Richard Smallwood

Richard Smallwood, born November 30, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia, is an American gospel artist and composer. He graduated cum laude from Howard University with degrees in classical vocal performance and piano, and was a member of The Celestials, the first gospel group on campus. Richard Smallwood's recording career began in 1982 with The Richard Smallwood Singers, which spent 87 weeks on Billboard's Gospel chart. His follow-up album, Psalms, was nominated for a Grammy. In 1987, Textures spawned the classic "Center of My Joy", co-written with Bill and Gloria Gaither. Smallwood won his first Grammy for producing Quincy Jones' gospel project Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration. Notable collaborations include Destiny's Child, Yolanda Adams, and Karen Clark-Sheard. In 2006, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Richard Smallwood died in Sandy Spring, Maryland, on December 30, 2025, due to kidney failure at the age of 77.