August 2006
Jacob was born and raised in Chilhowie, which is a small rural community in Southwest Virginia. He has been involved with several up and coming bluegrass bands on a local level. He currently plays in No Speed Limit, a young band that is quickly gaining popularity.
Jacob is the rock solid foundation of the band's driving rhythm. Jacob didn't always play bass though. In high school, he played the drums. Then in 1997 for Christmas, Jacob received a bass. His drum career ended, and his bass career began.
Born into a family of traditional musicians and instrument makers, Jacob is no stranger to performing. Along with his dad Randal and his brother Josh, Jacob has played with Cleghorn for the past decade. Jacob and Josh also played in the band Canebreak along with Ryan Blevins (No Speed Limit Mandolin Player), who also attended high school with Jacob. Jacob lists bassist Barry Bales, Jason Moore, and Mike Bub as his biggest music influences.
No Speed Limit came to be when banjo player, Stevie Barr started jamming with Jacob Eller on bass and 16 year old vocalist Amber Collins. They received such a great response from playing on the street during the Old Fiddler's Convention in Galax; they decided to make their music their career. Later the band picked up the 2001 MerleFest National Guitar Champion Josh Pickett and mandolin player Ryan Blevins.
No Speed Limit has certainly been in the fast lane in regards to their musical careers. So far they have played with The Lonesome River Band, The Del McCoury Band, and have plans to tour with Ralph Stanley in Spring 2007. The newly elected Virginia Governor Tim Kaine requested No Speed Limit to play at his Inaugural Concert this past January; and even joined the band onstage, harmonica in hand, for a rendition of "The Circle Will Be Unbroken." The band has also played the National Folk Festival and is scheduled to play the American Folk Festival later this year. No Speed Limit have released their debut cd "Bluegrass Lullaby" in July 2005--made possible with the help of the Virginia Foundation for Humanities & The Crooked Road.
Jacob uses the K&K Double Big Twin, Golden Bullet URB Mic, and the Quantum Blender: "The Transducer, Mic, and Blender work together like a dream. The Double Big Twin gives me plenty of thump while the Mic captures the more natural tones of my bass. I'm more than pleased with my sound."
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