Don Keyes, KLIF Dallas, February 6, 1956 (RESTORED) (0:32:43)

… you know, in this particular phase of entertainment, playing records here, on a josh dishkey show …

[Description by Uncle Ricky, from credited sources. Contributed by Jay Marks for Steve Eberhart]

Don Keyes died in Dallas on Monday, January 23, 2006 from medical complications. A public memorial service was held January 28 at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Garland, Texas.

As national program director, Don Keyes oversaw the programming operations for all of the McLendon Stations from 1957-1966. These legendary radio stations included KLIF, Dallas-Fort Worth; KILT, Houston; KTSA, San Antonio; KEEL, Shreveport; WYSL, Buffalo; KABL, San Francisco; WYNR (later WNUS) Chicago; XTRA News, Los Angeles, WAKY Louisville and KADS (later KOST) Los Angeles.

This aircheck of The Don Keyes Caper features Keyes in the 3PM hour in Dallas on February 6, 1956 – when “all we housewives (ahem) are taking our coffee break in the middle of the day..”

It conjures up a lost world of a happier, simpler America. But Keyes references more “rock and roll” selections coming up later in the day — after the children return from school, of course.

This exhibit was contributed by Jay Marks for The Steve Eberhart Collection. Steve originally gave it to Jay, and Jay restored it. So now, it’s here, thanks to both Steve and Jay.

You’ll also hear Ed Sullivan pitching Guys And Dolls (the toast of the world!) Really, kids, this was just on the cusp of Rock’n’Roll, and it’s just so … pleasant! All the records have melodies, and those with lyrics are alternately clever, predictable or stupid. Ah, American Popular Music, post WWII. The last of that era is here in this exhibit, not to mention a custom promo voiced by a local Boy Scout.

We must wonder if this was originally saved on acetate — after all, it *was* 1956. FIFTY years ago one week after this exhibit appeared on REELRADIO. One final thought: Gotta love The Four Freshmen, especially with 5 trombones!

picture of Don Keyes

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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