" in 1996 during a difficult time in his life. "I Love the Lord" became very popular after singer Whitney Houston performed it in the movie The Preacher's Wife.
Richard Smallwood's Music Albums
Albums with Union Temple Baptist Church Young Adult Choir
- Look Up And Live (1974)
- Give Us Peace (1976)
Albums with Richard Smallwood Singers
- Richard Smallwood Singers (1982)
- Psalms (1984)
- Textures (1987)
- Vision (1988)
- Portrait (1990)
- Testimony (1992)
- Live at Howard University (1993)
Albums with Vision
- Adoration: Live in Atlanta (1996)
- Rejoice (Christmas Project) (1997)
- Healing: Live in Detroit (1999)
- Persuaded: Live in D.C. (2001)
- Journey: Live in New York (2007)
- Promises (2011)
- Anthology Live (2015)
Awards and Special Honors
Richard Smallwood has received many awards and recognitions for his amazing contributions to gospel music.
- In 2005, he received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award from the Stellar Awards.
- He was given an Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Music in May 2006.
- On November 14, 2006, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
- He also received the Distinguished Achievement Award from Howard University.
Grammy, Stellar & NAACP Image Award Nominations
Richard Smallwood has been nominated for many prestigious awards:
- Grammy Nominations:
* 1984: Best Soul Gospel Performance, Duo or Group - Richard Smallwood Singers: "Psalms" * 1988: Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male - Richard Smallwood: "You Did It All" * 1990: Best Soul Gospel Performance, Album - Richard Smallwood Singers: "Portrait" * 1991: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Performance, Album - Richard Smallwood Singers: "Testimony" * 1993: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Performance, Album - Richard Smallwood Singers: "Live" * 2001: Best Traditional Soul Gospel Performance, Album - Richard Smallwood with Vision: "Persuaded: Live in DC" * 2011: Best Gospel Song, "Trust Me"
- NAACP Image Award Nomination:
* 2001: Best Gospel Artist, Traditional - Persuaded: Live in DC
- Stellar Award Nominations:
* 2003: Artist Of The Year, Song Of The Year ("My Everything (Praise Waiteth)"), Choir Of The Year, Producer Of The Year, Male Vocalist Of The Year, CD Of The Year, Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year - all for Persuaded: Live in DC * 2016: Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Choir of the Year, Choir of the Year, Special Event CD of the Year, Praise and Worship CD of the Year - all for Anthology Live
Stellar Award Wins
Richard Smallwood has won several Stellar Awards:
- 1992: Best Group/Duo - Contemporary for Testimony
- 2000: Choir of the Year, Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Choir of the Year - all for Healing – Live in Detroit
- 2002: Traditional CD of the Year, Traditional Choir of the Year - both for Persuaded – Live in DC
