Bill Bailey, WKLO Louisville, KY July 25, 1969 (0:55:20)

… the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home …
[Description by Uncle Ricky, contributed by John Quincy] Bill Bailey back then Senator Edward Kennedy has pleaded guilty to something involving a pretty blonde secretary, and Bill Bailey, The Duke Of Louisville, is packing his bags for WLS/Chicago. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has just given Bill the key to “his old Kentucky home.” This is his last hour on WKLO, a studio recording with excellent fidelity. Bill Bailey suffered a stroke in 2004 which left him partially paralyzed. He passed away at the age of 81 on January 14, 2012. In 1998, newsman Allen Bryan contributed a short portion of Bailey’s last hour. That exhibit includes many interesting comments. This complete version includes a happy exchange between Bryan and Bailey and important information about collard greens. It’s the full hour (minus 5 minutes of news) with lots of Bailey, classic spots and music that is not standard Top 40 fare. Contributor John Quincy has more at his WAKY Bill Bailey page.

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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!

Carl Davis
Trustee
North Carolina Broadcast History Museum