Category Archives: Eli Young Band

Fusing a young man’s take on heartland rock with the tougher side of Texas country songs and the cocky enthusiasm of alt-country firebrands, the Eli Young ensemble have become a potent draw in the Southwest on the strength of local airplay and extensive touring. The Eli Young Band’s story began when Mike Eli and James Young both enrolled at the University of North Texas and found themselves sharing a dorm room as freshmen. Both played guitar, and the two new friends starting writing and singing music together. Under the name Eli & Young, they began performing acoustic performances at local bars and coffeehouses, and in time they opened up the ensemble into a full electric quartet with the addition of fellow students Jon Jones on bass and Chris Thompson on drums, thus giving rise to the Eli Young Band.

The lineup became a potent local draw, and in 2003 they opened a show for rising star Miranda Lambert. Producer Frank Liddell saw the show and was impressed enough to offer the ensemble a deal with his independent label, Carnival Recording. The Eli Young Band’s debut album, Level, appeared in 2005, and the music “That’s the Way” and “When It Rains” began scoring significant airplay in the Lone Star State. The Eli Young Band’s enthusiastic live show helped them draw a large and loyal audience in the Southwest, where they were able to fill 2,000 seat clubs as a headliner, and they toured the country as an opener for the likes of Pat Green, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and Jack Ingram. In 2006, the group’s live show was captured for posterity on the concert recording Live at the Jolly Fox, taped during a gig at a club in Huntsville, TX. The Eli Young group then acquired a deal with the Universal-distributed Republic Records; a video for a new recording of “When It Rains” subsequently received extensive play on Country material Television, and the group’s first record for Republic, Jet Black & Jealous, was gave us September 2008. Several of the band’s older releases were then reissued in early via iTunes, including the self-titled effort Eli Young band.

Country Music Podcast Celebrates 100th Episode with the Eli Young Band and New Website

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Country Music Podcast Celebrates 100th Episode with the Eli Young Band and New Website

The Country Music Made Me podcast grew to new heights in 2021 as they welcomed some of the biggest names in Country Music with guests Michael Ray, Chase Rice, Scotty McCreery, Jimmie Allen, Lainey Wilson, LANCO, Parmalee, Lindsay Ell, Rascal Flatts frontman Gary LeVox and many others. Showing no signs of slowing in 2022 and continuing to add big names to their resume, producer and host Brendan Osborne is excited to welcome music industry veteran Mike Eli of the Eli Young Band for the podcasts’ 100th episode. “During a time when artists have been unable to tour and share their music, we’re so excited to offer a one of a kind platform for them to share stories about not only their music but their musical journey,” says Osborne.

ELI YOUNG BAND SAFE AFTER OVERNIGHT FIRE – BUS & TRAILER TOTAL LOSS

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Eli Young Band Bus Fire on Country Music News Blog

Eli Young Band received a frightening call last night from their long-time driver Randy Moore with news that one of their two busses, the band bus and trailer, were on fire. Parked just outside of Topeka, Kansas, where Moore was planning to sleep for the night in route to the band’s next show, the blaze broke out close to midnight.  Moore was just about to fall asleep, when suddenly, he heard an alarm that he had never heard before. Moore went to the front to look out the window and realized that the bus was engulfed in flames.  He immediately jumped into action and was thankfully able to escape unharmed, as it was only minutes before the bus was a complete loss. Randy also managed to save one of the chart-topping band’s guitars in the process, but everything else in the bus and trailer was destroyed by the fire. “We’ve lost more than a bus here. There are memories and possessions that we can’t replace! It’s really sad to see her go. We’re just happy that our driver Randy is safe!” said lead singer Mike Eli. Bass player Jon Jones added, “We spent six great years living and traveling in our bus. It was gone in a matter of minutes. Thank goodness that everyone is safe. Our driver, Randy, was able to grab one guitar but the rest is gone. This is a sad moment. So many great memories and things collected over the years that can’t be replaced but we know how much worse it could have been.” Eli Young Band will resume their tour schedule this Friday (1/20), in Mahnomen, Minnesota with stops over the next few weeks in North Dakota, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Indiana prior to heading to the West Coast. For more information about the band or upcoming dates log onto www.eliyoungband.com.

ELI YOUNG BAND OFFERS FRESH "SALTWATER GOSPEL" FOOTAGE

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Last week, PEOPLE.com premiered the music video for Eli Young Band’s refreshing new single “Saltwater Gospel.” The chart-topping act is now offering up unreleased behind-the-scenes footage, available now via http://smarturl.it/SWGbts. Set off the serene coast of Cannon Beach, Oregon, the band searched for the perfect location where they “feel the power of the saltwater gospel” as described in the track. “We knew this wasn’t your everyday kind of beach song, which is why we had to find a beach that wasn’t your everyday kind of beach,” lead singer Mike Eli tells PEOPLE, expressing that the track “is about so much more than just saltwater.” James Young adds, “the vastness of any ocean can humbl e you quickly and sometimes you realize just how small you are on this planet earth.”   Produced by Jeremy Stover and Ross Copperman, the song serves as the lead single for EYB’s forthcoming album, and marks their first release for The Valory Music Co. It seems only fitting that both the production and lyrical content driving “Salwater Gospel” share a common theme for the band: spiritual renewal.     DOWNLOAD: “Saltwater Gospel” HERE   WATCH: BTS content & Music video  

Eli Young Band Kicks Off 2016 With Back To Back SOLD OUT Shows

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ELI YOUNG BAND KICKS OFF 2016 WITH BACK TO BACK SOLD OUT SHOWS SELLING OVER 11,000 TICKETS Nashville, TN — January 6, 2016 — Valory Music Artist Eli Young Band rang in the New Year in style with a pair of SOLD OUT shows in Dallas-Fort Worth, at the legendary dancehall Billy Bob’s Texas, selling over 5,500 tickets a night.  The first show was a full band, high energy, hit laden blow out.  The second show was a special acoustic co-headline with Josh Abbott Band that included both bands on stage at the same time. On the second night, the two bands kicked off the show, without their lead singers, performing a cover of The Beatles “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.” As the song merged into “A Little Help from My Friend,” singers Eli and Abbott joined the stage.  With a playful camaraderie established, the bands swapped songs for nearly 2 hours while the enthusiastic crowd sang along. “It was the perfect way to close out 2015 and a great way to kick off the New Year,” said James Young.  “We’re blessed to have such loyal fans and a successful, growing career.  Can’t wait to get our new music out to the fans in 2016!”  The band will head back into the studio this month to finish recording with producers Ross Copperman and Jeremy Stover.  The new album is due on Valory Music Company this year. The band recently wrapped their headline Winter 2015 Tour and will resume touring next Tuesday in Charlotte, NC.  Later this month, the band will be in Nashville performing at the 2016 All Star NHL All Star Concert Series on Sunday, January 31st. For more information on EYB log onto:  www.eliyoungband.com

Eli Young Band At The Fayetteville Town Center

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Review: The Eli Young Band & Backroad Anthem Live In Fayetteville, Ark. The Eli Young Band performed at The Fayetteville Town Center in Razorback country earlier this month, and the house was packed with EYB fans ready to belt out some “Crazy Girl” Before the main act took the stage, though, Backroad Anthem primed the crowd up good! Backroad Anthem is a local, Arkansas band who have recently gained an impressive following in a short time. They know how to get a party started in about 35 seconds and keep the energy rocking during their entire set. They do some more recent hits justice like “She’s Country,” “Wanted,” “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” and “Cruise.” But I myself was impressed when I heard “Ain’t Goin’ Down ‘Til The Sun Comes Up” and “Devil Went Down To Georgia.” I was super excited when it came time for the Texas boys to hit the stage. I have been a fan of this band for many years, and when they played some of their older material, the memories came flooding in. You really can’t beat “So Close Now” and “Oklahoma Girl.” EYB also played “Guinevere,” “Always the Love Songs,” “Radio Waves,” and the ones that made them go from regional to stardom in what seems overnight, “Crazy Girl” and “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” The boys ended with a very energetic performance of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Gimme Three Steps.” As soon as the concert was over, many attendees made their way to George’s Majestic Lounge on Dickson Street for the official after-party, and a special thanks goes out to the George’s crew for bringing EYB and other great acts to Fayetteville, AR! To sum the night up, “A good time was had by all.”

Eli Young Band New Album and Tour In 2013

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Interview: Eli Young Band Touring, New Music, Recent Success and More, Headed for A Big 2013! Hailing from North Texas, Eli Young Band has been hard at work for over a decade, and they are nowhere near the finish line. Many of us have had EYB on our radar for some time, but in the last year or so it seems this foursome has really started to hit their stride. Mid-success, and on the verge of an arena tour with Kenny Chesney‘s No Shoes Nation, drummer Chris Thompson took a few minutes to chat with me about all things EYB! The CMNB team will be catching the talented group when they head to Fayetteville, AR (fun fact: one of EYB’s favorite towns to play!) on Thursday, February 7th, and this date along with a few other mark their return to the road after almost two months off. They weren’t sitting idly, though. These boys were hard at work in the studio working on a new album we can expect later on this year, probably around early summer. So far, they have eight tracks complete, and this album is the first time the band members have taken on the role of co-producing. EYB consistently releases quality music, and it’s exciting to hear that they’re taking an even larger role in the recording process. It’s pretty remarkable that this group has been together for as long as they have…no easy feat. They started “jamming” together when that met at the University of North Texas in Dallas. From playing local nights at a bar in Denton, their friendships and love of music grew into a partnership that has served them well. You still have to wonder…what’s their secret to sticking together and making things happen? “I think some of the magic for us was we got a lot of the stupid fights out of the way before the success and the pressure came and realized that we needed to focus on the friendships and I think a lot of just really like bands. In a lot of ways, even though we’ve been a band for awhile it feels like we’re just arriving. Doors are starting to open, and we’re learning that when opportunities arrive, you take them.” -Chris Thompson Having recently played live at the 2012 CMA Awards, experiencing a great reception of singles from their current album, Life At Best, and other milestones, Eli Young Band seems to be hitting all the right notes lately and having their hard work of the past few years pay off. Speaking to this, Thompson had a few words of advice for aspiring artists, “I would say we just took every opportunity that we had…didn’t say no to a lot. Had a lot of perseverance and making a point of being around people that are driven is key. The four of us have always been really driven and we drive each other. We always think there’s something better around the corner. You know, great things happen Continue reading Eli Young Band New Album and Tour In 2013→

Giveaway: Eli Young Band Fayetteville Tickets

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Giveaway: Enter to Win for Your Chance to See Eli Young Band Live in Fayetteville, AR! Texas based fast on the rise country group, Eli Young Band is headed to our neck of the woods to play a live show in Fayetteville, AR next week on Thursday, February 7th! For some lucky fan in the area, we’re giving away two (2) tickets to the night’s performance! Just follow the super simple instructions below, and you could win! Good luck! Enter to Win Tickets to See Eli Young Band in Fayetteville, AR! Step 1: (If you aren’t already!) Follow us @CMNBlog and George’s Majestic Lounge @georgesmajestic on Twitter! Step 2: Send out the following tweet: “I entered to win tix to see @EliYoungBand in #Fayetteville #AR from @CMNBlog & @GeorgesMajestic! U can too: http://ow.ly/hgvYs #CountryMusic” Step 3: When we receive you’re tweet, you will automatically be entered to win! Important Rules/Guidelines: Winners will be randomly selected and notified individually via Twitter. Prizes were provided by MCA Nashville. Tweets must be received by 10:00am Wednesday, February 6th. Winners will not be eligible for another prize drawing until 90days after this one.

Eli Young Band Sings I’ll Be Home For Christmas

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Eli Young Band Gets In The Christmas Spirit Covering Holiday Classic, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”. Like many people, Eli Young Band is starting to get in the Christmas spirit! Thanks to Billboard and Starbucks, this CMNB fave country group took a little time to talk about why Christmas is special to them this year, what they traditions they have and to sing the classic holiday tune, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas“! This quick video is awesome, not just because their version of the song is wonderful, but also because we get a little peak into their upcoming holiday celebrations! Check it out below. Watch Eli Young Band Sing “I’ll Be Home For Christmas“!

Eli Young Band Say Goodnight Video

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Watch Eli Young Band’s Sci Fi Themed New Video for “Say Goodnight”. Okay, this new video from Eli Young Band for single “Say Goodnight” is an odd one but a sweet one. Totally unexpected, the premise of the video involves a lovely young woman and her relationship with a robot (from outerspace?) that she runs over with a car. Besides loving country music, I’m also a huge science fiction nerd, so, I kind of love this video. You’ll have to see for yourself, though. Check it out below! Watch: Eli Young Band’s New Video for “Say Goodnight”.