JAM: December 2003/January 2004 Issue: Coda

It's Been Great Fun

To the KCJA Board of Directors,

This is to let you know of my desire to end my stewardship at JAM after publication of the December 2003/January 2004 issue. I have spoken to various qualified people about taking over as editor and I have my favorites. But I will defer to the Board when it comes to the selection of a successor.

As for a reason for my departure, in general terms, I'm just plain tired. Nine years is a long time, and I feel that I've given about as much as I can to the magazine.

More specifically, there are certain kinds of fatigue that have taken a toll, including Drama Fatigue in its many forms. In an ironic kind of way, much of the blame there probably rests with me. Idealism in pursuit of high standards can foster obstacles, clashes and other sources of stress. And in recent years it has.

And yes... post-9/11, much of that now seems trivial.

Still, my gut is telling me that this is a good time for JAM to return to something more market-friendly and pragmatic. No doubt, my efforts -- and those of an outstanding team -- to make JAM into a first-rate regional jazz magazine of national repute have connected with many of the intended local readers. And in other cases, some surprising to be honest, they have not. Either way, it sure has been great fun trying.

Special thanks, of course, to the KC Jazz Ambassadors for this opportunity to expand my horizons. When I moved back here from Boston over ten years ago, I had no idea I would stumble into such a rewarding second career. Having the chance to learn more about writing and editing as well as interview so many interesting people associated with the world of music has been an exciting and enriching departure for me.

I am also certain that much has been accomplished with JAM as a publication since August of 1994. That alone is worth feeling good about. But as we all know, the economics of maintaining the magazine have changed. And that is another reason I feel it's the right time for JAM to retool, adapt to this new reality and start fresh.

Again, thank you very much for making this stimulating and educational chapter in my life possible. It has been a good run, and I will do my best to make sure the transition to a new editor is smooth.

Sincerely,
Mike Metheny






	Search our site:		It's Been Great Fun To the KCJA Board of Directors, This is to let you know of my desire to end my stewardship at JAM after publication of the December 2003/January 2004 issue. I have spoken to various qualified people about taking over as editor and I have my favorites. But I will defer to the Board when it comes to the selection of a successor. As for a reason for my departure, in general terms, I'm just plain tired. Nine years is a long time, and I feel that I've given about as much as I can to the magazine. More specifically, there are certain kinds of fatigue that have taken a toll, including Drama Fatigue in its many forms. In an ironic kind of way, much of the blame there probably rests with me. Idealism in pursuit of high standards can foster obstacles, clashes and other sources of stress. And in recent years it has. And yes... post-9/11, much of that now seems trivial. Still, my gut is telling me that this is a good time for JAM to return to something more market-friendly and pragmatic. No doubt, my efforts -- and those of an outstanding team -- to make JAM into a first-rate regional jazz magazine of national repute have connected with many of the intended local readers. And in other cases, some surprising to be honest, they have not. Either way, it sure has been great fun trying. Special thanks, of course, to the KC Jazz Ambassadors for this opportunity to expand my horizons. When I moved back here from Boston over ten years ago, I had no idea I would stumble into such a rewarding second career. Having the chance to learn more about writing and editing as well as interview so many interesting people associated with the world of music has been an exciting and enriching departure for me. I am also certain that much has been accomplished with JAM as a publication since August of 1994. That alone is worth feeling good about. But as we all know, the economics of maintaining the magazine have changed. And that is another reason I feel it's the right time for JAM to retool, adapt to this new reality and start fresh. Again, thank you very much for making this stimulating and educational chapter in my life possible. It has been a good run, and I will do my best to make sure the transition to a new editor is smooth. Sincerely, Mike Metheny RETURN TO DECEMBER 2003/JANUARY 2004 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2003. All rights reserved.