Shotgun Tom Kelly/KCBQ Reverb Day, 1974 (0:12:01)

… …I’m sorry, Boyd, I may have to do it again sometime, blow your mind… …

[Description by Gene Knight]

Reverb in San Diego in 1974? Not normally. KCBQ had used reverb throughout the 60’s as a traditional top 40 station, but somewhere in the late 60’s or very early 70’s reverb on the “chain” was taken out.

However, for some reason, Rich Brother Robin, the PD in 1974, reactivated the reverb on the “Q” for one day, and here it is featured on the Shotgun Tom Kelly show. As you listen, it’s obvious that Shotgun grew up listening to jocks in the 60’s using the “reverb-on-demand” button on the board; Tom has fun with that button, too, especially coming out of the newscast with Boyd R. Britton. Enjoy “Reverb Day” on the Q!

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