I make a new CD every week. One, maybe two a year, end up being a classic that resurfaces in my car visor after a few months and is still relevant and playable. The other 30 or so? They get thrown out. Because one bad song selection can ruin the perfect CD.

The best mixes are the ones that you don’t skip over a single song as you listen. There is no filler, it’s 15 songs that you can’t live without at the time. It has to be able to be played no matter what mood you are in — bored, sad, glad it’s nice enough to roll your windows down and enjoy the fresh air.

No matter what music you are into, there’s a pretty easy way to get around making a throw-away mix.

Don’t be afraid to make a couple of bad mixes to get the right one. The CD that is on in my car right now had three rough drafts. I had to take out The Souljah Boy and put in some Mike Posner, throw out the latest Lady Gaga to add a little more Bruce Springsteen. It’s almost like making the perfect margarita.

It all starts with one song. It’s the one that sparks your interest, the one that makes you realize you are due for some new tunes. There needs to be a few old-school, classic hits added to the set list. You need to hit all of the bases — a little something from every part of your music library.

One of the most overlooked aspects of the mix is organization. I have a friend who puts like next to like. Kayne West goes with Jay-Z, period end of story. I, on the other hand, am a big fan of switching things up. My rap selections are strewn throughout the CD, right next to Counting Crows or Mumford and Sons. Whichever you chose, find a style and stick with it.

Above all, don’t be afraid to go big. Throw in an out-of-the-box cover song or something you completely jam out to. Make people look into your car window and wonder just what you are listening to.

Contact Corianne Egan, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8652.