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Published Oct 11, 2025 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 3 minute read
Chatham-born author Ray Robertson returns to Chatham Nov. 28 for the launch of his new book Dust: More Lives of the Poets (with Guitars) being held in Studio One of the Chatham Cultural Centre. Robertson is seen here Nov. 10, 2023 with his former high school Canadian literary teacher Gloria Ross, during the launch of his book All the Years Combine: The Grateful Dead in Fifty Shows, who he knows will be at his upcoming launch. PHOTO Ellwood Shreve/Chatham Daily News jpg, CD, apsmcArticle content
Writing about music has been a passion project in recent years for Chatham-born author Ray Robertson, which has attracted him new readers.
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Robertson, 59, returns to Chatham Nov. 28 for the launch of his latest book Dust: More Lives of the Poets (with Guitars), in Studio One at the Chatham Cultural Centre.
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“Dust” follows the 2016 release of Lives of the Poets (with Guitars), with the new book featuring many little known musicians such as Danny Kirwan, Handsome Ned, Captain Beefheart and Nico along with more recognizable names including Duane Allman and Muddy Waters.
When asked about his selection of musicians for the new book, Robertson said, “I didn’t try to be purposely obscure, but everybody in the book I care about.”
He added it stems from “pure curiosity, I just let my mind go where it does.”
Robertson said each musician has their own musical narrative that applies to life.
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With the access to music provided by YouTube and streaming, Robertson hopes the stories in the book will inspire people to do some exploring of their own.
“That would make me happy,” he added, “to spread the good news, so to speak, about these wonderful, often under-appreciated artists.”
Robertson, who has written nine novels, six collections of non-fiction and a book of poetry, has been gaining new readers and critical acclaim since his 2023 release of All the Years Combine: The Grateful Dead in Fifty Shows.
Written based on listening to countless hours of Grateful Dead live recordings spanning decades, All the Years Combine got some ink in the New Yorker magazine, a first for Robertson.
He has also since been called upon to write the liner notes for three Grateful Dead archival releases: Dave’s Picks #45, the Here Comes Sunshine 1973 boxed set, and the From the Mars Hotel 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition.
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“Canadian literature, like American literature, you’re either famous or you’re scuffling – and I’m certainly not famous,” Robertson said.
Noting he can’t complain, he added with these music books “it’s been so refreshing to see a whole different kind of readership.”
Stating it has been a “huge boost” to his career, Robertson said, “I didn’t expect this to happen in my later life, so I’m very appreciative.”
However, Dust: More Lives of the Poets (with Guitars), is the last book of its kind Robertson plans to write.
“I think I’ve sort of done all I can do with the form – I’m moving on to different things, but I’ll still write about music,” he said.
But Robertson is going to enjoy the book launches planned for Chatham, Windsor, Hamilton and Toronto, which will be a party.
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Robertson said the Chatham book launch, which begins at 7 p.m., will include him being interviewed on stage at 8 p.m., followed by a performance by Chris Staig and Jonathon Billings, of Staig and Billings.
He said the Toronto-based singer-songwriters with 10 albums of original music in their collective history are an “embodiment of what the book is about.
“There’s no way to make a living making with the kind of music they make,” Robertson added. “They write great songs, but there’s no radio (support) . . . but they’re still doing it because they love it.”
He said the duo, booked to play all his book launches, will do a cover song from the 12 artists featured in Dust: More Lives of the Poets (with Guitars), which is published by Biblioasis in Windsor.
As always when Robertson returns to Chatham for a book launch it turns into a homecoming celebration. This time, he said the event is being combined with a 40th reunion of his Grade 13 class from the former Chatham Collegiate Institute.
He added his former Canadian literary teacher from CCI, Gloria Ross, who comes to his book launches, will be there.
“I actually studied Canadian literature in her class and here I am, lo and behold, making Canadian literature,” Robertson said.
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