Kellie Pickler rocks the Plains

The rain didn't seem to deter Kellie Pickler fans from having a great time Friday night at UPC's fall concert.

Auburn students packed the rained-soaked lawn outside the Student Center singing along to Pickler's hit songs like "Red High Heels" and "Best Days of Your Life."

A former contestant on American Idol, Pickler kept the audience entertained with her popular chart-topping songs along with her latest single, "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You."

Pickler even threw out "War Eagle" a few times while on stage to keep the screaming fans energized and involved with the show.

"She knows how to please a crowd," said Sarah McCullough, a junior in animal science product management from Clanton.

Pickler welcomed fans by coming offstage during the show, walking through the audience, shaking hands, waving and talking to members of the crowd.

"The concert was amazing," McCullough said. "It was one of the best shows I have ever seen."

According to several students, of all the talented artists presented by UPC in recent years, Pickler seemed to stand out as one of the best.

"A lot my friends were here for the Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley concert a few years ago, and they loved Kellie Pickler," McCullough said. "It was Sticks worthy."

The free concert, presented by UPC, wasn't just for Auburn students. With a low admission price of only $5, fans young and old from the general public were able to join in on the fun, singing and dancing to the upbeat songs from the young country superstar, Pickler.

When Pickler left the stage without singing "Red High Heels," fans began chanting to the words to her first hit-single so loudly that Pickler returned to the stage for an encore.

"It was really cool," McCullough said. "I am glad she did that, cause 'Red High Heels,' that's my favorite song."

A number of West Virginia fans in town for Saturday's game even left their tailgate spots around campus to mingle with the crowd and enjoy the outdoor concert, as well as the activities provided inside the Student Center. These included an antique photo shoot and an opportunity to participate in karaoke.

All who attended the UPC Tiger Nights event seemed to have a good time. Even the members of Pickler's band, who play shows every night for a living, had an exceptionally good time visiting Auburn.

"I think it's pretty awesome playing in Auburn," said bass player Jay Gorman from Delphos, Ohio. "But I just wish it would stop raining," he joked while putting on a show for other members of the band by rocking out with his guitar backstage as if he was already playing in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Gorman has played bass guitar for 23 years, but has only been on tour with Pickler for the past three years.

"The camaraderie with the band is great," Gorman said. "It's a lot of fun playing with Kellie. All my friends are in the band and we have a good time together."

The band, which left immediately after the performance heading to a show in Maryland on Saturday, was excited to be playing on a college campus.

"It's great playing here," said keyboard player Michael Hughes. "I grew up in a college town. I grew up in Clemson, and Auburn has a lot of similarities to Clemson. I love the atmosphere, and it reminds me of home."

Hughes, who has been playing keyboards for Pickler since October 2006, commented on the numerous tailgaters on and around campus already for the upcoming game on Saturday.

"The tailgaters here already are great," Hughes said. "It's one of the things that make a college town special."

Though they were excited about the feel of football season and the atmosphere surrounding Auburn, not all band members were Auburn fans.

Greg Lohman, the drummer, received his bachelor's degree in music performance from Eastern Illinois University and then went on to get his master's degree in music from the University of Tennessee.

"It's fun to play colleges," Lohman said. "I like playing here in Auburn even though I'm a Tennessee fan."