Robert Atyeo - I Have a Pencil (2021)

In the photo on the cover of his newest CD, it is not clear whether or not the pencil in the boy’s hand has an eraser. If it does, erasing is not required on this gem of a disc …

‘I Have a Pencil’ is Atyeo’s first new recording in fifteen years. The singer/ songwriter/ guitarist took that time to raise his son as a single father in Knowlton,Qc – part of what is known as the Eastern Townships.

” There’s no place for touring when you have a young boy.” Says Robert. ” I had my son every second week, so I had to be close to home. That put my music career on hold.”

If a career must be on hold, then raising a son is a great excuse. Robert’s fans may have suffered yet his son did not. So much so – the now fifteen year old has given Robert permission to hit the road once more.

“I did about eight gigs last year and I will be doing another seven or so this fall and winter.” Says Robert. ” The gigs are all in Ontario. I am known there as I grew up in Peterborough.”

Music has a way of making it’s way into people’s psyche and remaining there. A fact Robert recently discovered on one of his trips back home. A song which was written years ago; Roadadendron, was being sung during a show. Suddenly, everyone started singing along – a fact which left Atyeo both perplexed and proud.

‘I performed that song eight years before and the fact people recognized it absolutely blew me away! I don’t know if someone recorded me or what but that song, until now – was never released on disc.”

The song in question is the second tune on Robert’s new disc, an album which places the heart to rest.

A lot of the credit goes to David Woodhead according to Atyeo. “I sent a few of the tracks to David’s studio in Toronto and he brought everything to a different level. I was amazed at the production value that took place along with the musicianship David brought to ‘I have a pencil’.