Eli Young Band Talks Tour Bus Life And Songs You ‘Don’t Ignore’

July 25, 2012 5:38 PM

Eli Young Band (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

From The Dr. Don Morning Show With Rachael & Grunwald, Weekdays 5 – 10 AM

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Things are falling into place for the Eli Young Band. The group won Song of the Year at the ACM Awards this year (for “Crazy Girl”), and with “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” topping the Billboard country charts last week, they’ve now earned two Number One singles. And their latest album, Life At Best, is making a huge impact in the country market.

At a stop on the Rascal Flatts Changed Tour in Detroit last weekend, 99.5 WYCD personality Steve Grunwald had the opportunity to find out what else is happening.

The band’s current hit single “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” was written by their good friends Will Hoge and Eric Paslay. The band explains that it was kind of a “selfish tune” that tells their story about being a band for the last 12 years and “playing every show we could. As songwriters, when a great song comes your way, you don’t ignore it. This was one of those songs you couldn’t ignore.”

Eli Young Band is on the road with Rascal Flatts through the end of October, but that tour did get off to a rocky start. On their first night, their “temporary” bus driver forgot to check the bunks and left without them. Incidentally, the band had been visiting Jay DeMarcus on his bus and when they said their goodbyes for the night, they soon discovered they had no place to sleep. Graciously, Jay put them up for the night. “His bus smells a lot better.”

The Flatts each have their own bus. “You look at these buses from the outside and they look huge, until you start living in it with nine guys, and the walls tend to creep in on you a little bit. Tends to have weird smells…unique smells.”

After spending night after night with nine guys on a bus, it has to be refreshing to go home to sleep in their own beds. Each of the Eli Young Band members is married, all within the last few years, and Mike tells us excitedly that he and his wife Kacey are expecting their first child, due the first part of August. Guitarist James (Young) recommended “‘James’ or ‘Jamie.’” They have decided on a name, but all they will reveal is that is will follow a family tradition and start with a “K.”

Is the band excited? Yes, it will add a “new dynamic to our touring. . . and hey, we get some time off!”

- Nanci Haskin/99.5 WYCD

http://music.thenewsbeast.biz/2012/07/28/eli-young-band-talk-baby-names-bus-smells-and-selfish-songs/ Music News &raquo Eli Young Band Talk Baby Names, Bus Smells and ‘Selfish Songs’ | Music News

[...] With their latest hit, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” reaching the top of the country charts, the Eli Young Band has now earned two No. 1 singles. Now in the midst of the Rascal Flatts Changed tour, the award-winning group explains that their latest chart-topper, written by their buddies, Will Hoge and Eric Paslay, is a “selfish tune,” and tells their story of being a band for the last 12 years and “playing every show we could. As songwriters, when a great song comes your way, you don’t ignore it.” (quote via Detroit radio station 99.5 WYCD.) [...]
http://tasteofcountry.com/mike-eli-young-band-baby-k-name/ Eli Young Band Singer Mike Eli Shares That New Baby Will Have ‘K’ Name

[...] The expectant couple will be keeping the name under wraps until the little one arrives, but revealed that they have decided to carry on a family tradition and have his/her name start with the letter [...]
http://ntcmagazine.com/wp/2012/07/eli-young-band-singer-mike-eli-shares-that-new-baby-will-have-k-name/ Eli Young Band Singer Mike Eli Shares That New Baby Will Have ‘K’ Name | NTCmagazine

[...] The expectant couple will be keeping the name under wraps until the little one arrives, but revealed that they have decided to carry on a family tradition and have his/her name start with the letter [...]
http://ramcountrymusic.cbslocal.com/2012/08/01/congratulations-to-mike-eli-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli On Becoming A Daddy! « Ram Country Music

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://kilt.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « 100.3 KILT

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://kmle108.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « KMLE Country 108 Phoenix

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://kmps.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « Seattle Country Music Radio, News, Artists, Gossip – 94.1 KMPS

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://kncifm.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « New Country 105.1 FM – KNCI-FM Sacramento

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://us995.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « Country Music News, Artists, Interviews – US99.5

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « CBS New York

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://wqyk.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « WQYK 99.5 Tampa Bay’s Country Station

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://thenew1037.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « The New 103.7 – Charlotte's Home For Country's Hottest Hits

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « 99.5 WYCD Detroit's Best Country

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://y108.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « Pittsburgh's Country – Y108

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://kfrog.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « K-FROG 95.1 FM and 92.9 FM – New Country – California Country Music Radio Station

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://buzn1029.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/congratulations-to-mike-eli-of-eli-young-band-on-becoming-a-daddy/ Congratulations To Mike Eli Of Eli Young Band On Becoming A Daddy! « BUZ'N @ 102.9 – New BUZ'N Country

[...] Watch the complete interview with the Eli Young Band. [...]
http://1280ksli.com/mike-eli-young-band-baby-k-name/ Eli Young Band Singer Mike Eli Shares That New Baby Will Have ‘K’ Name – Classic Country 1280 KSLI

[...] The expectant couple will be keeping the name under wraps until the little one arrives, but revealed that they have decided to carry on a family tradition and have his/her name start with the letter [...]
http://kilt.cbslocal.com/2012/11/28/eli-young-band-says-say-goodnight-was-a-different-kind-of-song-for-us/ Eli Young Band Says ‘Say Goodnight’ Was ‘A Different Kind Of Song For Us’ « 100.3 KILT

[...] Awards this year. Next up was “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” which in a previous interview the band described as a “selfish tune” that told their story about being a band [...]
http://kncifm.cbslocal.com/2012/11/28/eli-young-band-says-say-goodnight-was-a-different-kind-of-song-for-us/ Eli Young Band Says ‘Say Goodnight’ Was ‘A Different Kind Of Song For Us’ « New Country 105.1 FM – KNCI-FM Sacramento

[...] Awards this year. Next up was “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” which in a previous interview the band described as a “selfish tune” that told their story about being a band [...]
http://us995.cbslocal.com/2012/11/28/eli-young-band-says-say-goodnight-was-a-different-kind-of-song-for-us/ Eli Young Band Says ‘Say Goodnight’ Was ‘A Different Kind Of Song For Us’ « Country Music News, Artists, Interviews – US99.5

[...] Awards this year. Next up was “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” which in a previous interview the band described as a “selfish tune” that told their story about being a band [...]
http://kmle1079.cbslocal.com/2012/11/28/eli-young-band-says-say-goodnight-was-a-different-kind-of-song-for-us/ Eli Young Band Says ‘Say Goodnight’ Was ‘A Different Kind Of Song For Us’ « KMLE Country @ 1079

[...] Awards this year. Next up was “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” which in a previous interview the band described as a “selfish tune” that told their story about being a band [...]
http://wqyk.cbslocal.com/2012/11/28/eli-young-band-says-say-goodnight-was-a-different-kind-of-song-for-us/ Eli Young Band Says ‘Say Goodnight’ Was ‘A Different Kind Of Song For Us’ « WQYK 99.5 Tampa Bay’s Country Station

[...] Awards this year. Next up was “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” which in a previous interview the band described as a “selfish tune” that told their story about being a band [...]
http://thenew1037.cbslocal.com/2012/11/28/eli-young-band-says-say-goodnight-was-a-different-kind-of-song-for-us/ Eli Young Band Says ‘Say Goodnight’ Was ‘A Different Kind Of Song For Us’ « The New 103.7 – Charlotte's Home For Country's Hottest Hits

[...] Awards this year. Next up was “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” which in a previous interview the band described as a “selfish tune” that told their story about being a band [...]
http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2012/11/28/eli-young-band-says-say-goodnight-was-a-different-kind-of-song-for-us/ Eli Young Band Says ‘Say Goodnight’ Was ‘A Different Kind Of Song For Us’ « 99.5 WYCD Detroit's Best Country

[...] Awards this year. Next up was “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” which in a previous interview the band described as a “selfish tune” that told their story about being a band [...]
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/11/28/eli-young-band-says-say-goodnight-was-a-different-kind-of-song-for-us/ Eli Young Band Says ‘Say Goodnight’ Was ‘A Different Kind Of Song For Us’ « CBS New York

[...] Awards this year. Next up was “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” which in a previous interview the band described as a “selfish tune” that told their story about being a band [...]