Eli Young Band

Eli Young Band, originating from Denton, Texas, was formed in 2000 by Mike Eli (lead vocals, guitar), James Young (guitar), Jon Jones (bass guitar), and Chris Thompson (drums). Mike Eli and James Young initially met as dorm roommates at the University of North Texas, forming an acoustic duo before being joined by Jon Jones and Chris Thompson. The band steadily built a grassroots following through local performances. Their debut album was released in 2002, followed by “Level” on Carnival Records in 2005. This release marked their transition from a Texas country act to a Nashville presence. They prioritized songwriting, dedicating time to writing trips, leading to their third album, “Jet Black & Jealous,” released in 2008 by Universal South Records. This album produced their first chart singles, “When It Rains” and “Always the Love Songs.”

In 2011, Eli Young Band signed with Republic Nashville, a move that led to significant commercial success. Their single “Crazy Girl” became their first platinum-selling digital single and their first No. 1 hit, earning the title of top country song of 2011 according to Billboard Year-End. This achievement led to multiple nominations at the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards, where they won Song of the Year for “Crazy Girl.” Following this, their second single, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” also reached No. 1 and achieved platinum certification. This period marked a turning point in their career, solidifying their position in mainstream country music. The band continued to release successful albums such as “10,000 Towns” in 2014, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart and featured another No. 1 single, “Drunk Last Night.”

The Eli Young Band has consistently maintained a strong touring presence, performing in sold-out clubs, amphitheaters, and stadiums. They have shared stages with notable artists like Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and Jason Aldean, and have appeared on national television shows including “TODAY,” “Conan,” and “Late Show with David Letterman.” Their career over two decades has accumulated over 2 billion streams, earning them Pandora Billionaire status, and multiple nominations from CMA, CMT, ACA, and Teen Choice Awards. Their latest album, “Strange Hours,” was released recently, continuing their tradition of creating authentic country music.