by Michaela Majoun, Host, XPN Morning Show

Johnny Cash at Emo’s in Austin during SXSW 1994. It was an industry showcase the year he made the first American album with Rick Rubin. The Man in Black played songs from the new CD for the first half, then brought out his combo and they did seemingly all of his legendary hits. It made me realize just how iconic he was, how much his sound was part of the cultural fabric of America.

Counting Crows at the old Chestnut Cabaret. It was when their debut August and Everything After came out and there was a good sized crowd at the pretty small Cabaret to see them…including all the XPN hosts. I remember us all chatting with them outside after the show…very low key, before their amazing success.

Television at the TLA. It was when they came out with their reunion CD, Television, and before the TLA took out the old movie theater seats. The way they worked together, the energy, Richard Lloyd’s guitar playing were some of the best music moments ever. I was so sad that their reunion was short lived, never saw them again, though they did reuinite in the UK in 2001…and I enjoyed seeing Richard Lloyd in Matthew Sweet’s band and with Health and Happiness Show.

Presenting Joan Baez with a WXPN award. It’s such an honor to deliver a speech to one of your heroes and present her with an award. She was so gracious, and it was a thrill for me! Since then I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing her and hosting a number of her shows.

Meeting Richard Thompson. We’d gotten the last two tickets to see him solo acoustic at Haverford College. Philly Local Kenn Kweder opened and did a fine job. Richard sounded like a whole band with just one guitar (how does he do that?). Afterwards we went backstage. I was wearing a hat I’d just bought at a friend’s hat party, despite feeling iffy about it. When I walked into the room, Richard immediately said “What a fantastic hat!” I’ve loved the hat ever since, would have loved him even if he hated the hat.

Interviewing Johnny Rotten for the XPN Morning Show. John Lydon of the Sex Pistols and PIL showed up looking a lot like Bart Simpson. We were in a tiny studio at the old XPN. There was no air, the ventilation was shut off. He immediately jumped up on the table and opened the vent. He was brilliant and outrageous and fun…we even flirted during the interview.

Kris Kristofferson. I interviewed him for the World Café in the old building. One of his best stories was about being hired as janitor in the CBS building in Nashville when Bob Dylan was there composing and recording Blonde On Blonde. During the session Kris played and sang Me and Bobby McGee, just the two of us in the room. I had goosebumps.

Seeing REM in Spain. Went over for a day and a half (!) with my friend Diane, who works for an airline and had tickets to a REM European fan club event. We went to a TV studio in Madrid for an interview that REM did with a Spanish film star. Their performance was supposed to be just a few songs, but it lasted for over an hour!

Seeing Lyle Lovett and meeting Jonny Meister for the first time at the same show. It was days after arriving in Philadelphia to be host of the XPN Morning Show. Lyle was at the Shubert Theater. I went with then station manager Mark Fuerst and his wife Lisa Reticker, and sitting in front of us was Jonny Meister, who had just become the father of twin boys (they’re now college bound). It was the first of many times seeing Lyle, who always puts on a terrific show, and the beginning of a great friendship with Jonny.

Meeting Fats Domino pre-Katrina at his house in the 9th Ward. A friend of mine is Fats’ best friend. When I was in New Orleans to attend Jazz Fest a few years ago, she took me to meet the famously reclusive musical genius at his house. We ended up drinking beer with Fats and his friends Box, Snake and Parker in his kitchen, also got a tour of the house…and he played for us before we left.

Also in New Orleans, same trip…seeing Irma Thomas at her own club The Lion’s Den. She sang so beautifully, was so gracious…and she even made the red beans and rice they served. Unfortunately, the club was flooded during Katrina and has not reopened.