When Bret Bryce graduated from the Marriott School in 2001, he had an array of choices: enroll in one of the law schools that was recruiting him or begin a career as a investment advisor.
Or start a band.
In Bryce’s case, he chose door number three. And it’s a choice he’s never regretted, as a member of the popular Christian group Jericho Road. But his business education hasn’t gone to waste—Bryce also doubles as the band’s business manager.
As a student at BYU, Bryce met the other band members—Dave Kimball, Abe Mills, and Justin Smith—in the Young Ambassadors. Their idea to form their own singing group evolved, and they eventually met with Deseret Book executives and landed recording contracts.
Bryce, who graduated cum laude, had acceptance letters and scholarship offers from law schools, including BYU, when Deseret Book offered the contract. “It was hard to turn those offers down, but I knew this is what I was supposed to do. It just felt right,” he says.
Jericho Road songs have extended beyond the LDS community and received airplay on Christian stations throughout the nation—one of their songs was the most requested on a St. Louis station. “About half the songs on our CD were written by Christian songwriters,” Bryce says. “We hope we can be part of a bridge between the LDS Church and the general Christian community.”
The band was featured at the Management Society’s 25th anniversary celebration during BYU’s 2003 Management Conference in June. Bryce said it was exciting to be involved with the event and give back to the school.
“One of the great strengths of the Marriott School is that students get an excellent business education with a gospel foundation; that definitely applies to what we’re doing,” he explains. “We are in the music and entertainment business, and we have a gospel foundation—it’s the foundation of our songs and the focus of all we do.”
With two CDs out and a third on the way, the group’s following is growing. They have performed at venues including the Phoenix Civic Center, LaVell Edwards Stadium, and Rice Eccles Stadium.
“Music is so powerful,” Bryce says. “I hope people realize our music is gospel-centered; it sets us apart from other pop music. We hope we can make a difference in the world through our music.”
For more information, or to contact the band about scheduling a performance, visit www.jerichoroadmusic.com.
