Chris Edwards, KRIZ Phoenix May 24, 1978 (0:58:12)

… I consider it a great honor to have worked here …
. [Description by contributor Bill Dougan] For over twenty years KRIZ was a Phoenix Top 40 legend. By the late 1970’s, even the growth of FM failed to dent the KRIZ dominance in the Phoenix radio market. Owned by Doubleday Publishing, KRIZ had the unique distinction of being one of the highest rated and top grossing Class IV stations in the country. KRIZ would not face a fate common to most other AM Top 40 legends. KRIZ would never see its audience shares eroded away by the migration to FM. Instead, KRIZ died a swift death in a stroke of corporate politics. Doubleday had plans for expansion but already owned the maximum number (seven) of stations allowable at the time by Federal regulations. Despite being a market leader, KRIZ was the smallest (Class IV) operation in the Doubleday stable. KRIZ was sold to Family Life Radio in 1978. REELRADIO pays music licensing fees to present unedited music online. If you enjoy unedited airchecks like this one, your tax-deductible contribution to our operating fund will help keep this and other “unscoped” exhibits available. It’s been gone for over 24 years, but KRIZ still remains in the memories of many Phoenicians. In this selection, Chris Edwards plays a variety of hits that made KRIZ a classic Top 40 operation. This was Chris’ last show on KRIZ, which within days would disappear from the radio dial forever. Chris’ farewell cites the legacy of KRIZ: twenty two years of making the hits in Phoenix. Aircheck Courtesy of 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!

Board of NCBHP
North Carolina Broadcast History Project