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 a famous American gospel artist. He was born on November 30, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1977, he started his own group called The Richard Smallwood Singers in Washington, D.C. He is known for his amazing piano skills and for writing many popular gospel songs.
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Richard Smallwood's Musical Journey
Richard Smallwood went to Howard University. He studied classical singing and piano there. He also did advanced studies in ethnomusicology, which is about music from different cultures.
While at Howard, he was part of The Celestials. This was the first gospel group at the university. They were also the first gospel act to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Richard also helped start Howard's first gospel choir.
His career in music recordings 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 even nominated for a Grammy Award. Two years later, his album Textures also received a Grammy nomination. This album included the well-known song "Center Of My Joy."
Richard won his first Grammy Award and a Dove Award for his work on a gospel project by Quincy Jones. Many famous artists have recorded his 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 party!
In 2004, Richard earned his master's degree from Howard University. In 2006, he was honored by being added to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Richard Smallwood has recorded many successful projects with his current group, Vision. He recorded a live concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. Special guests like Kim Burrell, Kelly Price, and Chaka Khan joined him. Even music legends like Aretha Franklin and The Clark Sisters added their voices to his albums.
Some of his most famous songs are "Total Praise" and "I Love the Lord." He wrote "Total Praise" in 1996 during a sad time in his life. "I Love the Lord" became very popular when singer Whitney Houston sang it in the movie The Preacher's Wife.
Albums and Music
Richard Smallwood has released many albums throughout his career. A discography is a list of all the music an artist has recorded.
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 Honors
Richard Smallwood has received many important awards for his music.
- In 2005, he received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award from the Stellar Awards. This award honors artists for their long and successful careers.
- He received an Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Music in 2006. This is a special degree given to him for his contributions to sacred music.
- He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006. This means he is recognized as one of the most important figures in gospel music history.
- He also received the Distinguished Achievement Award from Howard University.
Award Nominations and Wins
Richard Smallwood has been nominated for many prestigious awards, including:
- Grammy Awards: He has received several Grammy nominations for Best Soul Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Song.
- NAACP Image Awards: He was nominated for Best Gospel Artist.
- Stellar Awards: He has received many Stellar Award nominations, including Artist Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and CD Of The Year.
He has also won several Stellar Awards:
- 1992: Best Group/Duo - Contemporary for Testimony
- 2000: Choir of the Year, Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, and Traditional Choir of the Year for Healing – Live in Detroit
- 2002: Traditional CD of the Year and Traditional Choir of the Year for Persuaded – Live in DC
