Leave a Light On

[Editor’s Note: We ran this review in the September 2025, however, there were some inaccuracies in that review.  Because of those inaccuracies, I decided to run the review again with corrections included.  Our apologies to Volume Five for the previous inaccurate review.]

Mississippi fiddle player Glen Harrell founded Volume Five in 2008, originally as a jam band, and it has since grown into one of bluegrass music’s most unique acts. The band’s new album, Leave a Light On, includes Harrell (lead vocal, fiddle), Jacob Burleson (guitar, vocals), Chris Wade (banjo), Aaron Ramsey (mandolin, vocals), Jacob Eller (bass), and guests Jeff Partin (resophonic guitar, bass) and Grayson Lane (piano) on the title track.

According to Harrell, this new project is “all about the songs,” which speak of life’s experiences and circumstances. The band has chosen tunes from a variety of songwriter sources that include the likes of Jon Randall, Peter Rowan, Josh Miller, Bob Minner, and Jim Krueger. Selections include “County Wishing Well,” “Walking Among the Living,” “I’m Gonna Love You Like There’s No Tomorrow,” “Pine Tree Skyline,” “We Just Disagree,” and “Dreams Like That.”  Band member Partin offers “Dying All Over Again” and “What Can You Do.” The title cut “Leave the Light On” was written by Lane.

Over the years, the band has received numerous awards and nominations from prominent organizations, including the IBMA, SPBGMA, GMA Dove Awards (Gospel Music Association), and Josie Music Awards. Additionally, songs from the band have consistently topped various bluegrass music charts. With this new project, Harrell has achieved his ongoing goal of finding and collaborating with the right kind of band members, producing the kind of sound that will last for some time to come. Currently, the band’s line-up has Nick Keen (mandolin) replacing Ramsey and Wyatt Harman (bass) replacing Eller.