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Short Program Blurb – 82 Words

The first thing you will notice is a voice that is effortlessly powerful and immediately intimate.  Rob’s voice has been compared favorably to artists such as Jackson Browne, Jonathan Edwards, and James Taylor for its unique clarity and seemingly effortless ability to navigate interesting melodies.  When combined with songs that move from humor to wry observation, and to satisfying moments of recognition, Rob has been described as “an irresistible artist, the kind whose vocal tenderness and lyrical honesty compel you to listen.”

Longer Program Blurb – 208 Words

The first thing you will notice is a voice that is effortlessly powerful and immediately intimate.   Rob’s voice has been compared favorably to artists such as Jackson Browne, Jonathan Edwards, and James Taylor for its unique clarity and seemingly effortless ability to navigate interesting melodies.  When combined with songs that move from humor to wry observation, and to satisfying moments of recognition, Rob has been described as “an irresistible artist, the kind whose vocal tenderness and lyrical honesty compel you to listen.””.

Rob performs at major festivals, venues, and private house concerts, across North America.  His last two recording projects “You. Must Stop” (2011) and “a hypocrite of heart and hope” (2015) were released globally to critical acclaim.   Allan Cackatt of Maverick Music Magazine described Rob’s 2011 CD --You. Must. Stop. -- as “the musical equivalent of a previously undiscovered Gainsborough” and raved that it was “one of those all-too-rare albums where every track is a standout.”  Fred Schmale of the Real Roots Café wrote that “Rob's voice is strongly reminiscent of Jonathan Edwards and so is the music...Beautiful songs, beautiful melodies, somewhere between folk, country and pop." 

Rob is currently working on a new recording project and a busy touring schedule in North America and Europe.

Extended Bio (528 Words)

Rob Lytle was born and raised in the small steel towns around Youngstown, Ohio.   Those influences, and references can often be heard in his music.   His lifelong love of songwriting began as a teenager by singing into a small cassette tape recorder the melodies and words that flooded his head.

Rob began college as an English major and course work in writing poetry and folk music, along with a developing vocal ability, would form the foundation of his ongoing musical career.

Throughout the 1980’s, Rob was the lead singer and songwriter for the popular duo The Other Side.  The duo, with guitarist and singer Elliot Ingersoll, was known for tight harmonies and a sardonic style of humor that would soon be popularized by David Letterman.  For example, the duo would often bring a toaster to shows and make toast for the audience.   The duo, and later the full band, developed a dedicated following in the Youngstown area before going their separate ways in 1986.

Rob moved to Boston just in time to be part of that city’s folk talent explosion of the early 1990’s.  This was also accompanied by a national resurgence of stand-up comedy, poetry, and storytelling, which he variously participated in to hone his writing. 

Throughout the early 90’s, Rob played many of the top northeastern folk clubs and festivals of the time including Passim, The Old Vienna Coffeehouse, The Folkway, Caffé Lena, The Bread and Roses Festival, and the Lowell Folk Festival.  

He released several albums during this period including Trust Lust (1990) and A Troubadour to the Neighborhood (1993).   His self- titled CD, Rob Lytle, (1995) was co-produced by guitarist Geoff Bartley and featured harmonies by future folk mainstays Dar Williams and Ellis Paul.  One of his songs from that album, Cry For The Working Man, has been described as a labor classic and has received ongoing airplay around the world.

But love, and the unappealing prospect of living in his car, made him happily turn his energies for the next 14 years to his marriage and his young family. 

Starting in late 2010, Rob began to emerge again as a songwriter and performer and was recognized in 2011 as a finalist in the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival Songwriting Competition.  His CD of that same year, -- You. Must. Stop. -- reached the top 25 for folk and roots radio in both the US and Europe and was played all over the world.   A review by Maverick Magazine called it “one of those all-too-rare albums where every track is a standout.”  His follow-up recording, --a hypocrite of heart and hope--, was released in late 2015 to additional critical acclaim and was accompanied by a busy North American touring schedule, juried showcase appearances at major industry conferences.  

Post Pandemic, Rob is currently touring extensively and is working on a new recording project.  He is also very active as a facilitator of songwriting workshops for both children and adults and is currently working on a book about creativity and songwriting.  His music can be heard at www.roblytle.com and purchased directly on CD Baby, Band Camp, Amazon.com and most online music retailers.