5 Questions for Richard Smallwood

Just ask, Whitney Houston, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Destiny's Child, Boyz II Men, Kelly Price, Chaka Khan, or Karen Clark Sheard, who've all recorded his music. The Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award winning gospel legend recently checked in with GospelLyfe to answer our "5 Questions".

Richard Smallwood has changed the face of Gospel music. He can impeccably blend classical movements with Traditional Gospel, and arrive at a mix that is invariably his own. A diverse and innovative artist, Richard Smallwood has achieved many honors including Dove Awards, Stellar Awards and a Grammy. He has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, honored by the Smithsonian Institution as a "gospel innovator and songwriter," and his hometown of Washington, DC heralded two separate occasions as "Richard Smallwood Day."

Smallwood's gift has made room for him to minister to presidents and dignitaries all over the world, touching all areas of the arts. Richard and his singers toured with the theatrical musical Sing Mahalia Sing based on the life of Gospel legend Mahalia Jackson and starring Jennifer Holiday, which segued into a guest appearance on television's Ryan's Hope for ABC.

Richard graduated cum laude from renowned Howard University with degrees in both Vocal Performance and Piano, in addition to graduate work in the field of Ethnomusicology. His musical gifts were stirred up early in life. At age five, he was playing the piano by ear; at seven, began formal training; and at eleven, formed his first Gospel group.

Richard began his recording career in 1982 with an album simply titled "The Richard Smallwood Singers". Several chart topping albums, concert tours and awards later, he was licensed to preach the Word of God in 2003. In May 2004, he completed work on his Masters Of Divinity at Howard University's prestigious School of Divinity and graduated with honors. He was ordained in June 2004.

1. Why Gospel? I was called to do gospel music and I consider this my ministry. I've known it as far back as I can remember. Even as a child, somewhere inside I knew it. I used to stand in front of the mirror and sing along or play with gospel recordings pretending that i was performing in front of thousands of people. Although in high school and college, I did a bit of secular, I came back to do what I instinctively knew that I was born to do.

2. If you weren't an artist what would you be doing? I'm sure I would be a teacher and perhaps a writer (literary). Education is very close to my heart and of prime importance to our youth. Even if I wasn't a musician, I would probably teach English or Literature. I really love the idea of imparting knowledge to those who are coming along behind us.

3. Who is your dream duet partner? It would definitely be Aretha Franklin, my favorite singer of all times. Actually we were supposed to team up on my last project but things didn't work out. Hopefully maybe this one coming up or the next we can make it happen. It is the ultimate dream for me.

4. What's the first record/album you remember buying? Actually my mom bought me my first recording, which was a song by the Davis Sisters, one of the most incredible group of pioneers in the gospel music industry. The title of the song was "Get Right with God'. I must have been about seven years old.

5. What's the best dish you prepare? Oh wow..Cooking is NOT my calling. However I do make a "mean" pot of chili...(smile)

My new project "Promises" will be released sometime in 2010. Also I'm doing preliminary work on my autobiography which hopefully may be released this year as well.

For more information on this legendary artist visit his website at www.richardsmallwood.com and be sure to check out the clip of him in action below with his aggregation, VISION performing the "Anthem of Praise".