The Steel Wheels

The Steel Wheels have long been at home in the creative space between tradition and innovation, informed by the familiar sounds of the Virginia mountains where the band was formed, but always moving forward with insightful lyrics and an evolving sound. In 2005, Jay Lapp (vocals, guitars, mandolin) and Eric Brubaker (vocals, fiddle) joined lead singer Trent Wagler (guitar, banjo) in forming the band as a vehicle for Wagler’s songwriting. They released several albums under Wagler’s moniker, before officially adopting the The Steel Wheels name with the 2010 release of Red Wing.

Quickly staking their claim as independent upstarts in the burgeoning Americana scene, The Steel Wheels followed up this release with three more self-produced albums in the next five years, before joining forces with producer Sam Kassirer for Wild As We Came Here (2017) and Over The Trees (2019). Kevin Garcia (drums, percussion, keys) joined in 2017, bringing a new level of sonic depth and polish to the outfit. Newest member Jeremy Darrow rounds out the rhythm section and grounds the band as they continue to explore deeply rooted yet fresh folk rock sounds.

In response to the pandemic, The Steel Wheels creatively connected with their audience in 2020 by crafting personalized songs. These "Everyone a Song" albums collect fan experiences and transform them into songs. The Red Wing Roots Music Festival, hosted by The Steel Wheels each summer, is a celebration of music, community, and the Shenandoah Valley. It features their energetic main stage performance, afternoon showcases with young Red Wing Academy students, a diverse gospel hour on Sundays, and collaborative tribute sets honoring music legends. The Steel Wheels, in festivals, shows, and the studio, carry on their mission: challenging traditions, sharing stories, and uniting communities through music. the year 2023.