After weeks of back and forth in the gospel community over the absence of a “proper” tribute to Richard Smallwood at the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards, the GMA Dove Awards have announced their plans to honor him at their LIVE taping in Nashville next month. The tribute was already planned but the announcement came as a salve for frustrated fans who feel like waiting until next year to honor him at the Stellars was too little too late. The Stellar Awards DID honor Richard Smallwood during their pre-show and stood behind their decision, noting that they honored Dr. Smallwood in his lifetime. They did. Still to not have a more fitting tribute during the show millions of Americans would be tuning into is beyond a production oversight and wreaks of misplaced priorities during the biggest night in gospel music.
The Dove Awards are not ‘stepping up‘ to right any wrongs, their tribute was already planned. What they do have is a chance to deepen the connection to their brothers and sisters in gospel music which has been one of GMA President Jackie Patillo’s main goals. She has worked tirelessly with gospel artists, labels and even Mr. Don Jackson, President & CEO of Central City Productions (producer of The Stellar Awards) to make gospel artists seen and known during Dove week, during the show and on the red carpet. Jackson and Patillo regularly attend each other’s shows and are a presence at events during production week.
Richard Smallwood’s collaboration with Bill Gaither brought us “Center of My Joy” and his timeless, “Total Praise” has been sung by believers everywhere in the world. Richard Smallwood’s music is no stranger to the Dove Awards audience. As a classically trained pianist and composer, several of Smallwood’s compositions are cross cultural, regularly included in worship services and easily found in the CCLI database for use in churches where gospel music is not the main musical style.
In a press release earlier this week, The Dove Awards announced, “The tribute will feature Jonathan McReynolds, Kierra Sheard, San Franklin and Donald Lawrence, as well as original members of Richard Smallwood’s acclaimed ensemble Vision, including Maurette Brown Clark and Ted Winn, with Percy Bady serving as musical director.” This is one moment we can’t wait to experience.
If you want to experience it LIVE, get your tickets to the show Tuesday October 6th now before they sell out. If you can’t make it to music city, you can watch the broadcast on TBN when it airs Friday, October 9th, 2026, at 7:30 PM and 10pm ET.
