The building was filling fast and the air was electric with expectation as Pat Hanna warmed up the crowd with a lullaby he wrote for his firstborn son "Carnival Carousel". It was a touching comment on a new dad taking his son to the fair like his dad had done with him in years past.
The Steel Wheels Headline at The Woodlands' Millbend Coffeehouse
After thanking Teresa Allen, originator and coordinator of this Woodlands music venue, lead singer Trent Wagler's steel cut voice penetrated the room to herald their arrival, telling it like it is with There Ain't Nothin' You Have That You Can't Lose. This concert on January 8, 2011 was going to be a winner.
Smooth harmonies accentuate the melodious wailing of Walk This Way For a While about being caught walking in the winter unprepared for the chill. When they leaned in for close harmony the audience was spellbound.
It was hard for older adults to keep a dry eye as Trent told stories about his 91 year old Grandpa from Beanblossom, Indiana, whose journey with Alzheimers inspired Hymn for the Unsung. They seemed to float seamlessly in various formations around the stage as different band members were featured while never skipping a beat of both voice and instruments.
The audience was inspired and energized watching the band obviously enjoying the power and poetry of both the lyrics and the strains of melodies. As they sang Breaking Like the Sun When the Day Comes Out both the performers and the crowd was swaying, head shaking, and music making. It felt like watching a sunrise with a refreshing cup of java in hand.
During a fast instrumental piece, their music rushes into the ears and wiggles around till it finally reaches the toes, making listeners want to get up and dance. As Oliver the fiddler was featured the audience could not hold its excitement, cheering and screaming in joy. An a capella quartet including the words "my love will surround me" reflected tenderness just before the concert ended with the fervor of a rousing singalong.
About The Steel Wheels Band
This group offered traditional Americana featuring foot-stomping fiddle tunes. Yet most of the music performed here comes from real-life experience and is original songwriting. Trent Wagler reported that there had always been music in his family, starting with his grandpa who played harmonica back in his Amish days when that was the only instrument allowed.
Not only is their music rooted in old-time blues and bluegrass, they possess a clarity of words which many performers long for. Each band member is an accomplished musician in his own right. Jay Lapp added a mean mandolin to the mix. Brian Dickel, the bass player, even made a baritone guitar which was played during the concert, and can fix any problems with instruments. What talent all around!
They hail from the Shenandoah Valley where they can look up at the Blue Ridge Mountains, an experience poignantly shared when they sang a mellow mountain piece entitled The Valley. Naturally this setting brings beauty and passion to their music.
Virginia's Band Steel Wheels Touring Texas
They're starting the new year taking Texas by storm and then heading to Colorado to share their musical passion in concerts in a variety of venues. Their personal satisfaction is visible during playing and the audience shows even more delight at their energetic tunes.
The Steel Wheels played at Millbend Coffeehouse as part of their January Texas Tour. They are worth far more than the price of admission. They have a history that includes old timey songs as well as recently written ones. Blues, bluegrass, and crowd-pleasing fiddle tunes are part of their playlist as well as some a capella and close harmony pieces. The Steel Wheels leave older adults and all other listeners happy as a fiddle!
Hildra Tague - Mrs. Hildra Tague is a freelance writer, consultant, and teacher dedicated to issues of education and parenting. This all started when she ...
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