Jack Armstrong, Scott Howitt, WMJI Cleveland, October 11, 1997 (0:38:45)

… you gotta follow the computer’s music – yeah, unless the computer’s wrong …
[Description by Chuck Matthews] Here’s an aircheck (from a VHS archive, with some tracking noise) of Jack Armstrong at a remote for Ghoulardi Fest on October 11, 1997. The event celebrated Ernie Anderson, who was known as Ghoulardi on Cleveland television in the the ’50’s and ’60’s. Along with Jack is PM driver Scott Howitt, who worked at WMJI from 1990-2001. In Scott’s 11 years at “Magic”, his ratings never dipped below #3, 25-54. Pretty amazing! Scott greatly admired Akron native Pete “Mad Daddy” Myers. You’ll also hear some WIXY “Flashback” composites on this WIXY Reunion Weekend. The WMJI “imaging voice” is J.R. Nelson (Z-100, MTV, etc.) J.R. was the in-house Production Director at WMJI from the mid/late ’80’s until 1994. He was retained as the station voice until he fell ill in late 1997. Best thing for me about this particular aircheck is that I was the board-op for the entire spectacle! What a thrill — running the board for two of my inspirations: Jack “Yo’ Leed-dah” Armstrong and Scott “Buddy-O” Howitt. Jack Armstrong passed away on March 22, 2008.

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