THE END OF AN ERA: JAXON LEAVES WMMR

Another weird, sad day in America,

After 20 years of being the face of live, local rock and roll in the city of Philadelphia, WMMR and Paul Jaxon have parted ways. Caught up in a string of greedhead corporate cuts, an era has truly ended in Philadelphia. Always remember, your job will demand you give them a two week notice but you're just a piece of meat, a number to them. They'll kick you out on the street like a dog without hesitation. 

I'll never forget the day we met Jaxon. We were playing a Tuesday night at Grape Street, which was hosted by the man himself. Not only was WMMR gracious enough to host a weekly showcase of local musicians but they would run ads all day long for it and Jaxon would come host to bring out fans. That was back when WMMR had a soul and that soul was alive and thriving in Jaxon, one of the biggest pure music fans I have ever met. All we wanted to do that night was impress Jaxon, we had no idea that we'd become good friends and that he'd change our lives. 

The first time we were ever on the radio was Y100. Dan Fein was a DJ there at the time and we had a big party at our house on 10th Street to listen with our friends. We called to check in with him an hour before we were supposed to air and he told us he didn't have the audio disc. Frank and I jumped into the Big Liz Mobile, a tattered Mercury Cougar that was a hazard to all those inside and outside of it, and blasted down 76 to Bala Cynwyd in the darkness. Dan ran down to the lobby as the song before ours played, grabbed the CD, and darted back upstairs. Frank and I listened from the parking lot of Y100. I will never forget that moment, the first time Cowgirl hit the city on the airwaves. 

​But our relationship with Jaxon was different. We were friends, drinking buddies, 3AM diner buddies, and 'off-the-clock' hangers. We'd go to other bands shows just to sit and bullshit with Jaxon. He was kind enough to put us on his Local Shots 2 CD and even made sure there was a cowgirl on the cover. 

He also introduced us at plenty of shows, WMMR affiliated or not. We played live on the air a few times, were featured regularly on the air, all because of Jaxon. I have never in my life seen a major FM Radio personality curate and culture a local music scene in the city of Philadelphia like Paul Jaxon did. Now that the era of WMMR being a chill, real deal rock station is officially dead, I mourn not only the firing of Jaxon but the death of fun. 

Jaxon. There is no feeling like looking outside of the window and seeing 76 backed up with a million cars while you play live on the city's biggest FM rock station. I remember when we'd speak in the mics telling myself 'don't curse, don't curse, don't curse.' For that feeling and 100 more memories, I will never be able to thank you enough. And for your friendship, kindness, and constant support, I am even more humbled and grateful. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors and you'll always be a huge piece of what made my life so special.

Travel well, sweet prince,
Nick

Currently Listening to: Little Too Late by Nicki Bluhm

Fat City Reprise · 93.3 WMMR FM