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, Gillian Welch, or Adrienne Young and Little Sadie (with whom they've shared the stage) –- deft musicians making 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 the new Wheels' album, "Red Wing." The album's title track, a sweetly lyrical modification of the old-time tune of the same name, gives a good idea of what this band is about. The Steel Wheels did a great show at the Circus in May during their all-bicycle tour of Michigan, and they're an Americana band on a rapid rise.