Mike Compton reminds us of all the reasons why it's worth staying close to the traditions.

It's easy to underestimate the impact that MerleFest has on Americana music, and for anyone who hasn't attended, it's perhaps equally easy to overlook.

Sara Watkins has spent most of her young life on stage making music, but only in the past few years has she stepped up to the mic alone to pour her songs out into the world.

Sara Watkins' previous two trips through St. Louis included supporting the Decemberists and the Blind Boys of Alabama, but last night she was the center of attention to the seated crowd at Blueberry Hill.

The lights dimmed to darkness in the Sheldon Concert Hall to signal the Flecktones making their way to the stage. A moment of quiet settled in.

"Rotten Taters"
Mike Compton
Self-released

"Rotten Taters" is, unbelievably, the first solo release from a mandolinist that, despite playing Carnegie Hall and the White House, simply should be more widely known than he is.

Punch Brothers
"Who's Feeling Young Now?"
Nonesuch

"Who's Feeling Young Now?" will prove to be one of the most respected, lauded, challenging and influential works of the year. But that doesn't mean you'll like it.

Last night's performances by Lydia Loveless, Rum Drum Ramblers and the Hackensaw Boys at the Duck Room were undoubtedly among the best I have seen in a while.

With the unruly fervor of foot stomping and string picking, the Hackensaw Boys stir new life into Americana music and songwriting.

Railroad Earth's Winter Tour 2012 makes a stop at the Pageant.

How many strings does it take to play bluegrass with a full-on rock 'n' roll spirit? The answer is 23, as in the 23 String Band.

Under the increasingly-crowded shade tree of a small hill, the 80-degree weather and cool breeze perfectly matched the sounds drifting from the side speakers. Such was the scene of my introduction to Railroad Earth four years ago.

Railroad Earth is perhaps best known for its vast array of influences which include bluegrass, jazz, classic rock and traditional Irish, just for starters.

Here's my roundup of favorite country sounds of 2011. Enjoy!

Derided in countless jokes, often by the very people that play it, the banjo just might be poised to show us why it really is the greatest instrument ever. Or, at the very least, to make a good case as to why it isn't the worst.

Progressive bluegrass speedsters Trampled by Turtles ended their most recent tour with an energetic show at the Old Rock House.

Music isn't a sport though the idea of a top 10 list can make it seem competitive. It isn't like that, of course, but there are some recordings that are, well, better than others.

Saturday night found a sold out crowd at the Old Rock House for the Trampled By Turtles and William Elliott Whitmore show.

Trampled by Turtles is a young string band with a surreal name and an unreal approach to bluegrass, folk and rock 'n' roll.

Known for their unpredictable, high-energy, country-fueled live performances, Kansas City band the Wilders more than lives up to its name.

Well, the numbers are in, and this year 88.1 KDHX has broadcasted music from well over 4,000 different albums released in 2011. Who knew that many albums were even released this year?

The String Cheese Incident brought their brand of bluegrass, jam, rock and psychedelia to a sold out crowd at the Pageant.

Noam Pikelny
"Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail"
Compass

In "Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail," his latest solo release, Noam Pikelny has created a moving, playful collection that features so much top-flight playing it can make your head spin.

Cedar Hill presents themselves as a traditional bluegrass band, and they are, but perhaps not in the way that you might think.

The Folk School 10th Anniversary show brought Ryan Spearman and Pokey LaFarge, two of the city's finest musicians, together for their first shared performance at the Sheldon Concert Hall.