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. He spent a significant part of his youth living in Kansas and listening to what was termed “grunge” music. After moving to the Shenandoah Valley, Trent began playing solo and developing his own unique mix of traditional and original roots music pulling from the Shenandoah Valley’s rich American musical heritage and his own musical background. In 2004, Trent opened for Jay Lapp’s band, The Goldmine Pickers. Jay hopped onstage and the two played way past their 30 minute slot. Since that time Trent has worked with Jay on 5 albums together as solo, a duo act, or the full Steel Wheels.

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. In 2008, Trent co-wrote a play with Ted Swartz (www.tedandcompany.com) called “What Would Lloyd Do?”. The songs written for that play became The Timbered Choir EP released in 2009. Trent has shared stages with such varied acts as Over the Rhine, Peter Rowan, Marshal Crenshaw, Tim Reynolds, Carrie Newcomer, John McCutcheon, Adrienne Young and many more. Trent currently lives in Harrisonburg, VA with his partner, Christine and two children, Bailey and Maia.

Growing up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and in northwest Indiana, Jay Lapp was surrounded by the four-part harmony of Mennonite hymns as well as music from his parents’ eclectic record collection: the Beach Boys to Doc Watson, chamber music to Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Mama’s and Papa’s to the “Blues Brothers” movie soundtrack. After a brief stint in the horn section of his junior high band, Jay picked up his first stringed instrument when he traded a BB gun for a friend’s old electric guitar. His mother taught him basic chords.

After high school, Jay worked at T.G. Music (Goshen, Ind.), where he learned from storeowner, friend and mentor Tim Robie about the retail music business as well as instrument repair and sound system design. In 2000, Jay began studying guitar and mandolin with teachers at Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago, Ill.).

In 2001, Jay started building a recording studio as a grassroots approach to music recording and producing. He has recorded albums and EPs for numerous musicians and groups, encompassing a broad range of styles, and has composed and recorded original music for several independent films and theater productions. One of the songs he recorded and performed with a band he co-founded, Goldmine Pickers, was featured in a television and radio commercial for Nissan-Europe in 2006. Goldmine Pickers has released two albums, an eponymous CD that came out in 2004, and 2007’s “Lonesome Gone”; Jay wrote numerous songs on each recording.

A full-time musician, Jay currently performs with Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels, and The Steel Wheel Duo, for which he has produced and co-produced three albums. He joins numerous solo artists and bands for special projects and events, and has taught mandolin and guitar lessons. He now lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., with his wife, Jessica, their daughter Nola, and big dog, Bean.

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.

After a few stints with various bands, including an old-time band with Eric, Brian reunited with Trent in forming the Steel Wheels. Prior to a full time music career Brian built high-end acoustic guitars for Huss & Dalton Guitar Company for 10 years. He currently plays a 1954 King Moretone from Fretwell Bass & Acoustic Instruments. Brian is endorsed by Fretwell Bass & Acoustic Instruments and uses Innovation strings.

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.

A founding member of The Steel Wheels, Eric took a hiatus from touring in 2011 to build a house for his young family. Taking a hands on approach, he built the house largely with the help of family and friends. Eric and Peggy have two daughters and live just North of Harrisonburg near the town of Singers Glen. With the house now completed, he has rejoined the band on the road.