Richard Smallwood & Vision sing 'Total Praise'

Richard Smallwood is a legend in the gospel world. As a composer, musician, performer, and ordained minister, his music inspires millions with the message of God's love contained in his songs, which have been heard around the globe. The Richard Smallwood Singers were the first gospel group to perform in the former Soviet Union , and Smallwood has toured extensively in Europe as well as the U.S. throughout his 25-year career. Smallwood's songs have been performed and recorded by artists as diverse as Destiny's Child and Yolanda Adams. His song, "I Love the Lord" was sung by Whitney Houston in the hit movie 'The Preacher's Wife.' On his latest release, 'Journey! Live in New York ,' Richard collaborates with another impressive range of artists, including Chaka Khan and Kelly Price. 'Journey!' celebrates Smallwood's 25 years of success in music, and the joyful noise he has brought to others through his unique sound. Black Voices had the honor of sitting down with Richard Smallwood, who has given so much to the world as an innovator and evangelist of African-American music. Please celebrate Black Music Month 2007 with us as Richard Smallwood answers our Five Questions.

Where do you think contemporary gospel is headed?

Well, I think that's hard to say. Gospel music has come such a long way. When I started out, gospel music was considered a sub-culture and it was for the store-front church. But now labels are putting dollars into artists, and you hear it everywhere. The market is so huge, from movies to theaters, TV, commercials, everywhere. So I think the future is very bright for gospel music, but I'm not sure where it's going. When I started "Oh Happy Day" was considered contemporary. Now it's considered traditional. Now Kirk Franklin is considered contemporary. I'm interested to see in 10 or 15 years what his music will be considered. Who knows where it's going, but I hope it goes on in the same positive way, and that it gets the exposure it needs so that we can send the message to the masses of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

How would you compare the longevity of your career to the new artists who are hitting the scene? Do you think the days of having a 25-year career are over?

Let me start here: I think of what I do as a ministry. I feel that this is what I've been called to do. So I'm not sure how long it will be, or how much longer it will be, or why it was so long, other than it is God's will. But on the other hand, I think one of the secrets to longevity is good quality music. I mean music that lasts and stands the test of time. There are songs we sing from 20, 25, 30 years ago whether they are secular or gospel hymns. And then some songs, they're on the Billboard charts for a month or two and then you don't hear them again. So I think writing songs that give people courage, songs that make a difference in people's lives, and the integrity of the artist makes that difference.

Do you think gospel music today is geared more towards teaching the word of the bible, or more towards entertainment?

Ahhhh! That's a tough question. I think it depends. I think it depends on the writer, I think it depends on the artist. There are some songs I believe that are more entertainment-oriented, in terms of their presentation. And then there are songs that if you come to the concert and you hear them, you feel better than you did when you went in. Honestly, I think there's a little entertainment in it all. Nobody wants to come in and see a choir, or a soloist, or a group just sit there with a blank face and not move. There has to be some kind of interaction with the audience and something that makes the audience want to feel they are a part of it. So there definitely is an entertainment element in gospel music. But I think that when you separate the two, then you have a problem. If you have all entertainment, or all gospel, then something's missing.

What's next for you in your career?

Well the thing right now is just releasing the new project, which will be out on June the fifth. It's called 'Richard Smallwood: Live in New York , Journey.' It's sort of a musical look at my life in terms of the music I first started off with when I started writing when I was seven on up 'til now. And I brought in some of my favorite artists as well as people who've been very influential. Kelly Price was a part of it. The Hawkins family, Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Tremaine Hawkins, the whole Hawkins clan. Chaka Khan was a part of it. It really was like a big family night. People that I really love just sort of came together, had a good time, and sang good music. I'm getting ready to start on a promotional tour also on June the fifth that will basically go through the month of June.

This has been great. Is there any final message you want to bring to the Black Voices audience?

I'll leave a message of encouragement that it doesn't matter what you're going through, it doesn't matter what you're facing, God is able to bring you through whatever situation you are in. I mean it can literally look like the bleakest or the most negative thing that you can ever possibly face, but God is faithful and he will bring you through. And I know that for a fact, from personal experience. So continue to be encouraged in your life, and whatever it is you do, put God first.