Mike Eli - Eli Young Band

Country Music Made Me

Mike Eli is a founding member and lead singer of the Eli Young Band. Mike joins Country Music Made Me to discuss his early musical inspirations that developed from growing-up in a musical house hold, the special moments that created a desire to chase a career in music, and how a love of writing helped pave the way towards the formation of the Eli Young Band. Mike and Brendan talk about the bands formation in college, the hard work and determination you need to survive the early years of working numerous day jobs, playing gigs at night, and hearing No, No, No, and what it's taken to balance anxiety and a love of performing. Mike explains how important local venues like Billy Bob's Texas and studios like Panhandle House have been to their success, and why they continue to live in Texas rather than chasing the bright lights on Nashville. Finally, Mike talks about his songwriting, how a busy career can lead to recording more outside cuts, and how important the last 2 years have been in rediscovering who he is as a songwriter and how that has influenced the bands new music.