The Steel Wheels, an Americana Band with Mennonite roots, will return to Goshen College on Friday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m., for a concert in the Music Center?s Sauder Concert Hall.

The Steel Wheels have enthralled audiences across the country with their heady brew of original, soulful mountain music for almost a decade. Based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the band blends old-time musical traditions with their own original sound.

Trent Wagler?s weathered tenor is joined by bell-clear four-part harmonies inspired by a shared Mennonite heritage. Add to this Eric Brubaker?s lively and evocative fiddle, Brian Dickel?s grounded yet buoyant upright bass, and Goshen-native Jay Lapp?s signature mandolin style, and it?s no surprise that The Steel Wheels have burst onto the Americana scene, becoming festival favorites and selling out venues across the country.

The band?s fourth and newest album, ?Leave Some Things Behind,? produced via their own Big Ring label, takes inspiration for the ?Exodus? narrative from their own experiences on the road and returning home.

Their 2010 album, ?Red Wing,? charted for 13 weeks on the Americana Music Association Top 40 radio charts, reaching Number 15. The Steel Wheels received seven nominations from The Independent Music Awards[2] in 2010.

In addition to hosting the Red Wing Roots Music Festival, The Steel Wheels have appeared at numerous Americana festivals, including the Kerrville Folk Festival, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival, Appalachian Uprising and Floydfest.

Tickets are now on sale for $25. Tickets are available online at www.goshen.edu/tickets or through the Goshen College Welcome Center by calling (574) 535-7566, or emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

Seating for those with disabilities is available. Tickets are nonrefundable.