Dave Diamond, WIL St. Louis, August 6, 1963 (0:29:41)

… maybe that’s what’s wrong with our Supreme Court decisions …
[Description by Uncle Ricky] Yes, this is the same Dave Diamond who was so well-known in later years for his work at KHJ, KBLA, KFWB, KFRC, KRLA and KFI. REELRADIO received this tape many years ago, when Tom Konard was still actively operating Aircheck Factory. It was put aside because, very honestly, the fidelity is horrid. It was ruined years ago when someone ignored the level and blew out the bottom end. Perhaps it goes all the way back to the original recording. In any event, if you can tolerate the ghastly low-end distortion, you’ll hear a great line-up of 1963 Top 40 music (such a GREAT year for music!) and lots of the bells and whistles that made early Top 40 so much fun on WIL and other original stations of the Top 40 format. As of 2009, Dave Diamond is in South Dakota, managing Radio & TV operations at Black Hills State University. On this early aircheck, it’s obvious his “style” was all natural. It didn’t change over the years. He’s relaxed, friendly, and clever. ©2009 REELRADIO, Inc.

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