For over 4 years theFIVE10.com and theFIVE10 Radio have been a passion of mine. With a family and a career it’s been a side project that I’ve worked on during my off time (when I get off time). I’ve had the privilege and honor of meeting some incredible people during that time some of which I’m proud to call my friends.

The website has always been something that was meant to be an outlet for me to have a discussion about where the music industry is headed. The discussion is an important one because no one is quite sure what the future holds for an industry that means so much to so many people. I’ve always maintained that the record labels have just become curators of their back catalog and that the traditional A&R model is dead.

As we come to the end of another year I felt it was time to reflect about what I’ve accomplished in the time I’ve been a part of theFIVE10 and try to figure out if I had the time to continue to run a site, do interviews, and host a weekly radio show. The answer was clear. I do not have enough time. With a new baby, a career, and many other projects that I’m involved in, it’s becoming harder and harder to give theFIVE10 any attention. As such, I will be stepping away from theFIVE10 and theFIVE10 Radio.

I’m still not sure if this is something that will be permanent. My hope is that my schedule will free up enough that I can get back to doing what I love but realistically I just don’t have the time any longer. At the end of the day I had to make a decision that was best for me and my family.

My hope is that the rest of the amazing people involved with theFIVE10 will pick up where I left off and maintain the site and keep it up to date. I love this site and believe it has relevance in the cluttered world of music blogs. For theFIVE10 Radio, it is a bitter sweet departure since the show has had so many unbelievable bands and artists grace us with their presence. I will be forever grateful to have interviewed so many influential bands and artists.

I want to take this moment to thank the amazing fans who have made the past 4+ years incredible. Your loyalty and support have meant the world to me. I would not have been able to do the show every week without you. To the bands and artists who have been on the show, I say “Thank you!” You took the time to talk to me about a topic that is tough to think about. And last but not least I want to thank the people that help with theFIVE10 and theFIVE10 Radio! Clay Lancaster, Jen Cash, Todd Butler, and Long Vo all play a big part in why I continued to work to make the site a leader in a very cluttered blog world. Clay in particularly spent many nights with me shooting bands, sitting through interviews, and just generally being there when I needed an ear to bend.

You are all part of the conversation. Don’t let that stop! Keep asking questions! Keep looking to make the industry better!

-JC