Eli Young Band
Small Town Kid
J. Ross (4 out of 5 stars) Playing Time - 44:14 The sonic alchemy of the Eli Young Band transforms an eclectic variety of folk, country, metal, grunge, and rock influences into their own high-grade gold. Based in Texas, the band is poised to build their legion of fans throughout the region, then nationally and internationally. The opener, Small Town Kid, is a ballad about having a simple story, being driven by rock and honky-tonk music and needing nothing more than a good-looking lady, a truck and some occasional whiskey or tequilla. All twelve songs on Level are originals written by the band that is fronted by the guitarists and vocalists Mike Eli and James Young. The rest of the group is Chris Thompson (drums) and Jon Jones (bass). Like Young, Jones also contributes background vocals. Guest artists include Milo Deering (pedal steel), Erik Herbst (guitars), Vince Barnhart (vocals), and Tommy Young (Hammond B-3 organ).
Country music trailblazer Charley Pride died Saturday at the age of 86 of complications of COVID-19. News of Pride s death was first announced through the singer’s website.
Known for breaking systemic racial barriers in the country music industry, Pride became a celebrated name in a predominantly white genre. Hits such as “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” and “Just Between You and Me” helped propel the North Texas resident to numerous Grammys and other highly regarded country music awards.
Pride was born on March 18, 1934, in Sledge, Mississippi. He started a family in Montana, but made Texas his eventual home. Outside of music, Pride was a predominant figure in Major League Baseball as a one-time part-owner of the Texas Rangers and as a frequent performer of the National Anthem at the team’s home games. An avid baseball fan, Pride played in the Negro American League, pursuing a career in baseball in his youth.