In this studio session, Indra Raj speaks with The Steel Wheels about their 20-year journey as a band, from their early days in Virginia to their evolving sound shaped by collaboration and growth. They discuss their new self-titled album, their recent performance at eTown, and their upcoming show at Swallow Hill in Denver. The band also highlights their deep community involvement through the Red Wing Roots Festival and Red Wing Academy, which bring young musicians together for collaborative learning and performance, reflecting their belief in music as a shared, social experience.
(Air Date: 3/25/26)
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Transcript:
Indra Raj:
We have live music here in the studio. The Steel Wheels are here to play for us and tell us what they’ve been up to. Welcome to KGNU.
The Steel Wheels:
Thank you—it’s great to be here.
Indra Raj:
We’ll talk about what you’ve been up to, but first, let’s hear some music.
The Steel Wheels:
Performance.
Indra Raj:
We have The Steel Wheels live here in the KGNU studio. You’ll be at Swallow Hill this Friday, March 27th, and you just played at eTown last night. How was that?
The Steel Wheels:
It was great—our first time playing eTown. The studio and the whole community vibe there are amazing.
Indra Raj:
You’ve been at this for over 20 years. Does it feel like that?
The Steel Wheels:
Sometimes it feels like more, but mostly it’s been a joy ride. We still love playing together.
Indra Raj:
How did the band come together back in 2005?
The Steel Wheels:
The band formed around Trent Wagler’s songwriting. We started playing regionally in Virginia and grew from there. About a decade ago, we added bass and drums, which expanded the sound.
Indra Raj:
What led to that evolution in your sound?
The Steel Wheels:
We’ve always followed the songs. Change is natural, and working with different producers helped expand our sonic palette over time.
Indra Raj:
Let’s hear more music.
The Steel Wheels:
Performance.
Indra Raj:
You’re listening to The Steel Wheels live on KGNU. I was looking at your website and saw information about the Red Wing Roots Festival and the Red Wing Academy. Tell us about those.
The Steel Wheels:
We started the Red Wing Roots Festival in the Shenandoah Valley about 13 years ago. It’s a three-day festival where we host and perform alongside a great lineup of artists.
The Red Wing Academy came later—we wanted to connect more deeply with the community. It’s a music camp leading into the festival, where kids learn songs and perform with us on stage.
Indra Raj:
That’s incredible. Do you feel the academy fills an important role in music education?
The Steel Wheels:
Yes—it bridges the gap between formal instruction and playing music socially. It gives kids the chance to play together and experience performing in a festival setting.
Indra Raj:
What kind of feedback have you received?
The Steel Wheels:
Some of the most meaningful feedback is when kids say they kept playing music because they wanted to return to the academy. Seeing them perform alongside 100+ young musicians—and watching families react—is incredibly powerful.
Indra Raj:
When is the festival?
The Steel Wheels:
June 19th through the 21st at Natural Chimneys Park in Virginia.
Indra Raj:
You also have a new self-titled album out. Are the songs you’re playing today from that?
The Steel Wheels:
Yes, all the songs we’ve played today are from the new record. It brings together the different influences and styles we’ve explored over the years.
Indra Raj:
Let’s hear one more.
The Steel Wheels:
Performance.
Indra Raj:
You’ve been listening to The Steel Wheels live in the KGNU studio. Thank you so much for being here.
The Steel Wheels:
Thank you—it’s been a pleasure.
Indra Raj:
How can listeners keep up with your music?
The Steel Wheels:
Visit thesteelwheels.com or find us on social media.
Indra Raj:
They’ll be at Swallow Hill this Friday, March 27th. We’re giving away tickets now—stay tuned.
