Bayview News: Slim Dossey sings at Wheel

A living legend appeared one more time in Bayview on Sunday.

For the last 10 or 12 years, the annual Christmas party at the Captain’s Wheel was privileged to have Slim Dossey, as entertainment. Last year, with the death of Captain’s Wheel managing partner Jerry Berry, he wasn’t invited back. It was an oversight that was corrected this time.

Those who haven’t heard of Dossey are either too young, or don’t like country music. Slim is 89 now. His son, who accompanied him, asked him not to mount the stage, fearing he would fall.

When Slim arrived, he told us, “I don’t know whether I can do this. Maybe I can sit in a chair and sing.”

As the time for him to perform approached, Slim squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, and stepped up on the stage. He didn’t feel like he was doing his job unless he was on stage.

Dossey has been in country music for more than 65 years. He has played with the old greats, such as Gene Autry, the Sons of the Pioneers, and others among the who’s who of country music from the 1940s through today.

Once on stage, Dossey belted out songs including “Cool Water” and other Sons of the Pioneers songs. He did about three in a row before retiring to his table to watch another great singer, James Adams, the main act.

Adams has sung in Nashville, and pretty much all over the country, singing songs from every genre imaginable. He was a hit all by himself. With Slim, it was autograph time.