Montgomery Gentry, Phil Vassar and Trick Pony were just three of the acts spending part of Friday (June 6) signing autographs at the Nashville Convention Center during the second official day of Fan Fair 2003.

By Friday afternoon, rains hit Music City to make any indoor endeavor look even more appealing. Others signing autographs and posing for photos in Fan Fair's exhibit area included Alabama, Jo Dee Messina, Aaron Tippin, Marty Stuart and Rhonda Vincent.

Elsewhere, other artists spent quality time with their fan club members during private parties.

Joe Nichols treated his fans to a lunch of fried chicken, biscuits, green beans and mashed potatoes at the Baldwin Showcase. After an introduction of all the folks who make his career go around, Nichols sang a few chestnuts -- Johnny Paycheck's "A-11" and Merle Haggard's "My Favorite Memory" and "Footlights." He also answered a few questions, revealing that he's got audio books in his CD player right now and that Garfield is his favorite cartoon character. In addition to playing four songs from his major label debut album, Man With a Memory, Nichols also announced a fan club competition to come up with a name for his band, a la Tim McGraw's Dancehall Doctors or George Strait's Ace in the Hole Band.

Emerson Drive went to Bailey's, a pub and grill on Lower Broadway, to greet their fans. An informal meet-and-greet session took place as followers crowded around the bar to visit with the Canadian band. Emerson Drive also treated the crowd to an impromptu performance of a track that will be featured on their upcoming album.