Ron O'Brian (Joe Bello), WXIL Parkersburg, WV. 1979 (0:07:10)

… enough horsepower to pull the city of Parkersburg across the river …
Joe Bello (“Big Ron O’Brian”) and Sales Manager John Valeau WXIL had more than one personality named after a Top 40 legend. In addition to Bobby Wayne, there was Big Ron O’Brian, the air name taken by Joe Bello, who was also Music Director and Sales Manager for the Famous 95. Joe Bello died in the late 1980’s. Full stopsets and multiple newscasts are included in this ‘scoped sample of afternoon drive from Summer, 1979. WXIL was selling lots of time and they were very active promotionally – check out the number of sponsored events and personal appearances by WIXUL personalities on this day alone! Remember when local, independent radio stations were everywhere? The Demolition Derby is cancelled by rain, so they immediately substitute an all-night disco party. The Ninety-Fivers worked very, very hard for that 64 share.

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