3/13/2008 Staff The 22nd annual South by Southwest Music Conference (SXSW), taking place this week in Austin, TX, is once again bringing together music lovers, musicians, and music industry professionals for several days of live performances and insightful discussion panels. More and more each year, country music artists try to gain more of the spotlight at the Austin music festival, and this year is no different. SXSW attracts country music artists from around the world. Many Texas Country, Alternative Country, and Western Music artists will be participating in the official SXSW showcases and events. These include:
- Dolly Parton, a country music legend, plays a rare date
- Shelby Lynne, former Nashville recording artist and alternative country favorite
- The Mother Truckers from Austin, TX
- The Quebe Sisters Band from Burleson, TX, a popular group among Western music fans
- Reckless Kelly, a well-liked band from Austin
- Bruce Robison, a Texas favorite from Austin
- The Barker Band from London, UK
- Matt Caldwell from Dallas, TX
- Deer Tick from Providence, RI
- Frank Smith of Austin, TX
- Carolyn Mark of Victoria, BC, Canada
- The Tennessee Three, of Nashville, TN
While all kinds of country and western music acts from various geographic centers perform at South By Southwest, Nashville is trying to bring attention to their music contributions at this year's event in Austin. The Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau (along with another annual local music festival, Next Big Nashville) is sponsoring the "Beer, Bands and Biscuits" party. Stu Walker, an agent at the Agency for Performing Arts in Nashville and repeat SXSW/Next Big Nashville attendee, sees "Beer, Bands and Biscuits" as a step in the right direction. "I hope it further perpetuates the fact that 'Music City USA' isn't just about Music Row/radio-friendly country," he says, "and there is some vital under-the-radar music being made here right now."
