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Rookie of the Year (band)
Encyclopedia
Rookie of the Year is an indie rock
/acoustic
band from Fayetteville, North Carolina
. They were signed to One Eleven Records
, though the fourth release of their latest EP fulfilled their contractual obligation to 111 and allow them to sign with a new label. The band is fronted by lead singer/songwriter Ryan Dunson. The band has seen many recent "live band" line-up changes, with Dunson being the sole remaining member from the start of 2010.
, as well as with groups like Relient K
, Mae
, Secondhand Serenade
, PlayRadioPlay, The Graduate
, My American Heart
, The Rocket Summer
, Dave Melillo
, Cute Is What We Aim For, Love Me Electric, Blackpool Lights
, Four Letter Lie
, As Cities Burn
, We Are the Fury
, Scenes from a Movie
, MUTEMATH, Copeland
, Mest
, Quietdrive
, Under the Influence of Giants
, Upper Class Trash and label mates The Spill Canvas
, This Day & Age, and Rory
.
Their last full length record so far Sweet Attention
was released on August 5, 2008 on One Eleven Records
. Over the next 12 months, the band toured non-stop promoting the release, including two headline tours as well as a prominent tour supporting reunited boy-band LFO. Over the course of the tour, 3 of the band members who participated in the recording of Sweet Attention left the band and were replaced with new musicians.
Their latest June 7, 2010 release is a 8 track EP
titled The Most Beautiful
featuring the single "Turn the Page" and "Frustrated" which was featured on the front page of purevolume.com This record is available on itunes.
Rookie of the Year have announced details of a UK tour starting the 3rd of January with Mae headlining. Past members are rumored to reunite for this tour.
Ryan is writing demos now for THE GOODNIGHT MOON part II
Former drummer, David Whitney, passed away in a car accident on July, 4, 2011.
Former
Guest vocals
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
/acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
band from Fayetteville, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. They were signed to One Eleven Records
One Eleven Records
One Eleven Records is an Orlando-based record label concentrating on young up-and-coming rock bands. Established in 2002, by Brad Fischetti, formerly of the boy band Lyte Funky Ones. The label is a part of the EastWest Records family of labels. They have a distribution deal with Warner Bros...
, though the fourth release of their latest EP fulfilled their contractual obligation to 111 and allow them to sign with a new label. The band is fronted by lead singer/songwriter Ryan Dunson. The band has seen many recent "live band" line-up changes, with Dunson being the sole remaining member from the start of 2010.
Biography
The band was formed in 2004 as a solo project of singer Ryan Dunson. Dunson signed with vice verse virtue Records, a Tennessee record label, in late 2002. Soon after, Dunson signed to One Eleven Records, releasing a 1000-copy EP called Late Night Makeout. In 2004 One Eleven Records released the band's first record, Having to Let Go, as a 13-track LP. In 2005, OneEleven Records re-released the album as a ten-track LP. After expanding to a five-piece, their second album, The Goodnight Moon, was released in April 2006. Following this release, they toured through North America on the Warped TourWarped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
, as well as with groups like Relient K
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
, Mae
Mae
Mae was an American alternative/indie band that formed in Norfolk, Virginia in 2001. The band's name is an acronym for "Multi-sensory Aesthetic Experience," based on a course taken by drummer Jacob Marshall while a student at Old Dominion University....
, Secondhand Serenade
Secondhand Serenade
Secondhand Serenade is an American acoustic rock band, led by vocalist and guitarist John Vesely. Vesely has released three studio albums to date under the name Secondhand Serenade: Awake in 2007, A Twist in My Story in 2008 and Hear Me Now in 2010...
, PlayRadioPlay, The Graduate
The Graduate (band)
The Graduate was an American indie/emo band from Springfield, Illinois.-History:The Graduate formed in central Illinois in November 2005, after the breakup of two other local bands whose members began playing shows together. Lead singer Corey Warning said of the band's name, "None of us graduated...
, My American Heart
My American Heart
My American Heart was a rock band from San Diego, California. The band's original name was No Way Out, which consisted of Larry Soliman on vocals, Jesse Barrera on bass guitar, Clint Delgado and Jeremy Mendez on guitar, and Steven Oira on Drums...
, The Rocket Summer
The Rocket Summer
The Rocket Summer is the solo-project of Bryce Avary who is based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Avary is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer. He writes and produces every song on his records, and plays every instrument on them....
, Dave Melillo
Dave Melillo
David Andrew Melillo is a Drive-Thru Records recording singer/songwriter as well as the former bassist for pop rock band Cute Is What We Aim For...
, Cute Is What We Aim For, Love Me Electric, Blackpool Lights
Blackpool Lights
Blackpool Lights is an indie rock band founded in Kansas City, Missouri, by Get Up Kids guitarist Jim Suptic, bassist Brian Everard, and drummer Billy Brimblecom.-Formation and This Town's Disaster :...
, Four Letter Lie
Four Letter Lie
-History:The group formed in 2004 and quickly released an EP entitled Her Escape in May 2005. They followed the release with a heavy tour schedule, which included dates on the Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos tours. The group won an online vote to open the Taste of Chaos date in St. Paul, Minnesota...
, As Cities Burn
As Cities Burn
As Cities Burn was an indie/post hardcore band from Mandeville, Louisiana that formed in 2002 and broke up in 2009.-Early beginnings and Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest :...
, We Are the Fury
We Are the Fury
-Musical career:The group was founded as The Fury in Toledo, Ohio in 2004. Prior to forming the band, all original members were in a local Toledo, OH band called Hearsay TAO. Shortly after the demise of Hearsay TAO, the remaining members started The Fury, a name they chose inspired by one of...
, Scenes from a Movie
Scenes from a Movie
-History:Scenes from a Movie members Tony Bush and Jon Ewing were friends in high school, but Ewing attended the University of Charleston while Bush went to college at Bowling Green. Ewing, together with guitarist Luke Del Papa, then convinced Bush to drop out of school, and the group expanded to a...
, MUTEMATH, Copeland
Copeland (band)
Copeland was an indie rock band, originally formed in 2001 by singer Aaron Marsh with his friend, bassist and backup singer James Likeness, in the city of Lakeland, Florida.-Inception:...
, Mest
Mest
Mest was a pop punk band from Blue Island, Illinois. The band's lineup, prior to their breakup in 2006, consisted of vocalist and guitarist Tony Lovato, guitarist Jeremiah Rangel, bassist Matt Lovato, and drummer Nick Gigler...
, Quietdrive
Quietdrive
Quietdrive is an alternative rock band based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that formed in 2002. Quietdrive released their debut album When All That's Left Is You on May 30, 2006 on Epic Records. In April 2008, Quietdrive parted with Epic Records and released their album titled Deliverance on October...
, Under the Influence of Giants
Under the Influence of Giants
Under the Influence of Giants is a musical group from Los Angeles, California. They released their major label debut album in August 2006, which was a number one hit on the Top Heatseekers chart. Among their influences are the Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, the Bee Gees, Prince, WHAM!, Chicago...
, Upper Class Trash and label mates The Spill Canvas
The Spill Canvas
The Spill Canvas is an alternative rock band from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.-Career:The Spill Canvas started as a side project for lead singer, Nick Thomas, who at the time, was guitarist and backup vocalist for Metalcore outfit Nodes of Ranvier ....
, This Day & Age, and Rory
Rory (band)
Rory is an American pop punk band from Altamonte Springs, Florida. They are signed to One Eleven Records.-History:Since Rory's inception in 1998, they have released an EP and a full length. They signed to One Eleven Records in early 2004...
.
Their last full length record so far Sweet Attention
Sweet Attention
Sweet Attention is the third full-length studio album by American indie rock band Rookie of the Year. The follow-up to 2006's The Goodnight Moon was released on 5 August 2008. It is the band's fourth release and third studio album on label 111 Records. The album was produced by Matt Malpass...
was released on August 5, 2008 on One Eleven Records
One Eleven Records
One Eleven Records is an Orlando-based record label concentrating on young up-and-coming rock bands. Established in 2002, by Brad Fischetti, formerly of the boy band Lyte Funky Ones. The label is a part of the EastWest Records family of labels. They have a distribution deal with Warner Bros...
. Over the next 12 months, the band toured non-stop promoting the release, including two headline tours as well as a prominent tour supporting reunited boy-band LFO. Over the course of the tour, 3 of the band members who participated in the recording of Sweet Attention left the band and were replaced with new musicians.
Their latest June 7, 2010 release is a 8 track EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
titled The Most Beautiful
The Most Beautiful
is a 1944 propaganda drama film written and directed by Akira Kurosawa.The film is set in an optics factory during the Second World War.The film depicts the struggle for the workers at a lens factory to meet production targets during World War II...
featuring the single "Turn the Page" and "Frustrated" which was featured on the front page of purevolume.com This record is available on itunes.
Rookie of the Year have announced details of a UK tour starting the 3rd of January with Mae headlining. Past members are rumored to reunite for this tour.
Ryan is writing demos now for THE GOODNIGHT MOON part II
Former drummer, David Whitney, passed away in a car accident on July, 4, 2011.
Albums
- Having To Let GoHaving To Let GoHaving To Let Go is the first studio album by the American indie rock band Rookie of the Year. In 2004 One Eleven Records released the band's first record, Having to Let Go, as a 13-track LP...
(2005) - The Goodnight MoonThe Goodnight MoonThe Goodnight Moon is the second studio album by the American indie rock band Rookie of the Year, released by One Eleven Records on April 11, 2006...
(April 11, 2006, 111 Records) - Sweet AttentionSweet AttentionSweet Attention is the third full-length studio album by American indie rock band Rookie of the Year. The follow-up to 2006's The Goodnight Moon was released on 5 August 2008. It is the band's fourth release and third studio album on label 111 Records. The album was produced by Matt Malpass...
(August 5, 2008, 111 Records) U.S. Billboard Heatseekers #21 and #9 on Billboard's Alternative New Artist chart. - The Most BeautifulThe Most Beautiful (album)The Most Beautiful is the fourth full-length studio album by American indie rock band Rookie of the Year and the first solo album by the last remaining member and vocalist Ryan Dunson. This is the first album by Rookie of the Year that will not be released by their previous record label One Eleven...
(June 7, 2010, Future Destination Records)
EPs
- Since I Left Your WorldSince I Left Your WorldSince I Left Your World is the fourth release and first extended play by the American indie rock band Rookie of the Year, released through 111 Records on November 17, 2009. The EP is a follow-up to 2008's Sweet Attention and contains elements from the album as well as previous albums The Goodnight...
(2009, 111 Records) - Along For The RideAlong for the Ride-Characters:* Auden Penelope West: Auden is the main character of Along for the Ride. She is a quiet girl who lived with her mother after her parents' divorce, devoting herself to schoolwork in order to please her perfectonist of a mother...
(November 29, 2011)
Band members
Current- Ryan Dunson- Vocals, acoustic guitar
- Trey Mulvey - 2011 (Bass)
- Brandon Day - 2011 (Guitar, Vocals)
- Zane Frye - 2011 (Drums)
- Wes Lauterbach - 2011 (Guitar, Vocals)
Former
- Mike Kamerman - 2004-2009 (Guitar, Vocals)
- Pat Murphy - 2004-2009 (Bass)
- Brandon Schade - 2006-2009 (Guitar)
- David Whitney - 2007 (Drums)
- TJ Holt - 2004-2006 (Drums)
- Mick Parsons - 2007-2008 (Drums)
- Daniel Kerrigan - 2009 (Keyboards/Guitar)
- Zack Reichert - 2009-2010 (Guitar)
Guest vocals
- Aaron Marsh (CopelandCopeland (band)Copeland was an indie rock band, originally formed in 2001 by singer Aaron Marsh with his friend, bassist and backup singer James Likeness, in the city of Lakeland, Florida.-Inception:...
)-2005 (guest vocals on the song "Just For Tonight" - Having To Let Go) - Bryan Barnes (Thin Dark LineThin Dark Line (band)Thin Dark Line is a band from Reisterstown, Maryland. They are signed to One Eleven Records.-Albums:* The Upcoming * Tonight, We Ride ...
)-2006 (guest vocals on the song "The Goodnight Moon" and "Set the Sails, Red Beret" - The Goodnight Moon) - Mike Barnes (Thin Dark LineThin Dark Line (band)Thin Dark Line is a band from Reisterstown, Maryland. They are signed to One Eleven Records.-Albums:* The Upcoming * Tonight, We Ride ...
)-2006 (guest vocals on the song "The Goodnight Moon" and "Set the Sails, Red Beret" - The Goodnight Moon) - Brent Kaminski (Thin Dark LineThin Dark Line (band)Thin Dark Line is a band from Reisterstown, Maryland. They are signed to One Eleven Records.-Albums:* The Upcoming * Tonight, We Ride ...
)-2006 (guest vocals on the song "The Goodnight Moon" and "Set the Sails, Red Beret" - The Goodnight Moon) - Amy Malpass - 2008 (guest talking vocals on "The Goodnight Moon" - The Goodnight Moon)
- Brad Fischetti (LFO) (guest vocals on "Pop Destroyed the Scene" - The Goodnight Moon)
- Matt ThiessenMatt ThiessenMatthew Arnold Thiessen is a Canadian-American musician, known for being co-founder, lead singer, guitarist, pianist, and primary songwriter for the Christian rock band Relient K. With Relient K, he has released six full-length albums, including three that were certified Gold, and three that...
(Relient KRelient KRelient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
)-2008 (guest vocals on the song "Danger Zone" - Sweet Attention) - Andrew Goldstien (Friday Night Boys)-2010 (guest vocals on the song "Frustrated" - The Most Beautiful)
- Brett DetarBrett DetarBrett Detar is an American singer, musician, and producer best known as lead singer of the now defunct rock band The Juliana Theory and as former guitarist/bassist for metalcore band Zao...
(The Juliana TheoryThe Juliana TheoryThe Juliana Theory are an American rock quintet from Greensburg and Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The Juliana Theory signed to Christian record label Tooth & Nail Records despite not being a Christian band. The group later signed to Epic Records for the release of the album Love. The Juliana Theory...
)-2010 (guest guitar player on "Spinning Around" - The Most Beautiful) - Erika LaurenErika Lauren WasilewskiErika Lauren Wasilewski — also known by her radio/stage name Erika Lauren — is an American radio personality and singer-songwriter. She currently serves as both on air contributor and phone screener on The Alan Cox Show, heard during afternoon drive on noted Cleveland rock station WMMS...
(From the Cast of Real World 2009)-2010 (guest vocals on the song "Take These Words" - The Most Beautiful)
Music videos
- What Is Love (2008)http://www.mtv.com/videos/rookie-of-the-year/352588/what-is-love.jhtml#artist=2119222
- Liars and Battlelines (2007)http://www.mtv.com/videos/rookie-of-the-year/203874/liars-battlelines.jhtml#artist=2119222
- Sooner or Later (The Next Move) (2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlLH4n5ajK8
- Slow Down (2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIWA-4qyDvs
- Hey Lauren (2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJMZuoA64Cc
- Wake me up (it's Christmas) (2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gfk2VNS2HI
Trivia
- The Rookie Of The Year new members are from the Fayetteville, NC based band And by Love www.reverbnation.com/andbylove
- Ryan Dunson was in Florida's rock band Farewell to Fashion http://www.purevolume.com/farewelltofashion (2001–2002).
- Framing Hanley singer Kenneth Nixon used the song Blue Roses in their wedding.
- Ryan Dunson was asked to play full time in Dead Poetic.