KHJ Story with Bill Drake (0:23:30)

… he’s the only programmer who didn’t have to copy the Drake Format …

[Description by Uncle Ricky for contributor KM Richards]

Over the years, REELRADIO has hosted thousands of comments about The Drake Format. If nothing else, this exhibit settles once and for all where jingles should be placed. Right?

This program, produced by KRTH Imaging Director Keith Smith opens with flashes of classic KHJ airchecks and production, mixing into comments from Robert W. Morgan at the 1990 KHJ Silver Anniversary Dinner. It’s a slick introduction to the excellence that follows.

We are treated to KRTH Morning Host Gary Bryan on the occasion of K-Earth’s 35th Anniversary in October, 2007, and a casual conversation with Bill Drake. Bill Drake passed away on November 29, 2008. This CD was distributed at his Memorial Service on December 3, 2008.

Drake gave his last interview on August 29, 2008.

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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