- Trent Wagler & the Steel Wheels
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Trent Wagler & the Steel Wheels perform Original Americana Roots Music.
Their acoustic music ranges from old time, country folk, infused with elements of gospel, blues, and rock and roll. Trent has been singing since the age of 4. He grew up Mennonite,
singing four part harmonies in a family gospel quartet. His musical training since then includes punk rock, jam bands, select university choirs, traditional Arabic music, and his
grandfather’s harmonica. The Steel Wheels joined Trent in January of 2005, adding a fresh sound and exciting energy to his songwriting. The Steel Wheels are Brian Dickel on Bass, Eric
Brubaker on Fiddle, and Jay Lapp on Mandolin. Trent and the Steel Wheels have toured internationally and across the US. They’ve shared the stage with Robin and Linda Williams, Tim
Reynolds, Marshall Crenshaw, Carrie Newcomer, Over the Rhine, John McCutcheon, and Adrienne Young & Little Sadie among others. Together Wagler and the Wheels have assembled a loyal
following that appreciates the honest, deceptively simple sound, with raw emotion and strong musicianship. Please explore the Media and
Merchandise pages for more information, articles, videos, and lyrics by Trent Wagler. If you want to book Trent Wagler & the Steel Wheels,
click here.
- Trent Wagler
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Trent Wagler was born to a Mennonite family in the small town of Bean
Blossom, IN. As early as 4 years old, Trent was singing gospel music on stage with the Wagler Family
Quartet. After some years living in the wide open spaces of Kansas, the Gaza Strip, and Washington, DC, Trent settled in Harrisonburg, VA. In 2002 Trent began playing solo and developing
his own unique mix of traditional and original roots music pulling from the Shenandoah Valley’s rich musical heritage and his own musical background. In 2005 Trent released his first
album of all original material entitled Journal of a Barefoot Soldier released by Jay Lapp’s Dojo Records. Jay Lapp and Derek Kratzer, of the Goldmine Pickers, helped create a wide musical
landscape for the 10-song debut. In 2005 the Steel Wheels joined Trent’s passionate vocals and raw energy with Eric Brubaker’s masterful fiddle and Brian Dickel’s solid bass. In
September 2006 Trent and the Steel Wheels released Blue Heaven, a 14 song combination of traditional and original material including Jay Lapp on mandolin and guitars. In 2008 Jay and
Trent completed a 10 day tour in Ireland and released their new album, Adrienna Valentine. Trent currently lives in Harrisonburg, VA with his partner, Christine and two children, Bailey
and Maia. When he's not playing music he is Education Coordinator at the Collins Center in Harrisonburg, VA. Trent studied acting and performs as a professional actor on a variety of
stages. Past projects have included work with Theater at Lime Kiln, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, and The Keegan Theatre to name a few.
- Brian Dickel
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Bass player Brian Dickel originally hails from the small town of Frytown, Iowa located
just south of Iowa City. Starting at an early age, Brian performed vocally with
his musical family and soon after he would add the trumpet, which he played for 13 years in bands, ensembles, and orchestras as well as singing in various choral groups during this time.
Eventually college would move Brian to Harrisonburg, VA where a newfound love of the guitar and bass would alter his life in many ways. It was during these college years that Brian and
Trent first teamed up together in a rock band. While there he was opened up to a new love for acoustic music that remains to this day. Brian eventually switched over to upright bass
and an old-timey sound. With his 1942 Kay in hand he hasn't looked back since. After a few stints with various bands, including an old-time band with Eric, Brian reunited with Trent in
forming the Steel Wheels. Brian currently resides with his wife Keesha, and his twin daughters Ashland and Marika near McGaheysville, VA. In between his time laying down the solid bass
grooves for Trent Wagler & the Steel Wheels he builds high-end acoustic guitars for Huss & Dalton Guitar Company.
- Eric Brubaker
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Eric Brubaker was born in Oregon, but spent most of his formative years in
Harrisonburg. Eric's interest in music began at the young age of 3, when he started asking his parents for violin lessons. He took lessons at Eastern Mennonite University's preparatory
music program starting at age 5 and continuing through high school. It was in high school that Eric began to get interested bluegrass and old time fiddle music. He started playing fiddle
tunes with friends and seeking out traditional music at the the area's various festivals and jams. Eric has been in numerous bluegrass and old time bands, including Reuben's Potted Ferns,
Rural Sprawl, and the Leftover Biscuit Boys. He is also an accomplished bass vocalist, singing in many local choirs, including the EMU Chamber Singers and the male acapella group Full Table.
Eric met Trent and Brian while at EMU, where he received a BA in social work. Eric also met his wife Peggy at EMU, and the two were married in the summer of 2001. After college he joined
Brian at Huss and Dalton Guitar Co. After several years, he left the guitar building world to build houses with Habitat for Humanity. Eric and Peggy lived in Pendleton County, West Virginia
for a year, housing and supervising volunteers. During this time he also struck up a friendship with several area musicians, sharing fiddle tunes and playing at the local parties. Eric
currently resides in the Park View neighborhood of Harrisonburg and works for a building contractor. He and his wife are expecting their first child in July.
- Jay Lapp
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Jay Lapp grew up in the Mennonite church and early on had a distinct fascination
with guns. Most notably chewing a piece of bread into the shape of a pistol and showing it off, supporting a happy-with-myself sort of grin. It all changed when he traded his bb gun
for an old electric guitar. Jay's mother Anita showed him his first chords and it was on from there. Growing up in the church also provided the opportunity to be influenced by four-part
harmony singing that Mennonites are know for. After the pinnacle of high school and while working at T.G. Music (Goshen, In.), he learned the mechanics of small business, retail, and
instrument repair from owner, friend, and mentor Tim Robie. Then he purchased and built a recording studio in the early 2000's making it possible to start the grass roots approach of
music reproduction and producing. He has since spent time with a number of teachers at Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago) and currently playing full time with the Goldmine Pickers,
Trent Wagler, and other varieties of artists.
