Mark Bennett: Concert at The Mill brings Marc Rogers full circle

It’s been a long time since a concert venue brought in so many artists, so frequently.

This month, The Mill will host three large-forum musical events in a six-day span, and then three more in a three-week stretch. The fourth season for the outdoor amphitheater near the Wabash River front featured a 12-concert schedule in 2024. A diverse set is upcoming — Grammy-winning rapper Ludacris on Saturday, heavy-metal tribute band Monsters of Mock on Sunday, and country artist Cooper Alan on Sept. 12.

Terre Haute hasn’t experienced such a steady sonic infusion since Hulman Center’s concert heyday in the 1970s.

Marc Rogers’ music career spans those years to today.

And, when his Marc Rogers Band opens the Sept. 12 concert with headliner Cooper Alan, the dots of those two Terre Haute eras will connect.

Before Rogers went to Nashville, Tennessee, and became a touring and recording-session guitarist from 1976 to 1994, he grew up in a house at the corner of Jefferson and Preston streets on Terre Haute’s south side. Rogers and neighborhood pal Paul Bays would walk two blocks to the Voorhees Park shelter to hear bands perform. Across adjacent Prairieton Road was the bygone International Paper Mill.

In 2021, entrepreneurs Tim and Kelly Drake converted the abandoned industrial site into a concert venue, now known as The Mill.

Three blocks from where Rogers grew up. Next week, Rogers will perform on that stage, with his band, consisting of his sons Marc Jr. Rogers and John Rogers, daughter-in-law Emilee Rogers and two other ace musicians, keyboardist Billy Goodrich and vocalist John Henderson.

“I’m coming full circle,” Rogers said.

The 66-year-old Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Famer has played in football stadiums and classic country music halls. He’s backed country icons like Porter Wagoner, Jim Ed Brown, “Little” Jimmy Dickens and Skeeter Davis, among others, and singer-songwriter David Lee Murphy. Rogers captured his story in a 2021 memoir “Life With My Guitar,” which included his family history and the tragic loss of his father, Sonny Rogers, his friendship with Terre Haute-born guitar great J.T. Corenflos and the writing partnership with his wife, Barbie.

“I went out and saw the world, and now I’m back playing three blocks from where I grew up,” Rogers said. “I’m very appreciative [the Drakes] are giving me and the band this opportunity. It’s kind of amazing, that venue is there in that same neighborhood.”

Rogers and his band plan to perform classic rock and ’90s country hits, such as Murphy’s “Dust on the Bottle.” After their 45-minute set, Alan will take The Mill stage. Hits by the 28-year-old North Carolina singer include “New Normal,” “Tough Ones,” “Colt 45,” “Can’t Dance” and “Take Forever,” the latter of which topped Sirius XM’s “The Highway” list.

“The kid’s got a lot of great stuff going on,” Rogers said.

Following the Rogers/Alan concert, The Mill’s schedule includes prog-metal rockers Queensryche on Sept. 20, a lineup of Wabash Valley bands for the Sept. 28 BBQ Fest, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer guitar legend Steve Miller’s season finale on Oct. 12.

Crowds have been strong in 2024, said Mill co-owner Kelly Drake. The 65-acre layout can seat up to 10,000 fans.

“We have been very happy with our turnout for 2024, and are currently planning for 2025,” she said. “We are excited for the last few shows.”

Rogers is ready for his band’s moment in that musical continuum.

“The venue is incredible, and to have this in our hometown …,” Rogers said. “We’re fired up to play it. It’s going to be fun.”