Gary Gears, WIND Chicago December 21, 1974 (0:11:57)

… stop by and see me – all of me – each of you can have a little piece, there’s enough of me to go around for everyone …
[Description by Greg Barman] Gary Gears did weekend/swing work at many stations in Chicago, mostly WLS and WCFL but also at WIND — and he had fun wherever he was. In 1974 WIND was an oldies format known variously as “#1 Music” or “best music of the 50’s, 60’s and now”. This week was a special pre-Christmas promotion for their Forgotten Children’s Fund. But still, it’s a Saturday night and Gary was having a ball playing the oldies, soliciting donations, clowning around with his Big Voice, and making a few sexual innuendos too. WIND’s top of the hour ID is one of my old favorites with the classic Westinghouse “Group W Boom” news intro.

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