Casey James Plays 2011 CMA Music Festival with "Idol" Company

Remember Casey James from "American Idol" Season 9? The guy who took his shirt off during his Denver audition so judges Kara DioGuardi and Victoria Beckham could see if he was "complete package"? The guy that turned out to be a pretty decent entertainer and "the best guitar player ever to perform on 'American Idol,'" according to Brian Mansfield at "Idol Chatter? Well, that guy just played the 2011 CMA Music Festival in Nashville and will be releasing his first album soon.

Actually, Season 9's third-place finisher played two acoustic sets during the CMA Music Fest this weekend. He performed on the Lay's stage on Saturday afternoon and then at LP Field later that same evening. As MJsBigBlog pointed out, he "attempted" to play at LP Field. Partway through his second song, "Drive," his microphone cut off.

He jokingly posted to Twitter later that everyone knew there were more words to the song than they heard. Afterwards, he recounted (the excitement obvious in his retelling) he got to hang out with legendary country and bluegrass artist Ricky Skaggs and even got to pick on the performer's mandolin. He also got to meet Amos Lee, whose songs he noted he's been covering for years, and he and Lee have agreed to write together sometime. And then he saw Randy Owen, lead singer from the legendary band Alabama, and Owen let him play what James referred to as "THE guitar. The same one he has been playing all those awesome hits on for years." (He met Owen previously and has written some music with the Alabama lead singer.)

Casey played the same venue as the two latest "American Idol" sensations. Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery, the Season 10 runner-up and winner, respectively, made surprise guest appearances at LP Field Saturday as well. Lauren sang "Anyway" with Martina McBride and Scotty performed "Your Man" with Josh Turner. The two teens also made their debut performances at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, singing the night before at the venerated singing hall.

And those weren't the only "American Idol" alumni in attendance at the 2011 CMA Music Festival. Season 8's third-place finalist Danny Gokey, now a country singer in his own right, hosted Saturday's event at LP Field. Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson was featured in concert with Jason Aldean. Season 4 winner -- and now country music superstar -- Carrie Underwood held a Fan Club Party Tuesday at the Grand Ole Opry and sang ten songs. And Crystal Bowersox, the Season 9 runner-up, played the Opry Matinee on Saturday.

Casey James' first album is due to be released in late 2011.