Based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the Steel Wheels are truly an Americana band, rooted in musical styles that explore the territories among blues, bluegrass, old-time sing-alongs and foot-stomping fiddle tunes. They are subtle innovators who respect the past but make their own tunes. The Steel Wheels fit among musicians like Langhorne Slim and Gillian Welch, who've made a name for themselves by creating their own particular permutations of traditional forms. Yet they also share much with new Americana favorites like the Avett Brothers or Old Crow Medicine Show, with charisma that causes toes to tap and energy to break out. The Steel Wheels count among their fans former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune and indie folk favorites Over the Rhine, as well as Robin and Linda Williams, who sing harmony on their album "Red Wing." Says John Walker of Americana Roots: "Imagine a blend of the passion of the Avett Brothers, the instrumentals of Old Crow Medicine Show, and then sprinkle in the backwoods feel of The Legendary Shack Shakers. In truth, attempting to compare [the Steel Wheels] to anyone is an injustice, since after one listen you can hear that they stand very well on their own perch." After a bike tour that began at The Ark last year, the Steel Wheels are coming back with new and as-yet-untitled new music!