WASHINGTON — Richard Smallwood, a well-known and beloved gospel singer, pianist and songwriter, has died at the age of 77. He passed away Dec. 30 from problems related to kidney failure at a nursing center in Maryland.
Smallwood was born in Atlanta and grew up in Washington, D.C. He began playing piano at the age of five and formed his own gospel group by 11. Roberta Flack was one of his high school teachers prior to starting her recording career with Atlantic Records. He attended Howard University, where he earned a degree in music and helped form a gospel choir.
Over more than 40 years in music, Smallwood wrote and performed songs that brought comfort and hope to many people. His most famous songs include “Total Praise” and “Center of My Joy,” which were sung by choirs and artists around the world.
Smallwood was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He earned eight Grammy nominations and won several Dove and Stellar Awards. He was a leader for the Richard Smallwood Singers and later Vision.
Smallwood’s hits included “Total Praise,” “Trust Me” and “I’ll Trust You.” Over the years, his songs were covered by various artists including Whitney Houston, who remade “I Love the Lord” for “The Preacher’s Wife,” as well as Destiny’s Child, who covered “Total Praise” as part of a 2007 a cappella track, “Gospel Medley.”