NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Eli Young Band

Four guys meet at their school - in this case, the University of North Texas in Denton. They hit it off and decide to form a band. They hustle local shows, tote their own gear and try to find time between their classes and part-time jobs to work out original material.

This tale usually ends shortly after it begins, with everyone scattering in different directions. Not so with lead singer Mike Eli, bassist Jon Jones, drummer Chris Thompson and guitarist James Young - The Eli Young Band. They tightened and toughened their sound through long hauls on the road and late sets in countless clubs along the way. Momentum built through a couple of indie releases, opening slots and eventually their signing to Universal Republic/Universal Records South.

Jet Black & Jealous, produced by Mike Wrucke and Frank Liddell, emerges from this intersection of talent and hard knocks. Band members wrote eight of its 12 tracks, including the first single, "When It Rains," composed by Young. Set at a groove-friendly medium tempo, elevated on the choruses by a minor-to-major shift, it supports lyrics that reflect the weathered optimism that comes from taking on life's challenges while keeping the faith with your friends at your side.

2009 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.