Opening the Dossier on Dossi by Greg Kristapovich
A Day in the Life of a Local Blues-Rock Guitarist!
He now admits that he sneaked into bars to perform when he was only 19. But when I first saw this young kid play his guitar (at Jamestown’s Rawhide Saloon, early 2007), I thought, “This dude can play some scorching rock ‘n’ blues!” Today, Mr. Dossi is even better – and might rank as one of the premier blues-rock guitarists in the region! Recently, I caught up with Dossi and his band. Guy had told me they’d be playing for “some kind of rally” at the Red Brick Saloon in San Andreas, November 7th. I said, “Sounds like a cool gig”! As I drove up to the Red Brick, I noticed lots of Harley’s outside. Once inside, I realized I was surrounded by dozens of burly, somewhat intimidating bikers from a “gang” called the “Henchmen”! I ordered a redneck martini (a pint of Pabst beer with a green olive) and tried to look cool. A biker approached me and introduced himself as “Hooter”. We exchanged pleasantries, and he revealed that this party was for the 12th Anniversary of the Henchmen! I said, “Right on! I’m ‘Press’, with the Sierra Mountain Times.” After that, everything was cool. For the next four hours, Dossi’s “power trio” Dossi on the Roks blew the roof off the place with their intense blues and thunderous rock and roll! They started the night with Bachman Turner Overdrive’s “Takin’ Care of Business”, continuing with a varied repertoire, including David Crosby’s “Almost Cut My Hair”, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” (during which Dossi did a little “Yankee Doodle Dandy” on one of his three harmonicas!) They played Joe Bonamassa’s “Ballad of John Henry”-as well as several original blues ballads! They ended their show with the Beatles’ “Hey Jude”! But the Henchmen wanted MORE! So Dossi and band came back for an encore: “Johnny B. Goode/Roll over Beethoven”. After the dust had settled, Dossi on the Rocks had played four hours and 35 songs, and looked exhausted! But Dossi had the crowd dancing like crazy during the entire show; and at the end, wanting more! That’s the way to do it!! After the show, I sat and chatted with the band.
“I’m coming clean, now.” Guy confessed! “I played in bars when I was only 19. They thought I was 25.” When I saw Guy perform at the Rawhide, the guy was awesome – yet humble. “We’ll play anyplace: a barmitzvah, a barber shop, at a swimming pool – anywhere!” he shouted out. Nowadays, bar owners are clamoring to book Dossi on the Rocks! In fact, the band (formed three years ago), has performed at the 2008 Sonora Blues Festival and at the Black Oak Casino! “I‘ve just turned 21.” Dossi confirms. “When I did play at the casino, they had to escort me! For the first time in my career I felt important!” Dossi admitted. “You know, if I had to go somewhere, I’d say, ‘Sir, I need to walk this way’ and I’d have three or four guards around me! It felt pretty cool!”
What does Dossi do when he’s not blowing people away with his guitar? “I’m a (prescription) drug runner! I deliver prescriptions for Bob’s Greenly Pharmacy. I also work at the radio station. I’m a play-by-play announcer for Summerville High Bears’ Football on ‘Today’s Country’ 93.5 FM, KKBN. This is my fourth season. Also I’m a remote broadcast technician.” The other band members have day jobs, too. Bass player Dave Anthony, 28, is a motorcycle mechanic at Jamestown Harley Davidson. He was born in Ukiah, CA and grew up in Arcata. Drummer Justin Waters, 27, is a manager at Water’s Plumbing. He was born in Sonora and went to Sonora High. Dossi is the youngest of three children. His father has been an English and reading teacher at Sonora High for 35 years and retires this year. Dossi’s mother works at Orchard Supply Hardware. “My mom: she can play piano and guitar, kind of like a Joan Baez or a Joni Mitchell. She’s very talented! My dad’s been recording music for 25 years. He’s written musical theatre productions. He actually taught me how to play guitar!” Dossi acknowledged, adding, “I learned how to sing from Madeline Young, choir director at Summerville High. I owe a lot to her!” But it was back in 1998 “when I wanted to learn guitar,” Dossi recalls. “I saw John Fogerty in San Francisco. I was a big Fogerty fan! Dad took me to see him for my 10th birthday! I told Dad I wanted to play guitar ‘cause I saw Fogerty! Dad bought me a guitar! I played for about three weeks, then realized it hurt my fingers – and I quit. Then, when I was in high school, I realized girls like guitar players; so I started to play more and more! I’ve been seriously playing now for probably four years. But I’d say, in the last two years, especially, I’ve become a lot better.” (Dossi also admires blues guitarists Joe Bonnamassa and Tommy Castro).
“A lot of people have seen me play in the (Mother Lode Round-Up Parade), but they haven’t seen me when I really ‘cut loose’! We’d like to play the Blues Festival again! It’s the best show in three or four counties! And to be a part of it; it’s awesome! The Black Oak Casino is fun. I’d like to go back and rock them! Actually, any venue is great as long as the people want to have fun!”
If you’d like to contact Dossi, Myspace is “DossiontheRocks@myspace.com Email is: Dossman79@hotmail.com!
