Bob Island

Born Robert John Oien in Northern Montana, the son of an oilman, and one of seven kids. Bob traveled Western Canada as a Member of The Musicians Union under the pseudonym of “Bobby Joye.”

Eventually, he became known as “Bob Island,” since the name “Oien” means “Island” in Norwegian.

He joined SOCAN (The Canadian Performing Rights Organization) and continued to write dozens of country and folk songs.  After relocating to Abilene, Texas in 1985, Bob Island Group Enterprises, Music Publisher (BMI) was formed.

Bob met his lovely future wife Heike (pronounced Hika) in a riot in a Texas Prison, where they both worked as guards – she was the bravest as well as the prettiest officer there!

The goal now is to introduce Bob Island and his songs to folks of all ages.