Music has a powerful connection to human emotion. That makes picking the right tunes a make-it-or-break-it aspect of any event. A successful playlist requires asking the right questions long before you crank up the volume.

Who are you trying to please? Are we talking to country, hip-hop, rock or jazz fans? The list of genres seems endless, but you might want to look to the address of the meeting space to find a local sound that adds to the regional feel. Here are some suggestions based on popular event locations that may get you started.

Nashville, Tennessee

Genres: Country, Pop, Bluegrass

Famous artists: Kings of Leon, Kesha, Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum

New Orleans, Louisiana

Genres: Jazz, Blues

Famous artists: Louis Armstrong, Aaron Neville, Earl King, Lil Wayne

Atlanta, Georgia

Genres: Hip-Hop, R&B, Neo soul, Rock

Famous artists: The Black Crowes, OutKast, Allman Brothers Band, Ludacris

Seattle, Washington

Genres: Garage Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk Rock

Famous artists: Pearl Jam, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Foo Fighters, Fleet Foxes

Chicago, Illinois

Genres: Blues, Jazz, Hip-Hop

Famous artists: Jennifer Hudson, R. Kelly, Fall Out Boy

New York, New York

Genres: Jazz, Rock, Hip-Hop, Punk Rock

Famous artists: Beastie Boys, Madonna, 50 Cent, The Strokes, The Velvet Underground, Ella Fitzgerald, Neil Diamond, Norah Jones

Austin, Texas

Genres: Country, Rock

Famous artists: Nelly, Spoon, Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin, Bob Schneider

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