Russ Knight Weird Beard KLIF Dallas, 1963 (0:21:37)

… Sixty Five Percent, Mr. McLendon? …
[Description by Uncle Ricky] We suspect this aircheck of Russ Weird Beard Knight on KLIF in Dallas was recorded for sponsor Gillette (Super Blue Blade). What we don’t know is if it was all actually broadcast as you hear it here. But wow, this was wacky radio in 1963. In addition to Knight’s messages to his employer, there are references to various governors and tobacco that may be addressed in COMMENT (below). Ron Riley’s contribution was on CD, with a 50 db range, quite obviously unprocessed (a bit distorted on peaks, at the original source) and more likely recorded in a production room *or* off the console (not the air chain.) It was processed here for online presentation, as are all REELRADIO exhibits. Stop picking at your beard, it’s bugging me! Frequent PAMS (mostly 18) and Tips for Teens – provided by Weird Beard, “Commander of Delinquents Anonymous”. Most interesting of all, KLIF DJ Trading Stamps, Mike Nichols and Elaine May, and how did Russ Knight get Gillette to sponsor a guy with a beard?

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