Richard Smallwood (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Smallwood
Background information
Born	(1948-11-30)November 30, 1948 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Origin	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	December 30, 2025(2025-12-30) (aged 77) Sandy Spring, Maryland, U.S.
Genres	Gospel
Occupation(s)	Composer music director pianist arranger
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1975–2025
Labels	Onyx/Muscle Shoals Sound Sparrow Word Capitol Jive Verity

Richard Smallwood (born November 30, 1948, died December 30, 2025) was a talented American gospel musician. He was known for his amazing piano skills, composing beautiful songs, and leading his own groups, the Richard Smallwood Singers and Vision. He inspired many people with his music.

Richard Smallwood's Musical Journey

Early Life and Education

Richard Smallwood was a very smart student. He graduated with honors from Howard University with degrees in singing and piano. He also studied ethnomusicology, which is the study of music from different cultures. While at Howard, he was part of the Celestials, the university's first gospel group. This group even performed at a famous jazz festival in Switzerland! Richard also helped start the first gospel choir at Howard University.

A Career Full of Music

Richard's music career really took off in 1982 with his first album, The Richard Smallwood Singers. This album was very popular, staying on the Billboard gospel chart for a long time. His next album, Psalms, was so good that it was nominated for a Grammy Award, which is a huge honor in music! His album Textures also received a Grammy nomination. On Textures, he co-wrote the beloved song "Center Of My Joy." Richard later won his first Grammy Award and a Dove Award for his work on the album Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.

Many famous singers, like Destiny's Child, Yolanda Adams, and Karen Clark-Sheard, have recorded Richard Smallwood's songs. He even played piano for opera star Leontyne Price at a Christmas party at the White House! With his group called Vision, he made many more successful albums. He continued his education, earning a master's degree in divinity in 2004. In 2006, he was honored by being added to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

One of his amazing concerts was recorded live in New York City. Many talented guest artists joined him, including Kim Burrell, Kelly Price, and Chaka Khan. Even legendary singers like Aretha Franklin and the Clark Sisters added their voices to some of the album's studio songs.

Two of Richard'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. The song "I Love the Lord" became even more popular when singer Whitney Houston performed it in the movie The Preacher's Wife.

Richard Smallwood passed away in Sandy Spring, Maryland, on December 30, 2025. He was 77 years old.

Discography

Albums

• Look Up And Live (1974)
• Give Us Peace (1976)
• Richard Smallwood Singers (1982)
• Psalms (1984)
• Textures (1987)
• Vision (1988)
• Portrait (1990)
• Testimony (1992)
• Live at Howard University (1993)
• 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 Recognitions

The Dove Awards are special honors given each year by the Gospel Music Association. Richard Smallwood was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He won 4 Dove Awards and was nominated 19 times for his wonderful music.

The Grammy Awards are among the most famous music awards in the world. Richard Smallwood was nominated for a Grammy Award 8 times, showing how much his music was appreciated.

The NAACP Image Awards celebrate outstanding achievements by people of color in arts and entertainment. Richard Smallwood was nominated for one of these awards.

The Stellar Awards recognize excellence in gospel music. Richard Smallwood received 6 Stellar Awards and was nominated 29 times. He also received a special lifetime achievement award.

Other Special Honors