Art Roberts WLS Chicago December 27 1968 (0:13:01)

… . That cat sure was psychedelic …
Of all the airchecks of Art Roberts we’ve been privileged to hear, Art sounds like he is having the most fun on this one. It was August 1967, and this is the “old line” Gene Taylor-programmed WLS, featuring a few of the Anita Kerr jingles. There’s also a complete locally-produced newscast with Dick Harley in this evening show, as well as a headline news report and a bountiful selection of commercial announcements. Many presentation elements were overdue for an upgrade, but the music selection is marvelously Mid-American. And even though it sounds like there was a fan running in the studio every time Art’s microphone was on, it’s easy to hear why Roberts had such a long and successful run on this legendary radio station. He’s having fun, and so did his audience. [Thanks to The Aircheck Factory]

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