Dottie Peoples is considered a legend in the gospel music scene.

The Atlanta-based singer has done and seen it all throughout the past 30 years — including people brought to tears through her music and hearts turned towards God.

But she will experience a brand new first in her career next week — when she takes the stage in Bermuda.

Mrs Peoples told The Royal Gazette she was “honoured” to be invited to star alongside a Bermudian cast in next week’s production of Joy In The Morning, a play co-written and directed by American actress Robin Givens.

“I’ve never been to Bermuda before,” Mrs Peoples said. “I’m excited about coming because it’s some place new, but also because my friend works for Delta [Airlines] and always tells me about the places she has been that she loves. I know a little bit about the Island through her.

“I’m also excited about singing for the people of Bermuda and just being a part of the production.”

Joy In The Morning tells the story of a woman who tragically loses her husband and subsequently loses her faith in God.

In an effort to restart her life she starts therapy sessions with a kind and compassionate doctor, but as their relationship strengthens the audience learns the doctor needs her just as much as she needs him.

Mrs Peoples, who has a cameo appearance in the play, is certain locals will be blessed by it.

“Everyone is going through situations now and you never know what people are going through when they walk through the door, but my hope is that someone will be touched by this play and leave different than when they came in,” the gospel veteran said.

Mrs Peoples was raised in the church in Dayton, Ohio.

Her love for gospel music only grew deeper when she would visit her grandmother’s church in Birmingham, Alabama, during summer vacations and sing in the choir there.

But after high school, the opportunity came up for her to tour with American jazz organist Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes — and she took it.

As a jazz singer, she travelled all over the US — from San Francisco to Philadelphia — performing in all the biggest jazz clubs.

But she soon grew unhappy with singing secular music — and decided to get back to her gospel roots.

“When I moved to Atlanta and got married I realised that I didn’t want to do that anymore,” Mrs Peoples explained. “I wanted to give my talent back to the Lord and only to Him. I’ve been singing gospel songs ever since.”

She started recording with Church Door Records in 1993. Shortly after that she had her two biggest years with the release of On Time God.

The album went on to earn her Stellar Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, Choir of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year for the title track in 1995.

Mrs Peoples also received a Vision Award by Bobby Jones Gospel.

She said it was the right move to go back to her calling.

“I think that all of us, if you were really raised up in the church, you never get away from it,” she explained. “You may stray, but you always come back.

“I wanted to venture out as a young person and try something different and I was good at what I did, but it still wasn’t the same.

“When you sing in church and see people crying and their lives are changed, it’s amazing. The music there does something different.

“With jazz, people appreciated it and would sit there and enjoy it and all that, but in the church you see something bigger happen.”

She said her most memorable moment on stage happened nearly ten years ago. It’s a day she’ll never forget.

It was close to Christmas time and a woman called her from Detroit, Michigan to share her family’s plight.

The woman’s husband was terminally ill and she couldn’t afford to give her children a proper Christmas.

But when she heard Mrs Peoples was going to be in town for the concert, the lady went and bought her daughter a ticket for the holiday.

“The woman asked me if after the concert I would meet with her eight-year-old daughter. So what I did was call my team and at the concert I brought the little girl up on stage with me,” Mrs Peoples said.

“I sat her on a stool and sang her favourite song He Stepped Right In Just When I Needed Him The Most.

“I couldn’t believe how she could relate to the song, seeing she was so young. She got off the stool and held onto my leg just holding me and there wasn’t a dry eye in the whole theatre that night, including my group. Everyone was touched by how this little girl was impacted by the song and how even in her father’s terminal illness she felt God still was there.

“That’s a part of my ministry I wouldn’t forget,” she continued. “I have songs that can bless people and bring them happiness. And just knowing that I have changed lives and touched lives, that people leave the concert different from when they came in, and that I’m doing what God called me to, makes it all worth it.”

Joy In The Morning will be showing at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts next Friday.

Tickets can be purchased from 27th Century Boutique, as well as online at www.bdatix.bm and www.robingivensjoyinthemorning.com.