WASHINGTON — Richard Smallwood, a well-known and beloved gospel singer, pianist and songwriter, has died at the age of 77. He passed away Dec. 30 from problems related to kidney failure at a nursing center in Maryland.

Trinidadian gospel-reggae singer Sherwin Gardner's 2024 hit Find Me Here (Blessings Find Me) is ranked at #44 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs Top 50 Year End chart for 2025. The song, which made its way onto multiple Billboard charts between 2024 and 2025,

Marking the feast of the Holy Family, Pope Leo reflected on Jesus, Mary and Joseph and their “moment of trial” when “the bright image of Christmas is suddenly almost eclipsed by the disturbing shadow of a deadly threat, which has its origin in the troubled life of Herod.”

While streams of new music from the past 18 months were down from last year, one genre is on the rise – Christian and gospel music,