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Everybody just does the best they can with whatever sense they've got."  Peggy Hurst

LatestRelease

Primetime slab of Texan barroom country delivered with a great hunk of flatbread and as much Lone Star as you can guzzle.. Good ole boys straight outta Austin , The Billy Eli Band play gritty Texan bar-room country that will have you out of your chair, stomping round the living room shouting “Take me to San Antone” with a mouthfull of scorching jalapenos.  Full Review -- Americana UK Heavily influenced by Tom Petty (especially where singing is concerned), Billy Eli plays catchy-as-hell Country Rock. -- Eric Shea

An all acoustic album with seven new originals, plus acoustic versions of four songs from Billy's previous albums. Check it out!  Listen to "Spook Lights of Marfa" by Billy Eli and Kenneth Welch      or  Lonestar Music

Billy Eli – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar Jim Hemphill – Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Slide Guitar, Resonator Guitar,  Mandolin, 12 String Guitars,  Vocals Joe Stack – Bass,  Vocals,  Accordion on Spook Lights of Marfa Ric Furley – Drums, Vocals Michael Cerza – Congas, Bongos,  Percussion  Produced by Jim Hemphill, Engineered by Jim Hemphill & Joe Stack, Mixed by Jim Hemphill

Billy says "Spook Lights is one of my favorite songs. The story was inspired by a trip Kenneth took to Las Vegas.  Kenneth always loved Vegas because you can drink, gamble and ogle half naked women without standing out as a perv. At the height of the city selling itself as “Family Entertainment,” he wrote me from the MGM Grand, “Billy, man, they took all the sin right out of sin city.”  That became the first line, and I wrote the rest in about 20 minutes. Oh, and Vegas has given up the family image.  It now has the same motto we have for the band’s tour van: “What Happens Here, Stays Here”

Trailer Park Angel, Dusty Records

Listen to Hey Maria      

Album photo by John Langford.  
( He's the nazz.  Check out his other stuff at www.johnlangford.com)

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:

** "full of positive energy and spirit,"  "beautiful, strong songs" - Raymond Swennen, Roots Revival

** "Eli's been on the highway, he's been in the truckstop, he's eaten at your favorite restaurant, probably slept with your girl - but he's survived it all and he's blessed with the talent to convey your secrets. And you listen, wondering how and why these damn songs have made you feel so good." -  Scott Homewood, Americana UK

** Även om Billy Eli både geografiskt och musikaliskt hör hemma i Austin, är han ingen renodlad countryrebell i Steve Earles eller Ray Wylie Hubbards efterföljd. Han har en mjukare och mindre rabulistisk framtoning, och hans melodikänsla minner lika mycket om Byrds och Tom Petty som om countryns hjältar. Men de historier han berättar på Trailer park angel är vintage country: klassperspektivet likaväl som sveket av den kvinna som stack till Los Angeles, av alla ställen. Kompet är precis så återhållet att det lyfter fram Elis berättelser och så profilerat med Jim Hemphills melodiska gitarrspel i förgrunden att det får en egen karaktär. Det är mycket bra.

Magnus Eriksson, Svenska Dagbladet

Something's Going On, Club de Musique

This is hard to find these days, but there are some available. 
In the United States, try here - Antones     
In Europe, try here - Fandango Music

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:

** Walking the line between rock and country, Something's Going On combines a tight, American moderate-rock sound and vocal treatments that are somewhat reminiscent of Tom Petty or John Mellencamp, with a true Texas-sounding lead guitar twang, courtesy of Jordan Egler. Billy Eli plays acoustic and other electric guitars and sings all of the songs. Egler, Eli and drummer Phil Achee are the central figures in this nine-song CD of easy going rocking song.  Alan Sheckter, Gray Areas Magazine