My music people,
Richard Smallwood is a giant in the gospel music industry. If you don’t know him exactly by name, then you’ll certainly know him by his works. His first big hit was “I Love The Lord”, and is the creator of others like “Total Praise,” which has been covered over and over again, including by Whitney Houston AND Destiny’s Child (which made my millennial heart skip a beat!)
As Keith Alexander writes, Smallwood marries classical music with gospel in a way no one else does. In this insightful article, Alexander also highlights Smallwood’s struggle with depression. In those distant, grey times is where the most passionate of his music is written. Alexander quotes Smallwood in this note about music and pain: “Many people say they want to write powerful songs. But I tell them to be careful what they ask for. Some of the most powerful hymns in our church were written out of pain.”
You can find Mr. Alexander’s excellent article here in The Washington Post outlining Richard Smallwood’s career, walking beside him through a basement recording session with adorable dog Mozart, and his experiences in his lifelong battle with depression.
Even better, Smallwood released Total Praise the Auto Biography in November 2019. The back cover reads:
“Richard Smallwood is a legend in his own time. After over three decades as one of the most popular inspirational artists in the music business, with classic tunes such as “Total Praise”, “Center of My Joy” and “I Love the Lord” to his credit, the Grammy nominated, Stellar and Dove Award winner songwriter and musician continues to enjoy worldwide popularity and influence. With Smallwood’s vast accomplishments, it would be easy to rest on his laurels, but that’s not his style. Born in Atlanta Georgia and raised in Washington DC, he has been driven since childhood. His stepfather, CL Smallwood, founding pastor of DC’s historic Union Temple Baptist Church and other churches all over the country was a tough taskmaster, and his mother Mabel encouraged his early love of music. He began to play by ear at the age of five. By seven, he was taking formal lessons and by eleven had formed his own gospel group made up of neighborhood children. Total Praise: the Autobiography of Richard Smallwood not only chronicles his life as a musician and skillful writer, but it also tells the story of loss, love, grief, mental illness, and victory. Once you begin this book, you won’t be able to put it down. Indeed, the gift of Richard Smallwood is that his entire life, embodies one of Total Praise.”
Mr. Smallwood is a living composer still performing and composing today. You can follow him on Instagram using handle @smallrich, or on Facebook /richwoodmuzik.
I’m looking forward to adding his autobiography to my personal library and hope you do too! Enjoy the music today. His discography is one full of mighty, loving, and awe-inspiring music with a specific and unique sonic signature.
Yours in music,
Chelsie