Ernie Mills hosts the afternoon show on 87.1 Hank FM from 2 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. E-mail him at ernie@hankfm.com.
This month, we celebrate the harvest of Indiana’s hard-working farmers, but October is also turning out to be a great season for live country music — from Shooter Jennings’ Vogue show on Oct. 2, to Taylor Swift’s Conseco extravaganza on Oct. 8, to Emerson Drive’s concert Oct. 9 at 8 Seconds Saloon.
Our Canadian friends return to Indy following a recent turn past 1 million miles on their tour bus. The latest single released from their fourth studio album, “Believe” (produced by Josh Leo and Teddy Gentry of Alabama), is called “I Love This Road.” It’s about the exhilaration of following dreams and the celebration of life, and is one of their best songs ever. (The video is great, too.)
Brad Mates (vocals) and Emerson Drive got their start as “12 Gauge” in a high school talent contest in 1995. A tight and loyal friendship has kept them together. Their tireless work ethic marks them as one of country’s busiest and most resilient bands. You may remember seeing them at Hank FM’s first hog roast with Diamond Rio a few years back at the Brickyard.
Tickets ($10 general admission; $20-$25 reserved) to see Emerson Drive, part of the Bud Light Hank It Up Concert Series, are available through Ticketmaster.com or the 8 Seconds Saloon box office.
Don’t forget to join me on the air the afternoon of Oct. 9, as we welcome Emerson Drive to our Downtown studios. We’ll take your questions and talk about life on the road.
