Anders Osborne performed last night at the Duck Room to a packed crowd, with St. Louis-based Five and Dimers opening.

Every band has a specialty. Some are guitar bands, some jam bands, some electronic. Chris Knight is all about lyrics.

Reckless Kelly always comes out with guns blaring, and their performance at the Duck Room at Blueberry Hill on Tuesday was no exception.

For fifteen years, Austin-based band Reckless Kelly has been travelling a road that runs somewhere between the realms of country and rock.

Justin Townes Earle
Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now
Bloodshot

That Justin Townes Earle would begin his career in the shadow of other great songwriters was unavoidable; after all, his father is Steve Earle, and he carries the name of late Texas songwriter Townes Van Zandt.

Don't let the oversize Texas flag hanging behind the stage or the unfortunate Toby Keith collaboration fool you. Willie Nelson is not simply a country artist.

The legendary Willie Nelson brought his tour through St Louis and performed at the Pageant on Tuesday night.

Twangfest won't arrive until June, but 88.1 KDHX and Twangfest delivered a taste of what's to come with their 13th annual SXSW day parties this past week in Austin.

Late in his set, Hayes Carll gave his appreciation to the audience as he said, "Thanks for coming out on a Sunday night especially after the official Super Bowl of drinking yesterday."

Friday, March 16

12:30 p.m. Home Slice Pizza. This New York-style pizza joint in south Austin hosts a fantastic day party each year, and this year's lineup is quality.

When one of the best country songwriters around invites you to his house to hang out on the back porch and listen to a new song, you don't refuse.

Whitehorse may be a new band, but its passionate take on gospel, country and early rock 'n' roll has already hit its stride.

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

I See Hawks in L.A. is a country-rock band from, yes, Los Angeles, where country rock was born. Heading into their second decade together, the band has finally made the acoustic record they always hoped to make.

The appellation "legend" tends to be more of a marketing term than a description of an artist's importance. Often, it serves only to mark someone who's been lucky enough to get old without succumbing to too many vices and pitfalls along the way, and doesn't necessarily reflect the scope of their contribution to their art form.

Eli Young Band is out supporting their first single to hit #1 on the Billboard Country Songs chart, "Crazy Girl," from their fourth album, "Life at Best." The song has been nominated for Song of the Year and the band for Vocal Group of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.

When it comes to hot acoustic guitar picking, soaked in blues and country traditions, George Worthmore is one of the finest around.

Without regard for cold starts or protocol for warming up the crowd, Darrell Scott began his set last night with "River Take Me," and immediately turned the entire Old Rock House audience attention to the stage. For the reminder of the night we were rapt by his song stories of life and love.

When it comes to heartbreaking, shot-shooting, two-stepping, smooth-shuffling country music, Trigger 5's aim is true.

On Friday night, Off Broadway welcomed Craig Finn to St Louis, and did so in fine fashion.

From singing in coffee shops and theme parks, to conquering the country charts, it's been a long, fruitful journey for Suzy Bogguss.

Click an artist name to listen to the session.

Check out the archives from previous years: 2010 | 2009

Jazz meets swing meets pop meets country in the voice and songs of Austin native Elizabeth McQueen.

Just because Austin vocalist Elizabeth McQueen has been a part of Texas swing institution Asleep at the Wheel since 2005 doesn't mean she's just just a singing cowgirl.

After 13 studio albums, Grammy Award winner Shelby Lynne's arresting voice continues to find something new to say and an authentic way to say it.