Best North American cities for music lovers

'Best of' lists, North America — By Bob Riel on October 16, 2009 at 7:30 am

Recently, I showed you a road trip that delved into the roots of American music, with destinations connected to the birth of jazz, blues, soul, bluegrass, country and rock ‘n roll. But what about contemporary music? What are the best cities in North America today for music lovers? The Society of American Travel Writers recently chimed with a top 10 list of “best music cities.” The selections run the gamut of tastes and experiences, from Chicago blues to Nashville country. Here are a few of their choices:

New Orleans, Louisiana- “You can’t go to New Orleans without the music swallowing you whole.” –Lisa A. Tomaszewski, travel editor, HMP Communications.

Austin, Texas- “Austin is home to the yearly South by Southwest Music Festival, where nearly the entire city becomes a music venue for a week. There are hundreds of live shows a day, making it just as fun for locals as for industry executives.” –Joshua Hinsdale, freelance travel writer.

Nashville, Tennessee – “Nashville isn’t just the ‘home’ of country music. It’s the heart and soul of country music.” –Steve Winston, freelance travel writer.

Chicago, Illinois- “Chicago’s reputation as home of the blues can’t be understated, with live shows available at clubs every night. The diverse neighborhoods and city-sponsored events also offer live music, from Old Town School of Folk Music to Lollapalooza in Grant Park and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It’s all here, all the time.” –Laurie Borman, freelance travel writer.

Check out the full article for information on New York, Memphis and other cities.