Eli Young Band life and biography

Eli Young Band is an American country music band based in Denton, Texas. The band is composed of Mike Eli (vocals, guitar), James Young (guitar), Jon Jones (bass guitar), and Chris Thompson (drums). The band released its self-titled debut album in 2002, followed by their Carnival records release Level in 2005. The band's third album, Jet Black & Jealous, was released in 2008 by Universal South Records, and has accounted for three Top 40 singles on the Billboard country singles charts.

Eli Young Band was formed in 2000 by Mike Eli, who grew up just outside of Houston, and James Young, from Irving, Texas. Eli was raised on singer-songwriters like Rodney Crowell and Paul Simon, while Young was influenced by blues and rock artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Perry and Jimmy Page.

After playing together as a duo they were joined by drummer Chris Thompson and bassist Jon Jones, who all met while students at the University of North Texas at Denton, about 50 miles north of Dallas. After graduating, the group decided to stay in Denton.

The group started playing small clubs in the area, as well as opening shows for the region's top artists, such as Jack Ingram, Pat Green and Cross Canadian Ragweed. Late in 2003, producer Frank Liddell attended a show at the Gypsy Tea Room in Dallas where EYB was playing on the bill with Lambert. He was blown away by their live show and signed them to his label, Carnival Recording Company. In 2005, Eli Young Band released Level, their first album for Carnival. Their first album for Universal South Records will be released in 2008.

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