The Mood: fun, upbeat

Music Genre: ‘70s country

Sample Playlist: Dolly Parton — “Coat of Many Colors”, Tammy Tucker — “Delta Dawn”, Charlie Rich — “The Most Beautiful Girl”, Glen Campbell — “Can You Fool”, Willie Nelson — “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”

XM/Sirius Station: Willie’s Place (XM 13) The Roadhouse (Sirius 62)

Example: Michelle Phoenix, owner of Wet Paint Nail Spa in Cambridge, Mass., types her favorite country artists into Internet radio service Pandora (www.pandora.com) to get a customized playlist that includes her and her clients’ favorite upbeat songs

The Mood: soothing, palatable

Music Genre: coffee house music

Sample Playlist: Jewel — “You Were Meant for Me”, John Mayer — “Why Georgia”, Bob Dylan — “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright”, Joni Mitchell — “Big Yellow Taxi”, India Arie — “Ready for Love”

XM/Sirius Station: XM Cafe (XM 45) The Coffee House (Sirius 30)

Example: At The Beauty Bar in Toledo, Ohio, coffee house music is played in the mornings to ease clients into their days. As the day progresses or weekends arrive, the music is switched to something more lively.

The Mood: social, welcoming to all

Music Genre: top 40 hits

Sample Playlist: Jordin Sparks/Chris Brown — “No Air”, Carrie Underwood — “Before He Cheats”, Buck Cherry — “Sorry”, Usher — “Love in This Club”, OneRepublic — “Apologize”

XM/Sirius Station: XM Hitlist (XM 30) Sirius Hits 1 (Sirius 1)

Example: Starting at lunchtime, salon owner Maxine McIntyre takes it as her cue to let the music get more “groovy” at her Philadelphia salon, Mint Julip. Top 40 meshes well with her salon’s “upscale clientele of all cultures.”

[PAGEBREAK]The Mood: chill, mellow

Music Genre: lounge

Sample Playlist: Org Lounge — “Mirror”, Ceemix — “Safe Slip”, Gingko Garden — “One and Twain”, David Gordon — “Mangoville”, Rich Dolmat—“Pleasure Lounge”

XM/Sirius Station: XM Chill (XM 84) Chill (Sirius 35)

Example: At eco-friendly salon Recess in Los Angeles, “The Best of Buddha Lounge” CD is frequently in rotation. Owner Nidhi Lal has received compliments on how relaxing her music selection is.

The Mood: themed, interactive

Music Genre: world music (based on the current theme)

Sample Playlist: (For Cinco de Mayo week) Claudia Martinez — “Ranchu Gubina”, Lila Downs — “Naila”, Abrego y Picazo — “Corrido de Macario Romero”, Caravage de Societe — “La Cucaracha”, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan — “Camino Real de Colima”

XM/Sirius Station: Caliente (XM 94) Bande A Part ( Sirius 87)

Example: Depending on the current theme, the music at Nail Fetish Inc. in Chicago changes from Hawaiian (during its “Hawaiian Luau Getaway” theme) to clients’ choice (whatever CDs they bring in), and even to karaoke.