From fraternity brothers cutting their teeth at the University of North Texas to 18x RIAA-certified hitmakers, Eli Young Band members showcase their journey and life-long friendships with short-form documentary “This Is Eli Young Band.” Watch the 26-minute YouTube film Below.

As the never-changing lineup of Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson reminisce on 25+ years of honing their craft – from their first gig at a college bar in Denton, Texas to their breakout No. 1 “Crazy Girl” to supporting musical legends like Kenny Chesney on tour – the band takes a closer look at what’s fueled their longevity as industry veterans and provides insights into the men who comprise the band.

“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,” shares lead vocalist, Mike Eli. “I’m so glad to have an opportunity to share our story with the world.”

Directed and edited by Jeff Ray, “This Is Eli Young Band” includes footage dating back to the band’s first time in the studio together, along with exclusive interviews from long-time manager George Couri and Big Machine Label Group’s founder Scott Borchetta.

The 26-minute short-form documentary reflects on the band’s first record deal, four No. 1 songs (“Crazy Girl,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” “Drunk Last Night” and “Love Ain’t”), winning their first ACM Award (2012) and creating their 2025 album, Strange Hours.

Seeking both a fresh start and a return to their roots with their independent album Strange Hours, Eli Young Band sought out Panhandle House Studio in their hometown of Denton, Texas – the birthplace of the college friends-turned-bandmates’ 2005 debut album Level, which spawned fan-favorites such as “Small Town Kid” and set the stage for the numerous hits that have followed in the 20 years since.

From feel-good singalongs and heart melting wedding anthems to pure, untamable romance and clever comebacks of love, they show the same stage-rocking Texas-country hitmakers fans know and love, undaunted and with new maturity baked in.

As the ACM Award-winning and CMA and GRAMMY-nominated band unveils their short-form documentary, they also continue on a celebratory road journey with their headlining Strange Hours Tour, underway now. The thrilling foursome return to their element – packing a live-show setlist.

Eli Young Band continues to prove what goes around, comes around. The band’s primary goal – longevity – and crafting songs their children and grandchildren can be proud of.

For more information, visit eliyoungband.com and follow along on social media with @EliYoungBand.

About Eli Young Band:
Led by an unmistakable vocal and bringing a Texas-rock edge to modern country for 25 years, the Eli Young Band's never-changing lineup of Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson has spent decades on the run, growing from hometown heroes into globe-trotting, chart-topping pioneers. … And now, they’re coming home. Founded in Denton, Texas, and rising to become arena-packing icons of the state’s independent country scene, EYB’s 2005 album Level launched the band into the mainstream, followed by three career Billboard Top 5 albums including the No. 1 10,000 Towns and Platinum Life At Best. Boasting back-to-back No. 1 singles with the 5x Platinum “Crazy Girl” in 2011 and 3x Platinum “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (2012), plus the Platinum No. 1 “Drunk Last Night,” 2x Platinum No. 1 “Love Ain’t” and more, the band’s unbroken streak of success has now led to a millions-strong fandom, and after keeping the intensity of their live shows front and center, it’s time to get back to the point. Ready to follow up 2022’s Love Talking, the band have returned to the Denton studio where Level was born – bringing new tunes and new excitement along with them. Also returning to their independent roots, a fresh batch of co-written songs match the raw, grassroots energy and emotional sting of their early work, geared for the stage and recorded without digital tricks. Released September 27, 2024, “Home In Hometown” started the new era and marked EYB’s creative homecoming – a true-to-experience ballad of life on the highway, unpacking what “home” really means. Driven by experience and a million miles of wisdom, look for more new music and, of course, more shows from a band of brothers still very much in their prime. Eli Young Band’s album Strange Hours, featuring 13 new tracks, is available now.