CD Potpourri
Add A Little Spice to Your CD Collection

By Brianna, 17
By Girls, For Girls National Advisory Committee member

My CD collection is like a buffet; there's something for everyone! From Blink 182 to Rosemary Clooney, listening to a potpourri of artists spices up my day-to-day monotony.

Variety Rocks

How did I get interested in artists like Ani DiFranco and Jackson Browne? I always ask my friends what they are listening to. My dad and I often talk about music, and he got me hooked on the artists he liked when he was young. Also, keeping an open mind helps. If someone highly recommends an artist, I'll give it a listen before I pass judgment.

Expand Your Horizons

Spice up your CD collection with these tips for finding new music (or at least music that's "new" to you):

• Use your Public Library. You may be surprised to find that you can get any kind of music from the library. And it's the ultimate try-before-you-buy experience! Check out a CD for free and "test drive" it before making an investment (just watch out for overdue fines).
• Get to know local bands. You've seen those cluttered bulletin boards downtown where local bands post their info. It's time to actually stop and read them. You'll find cheap concerts where they sell their CD's at reasonable prices. Hey, it's something to do on a Saturday night! Then you'll own an album that none of your friends have—and you can tell them all about it.
• Be a radio connoisseur! It's my personal policy to listen to a new station every week. Doing so gives me a chance to hear different artists from all genres. If I hear someone I like, I jot down their name and look for other songs they sing, too.
• Ask your parents. <Gasp!> It may seem like dangerous territory, but question your parents about the music they like. Give it a try! Your parents might be more music savvy than you expect.

So, don't be shy; get acquainted with some new music. It's an easy way to add variety to your everyday routine (and you'll have a great new topic to talk about at the lunch table!).