Rookie of the Year is an indie rock/acoustic band from Fayetteville, North Carolina. They were signed to One Eleven Records, though their third release fulfilled their contractual obligation to One Eleven and allowed them to sign with a new label. The band is fronted by lead singer/songwriter Ryan Dunson. The band has seen many live band lineup changes, with Dunson being the sole original member.
Biography
The band was formed in 2005 as a solo project of singer Ryan Dunson. Dunson signed with Vice Verse Virtue Records, a Tennessee record label, in late 2005. Soon after, Dunson signed to One Eleven Records, releasing a 1000-copy EP called Late Night Makeout. In 2005 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 10-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 Tour. Their full-length record 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 headlining tours as well as a prominent tour supporting reunited boy-band LFO. Over the course of the tour, three of the band members who participated in the recording of Sweet Attention left the band and were replaced with new musicians. In June 2010 they released an 8-track EP titled The Most Beautiful, featuring the singles "Turn the Page" and "Frustrated". David Whitney, was killed in a car accident on July 4, 2011. January 11, 2012, Rookie of the Year release an Acoustic/EP called Along for the Ride featuring the song "Dallas". Rookie Of The Year officially release Canova Presents: The Goodnight Moon Part II with new website Featuring the singles: "Love/Me/Crazy", "Save Me" and "Colors of Summer". In early 2017, it was announced that Rookie Of The Year would be touring as a full band for the first time since 2011. The band completed a 6-week national comeback tour which included headline dates and support dates with Forever The Sickest Kids, He Is We, For The Win, and The New Low. Rookie signed to Cardigan Records in April 2018. In late 2018, the band toured in celebration of the 10 year anniversary of Sweet Attention, completed another headlining tour, and toured as direct support for Tooth & Nail Records' MAE, with additional support from LOYALS.
Discography
Albums
Having to Let Go
The Goodnight Moon
Sweet Attention U.S. Billboard Heatseekers No. 11 and No. 9 on Billboard's Alternative New Artist chart.
