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

Ha Ha Tonka always comes to entertain and that's just what they did Friday night at the Firebird.

Call the sound of Ha Ha Tonka folky indie rock; call it Southern rock; call it Ozark-steeped-blues-rock. What the labels don't convey is the band's sense of raw power and four-part harmonies. On Friday night, Ha Ha Tonka broke out the harmony and more.

A freight train barrels out of the drum kit. Spanning the distance between mandolin and bass guitar, this rhythmic drive sustains Ha Ha Tonka's delicate harmonies.

Imagine being in a traveling band and staring down the prospect of trying to play a rock show in a town on the night said burg's baseball team is playing in Game 7 of the World's Series, at home, no less.

When it comes down to it, the Jack Daniels-swigging, Southern rock-swaggering force of nature that is the Drive-By Truckers is grounded in great songs. Patterson Hood and Jay Gonzalez prove it in this special duo acoustic session.

Halfway through his performance, Jay Farrar told the audience at the Sheldon Concert Hall that this venue is, "Nicer than the places we normally play. Believe it."

Kentucky Knife Fight showed Off Broadway they haven't forgotten where they come from with ear-bleeding guitar, whiskey-rambling tunes and St. Louis twang.

Ever restless and fiercely independent, Those Darlins responded to the success of their self-titled debut by abandoning its drunken twang in favor of throwback garage soul. But their fire burns just as fiercely as ever.

Coming back home to play their favorite local venue after touring throughout the world, Pokey LaFarge and The South City Three packed the room at Off Broadway -- not once, but twice in one evening.

Over the years Chicago has become a mecca for left-of-center country and roots bands. Sarah & the Tall Boys are the latest addition to the windy, twangy city.

The kickoff to Twangfest 15 exceeded all expectations at the Pageant Wednesday night.

With irresistible country grace in her voice, Zoe Muth leads the Lost High Rollers from their native Seattle to the Midwest and points beyond.

On Friday night, amid tornado sirens and bouts of torrential down pour, college frat boys, rained-out Cardinal fans and music revelers alike made it to Off Broadway for a whiskey-filled tribute to Missouri roots and southern rock.

There's a strangely deviant undertone to Those Darlins' new release Screws Get Loose. This might be attributable to the bad girl (and boy) stage persona they've worked to create; nonetheless it seems to carry over onto the album somehow.

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band and Reverend Horton Heat played their second night at the Old Rock House last night to a large and energetic crowd of true believers and newcomers alike. At the end of the evening, even the most die-hard had been converted by the country blues and rockabilly gospel spread by these two holy men.

Once upon a time, Reverend Horton Heat's music would have made many Stepford wives lock up their teens from the hip-swivelin' world beyond the high school sock hop.

What's a surefire method of putting a fresh spin on an album? Try recording it in a 200-year-old barn. Ha Ha Tonka did just that for its newest release, Death of a Decade.

One of the highlights of all the unofficial day parties at South By Southwest is the Twangfest and KDHX bash at Jovita’s. And I’m not just saying that because I love Twangfest.

Old 97's may come from Texas, and they may be a Texas "bar band" through and through (clad in the requisite cowboy shirts and boots), but last night, to everyone at the Pageant, it felt like they were home again. "When the sun goes down on [St. Louis] town / That's when I'll know I'm home." Right?

Last night the Pageant hosted a thrilling evening of good, ol' fashioned alternative country and rock & roll. Headliners Old 97's played an extended set to a crowded room full of loyal fans.

Fat Tramp Food Stamp is a metal shredding biker rock band with country twang courtesy of its St. Charles, Mo. roots and beards courtesy of ZZ Top. Fire up the banjos and bang your heads to their live session at KDHX.

If you're wondering what the deal is with Ryan Bingham, consider the following: At his first St. Louis appearance since his band's 3-song set at Farm Aid 2009 and first since "Weary Kind" earned an Oscar for "Best Original Song" (from the soundtrack to Crazy Heart), the 29-year-old West Texan passed on playing the anthem, all drunken audience demands notwithstanding.

Despite a raging storm and a late start for a Sunday night, Ryan Bingham played to an enthusiastic, sold-out crowd. Fans stayed with him to the end, singing and swaying along.

All photos by Kate McDaniel. See more at my Flickr stream.