Austin is full of musicians, but only a few of them have the drive and dedication it takes to make this list. Whether they did their thing right here or spent the year touring, these bands are the best performers of 2011.

10. Ginger Leigh. After kicking cancer's ass, she came back with a flurry of gigs all over Texas and became even more of a staple at Momo's. In January and February she'll be doing more of the same every Thursday with "Love. at the Mo'," a show that will have her swapping songs with singers and songwriters such as Shelley King and Ruthie Foster, to name a few.

9. Gary Clark, Jr. Between movie appearances, a superb tour and dropping a new album, "Bright Lights," in September, Gary Clark, Jr. has been a very busy man. Stadiums love him and critics all over the world have finally understood in 2011 what Austinites have known all along: Gary Clark, Jr. is one of the best blues guitarists out there and a very versatile vocalist to boot.

8. Ghostland Observatory. When it looked like Ghostland Observatory couldn't get any bigger, they did. With two ACL Live shows this year and a trip to Lollapalooza in Chile, these guys showed that a great live performance is the best way to get new fans.

7. Suzanna Choffel. When Choffels new album "Steady Eye Shaky Bow" dropped, there was already a buzz surrounding it. What followed was the equivalent of icing on the cake. Capitalizing on the momentum won during the last few years, Choffel exploded this year with performances everywhere including Blues on the Green, UTOPiAfest and many more.

6. Quiet Company. If the band hadn't played a single gig, they would still deserve a spot on this list based on their great new album, "We Are All Where We Belong." 

5. Trent Turner. While big stadiums are great, it's the hardworking folks that bring you live music every single week of the year that make Austin what it is. When it comes to absolutely passionate live performances, interaction with the audience and earning fans with sweat and blood, few come close to bluesman Trent Turner.

4. White Denim. Hard, fast, clean and relentless, the guys from White Denim have been playing their hearts out all over Austin and their new album, "D," has made more top-50 lists than I care to mention. Their schedule for early 2012 is looking just as hectic as this year's and they will welcome the new year with a show on the 31st at Empire Automotive Garage.

3. Mike Milligan. The second bluesman on this list, Milligan is known as The Working Horse of the Blues and he has earned that name this year. Whether he's at the Anderson Mill Tavern, giving you a reason to go out on a Monday with Maggie Mae's Blue Monday or blowing his harp at B.D. Riley's, Milligan is always working and his performances seem to only get better.

2. Jeff Lofton. Austin's resident jazz virtuoso and Best Jazz Band Winner in this year's Austin Music Awards has consistently regaled the city with some of the best jazz in the nation. From Maria Maria and the Waterloo Ice House to Central Market North, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and the Cactus Cafe, Lofton seemed to be everywhere in 2011. Also, this jazz maestro sold out the Cactus Cafe twice for two separate tributes, one to Antonio Carlos Jobim and the second to Cole Porter. In 2012, Lofton will be taking on Miles Davis, a man he is regularly, and very deservingly, compared to.

1. The Bright Light Social Hour. What can we say about these guys that hasn't been excitedly blurted out by fans or scribbled by critics? With superhuman energy and a great sense of humor TBLSH has toured the country and melted faces on every city they've set foot in. The reviews from their shows usually read like love letters and every time they come back to Austin, they do so as bigger heroes. With some new help when it comes to touring and a homecoming gig in Feb. at La Zona Rosa, 2012 promises to be another TBLSH year. 

There you have them! Now think about those favorites of yours that didn't make the list and share below.

Image courtesy of Arch Engraving.