The Oak Grove Mass Choir will be having a concert featuring gospel great Dottie Peoples and Dr. Norman Hutchins on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Nansemond River High School, 3301 Nansemond Parkway, at 6 p.m. A workshop with Hutchins will be held Friday, Aug. 1, at 6 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church. Price for the workshop is $5. Doors will open at 4:45 for the concert. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from Weaver Barber Shop, 364 East Washington St., and Chase II, Riverdale Plaza, Hampton. For more information call 539-1383, or 539-8012.

Hutchins, a native of Delaware – where he again resides – was called into the ministry at age 8. Thirty years later, after earning his master’s degree in Biblical counseling, and a doctorate in church administration, Hutchins travels the country ministering through preaching and song.

Hutchins received a Grammy nomination in 1996, a Dove Award nomination in 1977, three GMWA Award nominations in 1998, and one Stellar Award nomination in 1999.

He recently released &uot;Nobody But You,&uot; and it’s been on the Top 10 of the Billboard Charts for gospel music since the release on June 8, 2002. Another one of Hutchins’ releases, &uot;Battlefield,&uot; had also placed among the Billboard’s Top 10.

Dorothy Peoples has earned a place as one of gospel music’s top female vocalists, and has the nominations and performances to prove it.

She has performed the national anthem at the Atlanta Hawks and Braves games, and been featured in a solo concert with the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, People has toured as a guest star in &uot;God Don’t Like Ugly.&uot;

Born in Dayton, Ohio, she is the only member in the large family of 10 children to show musical interest. This eventually led to a tour with the backup group for gospel singer Dorothy Norwood. She also has toured with The Five Blind Boys, Shirley Caesar, and The Rolling Stones.

After a stint in a jazz ensemble, Peoples realized that jazz was right for her, so she relocated to Atlanta, Ga., and returned to her gospel roots. Salem Baptist Church has become her home church, and she convinced the pastor to form Church Door Records and she was named as general manager.

Her new release is &uot;Churchin’ with Dottie.&uot;