Phlash Phelps, WKMZ-FM 97.5 Martinsburg, WV 1990 (0:07:03)

… Serving The Universe, from high atop the West Virginia Mountains …
[Description by Sharon Leach] In February of 1990, my son was going to college in Colorado and I would send tapes of local radio stations to him by mail, so he could feel like he was home. This is one of those tapes. “Power 97.5” was, at the time, one of the few Top 40 stations I could pick up at my house (other than WAVA out of Washington, D.C.) Phlash Phelps is featured here, and he was huge!! When he left, I remember a lot of the kids were in mourning. I don’t know what happened to him.* But hearing this, it’s hard to believe it came from a radio station located in a town with a population of only 14,000. The signal reached four states. This aircheck opens with what could very well hold the record for the longest ID in the history of radio. Flash had it made just for his show. I don’t believe WKMZ aired it in any other dayparts. WKMZ started out in 1981 as “Classic Rock” but went Top 40 in 1986. They went back to Classic Rock in the early ’90s. As of 2002, Classic Rock remains on WKMZ, but they are now located on 95.9 out of nearby Williamsport-Hagertown, MD., and 97.5 is Light Rock WLTF. *(REELRADIO 9/14/2003: COMMENTS confirm Phlash now works for a satellite radio network.)

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!

Carl Davis
Trustee
North Carolina Broadcast History Museum