PD Profile: WAYS Charlotte NC 1973 (0:08:16)

The Uncle Ricky Collection
… Big WAYS, Big WAYS, Big WAYS …
[Description by Uncle Ricky] This exhibit is from Programmer’s Digest, Volume 2, Issue 2, dated July 30, 1973. It features the hottest up-and-coming Top 40 crew in Carolina radio at the time. The presentation was definitely “Q-influenced”, so whatever worked in San Diego was now working in Charlotte. Did Buzz Bennett ever hang out with Jay Thomas? Jay Thomas, Beau Matthews, Charlie Walker, Mike Adams, Grady Brock, and Tim Byrd — All of the jocks featured on this July 1973 aircheck have histories beyond this legendary Top 40 radio station. Programmer’s Digest was a premiere publisher of the sound of Top 40 in the early ’70’s. It grew all over America. This exhibit documents the exciting new re-birth of BIG WAYS — and 12+ dominance in the Charlotte Metro. It was loud and fun! This one is intact as published on the vinyl, with the original intro. The “Narrator” for this issue is identified as Captain John at KHJ in Los Angeles. I have no idea what that means, as the voice on the introduction doesn’t sound like L.A., but hey, I could be wrong.

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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!

Board of NCBHP
North Carolina Broadcast History Project