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Steel Wheels. Photos by Jill Fisher.

Have you ever had the experience of attending a concert of a group you’ve heard before and thought was fabulous only to be let down by a subsequent hearing? 

This happens when our expectations get out of hand and we are doomed to be disappointed. I was a bit worried about this being the case when I bought tickets to see the Steel Wheels on Tuesday, March 11, at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis quite some time ago. Not only that but I convinced friends of mine who live not far from there to come out to see the group with us.

Now some of you may recall that I reviewed the Steel Wheels last year about this time when they appeared at the West Theatre. It was one of my more glowing reviews. Really, I couldn’t have been more impressed. 

It’s notable that the Curmudgeon did not accompany me to that concert due to the fact that the band included a banjo! Otherwise he may have dampened my enthusiasm somewhat. 

In general I try to limit myself to reviewing concerts by musicians I haven’t heard previously. But despite any apprehension that it might be disappointing, I just couldn’t pass up seeing this group again. And this time the Curmudgeon was in tow.

Cutting to the chase, in no way was I let down by this year’s concert. Indeed, because I had purchased their Over the Trees CD last year (which I’ve played innumerable times since, especially the track “Get To Work”), my anticipation knew no bounds! 

Steel Wheels singing a cappella.

Just a reminder, this outstanding band from Harrisonburg, Virginia, consists of Trent Wagler (lead vocals, banjo, guitar), Jay Lapp (mandolin, guitar, electric guitar, vocals), Eric Brubaker (fiddle, triangle, vocals), Jeremy Darrow (bass, vocals) and Kevin Joaquin Garcia (drums, percussion, keyboards). 

As they did last time they were in town, they played selections from their most recent album, Sideways (2024), which I also purchased and am thoroughly enjoying.

One of the things that made this concert distinct from last year’s here in Duluth is the current political situation. The band had a clear and forthright response to it with the song “Where Will You Stand” (AKA “When It’s All Stripped Away” and which is considered a contemporary Christian tune). 

As it began, this gospel-flavored tune by Trent and Jay was sung acappella, with spare instrumentation added as it progressed. It asks “…when it’s all stripped away…when the winds are blowing, when the tears are flowing, when justice calls…where will you stand?” 

Beautiful, apropos and well received by the audience. This wasn’t all – there were other statements indicating solidarity with those who are protesting the unwarranted changes being frantically and forcefully imposed upon our country.

For the most part the Steel Wheels performed tracks on Sideways. including “Wait On You” (based on Trent missing a train), “Hero” (in which the audience sang the refrain “Hero”) and “Good Thing Now” as well as songs from several of their earlier albums. 

Having been formed in 2005, the band noted that it was celebrating 20 years of being together. During this time only two changes in the band’s composition were made: Jeremy Darrow replaced bassist Brian Dickel several years ago and drummer Kevin Garcia joined in 2017, expanding the group to five. 

As I wrote last year, Garcia’s drumming and extensive percussion (wonderful rattles) provides rhythmic variety that adds a special flavor to this Americana band.

As I am sometimes able to do, I got backstage before the concert to meet some of the band members – Eric and Trent – and I asked how prevalent the banjo accompaniment would be. 

Trent responded, “A good amount … is that good or bad?” 

So I told them the story of my partner (the C) declining to see them last year in Duluth due to a photo of the band with a banjo in evidence, but that he came along with me on this occasion. Trent responded that he had just the song to play for him. Sure enough, as he introduced this new song of theirs, “Banjos for Everyone,” he relayed the gist of what I had told him. 

I’m not sure if the Curmudgeon appreciated that or not! (He did say he had nothing against the hammer claw style Trent played.) It was a fun song in any case.

The Steel Wheels host a three-day Red Wing Roots Music Festival at Natural Chimneys Park in Mount Solon, Virginia, the third weekend in June. How I wish I could be there – that I could be in two places at once – but how can I leave the Twin Ports with all its wonderful summer music happenings? 

Nate Weiler

On Thursday, March 13, I got over to Sir Ben’s to hear Austin Castle, but discovered he was actually playing at Bent Paddle. 

No worries though, Nate Weiler was there performing a bunch of his own original tunes. He has a fine tenor voice and nice picking style on his acoustic guitar. Though he indicated we had met previously, it must have been some time ago as I couldn’t recall hearing him before.

Mike Munson

The next evening, Friday, March 14, I made sure to get back to Sir Ben’s to see Mike Munson, who also played solo with an acoustic guitar (a Martin). He performed all original songs, many of which are on his 2023 album, Underwood. I’ve seen him play with Mikkel Bee (who also plays washboard with Charlie Parr) at least once before, which impressed me enough to buy his CD and want to see him again. 

Mike used a footpad drum and also some electronic drumbeats to great effect, achieving a lively, driving sound. Then, with his consummate “talking” slide guitar work, I was put in mind of Geoff Muldaur, who I saw perform probably a decade ago now back in an intimate venue in upstate New York. Great stuff all around!

James Wiita

Then it was the Ides of March: Saturday, March 15. In the morning I took a trip out to Holy Smokes (a wood smoked meat shop and coffee café) in Cloquet to hear James M. Wiita play all sorts of beloved Beatles tunes on his acoustic guitar, among other covers. He also played his original “Call Me the Moon.” It was quite lovely. He is an animated and engaging singer-songwriter who happens also to have written the book Rock On Duluth!—Arena Rock 1973-1978- One Promoter – One Dream – The Story Behind It All. 

If you are out that way on either of the last two Saturday mornings in March, you can stop in, say hello and hear him for yourself from 9 to 11 a.m.

Another sweet seconds (or possibly thirds) happened that Saturday evening when I got out to the Jade Fountain in West Duluth to hear Jumpsuit opening for Boss Mama & the Jebberhooch. 

Jumpsuit

I can’t praise Jumpsuit enough. Like the headliners, the musicianship is outstanding and further, what makes this band extra special in my book is the three female vocalists – Erica “Ricky” Francois, Madi Phyle and Courtney Ellian (who also plays keys). These ladies really know how to cook, expressing the lyrics with their powerful voices. 

Given backup by the likes of Manny Eisle, Marshall Dillon, Calvin “Calzone” Lund and Ian Hopp, this young group provides a musical high. 

Of course I could write more accolades for Boss Mama & the Jebberhooch, but I’ve done that any number of times now. Suffice it to say, that group was as wonderful as ever.

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner Willowgreen performed at Sacred Heart Music Center on Sunday afternoon with the appropriate Celtic sound we have come to love. I wasn’t able to stay for the entire show but  was happy to hear their special sounds in preparation for more of the same on Monday.

Willowgreen

UPCOMING: This Friday, March 21, Jam Duluth has organized a Jazz Crawl. Six venues in Lincoln Park will host various jazz groups from 3 to 7 pm: Wild State Cider, Ursa Minor Brewing, Duluth Cider, Dovetail Café, 190 Coffee, and Bent Paddle Brewing. To top it off, the 51st Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival at UMD takes place that evening and the next. 

On Friday the concert at Weber Music Hall begins at 7:30 pm. It continues on Saturday, March 22, with the concert in the Marshall Performing Arts Center beginning at 5:30 pm. Renowned jazz trumpeter Ingrid Jensen headlines both concerts. Hope to see lots of jazz lovers there!