Bill Ballance, KFWB Los Angeles, August 18 1959 (0:54:29)

… the blood isn’t even dry on the contract yet. And all I can say is that all that I am or ever hope to be, I owe …
REELRADIO pays music licensing fees to present unedited music online. If you enjoy full-length airchecks like this one, your tax-deductible contribution to our operating fund will help keep this and other “unscoped” exhibits available. [Description by Don Kent] I was able to borrow personal tapes from Bill Ballance (1919-2004) when he was doing The Feminine Forum at KGBS. I don’t know how Ballance came by this tape. It’s not the best quality I’ve ever heard, but it’s not that bad, and it IS nearly a full hour. Charlie Arlington (d. 1989) is included with the famous first-person news delivery. This aircheck shows why Ballance was called the “Quip Jockey”. ©1996 – 2004 REELRADIO, Inc.

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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