New Orleans is Tops for Live Music; Branson is No. 9
New Orleans was the top vote getter in a poll of travel writers asked to list their favorite 10 North American cities for live music.
Listed in order of votes, with comments from members of the Society of American Travel Writers, the 10 are:
1. New Orleans: “Bleeds music - it’s in the air, in the water, in the people.”
2. New York City: “Where else can you ‘Rent’ a seat next to some ‘Guys and Dolls’?”
3. Austin, Texas “Home to the yearly South by Southwest Music Festival.”
4. Nashville, Tenn.: “Home of country music.”
5. Chicago: “Home of the blues.”
6. Memphis, Tenn.: “Barbecue and blues.”
7. Montreal: “Anything you might want, with a European accent.”
8. Las Vegas: “From Elvis and Frank through Barbra and Barry to Celine and Bette.”
9. Branson, Mo.: “Where do top sidemen go when they tire of the LA lifestyle?”
10. Denver: “Red Rocks is one of a kind.”
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Tom Uhlenbrock has been roaming the Midwest for eons, looking for rivers to float, wineries to visit, trails to hike, saloons to haunt, cozy places to stay. Let's share, and advice is free. 
The old chestnut is oh so true…I spent a week in Branson one night. I wouldn’t go back if you held a gun to my head. UGH!
New Orleans and Memphis, on the other hand, are destinations I adore.
It’s obvious that not all of these travel writers have been to Branson. You can’t find more live music then in Branson.
It wan’t a poll for MOST live music. It was favorite cities for live music.
Chris, I promise that there is more live music in New Orleans, New York, and Austin than in Branson. The music in those places is also better which is why the experts picked them as the top 3.
The idea of Branson as a destination for live music is on par with Las Vegas as a destination for theater. It depends on whether you want glitter or goodness. If you want goodness, skip Branson and get thee to NOLA or NYC or Austin. Each of these cities has more quality music available on a constant basis than the rest of the list combined. Seriously.