Jackson Balling Launches Blank Tapes in North Carolina

Jackson Balling, a 2016 graduate of Champlain College, launched Blank Tapes in September 2024. The independent publication focuses on North Carolina music and operates as a nonprofit. Balling serves as the founder and editor-in-chief while also working as a Content Marketing Manager at CPA.com.

Balling started the project after experiencing a second layoff. He was unsure if he wanted to continue writing, a skill he considered his primary marketable asset. He returned to music journalism to test his interest in the field. He connected with Phil Smith, a former bandmate and fellow Champlain alum, for an interview. That initial piece helped him keep his writing skills sharp while he searched for new full-time positions.

The publication has grown steadily since its launch. In the nearly two years since it opened, Blank Tapes has published nearly 200 articles. It now reaches a monthly readership of over 1,500 people. The site features album reviews, essays, and interviews. It also organizes an annual compilation album series called Mountains to Sea, with all proceeds going to local charitable causes.

Before Blank Tapes, Balling built a foundation for creative entrepreneurship through his previous roles. He began his career as a copywriter at Dealer.com. He then worked at Spiffy, a mobile car care startup, where he progressed from writer to content manager. He handled content strategies, social media, and press releases during that time.

After his first layoff from Spiffy, Balling established Balling Creative LLC. A manager at Spiffy encouraged him to start freelancing. He took on his former employer as his first client. This freelance business provided a financial safety net. When the second layoff occurred, he immediately used the LLC to secure new clients and generate income while looking for permanent work.

Balling credits the interdisciplinary nature of his Creative Media degree at Champlain for preparing him for these roles. He studied professional writing, audio production, and film editing. He said the program exposed him to various collaborative styles. He noted that it taught him how to give feedback in a way that many professionals do not know how to do.

Balling described his career path as one where every position relied on skills he developed at Champlain. He currently works full-time at CPA.com, while his freelance LLC remains open but in what he calls hibernation status. He is candid about the financial aspects of running a passion project. He stated that not everyone can afford to have a project that will never make money.

He remains firm in his decision to keep Blank Tapes independent. He does not intend for the publication to be taken over by venture capital firms or placed behind a paywall. Future plans include second-birthday shows, the next Mountains to Sea compilation, and a potential free festival with educational workshops.