Eli Young Band brings Texas to Tech
Katherine Fuller
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: News
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Eli Young Band proved they are more than boots and jeans during their third performance in Ruston: their genre of "Texas country" attracted only three cowboy hats and two flannel-plaid shirts.
The band has quite a following, with proof of many students coming from Baton Rouge and east Texas to the concert at Rabb's.
Megan Hudson, a freshman elementary education major, said she has been listening to the Eli Young Band for three years, beginning when she lived in Texas.
"I first heard one of their songs on the radio when I was in high school," Hudson said. "I really like their music."
Mike Eli, vocalist and guitarist from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, said the band has great memories from the road.
"The craziest show we ever played was in a barn in May Pearl, Texas," Eli said.
Eli described the authenticity of the atmosphere, recalling sawdust all over the floor.
"People rode their horses to the show," Eli said. "At one point, a horse actually popped its head out while we were playing."
While all four band members sat in their tour bus before the show, Jon Jones, bass guitarist from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, shared stories about life on the road and the goals of Eli Young Band in making music.
"We all went to college together at the University of North Texas," Jones said.
He explained that all four lived next door to one another and decided in October 2000 to form the band.
"We all come from different backgrounds, musically," Jones said. "But we haven't written a song we don't like playing."
With three albums released and one coming in September, the band stays on the road, promoting their music 265 days of the year.
"We will be part of the Dave Matthews Band tour this summer," Jones said. "Tomorrow we will be in Dallas at the House of Blues, and tickets have been sold out for a week now."
Although the band appreciates their fans, James Young, lead guitarist from Meridan, Texas, said they have had some undesirable experiences with stalking fans.
"There are some real creepers out there," Young said. "A couple of fans have found out where we live and just show up at our door to say 'Hi.'"
Despite these disadvantages, Young said they will continue moving forward and expanding their circle.
"We all have a singular vision to keep making good records and making smart business decisions," Young said. "If this is the last thing I do, I'd be happy."
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