Paul Christy, WCFL Chicago, March 15, 1971 (0:55:05)

… and from now until 6, the biggest little show in radio! Where have I heard that before? …
[Description by Uncle Ricky] This hour was never broadcast! It was recorded to be presented following weekly transmitter maintenance, and it was intended to air from 5AM On Monday, March 15, 1971 until 6AM, when Clark Weber would begin the morning show. It opens with the National Anthem of The United States of America, since the station was re-starting after 5 hours of NO CARRIER. This, of course, was the thing to do, back when broadcasters respected the privilege of a federally-granted license to operate a really big radio transmitter. Paul Christidescourtesydcrtv.com But, unlike many similar recordings, this one never aired. Contributor John Celarek says he received it from Tom Konard way back when. It’s a studio recording, all ready (with a 3-minute break for news) to be cued and played by a Chicago Federation of Labor Engineer, but on the Ides of March, they never got to it. According to COMMENTS (below), Christy was terminated after recording this show on Thursday, March 11. Paul Christy was Program/Operations Manager at WCFL until this show – which was a fine show, nothing wrong with it. Christy’s real name was Paul Christides. He lost his life to Parkinson’s Disease at age 69, on June 4, 2007. Here, he sounds like a very sharp young jock – a programmer at heart who loved to get it right every time.

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