Local musicians Granite Rose are making headway in upcoming tour with southern rock sensation Saving Abel. The opportunity was founded by dedication, a lot of hard work and ambition, and a modern resource known as networking. Granite Rose lead vocalist Nick Anderson said the band toiled and struggled to get to the point they are at today. “We played over 100 four-hour shows, (went) through three drummer changes, two broken-down vehicles, a court case between a bar that stiffed us, and we pulled through,” he said. Bandmates Evan Mehre, bassist/backing vocals, Galen Keily, lead guitar/backing vocals, and Ian McAlister, drums, share in the excitement of adding this experience to their collective résumé. Granite Rose kicks off a weeklong tour on Oct. 2 in Rockford, Ill., consisting of five shows alongside Saving Abel. For more information, donations, and merchandise, visit Granite Rose’s support site at indiegogo.com to help fuel the crusade.