WNAP Indianapolis Salutes Ray Charles, 1970 (0:16:34)

… If I had to take any records with me, I’d probably just say forget the whole thing, I don’t want to be bothered …
[Description by Uncle Ricky] This special REELRADIO feature was composited from three different sources. It begins with a portion of The History of Rock and Roll, as broadcast in Indianapolis on WNAP in August of 1970. Contributor Dan Kincaid wrote that his recording was on quarter-track reel at 3-3/4 IPS. When Dan contributed it to REELRADIO in 1999, he transferred the reels to HI-FI VHS. A montage of Ray Charles Music, comments from Ray Charles, three of his classic hits, and narration are included. Who narrated this version of the legendary special? If WNAP was not an RKO station, was it one of the first non-RKO stations to broadcast this special? The reverb you’ll hear on this part of the feature is the authentic WNAP reverb in use at the time of broadcast. The HORR segment is followed by a brief excerpt of ABC Radio News from June 10, 2004, the date of Charles’ passing. You’ll hear a comment from Stevie Wonder, followed by a rendition of America The Beautiful, performed by “The Genius” — Ray Charles.

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