usicRow April

country music news and views Musings 20 2011 Bringing Their A-Game to New Music Eli Young Band Prepares for the Release of New Album Whitney Self an escape plan. But not to worry, it’s only CMT a dream. “We got to act in this video, which is “It’s always been about having fun,” said something different. We’ve never done guitarist James Young, one-fourth of the that before,” said Eli. “Our acting chops Texas-based Eli Young Band. are not as great as we thought they might “I think we all dreamed of getting to have been -- but we had a good time this point where we’re making national making the video.” records and doing national tours,” added As well as acting, choosing the right lead singer Mike Eli. “But I think as far songs for the band is also a difficult task. as having that immediate goal, we just As one of the toughest dynamics about wanted to get around the next corner.” being in the band, all members are re- This off-the-cuff, everyone-gets-a- quired for the sign-off of each song. chance-to-speak approach seems to be “Can we play the song for the rest of the norm for these jovial guys. In what our lives?” Jones asked of the song se- felt like a pregame huddle, Young and lection process. “If it’s something that Eli (the band’s namesake), bassist Jon sounds completely different, are we OK Jones and drummer Chris Thompson sat changing our sound in the future be- closely together as they took turns po- cause that’s what people expect out of us? litely answering questions for CMT.com. I think you have to take some of those But they’re used to this kind of ca- things into consideration. So sometimes, maraderie. After all, they’ve been a team you do have to pass on a song that you now for almost a decade. know is going to be a huge hit for some- In fact, what began as two University We are the body else.” of North Texas college students who en- “hardest critics4 Writing mostly original songs for joyed writing and performing music to- their upcoming album, the group did reveal a few details regarding the out- gether at local coffee houses turned into on ourselves -James Young a full band when fellow classmates Jones side songs they chose to include. Besides and Thompson joined them onstage one The Eli Young Band will release their third album this fall Roughstock.com “Crazy Girl,” the band felt compelled evening for an impromptu jam session. ” to record Will Hoge’s “Even If It Breaks The band was born, but it didn’t have a ning. And, 10 years later, here we are.” recently released the album’s first single, Your Heart,” featured on his 2009 album, name. “And once you get the T-shirts and “Crazy Girl.” Written by two well-known Wreckage. Another tune, “The Fight,” “We tried to have those meetings the bumper stickers printed,” Thompson songwriters, Lee Brice and Taylor Swift was written by singer-songwriter Nata- where we tried to come up with new smiled, “you’re committed.” collaborator Liz Rose, the song spouts lie Hemby, whose co-writing credits in- band names, but we tended to have those In 2005, the Eli Young Band released witty lyrics regarding a man’s mad love clude Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar” meetings at the bar,” Eli admitted. its debut studio album, Level, and three for his woman -- rather than about the and “Only Prettier.” “I don’t think we got as far as writing years later followed with the Univer- woman’s insanity as the title suggests. Looking forward to an upcoming EP anything down on paper,” Jones chimed sal South labeled, Jet Black and Jealous. Directed by Brian Lazzarro, the mu- as well as their full album in the fall, the in. Recycling “When It Rains” from their sic video transforms Nashville’s Reha- band members are enjoying time out on “We’re the four hardest critics on our- first record, the group also charted with bilitation Hospital into the fictional the road with plenty of performances on selves, too,” added Young. singles, “Always the Love Songs,” “Radio Youngsville Psychiatric Hospital, where the horizon. Touring the nation through- “Nothing felt right,” Eli confirmed. Waves” and “Guinevere.” the band members are employed. Eas- out the end of the summer, their rigor- “So when we didn’t come up with any Currently working on their third al- ily distracted with their music, they each ous schedule includes several festivals, new ideas, we would give up for the eve- bum scheduled for the fall, the quartet fail to notice one of the patients devising fairs and more rodeos. Search for Duncan’s cousin continues The singer pleads for help finding her abducted cousin Jason Mease GMA interview, Whitney Investigators expanded some duct tape with blond GAC-TV held back tears when she the search area late last week hair stuck to it, helping to di- talked about her cousing and thousands of volunteers rect the search efforts. Whitney Duncan made a saying, “She’s beautiful, she’s have come out to support the “We just want her back,” special appearance on ABC’s sweet, she’s a good Christian effort. A few leads have sur- said a tearful Whitney, clos- Good Morning America this girl, kind of a shy, quiet girl faced, including the discov- ing out the GMA interview. morning to make a plea for until you get to know her.” ery of Holly’s lunch box and “We need to go search.” the safe return of her cousin, Whitney went on to say, Holly Bobo. The 20-year old “She’s just funny, and sweet – nursing student from Par- she’s amazing.” sons, TN was last seen last When asked about how Wednesday around 7:30 a.m. her family is coping, Whit- The last person to see her ney reported that “the fam- was her brother, Clint Bobo, ily right now is trying to be who told police he saw her strong, you know it doesn’t seem real, that’s the last walking into the woods be- prize package hind their house with a man phone call you ever expect WIN he mistakenly assumed was to get. It’s a close family so @cmt.com her boyfriend. we’re just trying to hold it to- During the exclusive gether.”