The Steel Wheels are an Americana roots band from Virginia taking influences from old-time and traditional string band music. Though they might look and sound like a bluegrass band to the average listener, The Steel Wheels do not consider themselves to be a bluegrass group. Nonetheless they are bringing their music to the International Bluegrass Music Association’s festival in Raleigh for the second time.
Host Frank Stasio talks with the Steel Wheels and hears some of their music. The Steel Wheels features Trent Wagler on guitar, Brian Dickel on bass, Eric Brubaker on fiddle and Jay Lapp on mandolin. The band plays at 1 a.m. Friday at The Architect and at 9:45 p.m. Friday at the Raleigh Convention Center as part of the Wide Open Bluegrass Street Fest. They will also play Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Earle Theater in Mount Airy.