Harry Nelson, WAPP-FM New York, December 1984 (0:05:01)

… sometime this afternoon, I’ll be opening the last present under the WAPP Christmas Apple Tree …
With Top 40 giants Z100 (WHTZ-FM) and WPLJ-FM already at each other’s throats, I’m still curious as to what convinced Doubleday to join the CHR war with its move-in, WAPP-FM, in late 1984. Z100 and WPLJ both had impressive ratings, and WAPP had some signal limitations, especially in the important New Jersey suburbs. WAPP did have a good product and brought in heavyweights from around the country, including Harry Nelson, Gary Spears and Bobby Ocean. But the station was out of the CHR format a few months later. THIS CONTENT WAS CONTRIBUTED TO REELRADIO EXCLUSIVELY. Duplication and/or distribution is a violation of our Terms Of Service.

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