ReelRadio-Default-01

The Big 610, KFRC, Feb 17, 1986 Pt.32 (129-116) (scoped) (0:25:45)

Scoped
… The first thing that struck me about New York was a cab …

Robert McCormick opens this hour with news. The Big 610 Countdown continues with Dr. Don Rose, who moves through 14 reportable music performances (from #129 through #116) in this exhibit. Jane Dornacker is particularly funny with her traffic report during the second news segment.

Of special interest to the REELRADIO community is the appearance of the contributor of this exhibit, Scott Rayer, (at 41:00 on the unscoped version, and 19:40 on the ‘scoped exhibit.) Scott wrote: “The thing I recall about that phone call was the ease to get through to Dr. Don on that Monday morning. There was also no “set up” prior to going on-the-air with Dr. Don. The producer answered my phone call, placed me on-hold, then put me on-the-air “cold” with Dr. Don. His response with my phone call had him spontaneously “winging-it” with his comeback line . . . which I found amazing!”

Also, former KFRC General Manager Pat Norman talks with Dr. Don, as does an unidentified caller that remembers rock ‘n’ roll on KOBY from the late ’50’s.

We pay license fees to stream the music in this exhibit, but you are not licensed to copy, trade or sell this recording.

The BIG 610 – KFRC 20th ANNIVERSARY COUNTDOWN
February 14-17 1986

[From notes by Contributor Scott Rayer]

This exhibit will eventually include almost all of the entire KFRC 20th Anniversary BIG 6-10, a four-day marathon starting at 6PM on Friday, February 14, 1986.

This special broadcast followed a presentation narrated by Bobby Ocean, contributed to REELRADIO by Ben Fong-Torres in December of 2001.

The Making of a Classic: 20 Years of KFRC, 1966-1986
These off-the-air recordings were made on 90-minute cassettes (45 minutes per side) and small portions of the broadcast were lost when not in attendance.

What is not on this recording is what was in store for KFRC and the talent. The music format was tanked in six months. Dr. Don left the station, and in another year, he suffered a heart attack. Jane Dornacker was killed in a helicopter crash eight months later.

In some ways, this was the beginning of the end for the station, but I know others have differing opinions.

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