Photo Friday (7/6/12)

The Academy of Country Music recently welcomed Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville recording artist Jerrod Niemann to its offices while he was in Los Angeles. He is gearing up for the October 2 release of his sophomore album, Free The Music. While at the Academy he performed his current single “Shinin’ On Me,” and previewed songs from Free The Music for the staff.

(L-R): Paul Barnabee, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville; Jerrod Niemann; Tiffany Moon, ACM Executive Vice President/Managing Director; Steve Emley, Fitzgerald Hartley Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

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Grammy award-winning guitarist Earl Klugh performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame ^® and Museum on Saturday (6/30). Klugh performed and shared memories of his friend and mentor, Chet Atkins. The exhibit Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player, will close on July 15.

(L-R): Curatorial Director Mick Buck, Steve Wariner, c.g.p., Earl Klugh, John Knowles, c.g.p., and Mark Pritcher, president of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society. Photo: Donn Jones

Steel Magnolia recently played to a near capacity crowd at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheater near Atlanta. Despite the high temperatures, former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes and his daughter stayed for their entire 90-minute set. The duo also performed “God Bless America ” during the 7th Inning Stretch at Turner Field for the Atlanta Braves/Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game.

Steel Magnolia's Joshua Scott Jones, Governor Roy Barnes and Steel Magnolia's Meghan Linsey Photo: Dan Harr/MusicNewsNashville.com