Raised in Corleyville, Texas, Bryce started playing guitar, then began playing other instruments in middle school. At age 16, after gaining regional popularity by performing in shows around Dallas, Bryce released his first self titled solo album to local music stores. Naming his “band” The Rocket Summer (after a short story in a 1950 science fiction novel by Ray Bradbury), the album sold well and The Rocket Summer became a popular request on Texas radio station KDGE.
Following positive coverage in music magazines, Bryce released his first full-length album, Calendar Days, in 2003, under an independent California label. The album sold relatively well, with Bryce’s uplifting vocals and expert musicianship shining through on tracks like Skies So Blue. A devout Christian, Bryce’s lyrics are inspirational and family friendly without being overtly preachy.
His next two albums, 2005's Hello, Good Friend and 2007's Do You Feel, are even more musically complex than Calendar Days. Using brass instruments, violins, and even his little sister’s 6th grade orchestra, these albums mix Bryce’s expressive, operatic vocals (Rat Pack) with music that is decidedly more aggressive (So Much Love) and daring than on Calendar Days. The Rocket Summer, along with tourmates Anberlin and Switchfoot, have become involved with To Write Love On Her Arms, a Florida-based nonprofit group dedicated to dealing with teen depression and substance abuse, and are touring aggressively in support of TRLOHA across America throughout 2008.
From Lastfm:27-year-old Bryce Avary from Colleyville, Texas - USA is the man behind The Rocket Summer, a piano and guitar-driven rock'n'roll project in which he writes and performs everything himself. As a talented multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, Bryce has proven himself to be the epitome of a hard-working musician. Starting with local shows as a teenager in Dallas/Fort Worth, Avary's local fan base grew, and he released his first album in 2000. Beginning by distributing his EP personally under the name The Rocket Summer to local stores, his music appeared on The Adventure Club segment of the KDGE radio station, and became the most requested local band on the program that year.
With write-ups featured in local, national, and international magazines, and copies of his re-released EP (The Early Years EP) selling in 5 continents, Avary recorded his new album Calendar Days under The Militia Group label, which was released in 2003. Generally considered an uplifting album, Calendar Days sold extremely well in the US and Japan.
In November 2004, Avary began working with producer Tim O'Hier in Brooklyn to record his sophomore LP, Hello, Good Friend. It was released in May 2005 through The Militia Group. The Rocket Summer is now signed to major label Island Records.
On July 17, 2007, his third LP, entitled Do You Feel, was released. He strives for a message about doing greater things for the world and overcoming the things in life that get in the way. "Hope is a huge part of this and I want people to feel connected to that," said Avary.
Avary released Of Men and Angels on February 23, 2010.
Official website: http://www.therocketsummer.com/
From Wikipedia:The Rocket Summer is the rock solo-project of Stephen 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, as well as plays every instrument on them.
Inspired by such bands like Archers Of Loaf, Jets To Brazil and Superchunk, he has released four studio albums and several EPs. His most recent release, Of Men and Angels, held the #1 Top Album spot on iTunes upon its release on February 23, 2010. AP Magazine, in April 2008, called him one of "100 bands you need to know."