25 Years, Four Friends, and a New Album: Inside the Enduring Journey of Eli Young Band

From their start as fraternity brothers in a Texas college town to becoming 18x RIAA-certified hitmakers, the members of Eli Young Band (EYB) have a story that Hollywood would envy. Now, fans are getting a deeper look at the band’s incredible journey and life-long friendships in their new 26-minute short-form documentary, “This Is Eli Young Band.”

You can watch the full film on YouTube here.

More Than a Band: A Brotherhood That Lasts

For over 25 years, the lineup has never changed: Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones, and Chris Thompson. The documentary serves as a powerful testament to their enduring chemistry, tracing their path from their first gig at a college bar in Denton, Texas, to sharing the stage with legends like Kenny Chesney.

As Mike Eli, lead vocalist, shares, “I love to look back over the years and remember everything we’ve been through and accomplished. You forget sometimes how crazy the journey’s been. I’m so glad to have an opportunity to share our story with the world.”

The film dives into the core question: What fuels this kind of longevity in a notoriously volatile industry? It offers an intimate look at the men behind the music and the dedication that has kept them at the top of the Texas-rock-meets-country scene for decades.

From College Bar to Chart-Toppers

Directed and edited by Jeff Ray, the documentary features footage dating back to the band’s earliest days in the studio. It also includes exclusive interviews with key industry figures who witnessed their rise, like long-time manager George Couri and Big Machine Label Group’s founder Scott Borchetta.

Key milestones highlighted in the film include:

Their breakout moment with the No. 1 hit “Crazy Girl.”
The success of their four career No. 1 songs, including “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” “Drunk Last Night,” and “Love Ain’t.”
Winning their first ACM Award in 2012.
The creative process behind their brand new, highly anticipated 2025 album, Strange Hours.

A Return to the Roots with Strange Hours

The Eli Young Band’s journey has recently brought them full circle. Seeking both a fresh start and a powerful return to their independent roots, the band chose to record their album Strange Hours at Panhandle House Studio in their very own hometown of Denton, Texas.

This studio is the birthplace of their 2005 debut album, Level, which spawned fan-favorites like “Small Town Kid” and set the stage for two decades of hits. This homecoming is evident in the new music—a batch of co-written songs that capture the raw, grassroots energy and emotional sting of their early work, all while showcasing a new maturity.

Strange Hours promises to deliver the same stage-rocking Texas-country sound fans know and love, complete with “feel-good singalongs and heart melting wedding anthems to pure, untamable romance.”

Catch Them on the Road

The celebration isn’t limited to the screen! As the ACM Award-winning and CMA and GRAMMY-nominated band unveils the short-form documentary, they are also back on the road for their headlining Strange Hours Tour.

Eli Young Band continues to prove that passion, friendship, and dedication truly come around. Their primary goal remains longevity and crafting songs their children and grandchildren can be proud of.

Want to dive into the Eli Young Band’s story?