Rookie of the Year (band)

For other uses see Rookie of the Year

Rookie of the Year is an indie rock/acoustic band from Fayetteville, North Carolina, currently signed to 111 Records, a label part of the East West family. Forming in 2003, they signed with 111 Records in 2005, releasing their second album, The Goodnight Moon. Following this release, they toured through North American with groups like David Mellilo, Cute Is What We Aim For, Upper Class Trash, and label mates This Day & Age, Rory, and Jinxed.

Singer Ryan Dunson has come a long way since his upstart of Rookie of the Year as a solo project in 2002. At the time, he was living in Florida and writing the material that would become his debut record, “Having to let go.” After nearly five years, two records, the addition of a full band and constant touring, Ryan Dunson and the rest of the guys don’t believe that they have accomplished enough. The fill band, now out of Fayetteville, North Carolina, consists of Dunson, Mike Kamerman(guitar), Pat Murphy(bass), Brandon Schade(guitarist), and T.J. Holt(drums).

In the same year that Rookie of the Year began, the band signed with Orlando, Florida’s One Eleven Records after catching the ear of owner Brad Fischetti. In 2005, One Eleven re-release their debut record, “Having To Let Go” and the and began writing their sophomore album. The band chose producers Ed Rose and Matthew Malpass to produce their second album, “The Goodnight Moon”, which was released on April 11, 2006. The record has sold over 10,000 copies and has helped the band secure tours with artists such as Mae, Copeland, Mute Math, Cute is What We Aim For, The Spill Canvas, Blackpool Lights and The Rocket Summer, just to name a few.

Rookie of the Year marched into 2007 with great eagerness and excitement. The band has managed to build a rapport with their fans, such that every person who attends a show will leave satisfied. Their live show has built some buzz around the fact that it exhibit’s a raw energy that you would normally only see in a studio setting. It is this buzz that is now generating up to 500 fans per show. Rookie of the Year has a track record of constant touring that dates back to 2002 and even though “The Goodnight Moon” was released over a year ago, the band is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, they have managed to balance their touring efforts with some down time in order to start writing for their third release, which is due to be released in the spring of 2008 on One Eleven Records, Keep and eye out for an explosion of Rookie of the Year in 2008. This could be your new favorite band.

Band Members

Ryan Dunson- Vocals, acoustic guitar
Mike Kamerman- Vocals, guitar
Brandon Schade- Vocals, guitar
Pat Murphy- Bass guitar
T.J. Holt- Drums

Discography

The Goodnight Moon (2006, 111 Records)
Having to Let Go (2005, 111 Records)

External Links