Richard Irwin, WIXE Monroe NC March 29, 1969 (scoped) (0:16:43)

Scoped
… Your guy R.I. on the radio …
Mom passed away in November of 2006, and I found this half-track, 3-3/4 ips tape when cleaning out her house in December, 2006. To the best of my memory, it was recorded with a timer at my home in Concord, N.C., about 30 miles north of 500-watt WIXE in Monroe, N.C. I used a 1940’s-era Hallicrafters receiver and a 1960’s-era Lafayette Electronics consumer tape deck. I do wish the fidelity on this was better. It’s a bit gritty. Of course, I was excited to hear 40-something minutes of a 37-year-old radio show that I didn’t even remember recording.

Play this exhibit without the music. (16:42)

I was 18 years old in March 1969, just about to graduate from Concord High School, and Wonderful WIXE was the coolest thing imaginable – less than a year old, with almost new gear, and “Brother” Dave Hedrick, the extra-cool GM and PD who first exposed me to airchecks, jingles, and the radio I can’t forget.

You’ll hear Gwinsound jingles, “accent” reverb, the WIXE time-tone and a great mix of 1969 southeastern Top40. Brother Dave appears on many of the spots, and you’ll also hear me being a total jerk, talking over the spots. You’ll hear Ray Cook on a spot, Hayne Davis on promos, and J. Frank Coley with news. A jingle or ID before, after and between EVERY program element – that was the format (somewhat like Hot Hits years later.) I was lucky to be there, a high-school kid with big dreams. Many talented people worked at WIXE, including Doug Limerick (ABC News) and Larry Dixon (WAPE, KVIL).

I just wonder if I said my name often enough…

MORE EXHIBITS FROM THE UNCLE RICKY COLLECTION!

Reel Top 40 Radio Repository ©1996-2007 REELRADIO, Inc.

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