A Song With No Words is a new style of road novel. Ritchie draws on his 25 plus years as a touring musician to blur the lines of truth and fiction, taking readers on a journey exploring the inner-workings of a band as its members travel, tour and perform.

But the road can be far darker than their music can convey. Beneath the camraderie lurks something that threatens to not only tear the band apart, but also endanger their lives and the lives of those they love. The novel weaves stories of music, friendship, family and loss while skilfully drawing awareness to a tragic global trend happening all around us every day.

A Song With No Words, the third novel from Wiarton author Rob Ritchie, celebrates its formal launch on Friday, September 27th at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library. Start time is 7:30 pm.

In keeping with the setting of the book, Ritchie has invited current and former band mates to participate in the launch. The evening will include both songs and stories ‘from the road’ from members of:

Tanglefoot
RPR
My Sweet Patootie
Midnight Blue
... and more

Admission is just $10 and copies of the book will be available for $20.
Ritchie will also be available for book signing.

" ...a person's deep felt pain can be compared to a certain type of music - complex and full of jarring chord progressions and jagged rhythms. As author of his daughter's pain, a songwriter's inability to find words to match this kind of music becomes a metaphor for his inability to forgive himself. A disturbing, yet beautiful image - multi-layered and intricate - the essence of poetry." - Joe Grant - Founder of folk/roots band Tanglefoot

"It's been a long time since a story grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let me go to sleep.This one did. Hours after finishing it, I'm still living in the pages, chewing on the depth of the plot, thinking about some things in ways that make me uncomfortable." - AnnMarie Rowland - Word Compass

 source: media Release