Rick Dees, WMPS Memphis, 1975 (0:18:43)

… . . . if that doesn’t work, hold his upper lip between your toes . . . …

Plough Broadcasting’s WMPS was known for its emphasis on morning personalities, from the Flying Dutchman to Crazy Bob McClain to Rick Dees. Rick came to Memphis from WSGN, Birmingham, following McClain as WMPS morning man. Rick combined his outrageous spontaneity with a determination to “take it to the streets” promotionally, and rode the numbers staight to the top.

It was while at WMPS that Rick recorded Disco Duck, and legend has it that this “conflict of interest” was one of the dynamics which led to his dismissal at WMPS.

Welcome to the new ReelRadio!

This site is now operated by the North Carolina Broadcast History Museum. 

We want to thank the board of ReelRadio, Inc. for their stewardship since the passing of the founder Richard Irwin in 2018.  It has not been easy and they have maintained the exhibits for future generations to enjoy.

I met Richard Irwin, aka Uncle Ricky, when we were freshmen at East Carolina University.  We both had worked at local stations in our hometowns.  No one was more passionate about radio, especially Top 40 radio, than my friend Richard. 

Our goals with this site are to preserve the exhibits and make them available free of charge for people to enjoy.  Over time, we hope to add some airchecks to the site.  This will not happen immediately.  Time and resources will determine the future of new exhibits. 

Many thanks to the web folks at the Beasley Media Group for countless hours of work.  Again thanks to the board members of ReelRadio, Inc. for their faith in us. 

Richard Irwin’s hope was that his site would live on long after his passing. He said, “I hope REELRADIO will survive as my contribution to the ‘radio business’. The business is allowed to forget me, but the business should never forget the great era of radio that we celebrate here”.

We remember Richard and we thank him. If you enjoy this new site, we would appreciate a contribution. We hope you enjoy the new ReelRadio!

Board of NCBHP
North Carolina Broadcast History Project