Composite WGNG Rhode Island 1973 (0:10:47)

… WGNG … went from nowhere, to number two in the market …
[Description by Uncle Ricky]

This composte of WGNG (550Khz) in Pawtucket (Providence) Rhode Island, appeared on Volume 2, Issue 12 of Programmer’s Digest, dated December 17, 1973.

Ron Huntsman from Nashville, TN, narrated this edition of PD and introduces this composite, which features morning guy G. Michael McKay, Program Director Brad Pierce (10A-2P), Bill Silver (2-6PM), Charlie Scott (6-10PM), Chris Curtis (10P-2AM) and Dick Shannon (2-6AM).

Pierce reveals that WGNG was consulted by John Rook. I was working “across the street” at WJAR in 1973. This was before I had met John and several years before he would consult KAFY in Bakersfield, CA., where I was Program Director.

One of my favorite parts in this composite is the Legal ID jingle, during which (if you listen carefully) you’ll hear a female voice, nearly buried in the music, identify the city of license as “Pawtucket”. The jingle group follows, singing “RHODE ISLAND.” I always thought this was terribly clever.

WGNG had a good daytime signal and the station was heavily processed, as you will hear. WGNG played hit music (only). The heavy repetition of hits and a couple of jingles, and the jocks’ strict adherence to “call letters first”, were all elements of their success.

Drawing of Brad Pierce

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. 

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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”.

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Board of NCBHP
North Carolina Broadcast History Project