MILROY — Steel Ridge didn’t start with a big plan, a long-term vision or even a formal conversation — it started with a few musicians from the Lewistown area who kept crossing paths at church, picking up instruments together and realizing, almost accidentally, that something special was happening.

By the fall of 2024, those casual meet-ups had turned into a full band with a growing setlist, a loyal local following and, most recently, a new member who helped expand their sound: fiddler Kendra Young.

Young, who lives in the Lewistown area, joined the group earlier this year and immediately brought a new layer of energy and texture to the band’s mix of modern country, ’90s country and country-rock covers.

“She’s been a great fit right off the bat,” guitarist Adam Taylor said. “She’s added a really cool dynamic to our sound.”

Steel Ridge’s lineup includes Taylor on guitar, Mike Thomas on bass, Bryan Krepps on drums, Ryan French on vocals and guitar, and Young on fiddle. All five members work full-time jobs, but music has become a shared outlet — a break from the daily grind and a chance to reconnect with something joyful.

“We all met through church,” Taylor said. “Most of us played on worship teams at different times, and that’s how we got to know each other musically, too.”

Those connections eventually led Thomas to suggest they get together and play. What started as a simple idea quickly turned into something more structured.

“Things just started flowing,” Krepps said. “Even just practicing for a couple hours is a healthy outlet. It’s a lot of fun.”

On Saturday, Steel Ridge will bring their blue-collar country and classics to the Hungry Run Distillery, 10 Riden Road in Lewistown for a 6 p.m. gig.

The band rehearses in a basement in the Milroy-Reedsville area, a space that has become their creative home. It’s where they’ve shaped their sound, built their setlist and discovered the chemistry that makes Steel Ridge work.

“It’s been fun to see it all come together,” Taylor said. “People come out and enjoy the shows, and that’s really what keeps us going.”

Their first unofficial performances were at two birthday parties for friends — low-pressure settings that gave the band a chance to test their sound. The reaction surprised them.

“Watching the crowd get involved — that’s what it’s all about,” Thomas said. “When people are dancing and having a good time, you feel it.”

From there, the band began booking shows within about 20 miles of Lewistown, including stops in Huntingdon and surrounding communities. Their mix of country and country-rock covers has helped them build a steady following, especially among listeners who appreciate a blend of familiar hits and energetic stage presence.

But Steel Ridge isn’t just a cover band. The group has been writing original music as well — something they hope to lean into more this summer.

“We have some original songs in the works,” Taylor said. “We already perform one of them, called ‘Milwaukee.’ One of our goals is to record a few of our originals and release an EP.”

That creative push has been fueled by the band’s growing confidence and the sense that they’ve found something worth investing in. For French, who describes music as a “low-key outlet” he’s had since childhood, the band has become a meaningful part of his routine. For Krepps, it’s a chance to step away from everyday stress and reconnect with something joyful. For Thomas, it’s a return to the stage after years of playing in Lancaster-area bands before moving back home.

And for Taylor, it’s the culmination of a long-running desire to make music with people who share the same mindset.

“Everybody’s on the same page,” he said. “That’s what makes it work.”

The band’s name, Steel Ridge, reflects both the region’s industrial history and its geography — a nod to Standard Steel and the ridges that define the Juniata Valley landscape. It’s a name that feels rooted, local and unmistakably theirs.

Young’s addition has already expanded the band’s sound and stage presence. A skilled fiddler with strong ties to the Lewistown area, she met the group through church and quickly became part of the musical fabric.

With summer approaching, Steel Ridge is preparing for a busy stretch of shows, new music and the continued growth of a band that started almost by accident. What began as a few musicians meeting up to play has become something steadier — a group with momentum, chemistry and a clear sense of direction.

“It’s definitely been fun to see,” Taylor said. “We’re excited for what’s next.”

They also have some original songs in the works, and currently perform one of these in our set, titled “Milwaukee.” One of their goals for this summer is to record a few of their originals and release an EP.

For now, Steel Ridge is exactly what its members hoped it would be: a place to make music, connect with people and enjoy the ride — one rehearsal, one show and one original song at a time.

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