Growing festival gains national reputation, local momentum

Spreading Roots

The rock ’n’ roll lifestyle isn’t the folk lifestyle, attests Trent Wagler.

“You’re not talking about musicians who are in for rock ’n’ roll fame,” says thevocalist and banjo player for The Steel Wheels, a Virginiabased Americana quartet.

“They are there to pass on something.”

That something, especially in the case of The Steel Wheels, is often a tightly crafted song and the benefits of harmonizedvocals. A combination of those elements will be heard on many stages during the upcoming Fayetteville Roots Festival, which begins Thursday and continues through Aug. 26. The Steel Wheels have two gigs during the festival - one at the Garner Farm on Thursdayfor friends of the festival and another on Aug. 25 at the Walton Arts Center, on the main stage of a venue that will also host three other stages.

During the course of the fourday event, dozens of acts will perform, including notables such as David Grisman, JohnPrine, Pokey LaFarge, Darrell Scott and Joy Kills Sorrow.

Even with two shows, Wagler doubts The Steel Wheels will repeat a song. That’s the kind of luxury provided to a band with several recordings to its creditand additional solo recordings by Wagler and dual efforts between Wagler and multiinstrumentalist and bandmate Jay Lapp. The band’s recordings have earned many honors, including several Independent Music Awards nominations and one victory, a Best Country Song award for “Nothing You Can’t Lose.”

Critics often note the group’s onstage chemistry, and Wagler says it comes from one source - the band’s many years of playing together.

Roots and Americana music such as The Steel Wheels play is becoming increasingly popular, and the quartet is quite literally riding alongside that success. The group does an annual tour on bicycles - including dragging the gear - and the musicians will lead interested parties on a ride through Fayetteville during their time in the Ozarks.

Wagler says his band has watched several events similar in concept to the Fayetteville Roots Festival spring up around the country, further proof of the genre’s increasing popularity. Even so, he credits NorthwestArkansas for responding so quickly.

“It’s a great lineup … I’m super impressed with the talent they booked and how quickly they amassed a reputation on the scene.”

This year’s roots festival has expanded to new venues such as George’s Majestic Lounge and will offer about 50 musicians spread across nine stages and four days.

Additionally, the Fayetteville Public Library will host workshops featuring Roots Festival acts discussing the art of songwriting and the legacies of past masters such as Woody Guthrie.

Whats Up, Pages 14 on 08/17/2012

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