Crawford performer Eli Young Band on slow climb

You can consider Eli Young Band an overnight success -- if you live in Alaska, where night seems to last a decade. The members of this Texas country band met in college in 2000 and slogged the bar circuit in its home state and the South for years before "Crazy Girl" reached No. 1 in 2011 and seemingly made them instant stars.

"It was really always about slowly building," said Jon Jones, the band's bassist. "But there was a point, when we were about to graduate from college, that we needed to go out and make money to survive.

"We started to get a little momentum in Texas and Oklahoma and just made a decision to stick with it and give it all we have. After we made that decision, there hasn't been any low points. We all committed to it together, and that's what carried us throughout."

This is how close they are: They all attended a baby shower for Mike Eli and his wife.

"We had a dual gender baby shower and all chipped in and got a really nice stroller. We really are like family," Jones said.

Eli took a short break from singing "Crazy Girl" to welcome his baby girl, Kline. The group has been touring with Rascal Flatts, but plays with Thompson Square -- another breakthrough act -- on Tuesday at Meadville.

"The week that got their first No. 1 ("Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not") we were playing a show with them," Jones recalled. "It was before we had ours."

Now they have two. "Even If It Breaks Your Heart," the ringing guitar follow-up to "Crazy Girl," also hit No. 1. "It made us appreciate it even more," Jones said. "It's been a roller coaster ever since, and things are moving in the right direction."

Can they make it three in a row? "Say Goodnight," the next single from "Life at Best," will be released to radio on Aug. 27.

 

Eli Young to perform tonight

The PFI/PBR Party in the Parking Lot promises to be a summer bash to remember, according to organizers. Kicking off Friday Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m., the show features music by the Eli Young Band, the Farm and Jason Plummer.
“This is by far the biggest benefit we’ve ever done,” PFI Western Store owner, Randy Little said. “With the Eli Young Band performing, it’s going to be a rocking concert.”
All proceeds from the event benefit the Rider Relief Fund for athletes injured in the sport of bull riding.
“Every week there are bull riders getting stomped on and people don’t always realize it,” Little said. “It’s vital for professional bull riding to have a relief fund supporting them.”
Little is chairman of the board of directors for the Rider Relief Fund, a nonprofit organization registered in Colorado. Little and his wife Johnelle deserve recognition for their caring and generous contribution to the fund, said Lynn Dahnke, the fund’s executive director who is in Springfield today for show.
Tickets are $20 in advance at PFI, 2816 S. Ingram Mill Road, or $25 the day of the show. All tickets are general admission and seating is first come, first serve. Chairs are provided.
“Anyone who wants to enjoy a good evening with proceeds going to a good cause should come out Friday,” Little said.

 

Eli Young Band’s Crowds Get Loud

Eli Young Band’s Crowds Get Loud

 

Eli Young Band is enjoying a lot of success lately, including recently celebrating their second No. 1 single, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” One of the coolest things for the band has been hearing the crowds singing along louder and louder with each passing show.
“There was one thing that we really noticed pretty early on with “Crazy Girl” was the crowd singing this song back and how gradually they got louder and louder and louder,” Mike Eli said. “There was actually a point where we had to change the way we started the song because the crowd was so loud that we couldn’t hear the count off to start the song.”
Now their fans are singing “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” back to them just as loud. “It’s one of the best feelings in the world,” Mike said. “When you’re a band and you put everything you’ve got into recording these records, to be able to hear them come back and sing your music that loud, it’s a feeling you can’t really explain. It’s incredible.”
The band is hoping to make it three in a row when their next single, “Say Goodnight,” hits radio on August 27. It’s one of the few songs on their latest album the band didn’t write. It was co-written by John Paul White of The Civil Wars.
“We fell in love with it and are really happy with the way it came out,” Jon Jones said. “It’s a kind of song we’ve never recorded before and so I think we got to stretch ourselves a little bit, which is important, and sometimes that’s gotta be an outside song.”
Eli Young Band is currently on the road with Rascal Flatts’ Changed Tour