The Steel Wheels are an Americana roots and folk-rock band based in the

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. Their current lineup includes Trent Wagler, Eric Brubaker, Jay Lapp, Kevin Garcia, and Jeremy Darrow. Since 2012, they have hosted the Red Wing Roots Music Festival, held each summer at Natural Chimneys Park and Campground in Mt. Solon, Virginia. The band’s most recent full-length release is their 2024 album ''Sideways''.

Biography

The band’s origins date back to 2005, when former

Eastern Mennonite University Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) is a private Mennonite university in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The university also operates a satellite campus in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which primarily caters to working adults. EMU is known for its Center f ...

students Trent Wagler, Eric Brubaker, Jay Lapp, and Brian Dickel began performing together. Originally a traditional string band showcasing original folk material penned by Wagler, The Steel Wheels have since expanded their sonic palette to include elements of bluegrass, gospel, blues, pop, country, and rock. In 2017, Kevin Garcia joined the band on drums and percussion. Later, Jeremy Darrow replaced bassist Brian Dickel, who departed to become a co-owner of Huss & Dalton Guitars in Staunton, VA.

Red Wing Roots Music Festival

Since 2012, The Steel Wheels have hosted the Red Wing Roots Music Festival at Natural Chimneys Park in Mt. Solon, Virginia. The festival is well-regarded for its diverse lineup of Americana artists and its family-friendly atmosphere. Notable acts that have performed at Red Wing Roots include

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, Steve Earle & the Dukes, The Del McCoury Band,

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, and

Dawes Dawes may refer to: Places Australia *Dawes (Parish), New South Wales *Dawes Point, New South Wales Untied States *Dawes Arboretum, in Newark, Ohio *Dawes County, Nebraska *Dawes Township, Thurston County, Nebraska Other uses * Dawes (band), ...

Current Line-up

* Trent Wagler – Lead vocalist, mountain banjo player, guitarist, songwriter * Jay Lapp – Mandolin, guitar, electric guitar, vocals * Eric Brubaker – Fiddle, vocals * Kevin Joaquin Garcia – Drums, hand percussion, keyboards, vocals * Jeremy Darrow – Bass, vocals

Discography

Studio Albums

*''Journal of a Barefoot Soldier'' (2005) *''Blue Heaven'' (2006) *''Adrienna Valentine'' (2008) *''Red Wing'' (2010) *''Uncloudy Day'' (2010) *''Lay Down, Lay Low'' (2012) *''No More Rain'' (2013) *''Leave Some Things Behind'' (2015) *''Wild as We Came Here'' (2017) *''Over the Trees'' (2019) *''Everyone a Song Volume One'' (2020) *''Everyone a Song Volume Two'' (2021) *''Sideways'' (2024)

Live albums

* ''The Steel Wheels, Live at Goose Creek'' (2011) * ''The Steel Wheels, Live at The Station Inn Volume I'' (2018) * ''The Steel Wheels, Live at The Jefferson Theater Volume II'' (2018)

References

External links

*
Red Wing Roots Music Festival
official site {{DEFAULTSORT:Steel Wheels, The American folk musical groups Musical groups from Virginia People from Harrisonburg, Virginia Music festivals in Virginia