Pictured (Back row, L-R): Tommy Emmanuel, Eddie Pennington, Lucas Thomas, Tom Doyle, Striking Matches’ Sarah Zimmerman and Justin Davis, Joe Robinson; (Front row, L-R): The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abigail St. Pierre, Dinah Gretsch, Fred Gretsch, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ali Tonn. Photo by Carissa Riccardi

On Saturday, July 16, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the run of its exhibit American Sound and Beauty: Guitars from the Bachman-Gretsch Collection with a closing concert that featured performances by a number of guitar masters.

Fingerstyle guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, National Thumb Pickers Hall of Fame member Eddie Pennington, Australia’s Got Talent winner Joe Robinson, and Striking Matches’ Sarah Zimmerman and Justin Davis demonstrated their varied musical styles while also discussing the unique features of Gretsch guitars.

Eddie Pennington performs. Photo: Carissa Riccardi

Pictured (L-R): Joe Robinson, Tommy Emmanuel and Sarah Zimmerman perform. Photo: Carissa Riccardi

Photo: Carissa Riccardi

Striking Matches’ Sarah Zimmerman and Justin Davis perform. Photo: Carissa Riccardi

Jerry Greer

Craig Morgan has shared a note of gratitude to his social media followers for their support after the sudden death of his 19-year-old son, Jerry Greer.

Greer drowned during a boating trip with a friend on Kentucky Lake in Humphreys County, Tennessee, on July 10. His body was recovered on July 11 and his funeral services were held on July 15.

Morgan posted the following message on Wednesday:

The loss of our son Jerry is the hardest thing we have ever had to endure as a family. Karen and I are so grateful for all of the wonderful people who have shown us unwavering support during this difficult time. There are too many to name here, but we are especially thankful for the Humphreys County Sheriff and Fire Departments, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and all the additional agencies and volunteers who turned out to bring our son home. We would also like to thank our friends, family members, and Jerry’s friends who have all shown us an immense amount of love and support. Additionally, we cannot thank the music and outdoor communities enough for wrapping their arms around us, as well as our industry friends, fans, and all those that loved our son. We are blessed by the outpouring of prayers and condolences from across the world. Jerry may be gone from this earth, and we will miss him every day, but his spirit will live on in our hearts. We will find peace knowing that God has a bigger plan, and that one day, we’ll be reunited with him again in Heaven. John 3:16 – Craig

A number of Nashville musicians are performing at this week’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

The official music stage of the event is at Cleveland’s Freedom Plaza, where artists perform both before and after each convention session. The Swon Brothers opened the shows there on Monday evening (July 18) as the stars of the pre-convention activities. A band called Hope Country was also booked.

Monday was also the date of The Buckeye Bash to honor the Ohio delegation and Ohio elected officials. The site was Cleveland Public Hall and the featured band was Rascal Flatts. This benefitted the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.

As previously reported, the Nashville jam band Moon Taxi pulled out of Monday’s Headcount Convention Jam event at the House of Blues. This same venue is hosting shows on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but has not announced any stars.

House Republican Leadership was honored at Concerts for a Cause on Monday at Jacobs Pavilion. The Band Perry performed. According to The Morning Hangover, Big & Rich and Chris Janson entertained on Tuesday (July 19), and Thomas Rhett is on tap for Wednesday (July 20).

But the official RNC stars of Tuesday at Freedom Plaza were Super Diamond and Dave Fenley, and the Wednesday stars there were reported by the RNC to be Lee Brice and Jordy Searcy. Activities at the official site conclude with Hope Country and The Sensations on Thursday (July 21).

A Gospel Brunch at Brickstone on Tuesday morning booked Robert Randolph and Sam Moore. Lee Brice was booked again, this time at a Concerts for a Cause event at Jacobs Pavilion on Wednesday night. He was to be joined by Pat Green.

Also on Wednesday, Martina McBride was scheduled to headline a concert to benefit the arts advocacy group The Creative Coalition. The venue was The Music Box.

A Cleveland Rocks private festival honoring veterans is bookending the RNC. The fest booked Lynyrd Skynyrd for Sunday (July 17) and Kid Rock for Thursday (July 21). The Kid Rock show is being billed as the convention wrap-up party.

Thus far, no Nashville artists have been announced for the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia next week.

Parmalee. Photo: Joseph Llanes

The Grand Ole Opry and Southwest Airlines, in partnership with BBR Music Group, will host a three-week series of free acoustic performances in New York City this summer.

The Circle in the City series will feature Parmalee on Tuesday (July 26), Lindsay Ell on Aug. 2, and Thompson Square on Aug. 9. All shows will begin at 8:30 p.m.

Lindsay Ell. Photo: Jason Myers

Each of the artists will travel to Manhattan with the Opry’s signature microphone stand and will continue the 90th anniversary year tradition of throwing down a replica of the circle of wood from center stage at the Opry House. Fans can watch each of the shows live on the Opry’s Facebook page.

New York’s NASH FM 94.7 will host the Bryant Park concerts. Each performance is open to the public, and seating will be based on a first-come first-served basis.

Ell and Thompson Square are set to follow their Tuesday night New York City performances with Wednesday night appearances at the Grand Ole Opry.

Thompson Square. Photo: Nathan Chapman