About the Artist
As frontman of The Steel Wheels, Trent Wagler has built a reputation on authenticity, community, and innovation in Americana. Known for his powerful voice and even more powerful values, he co-founded the Red Wing Roots Music Festival, turning a love of song into a cultural gathering. His songwriting often explores the balance between tradition and transformation
Trenton Wagler of The Steel Wheels
About the Episode
Trent Wagler: Finding Your Prime in the Creative Life
In this compelling conversation with host Jason English, The Steel Wheels frontman Trent Wagler shares reflections on a prolific moment in his career: the release of his first solo album in a long time, This Might Be My Prime, coming on the heels of the band's Red Wing Roots festival and a new self-titled Steel Wheels album. Wagler provides an intimate look at his songwriting philosophy, the power of collaboration, and his quest for authenticity, all while being rooted in his Virginia home.
Key Conversation Points
The Power of the Present Moment: The album title, This Might Be My Prime, is inspired by a song that features his 20-year-old daughter and 75-year-old father, aiming to remind listeners, "We can't take any of these moments for granted. Wagler, who is in his mid-forties, approaches life with this philosophy, embracing the idea that "no, now this might be" your prime.
The Craft of Songwriting: Wagler, who credits teenage heartbreak as the catalyst for his first songs, discusses the shift from waiting for inspiration to adopting a disciplined craft. This led to a mix of personal songs that "never quite felt like they worked as a band song" for his solo record and songs initially presented to The Steel Wheels. He delves into the origins of the beloved Steel Wheels song "Ghost of Myself," which was inspired by a radio story about memory loss and identity
Family and Heritage: His solo album, released under his birth name, Trenton Wagler , is a deeply personal, family-infused collection. It features recordings of his grandfather, who grew up Amish and was not allowed musical instruments, bookending the album. It also includes a piano interlude from his late maternal grandmother and tracks featuring his sister, making it "stocked full of family.'“
Trent Wagler is best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the Americana band The Steel Wheels, based in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The band has been together for 20 years and has cultivated a sound blending Appalachian roots, acoustic string band tradition, and elements of pop music. Their records, including Sideways (2023) and their upcoming self-titled album , are a testament to their longevity and collaborative spirit
