Richard Smallwood, the Grammy-nominated "I Love the Lord" and "Total Praise" singer, has died, according to his family. He was 77.

Grammy-nominated singer Richard Smallwood has died. He was 77. According to multiple reports, Smallwood died from complications from kidney failure on Dec. 30. He was staying at a nursing home in Sandy Spring, Md. A statement on his Facebook page also announced his death.

Richard Smallwood was a musical genius and giant of a figure in the church and the gospel music world. He was an inspiration to all who encountered his music. His songs got us through tough times, dark and difficult days. No grave can silence his voice. The melodies linger… pic.twitter.com/iHY0P7jd65

After college, Smallwood taught music at the University of Maryland and went on to form the Richard Smallwood Singers in 1977, bringing a contemporary sound to traditional gospel music. He later formed Vision, a large choir that fueled some of his biggest gospel hits, including “Total Praise.”

A fan of a legendary jazz singer, who died of cirrhosis in 1959, paid for their idol's funeral after reportedly learning she had less than a dollar to her name.

Tributes have been paid to a singer and businessman who died during a Hogmanay hike with his dog in the Arrochar Alps mountains. Andrew Ure was reported overdue from a hike on Ben Vane, the day after his 41st birthday.

A 92-year-old opera singer died on Sunday, several weeks after being struck by a vehicle while walking in Oxford. Paula Courtney Bouthiller, an Oxford resident, was walking home from the post office on Dec. 14 when she was struck by a delivery truck, according to the Telegram & Gazette.