Here it is 16 years at the helm, back in August of 1994 we opened on the 16th with Bad Company and on the 18th we had Great White, then 6 weeks of Country (the previous owner insisted we honor the contracts he had with Country bands). The place had been sold because Country wasn't working so we start off killer with BC and GW and then 6 weeks of no business so we began behind the 8 ball. My partner at the time was Nick from Nick's in Alexandria, he was to run the restaurant and bar I was to do the booking and take care of production.

By December of '96 the place was broke and owed $250,000 in taxes and penalties. I agreed to pay all the back taxes myself and became the sole proprietor on Jan. 1st, 1997.

The Mixing Bowl project and Old Keene Mill Rd. underwent major reconstruction and made it hard to get to us for 2 years, the only thing that saved us was the Roadducks long time keyboard player Jon Buder calling me and telling me that I needed a web site for Jaxx. So he designs the damn thing and gets it up and running long before any other Clubs utilized the technology. Since then over half the Jaxx business comes from over 150 miles away. The JAXXROXX site has had millions of hits and is our link to the World (we did a web simulcast with the phenomenal Uriah Heep and I got an email from a cat who listened to it in his Village in Zaire, Africa. Blew my mind and showed me the future. And now here's Jay, an analog man now living in a digital world ). I become friends with a very knowledgeable Metal customer named Tony D who wants to help and he takes over the web site and does amazing things with links and bands, then comes long time lighting guru Dave Beebe (LD at the Birchmere after a long stint at Jaxx). If Jaxx has been successful, major credit has to go to those 3 guys in particular and of course to the over 20,000 acts that have performed for the 700,000 patrons who have come thru the doors, and the Agents and Managers that have sent their acts to us. Bikers, Bankers, Hippies, Dead Heads, Punkers, New Wavers, Metal Heads, R and B, Alternative, Beach Music, Latin, Funk, Disco, Comedians, Dancers, Bikini Contests, Dancers on the Bars, stunning bartenders (Jane Pearsall, Kimmie Cocho, Emily Dobson, Anna, Lilly, Heather, Alyssa, Jen, Tammy etc.).

There are also a few acts that have been around since Jaxx got started and they have helped keep the lights on and the doors open. Kix/Funny Money, The Roadducks, Division, Misfit, Frankie and the Actions. Great players from different groups over the years Rich Wilson and Rick(One Slack Mind etc.), Jeff Marshall, Ray Duran, Danny Watts, Tommy Stotler, Petra and of course Pete Evick (Some Odd Reason, Brett Michaels). Our favorite National Acts over the years: Dokken, Blue Oyster Cult, Great White, LA Guns, Kix, Ratt, Michael Schenker, Al DiMIola, Slaughter, Devil Driver, Kitty, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, The Outlaws, .38 Special, Brett Michaels, Misfits, Twisted Sister, Sevendust, Jackyl, Foghat, Marshall Tucker, Pat Travers, WASP, Overkill, King Diamond, Todd Rundgren, Robin Trower, PM5K, Nevermore, Nightwish, Kings X, Doro, Epica, Amon Amarth, Nile, Cannibal Corpse, UFO, Hate Breed, Sepultura. Great Agents who have been so helpful: Jim Maloni, Dave Kirby, Andy Summers, Troy Blakely, Tim, Josh, Jeremy, Leah and Steve Martin at The Agency Group, Jamie Kellsahl, Mark Hyman, Jay Frie, Nick Skorch, Steve Schenk, Rob Casey and Chip at James Turner Productions, Danny Stanton, Val Wolfe, Tom Hoppa, Dan Divita, Ash and Dan at Pantheon. Guiffre(Bud), Premium (Miller). Matt McConnel (our Consigliore) and all of the crews, (Taz), bar backs, security, stage hands, nasty women and countless others who have helped. My daughter who is all grown up at 26 and living in Hollywood and is Dave Kirby's assistant at TKO. My Landlords Sharam and Merhdad Yavari. Ira, Teresa, Scott and the staff at BB and T Bank. Mark Armendaris our CPA. Marina Mack our bookkeeper. Mike Mulroney (sound), Mark (lights), Shaun Keaghan (sound), Bill Culver (house engineer), John "Zippo" Pierce (electrician) and a couple of dear friends who passed on while on our staff, Dave Williams and Bruce Nichols and of course the late, great, NEVER to be forgotten Willie Kobia. Hard to believe he's been gone 4 years. I might have been the brains but Willie was certainly the soul of Jaxx. Our restaurant will always be Willie's Grille. Damn I miss him.

Starting our 17th year I need all the patrons of Jaxx new and old to understand a few things. Biz the last 2 years has been mediocre to poor. I have tried all kinds of things to stimulate things and it's pretty freakin' tuff out there and we have dealt with things as best we could. To have stayed open this long has been a miracle and to continue we need some help. The shows that create the revenue to pay most of the bills are the 21 and up 80's bands LA Cock Rock and it is extremely essential those shows do well for us or we will not be able to continue. So when Kix or Jackyl or Nantucket plays you all need to show up and bring your friends.

The club's remodeling has made it ever so much nicer and the new light show is fabulous, the PA still sounds fantastic and the AC is all working. A new menu and kitchen staff and we are ready for the fall.

Tonight is the club's 16 Year Anniversary with Funny Money, Mis-Fit, Tilt and at 8pm the Roadducks (playing early for once so the old farts can come see us). We have a retro cover of $5 so come out tonite and help us celebrate 16 years of great times and Music. Tomorrow the legendary Vanilla Ice performs with a new album and a killer show. Kix on Sept. 10, Kamelot on Sept. 11 and the return of Legendary North Carolina band NANTUCKET on Sept. 18. If you want us to stick around please come support these shows. Keep the band suggestions and ideas and complaints coming.

I bought another club on July 1. It's in Chantilly, VA and has pool Tables, Darts, real food and fantastic classic rock, cover, Motown, Top 40 bands (http://www.mysullys.com) check it out. I will continue with the concerts and original bands at Jaxx and the cover bands at Sully's.

If I forgot to mention anyone I am sorry but I'm old and spacey. Many thanks to my long time business partner and band mate Bob "Bopper" Gaynor who is the GM at Jaxx for his help (and to Marie and Ron for their help), and to my Little girl Kristina for making me whole and her Love, Friendship, Advice and kicks in the ass. And also to my partner and best friend Emily, who has inspired, motivated, energized and really kicked my ass. And most of all to all you great folks who have supported me and Jaxx for 16 great years. Your kind words have picked me up and carried me thru some tuff and crazy times. The gifts, cards, moonshine, emails and phone calls are a source of strength and inspiration.

See you at Jaxx and now Sully's,

Jay