.Steve Jaxon’s On-Air Segue, Legendary Host of ‘The Drive’ Makes Move

Those who consume local news undoubtedly saw the stories that arrived late last week—after 17 years, Steve Jaxon is stepping away from the mic. 

Throughout those years, Jaxon has been a fixture on North Bay airwaves, leading listeners through afternoon drive-time with a mix of wit, warmth and insightful conversation, all punctuated with a voice tailormade for radio airwaves. Tuesday, Aug. 19, Jaxon signed off his final full-time broadcast of The Drive on Wine Country Radio’s 95.5 FM.

Over the decades, Jaxon’s career wound through several markets and formats before finding its home in the North Bay. Locally, he helmed The Drive across different stations before arriving at Wine Country Radio in 2023. But that journey started a long time ago.

At 19, Jaxon landed his first commercial radio job in Lansing, Michigan, covering the state capitol and city hall. “I just took a liking to it and got good at it pretty quickly,” he recounted recently in an interview with the Bohemian. That early gig kickstarted an enduring interest in politics that carried through to his later work, where he welcomed figures ranging from local supervisors to national leaders, including former President Jimmy Carter and Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Fans and even the casual listener to Jaxon’s shows know that although he frequently interviewed political leaders, he never shed the comic instincts developed during his earlier two decades in morning radio. “I’ve always been into comedy, always been a fan of comedians,” he said. “A lot of them are close friends of mine and have been on the show many times.”

That balance of serious journalism and hilarious banter became a hallmark of The Drive. Listeners could expect probing political analysis one moment and a laugh-out-loud exchange with a musician or local character the next. Over time, the show became a clubhouse for what Jaxon dubbed the “Drive Hall of Fame,” a roster of recurring guests spanning chart-topping musicians, business leaders and celebrity chefs. Throughout, executive producer Cathy Ratto helped maintain the show as a successful commercial venture.

Proving the old notion it’s great to go out on top, the community once again recognized his impact earlier this year when Jaxon was voted “Best Local Media Personality” in the North Bay Bohemian’s annual readers’ poll. Tuesday’s live broadcast doubled as a farewell party, and many past guests raised a glass to Jaxon, whose beverage of choice is a chilled chardonnay. 

The occasion marked two years to the day since he moved The Drive to Wine Country Radio. Now, Jaxon is passing the torch to frequent guest and guest host, Bohemian editor Daedalus Howell, who formally takes on hosting duties Aug. 20, when the show airs, from 3-6pm.

“Daedalus and I have become close friends. We react to things the same way; we laugh at the same things—it’s going to be a great continuation,” observed Jaxon.

That said, retirement does not mean silence, as has been the case for local radio legend Bill Bowker, who continues his Blues with Bowker show Sunday nights and his Americana show Wednesday nights, both on KRSH. Jaxon will likely follow suit.

“We look forward to  the possibility of special segments and guest appearances in the future as we continue with local programming,” said Melissa Galliani, general manager of Wine Country Radio.

Indeed, even though Steve Jaxon is signing off from a full-time presence on The Drive, his voice will continue to echo in the North Bay airwaves he helped define.