(C) 2014 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.
Richard Smallwood - Muisc
By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
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He explains, “No. Actually his
mother had passed and about three weeks later his father went to sleep on the
coach and never woke up and his family was devastated. I was already working on
a project “Live In Detroit” and he called and asked have you written anything
about healing? And I was like no. He said my family really needs healing. I’m
hot demanding that you do it but could you just pray that God would give you a
song that has to do with it and I really prayed about it and it came to me in a
dream.” And speaking of Smallwood’s great inspirational anthems we would be
remised if the subject of one of his biggest hits “Total Praise” wasn’t brought
up. Where did that come from? He smiles again with delight and says, “That came
from a very difficult time in my life. My mother was very sick and my god
brother was terminally ill and I was care giver to both of them. It was a
really kind of hard thing to do because I felt so helpless not being able to do
anything to help them physically in terms of their illness. And God just began
to give me this song and I was like I really don’t want a praise song right
now. I’m going through this thing and God would say no, no I really need your
praise. And when he finished giving me the song, he basically told me I see
your tears, I fell your pain but I’ve got your back and you know that. So until
that break through comes, I need your praise. Give me your valley situation, I
need your praise. So it sort of taught me about praising God in all of our
seasons.”
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Richard Smallwood
Gospel Icon Continues
The Praise!
 |
| Richard Smallwood, pianst, composer, singer, director, producer |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SBP5Ry6Kis
It is the highest compliment and a major
career milestone achieved when one is referred to as an icon in their field.
Gospel great Richard Smallwood has well earned that title from his over 27
years of composing, directing, piano playing and organizing ensembles, groups
and choirs. Born in Atlanta, GA., and reared in Washington, D.C., Smallwood
matriculated to Howard University where he earned degrees in vocal performance
and piano. Then he pursued graduate work in ethnonmusicology. On top of that Samallwood
received a Masters Degree in Divinity from Howard as well. While he was an
undergrad student on campus Smallwood was a member “The Celestials,” Howard’s
first gospel group which was the first gospel act to perform at Switzerland’s
Montreux Jazz Festival. He was also a founding member of Howard’s first gospel
choir.
 |
| Smallwood at BET's Celebration of Gospel 2014 |
The 1982 album titled “The Richard
Smallwood Singers” launched his recording career which was followed by
“Psalmswas” which garnered a Grammy nomination. Smallwood’s third album “Textures”
contained the now classic “Center Of My Joy” and his production work on Quincy
Jones’ gospel project “Handle’s Messiah; A Soulful Celebration” won him his
first Grammy and Dove Award. Secular and sacred artists have recorded
Smallwood’s compositions. Smallwood’s music is very similar to the great
Hawkins brothers i.e., the late Bishop Walter Hawkins and Dr. Edwin Hawkins.
Are they tuned into a similar vibe or inspirational source? Smallwood is
delighted with the comparison and expresses, “I think both Edwin and Walter
were very influential to me as a young man. I met them both when I was nineteen
years old and I had just started to write and Edwin was already huge with “Oh
Happy Day.” So the Hawkins family has definitely been one of my biggest inspirations
in terms of writing and the whole thing about the music. Regarding his smash
hit “Healing,” the story goes that Smallwood received a phone call from a guy
in grief which led to him writing the song. Does Smallwood get a lot of request
like that?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAF2hjjEtts
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2014 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM
(You
DID Hear It From Me!)
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