Eli Young Band at Quarry Park: Music, Memories and a Meaningful Night
October 1, 2026 · Quarry Park Amphitheater · Rocklin, California
Words and photographs by Aileen Michele Savage, NorCal Country Club
There is something special about having live country music right in your own neighborhood. Eli Young Band and opener Jeffrey East brought that feeling to Quarry Park Amphitheater on October 1, with a night that was memorable both onstage and afterward.
The Quarry was busier than I expected, but it still felt intimate. The ponds, fountains, colorful lights in the trees and illuminated Rocklin Quarry sign give the setting a little magic. It is small enough to enjoy without spending the whole evening walking between everything, while the vendors help make it feel like a complete concert experience. The lines I encountered were manageable, too.
One of my favorite things about the venue is seeing neighbors walk over for a show. I live close enough to do that myself, and normally would. This time, my camera gear earned itself a ride.
Jeffrey East: songs, stories and a crowd ready to join in
Jeffrey East opened with the kind of storytelling that makes you feel you are getting to know the person behind the songs. He had fun bringing the audience into his set and getting everyone singing along.
His songwriting credits include songs recorded by Eli Young Band, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and others. His official biography describes him as a singer, songwriter and producer based between Los Angeles and Nashville. Hearing him live left me wanting to spend more time with his own music, too.
Photographing Eli Young Band again
Eli Young Band put on an amazing show, and getting to photograph them again brought back memories of covering their performance in San Jose during my earlier NorCal Country days. It has been well over a decade since I last had them in front of my lens. That is a lot of life between two concert nights.
Onstage, Mike Eli talked about how long the four band members have been together, joking that their partnership has lasted longer than many marriages. The band formed in 2000, making this roughly 26 years of making music together. Seeing that history and connection onstage made the evening feel even more special.
They also graciously signed the NorCal Country Club banner, adding another memory to something that is becoming a piece of the club’s story.
A moment of kindness after the show
October 1, 2026 marked the ninth anniversary of the Route 91 Harvest tragedy in Las Vegas. Friends of mine who survived that night were at the Quarry, and during the performance they gave Mike a bandana. He acknowledged it and carefully set it aside onstage.
After the show, my friends spoke with the crew. They hoped to get a photo for a friend who could not be there, someone who had also been affected by Route 91. Before long, they were welcomed backstage.
The band took a group photo with them and recorded a personal video message for their friend. That generosity meant so much, especially on an anniversary carrying so many emotions. It was a thoughtful, personal gesture that turned an already wonderful concert into an even more meaningful night.
We left as even bigger fans.
Thank you to Eli Young Band, Jeffrey East and the crew for the music, the memories and the kindness. Nights like this remind me why I love documenting Northern California’s country music community.
Explore more concerts at the concert calendar, and join NorCal Country Club for the free Fall Guide and local country music updates.
Background sources: Eli Young Band’s Grand Ole Opry biography; Jeffrey East’s official biography; Clark County’s October 1 remembrance information. The concert observations and after-show account are my personal recollections.
