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Hank Hammer, KNUZ Houston, December 20, 1964 Part One (0:58:11)

The Jay Marks Collection
… the bottle hymn of the republic …
[Description by Uncle Ricky for contributor Jay Marks] Hank Hammer missed the KNUZ Christmas party, but he has three female visitors in the studio for Part One of this rare aircheck from December 20, 1964. When AM ruled in Houston, KNUZ (1230 Khz) was a solid competitor to McLendon’s KILT. They even had nifty PAMS jingles. The big news is that on Christmas Day, KNUZ will be turning on the world’s first “solid-state, one-tube transmitter” – The Vanguard One, offering “quality never before possible on AM radio”. Presumably, this aircheck is a recording of an “old-fashioned” all-tube transmitter. The fidelity is actually very good for 44 years ago, as of this exhibit’s debut on December 21, 2008. Thanks again to Jay Marks for sharing such a treasure! Jerry Rice is heard with Radio Authority news — complete with news bugs! This exhibit from the 7PM hour also features a couple of long-forgotten Top 40 wanna-bes, plus a seasonal novelty tune many will hear for the very first time.  COMMENTS FOR PART ONE, HANK HAMMER KNUZ HOUSTON DECEMBER 20, 1964

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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