Volume Five

Vocal harmony and tight instrumentals make up the strengths of this Mississippi band. Lead vocals from the soulful fiddler, Glen Harrell, help the group to stand out among other rising bluegrassers. Originally a casual jam band in 2008, this band has grown into one of bluegrass music’s most popular and unique acts.

Volume Five’s touring experience has given them many opportunities to play with some of bluegrass’s most legendary players. Buddy Melton of Balsam Rage said of the group, “What defines a great band? Superior musicianship, impeccable singing, moving song selections. Volume Five has all the above and more. They are extremely talented yet humble and genuinely real people. Volume Five has a magical quality about them that will undoubtedly make a lasting impression in the world of acoustic music.”

The band released its first album with Mountain Fever Records in 2010, titled Down in a Cell. Soon after came the releases of Children of the Mountain (2011) and Run (2013). The group took more of a Southern gospel approach to bluegrass in 2014 with The Day We Learned To Fly, earning them nominations for the IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year and the IBMA Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year. Then came the fifth album with the label, Voices, earning them a 2015 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year nomination, and a Gospel Musical Association (GMA) Dove Awards Bluegrass Song of the Year nomination.

Success came again with the 2016 album, Drifter. It debuted on the Billboard Top 10 Bluegrass Albums Chart. This album brought much success, earning them two IBMA Awards in 2017; Emerging Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year for “I Am a Drifter.”

After ten years of working with Mountain Fever Records, Volume Five released Milestones in 2018, reaching the Top 10 Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart. This was quickly followed by the 2019 release of For Those Who Care to Listen, which gained two #1 hit radio single spots; “The 15th of October” and “The Army Vet Song.”

The first release from that session was the single “When Karma Comes Calling” and was released late in 2021, debuting at #1 on the Bluegrass Today Top 20 Weekly Song Chart. It reached the spot seven times, and quickly moved up in the Bluegrass Unlimited National Survey Bluegrass Top 30 Chart. The second release from the Karma album came in 2022 with “What I Didn’t Say;” a moving story written by Harrell on the loss of his parents. This single spent 15 weeks on Bluegrass Today’s Weekly Top 20, two months on the Bluegrass Today Monthly Top 20, and three months on the Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine’s Top 30. “Losing My Religion” was the third single release from Karma, and the song reached number one on the Bluegrass Today Top 20 Monthly chart in November 2022. It spent six months in the publication’s weekly Top 20 and reached the number two position four times.

The release of Karma in 2023 brought more chart toppers with “You Take Me As I Am” and “My Life.” “Rambler’s Soul” reached number one two times on the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 and number two on their monthly chart. “Walk Beside Me” was the fourth number one song from the album, and featured a guest starring appearance by Shawn Lane.

Members

Glen Harrell

Glen grew up around music, playing with a variety of local bands in high school and then starting out in the bluegrass festival circuit. He joined the country music artist Marty Raybon, former lead singer of the supergroup Shenandoah, and toured with him for six years starting in 2002. He played around the country, overseas, and had many shows at the Grand Ole Opry. He created Volume Five in 2008.

Jacob Burleson

Jacob was raised on bluegrass music, growing up in a small town in the mountains of North Carolina and listening to the tunes of his father, founding member of the award-winning Blue Highway Band. He played with some of the top pickers and spent time mastering his craft before joining Kenny and Amanda Smith’s band. He was most influenced by Dempsey Young, Adam Steffey, Shawn Lane, Alison Krauss, Tony Rice, Doyle Lawson, Quicksilver, and the New Grass Revival.

Aaron Ramsey

Along with being a multi-instrumentalist for Volume Five, Aaron Ramsey is also a talented recording engineer for Mountain Fever Records. He has been playing the mandolin since he was 12 years old and played with the gospel bluegrass group, Damascus Road. In 2002, at age 17, he started playing mandolin and guitar for Linville Ridge Band. In 2004, he released his first solo project, then joined Randy Kohrs and the Lites. In 2007, he joined Mountain Heart and stayed there until joining Volume Five.

Chris Wade

Chris got his first banjo when he was 11 years old after attending many bluegrass festivals and concerts with his father. He grew up in Fredericktown, Ohio, and went to college at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), earning a Bachelor’s degree in business management. Chris has performed with many professionals, such as Alecia Nugent, Darrell Webb Band, Marty Raybon, Nothin’ Fancy, Ken Mellons, Sideline, David Grier Band, Steve Thomas, Carrie Hassler, Appalachian Road Show, Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley, and The Cleverlys. Some of his early influences are Flatt and Scruggs, J.D. Crowe, Jim Mills, Terry Baucom, Lonesome River Band, and Blue Highway.

Jacob Eller

Jacob Eller started out in a musical family, and played bass for the Galax area bluegrass band, No Speed Limit. He later played with The Church Sisters and mandolin player Sierra Hull. He is now the band leader and bass player for Highlands Fellowship Church and plays with southwest Virginia singer-songwriters.

Patton Wages

From Volume Five: Patton is currently on leave from the band. He suffered a stroke in early 2021, right after the band recorded their album set for release in early 2021. Please continue to keep Patton in your prayers so he can continue to recover.

Patton began playing banjo at age nine and was raised in Stockbridge, Georgia. He was influenced by Earl Scruggs, J.D. Crowe, Terry Baucom, and Scott Vestal. He then worked with the Georgia-based group, Lost Horizon, playing festivals and appearing on television. He spent four years after that living in Nashville and working with Marty Raybon. He now lives in Mountain Rest, South Carolina.