Lydia Loveless (photo by Paula Masters Travis, courtesy Bloodshot Records)

The annual South By Southwest (SXSW) music conference and festival kicked off Wednesday (March 14) in Austin, Texas, as it has every year since 1987. It’s an exciting event for sure. But with over a thousand band scheduled to perform over five days at dozens of venues all over town, for fans, picking what to see can be a maddening experience. A little guidance is always useful–even for those not attending, who may still be very curious about this year’s hidden gems or most anticipated showcases.

The music at SXSW is all over the map–rock to country, blues to electronic, Latin to hip-hop, and all places in-between. In country, the biggest star appearance this year was Kenny Rogers, who had a brief guest spot during Lionel Richie’s showcase Wednesday night. But there are plenty more, from veterans like Billy Joe Shaver and Shooter Jennings, to newcomers like Jonny Corndawg and Lydia Loveless.

Below are 11 singers, songwriters, and bands who were among the most intriguing country-flavored artists playing SXSW showcase gigs this week. (And as always, if you have other favorites to add, let us know in the comments!)

Eleven country picks for SXSW 2012

Bruce Springsteen at SXSW (Michael Buckner/Getty Images for SXSW)

The keynote speaker “ I was playing 'Hank Williams' Greatest Hits' over and over, trying to crack its code.
” Bruce Springsteen at the 2012 South by Southwest Music Conference was Bruce Springsteen, who got going at the “ungodly hour” of noon (Central Time) today. Touching on the many musical influences and inspirations he’s experienced over the years, he spoke quite a bit about how he “found his way to country music” during the 1970s. “In country music I found the adult blues, the working men and women’s stories I’d been looking for,” he said.

Bruce Springsteen and country music

(Photo by Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images)

Dierks Bentley Live On Letterman…Dierks Bentley was on Ellen about a month ago, when he surprised a military family in need with a check for $50,000. Yesterday he was back on the show again, this time performing a special song from an upcoming tribute album to Bob Dylan.Song, details & video here

Eric Church at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City (Photo: Annie Reuter)

For three hours “ Are there any rednecks in New York?
” Brantley Gilbert last night (March 14), Brantley Gilbert and Eric Church brought their blend of rock infused country to New York. The sold-out show at Hammerstein Ballroom included a slew of each artist’s most recent radio hits and older fan favorites.

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Photo credit: Pictures by Michael

[Photos] Miranda Lambert And Pistol…

This was Miranda Lambert‘s fourth consecutive performance at RodeoHouston, and there’s no question she knows how to put on a show!

She was joined on stage by members of Pistol Annies for their hit single, “Hell on Heels.”

We managed to get our hands on Miranda’s set list for the RodeoHouston show! Take a peek below, and then check out the photos from the show as well.

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As of today they are officially my favorite couple in Country Music!  “We’re gonna be late!” “Do you smell that?” “Where’s my phone?” Watch & Laugh

(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for American Giving Awards)

LeAnn Rimes Says “It’s Cold…LeAnn Rimes performed a show in Saginaw on Wednesday night and due to technical issues, her bus got stuck in the northern Michigan town. Bus troubles didn’t stop the singer from having a little fun though. She stopped at The Mixx for some Karaoke.
LeAnn Rimes Karaoke Performance

(Mike Coppola/Getty Images Entertainment)

No stranger to television talent shows, Kelly Clarkson will soon share her experiences as a mentor.more

Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Thunder

The sixth album from Craig Morgan, This Ole Boy, hit the top five of Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart recently, a new landmark for the Tennessee musician.

That achievement marks his best chart debut yet — and it sets him up for a successful year ahead. How has This Ole Boy sized up against his older material? Our friends at Last.fm Trends take a look.Craig Morgan Enjoys Career Best

(Jodi Phillips/The New 103.7)

Thompson Square Parties At Southern… There’s nothing we love more than getting you close to your favorite stars.  This time, our friends in Charlotte brought ACM nominees Thompson Square to the Queen City for a free show with this year’s Southern Girls Night Out! Not only did they perform their big hits but even threw in a few surprises and yes… someone even rushed the stage and interrupted the finale! Watch all the videos and see the pics below!

Get more SGNO action here!

(Christopher Polk/Getty Images Entertainment)

Taylor Swift graces the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Australia in April in a stunning gold Gucci frock. It isn’t her cover photo that’s making the news though. Instead, she’s wearing one designer you might not expect: Kanye West.

Taylor Swift wears Kanye?

Garth Brooks (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

The Country Music Association has announced that three iconic artists are the 2012 inductees into the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame: singer Connie Smith, who was one of the most popular country artists of the 1960s; legendary pianist and sideman Hargus “Pig” Robbins, who’s played on countless legendary sessions for the likes of George Jones, Roger Miller, Charlie Rich, and Bob Dylan; and a guy most of you probably know a thing or two about already, one of the best-selling artists of all time, Garth Brooks.

The 2012 Hall of Fame inductees