Since the mid 1980’s, Richard Smallwood has been a force in Gospel music, bringing

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his distinctive blend of traditional and contemporary music with strong classical and occasional pop and R&B influences.

His second project, Psalms, rose to chart heights in 1985, and subsequent projects with The RIchard Smallwood Singers and more recently with his choir Vision have continued in that path.

Recent hits such as “Anthem of Praise”, “Total Praise” and “Healing” have cemented the reputation of this DC-based son of a Baptist pastor.

Get a glimpse of Richard Smallwood's world by checking out our "Insider Interview" with Gospel's veteran hit-maker, below.

Question	Answer
Most Annoying Habit:	procrastination
Most Memorable Gift:	My first watch. It cost $25, in the 60’s. My godmother gave me a gold Ben Russ watch with jewels in it for Christmas, and I thought I had a Rolex!
First Album Owned:	The Clara Ward Singers, Meeting Tonight!
Age When Accepted Salvation:	Eight years old
Most Embarrassing Moment:	The year I fell at The Grammys. I had bought these new shoes, and the soles were slippery. My friend Edwin Hawkins came to the door and I was trying to get his attention to tell him to come where we were. He didn’t see me. So I decided I was going to go back and get him. When I turned to go down the aisle to get him, my feet just went out from under me. I came down —kablam! Those who didn’t see it heard it because it echoed! I couldn’t help but laugh. My manager Roger Holmes was on the floor laughing. I was just so glad the cameras hadn’t started rolling!
If I Weren’t Doing Music Then I’d Be:	In the educational field. I’ve always had a love for imparting knowledge to those coming behind me. Maybe a teacher or literary writer.
Most Memorable Concert Experience:	In the Soviet Union. We didn’t know what to expect, but the people were so loving. One particular night they began to rush the stage. At the end some of the people came and said “We want to know more about this God you sing about.” Interestingly, we had a rock band open for us. After about four concerts, the head of the band and said to me in broken English “Richard why is it that when I sing I feel bound, but when you sing I sense freedom” I will never forget that. They couldn’t understand the language. You know English is hardly spoken, but they could feel the message, the spirit of what and who we were singing about.
The Non-musical Product You Could Endorse:	Oh, probably some type of clothing! Versace maybe!
What You Collect:	Black figurines
Dream Duet:	Me and Aretha Franklin. I would carry her luggage! She’s my absolute favorite in the world. But just to work with her is probably my lifelong dream. I’ve beeen really blessed to work with a lot of people and a lot of people have sung my music —Whitney Houston, Destiny’s Child, Boyz II Men, Patti Labelle, but Aretha is my dream.