Brooks and Dunn |
Fan Fair takes place at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in the southern suburbs of Nashville. The action centres around a collection of exhibition halls and the NASCAR stadium. The Stage Shows make use of the stadium's grandstand for seating, with the stage constructed on the pit lane area. But don't think that you're limited to just sitting in the stands watching the shows. If you want to get a picture of your favourites, you're catered for as well. On the NASCAR track itself is an area of "bleacher" seating, ringfenced by a "photographer's circuit". Be warned, if you sit in the "bleacher" seats you'll be out in the baking sun during the shows as the grandstand doesn't cast a shadow across here until the evening shows.
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The "photographer's circuit" works in a very simple way. You join the photo queue at the back of the "bleacher" area and file passed in front of the stage, shepherded along by event staff. As you get right in front of the stage, you take your pictures and move along. It really is that simple. There are at least three shows a day; they're staged by the major record labels and, generally, the bigger labels with the bigger acts, like MCA and Sony, get to stage the big evening shows. Don't expect to see all the big names doing long sets. Usually there will be six to eight acts in a three hour show, so nobody's likely to get more than 30 minutes; time for maybe half a dozen numbers. The big labels also showcase their new signings, giving you the opportunity to be witness to them before they become famous or to be left wondering "whatever happened to them?" next year... |
Rebecca Lynn Howard |
The Exhibition Stands | Fan Fair-related Activities