Robert Walker (R.J. Heim) WFEC Harrisburg, 1982 (0:07:48)

… Hot Shot Robert Walker …

[Description by contributor R.J. Heim]

In 1982, the Mike Joseph Hot Hits format was sweeping the country, all on FM stations, mostly CBS O&O’s. In Harrisburg Pennsylvania, WFEC (1400 Khz) had been a successful Top-40 station through the 1970’s, before a format change to urban. They decided to try true Top 40 one last time.

I was hired to do the 1 – 5 p.m. shift Monday through Friday. Here’s a sample from March of 1982. A dream come true with big jingles, big reverb, and high energy, for a guy who grew up listening to Ron Lundy & Harry Harrison on WABC, and George Michael & Jim O’Brien on WFIL. I remember listening to the final shows of WABC as a music station while driving to work at WFEC.

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