Any tips for planting Rye Grass in my backyard? It is currently all dirt, my grass did not survive the summer.

Probably a little late. Rye is usually put down in october. Needs to be warmer for the seeds to germinate. Im sure some of it will take but i doubt you'd get your money's worth.

Is it in the shade, or sun?

Yeah, really too late now--you want it in and growing before the "regular" grass is dormant, and before it goes to "dead."

Best time is in the fall, just before the first cold norther in october-novemeber. Better than that, is after a mild rain and before the norther. Hold off mowing for a week or so after the over-seeding.

After this drought, over-seed by about 100% (i.e., if seeding 1000sf, buy rye seed for 2000sf). That way all the hungry seed-eating birds will leave "some" behind (another reason to be out in the near-darkness before that norther, the storm/weather change will keep the birds roosting a day or two).

Now that you have dead grass, it's a pain. You are getting mud, so it's hard to get the seed to "stick" on the loose friable material when it is dry; and it all washes away in the gully-washer rains of winter.

This is where hydroseeding can sometimes be to your advantage. (Get references, ask for addresses; talk to previous customers, first.)

I appreciate the feedback. My yard contains no grass at this point. I am just trying to get something to grow there at this point. It is not in a shady area.

I put some seed down in late December, which is admittedly later than I should have. However I had decent results. I also didn't keep the seed wet like I was supposed to. I think if you just have dirt, buy a cheap bag of seed and try your luck. I think you can get a 50 pound bag for less than $50, so you are not out that much if it fails.

Your best bet is to just hold out for a couple more months and sod with bermuda. If you seed now, it will take forever to germinate with these cold temp and will probably end up washing or blowing away because it will have to sit there for so long. If you just absolutely have to have some kind of grass there now, buy some annual ryegrass and spread it out. Then, cover it with a germination blanket or some kind of permeable cover for a few days and pray for some warm temps. Good luck!