After years of jumping from town to town, writing music and making memories, the Eli Young Band’s ride to fame has been any Texan’s dream come true. Whether they are getting kicked out of hotels for their playful humor or opening for the Dave Matthews Band, their music has made a lasting impression.
The Eli Young Band has people turning up the volume to their 3rd album, “Jet Black and Jealous,” released on Sept. 16. Eight days later, “Jet Black and Jealous” entered the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart at No. 5 and No. 30 on the Top Current Albums Chart.
By the likes of the SMU crowd at the Granada on Oct. 2 for a private party hosted by Sigma Alpha Epsilon featuring the Eli Young Band, it was evident that the band’s persistence has made a lasting influence on listeners from every background. The concert awed the crowd with songs from their new album as well as fan favorites such as “Oklahoma Girl” and “When it Rains.”
“After seeing the band perform ‘Jet Black and Jealous’ live, there is no question the album will be a hit across the country,” said student Devon Myers, “I find the lyrics very relatable to the ups and downs of everyday life.”
Originally from Denton, band members embraced their Texas roots to create a unique, country sound with a rock ‘n’ roll edge. Vocalist Mike Eli, guitarist James Young, bass player Jon Jones and drummer Chris Thompson met while attending the University of North Texas in 1998, where they began their musical journey writing songs and practicing in a friend’s garage.
“All four of us came from different musical directions. When we started writing and playing together we absorbed each other’s music,” said Thompson. “Each of our musical backgrounds had a huge effect on the kinds of songs we were writing and how our sound began to develop.”
After the release of their first album “Level” in 2005, it was clear the band had an innate ability to relate to their fan base through honest lyrics and zealous performances. Following the music video release of “When it Rains,” a song about optimism in the face of heartache, the Eli Young Band was featured on CMT (Country Music Television, GAC (Great American Country), Country Weekly, Guitar One and Billboard. Re-recorded, “When it Rains” is the first track on “Jet Black and Jealous,” and is the longest running independent single on the Billboard Charts.
Similar to “Level,” “Jet Black and Jealous” incorporates the same degree of honesty in each of the songs; yet epitomizes the common theme of optimism to a greater extent. All 12 songs reflect the band’s outlook and philosophies on life by portraying actual characters that exude confidence and resilience. Songs like “Mystery in the Making,” “Get in your Car and Drive” and “Guinevere” all focus on the future with a positive attitude – something that EYB has always managed to demonstrate.
After working with producers Mike Wrucke and Frank Liddell on “Jet Black,” the band members perfected every song down to the very last word. Unlike most bands releasing their first national album, EYB had complete creative control of every song. Their talents surpassed expectations and will likely continue to rise on Billboard Charts.
The Eli Young Band will be performing live in Dallas on Friday Oct. 10 at the AT&T Plaza at the American Airlines Center at 9:30 p.m. In addition, they will be playing in Fort Worth on Friday Oct. 31 at Billy Bob’s Texas at 10:30 p.m.
