Bob “Cap’n Bob” Barnes, The Singin’ Skipper (Photo provided)

NORTH WEBSTER — Bob “Cap’n Bob” Barnes was born and raised in Huntington and makes his living as a voice-over artist, recording scripts for commercials, training modules, audiobooks and video games from a studio in his home in North Webster.

Barnes is is a member of the board of directors of Dixie Sternwheeler Inc., owners/operators of North Webster’s famed Dixie tour boat, serving as both as marketing director and as “The Voice of the Dixie” (Barne’s voice is what is heard on the recorded narration when riding the old paddle-wheeler around Webster Lake).

In 2010, Barnes became known to Lake Country locals as “Cap’n Bob, The Singin’ Skipper” when he began singing love songs aboard the Dixie during its Saturday night “Sunset n’ Moonlight Cruises.” Barnes also sings at local retirement communities, restaurants and public events, both on and off the Dixie boat.

Barnes’ mother sang in a “big band” in the 40s, so his home was always filled with popular music of the pre-rock era. Barnes grew up on the piano bench next to his mother and said, “Those are the greatest memories of my childhood; singing with my mom on balmy summer evenings.”

Barnes sings a variety of music: standards, country, blues, oldies and pop/rock, but said his favorites are the standards. He released his first CD in 2013 titled, “Christmas ‘Round the Dixie,'” featuring music from his annual Christmas show.

Barnes will sing on the Dixie Boat every Saturday night beginning May 28. You can catch The Singin’ Skipper at these times and locations:

• 3 p.m. Monday, April 25, Lutheran Life Villages, Ft. Wayne.
• 10 a.m. Tuesday May 10, Greencroft, Goshen.
• 6-9 p.m. Friday May 20, The Historic Venice Restaurant, Ft. Wayne.
• 8-11 p.m. Friday, May 27, American Legion Post 253, North Webster.
• 9-10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 28, The Dixie’s first Sunset n’ Moonlight Cruise of the 2016 season.