The Eli Young Band opened for Gary Allen at Superpages.com Center on Saturday night. The rising country group has a unique sound that is a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. They were recently nominated for the Academy of Country Music award for top new vocal duo or group of the year for 2009.

The band is comprised of Mike Eli (vocals, guitar), James Young (guitar), Jon Jones (bass guitar) and Chris Thompson (drums). The four attended the University of North Texas together and started playing informally. They are a very young band in age and at heart. They worked small gigs for eight years before being discovered at Dallas’ Gypsy Tea Room while opening for Miranda Lambert.

The boys all came from different musical backgrounds, but “country comes naturally to us,” bassist Jon Jones said. “We like the melody and the honesty of country music. Its about the song itself.”

Eli’s voice fits the genre of country music. The band’s musical style is eclectic and unique; it’s a little jazzy, a little rock ‘n’ roll and a lot country. They have invented a new genre of country music: alternative country.

Jones said the band “has a very organic thing” going for them, which differentiates them from other country artists. They formed the band themselves; they do their own songwriting and playing. Common themes appear throughout the bands music: love and life itself.

“We write about things we know,” Jones said.

The band draws inspiration from various artists from very different musical backgrounds, including Gary Allen and Jack Ingram – whom they will be touring with this year. Previously, the band has toured with artists like Dave Matthews Band, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, Jason Aldean and John Mellencamp.

Since 2002, EYB has released three albums: “Eli Young Band,” “Level,” “Jet Black and Jealous.”) Their two singles, “When it Rains” and “Always the Love Songs,” peaked on country music charts at 34 and 11 respectively.

They attended college together as just a couple of young adults, and now they work together every day.

“We have our fair share of fights, but our friendship gets us through it all,” Jones said. All members of the band agree on one thing: Their favorite song to play is “Guinevere.” “The most rewarding thing about all of this is playing in front of people and hearing them sing back,” Jones said.

If you missed the show this weekend, the band will be playing again on Nov. 27 at the Palladium Ballroom in Dallas. It is a show worth seeing.