AIR WARS, RMR Convention, Atlanta, 1977 (0:13:18)

… this is the story of a small band of radio people who dared to attempt to conquer the audience …
[Description by contributor John Long] Air Wars was an audio presentation accompanied by a laser show at the 1977 Radio Music Report Convention in Atlanta. I was inspired by the Chuck Blore presentation at the 1971 Gavin Programming Conference and a new movie, Star Wars. Carter Davis, WHBQ Production Director and I had the soundtrack from the movie and we thought the music was neat. We sat down and wrote this having not seen the movie yet. We used the liner notes to get relatable bits (droids, outlands, sandpeople, etc.) Listening now, some of those tie-ins weren’t exactly on track. We tried to use as many prominent radio programming people’s names as possible. Mason Dixon was in town visiting family and stopped by WHBQ – we were producing the thing and he read a part for us; Rick Dees recorded a special version of Disco Duck for it. [from Uncle Ricky: AIR WARS 3K was produced for REELRADIO 22 years later — Check it out in broadband streaming stereo!] Thanks to Radio Music Report founder Ron Brandon for the original AIR WARS album cover and vinyl.

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