The Fourth Chime, NBC Radio News November 24, 1944 (0:29:18)

… The fourth chime rings only when news is breaking of world importance …
Description by Uncle Ricky This NBC Radio News program was originally broadcast on November 24, 1944 and discovered on a transcription disc years later at WTIC in Hartford, Connecticut. Media Preservation Foundation contributed this rare recording to REELRADIO from their WTIC Collection. It features the honor roll of NBC commentators and war correspondents of the era: Don Goddard, Robert McCormick, Max Jordan, H.V. Kaltenborn, John Vandercook, Robert St. John, Louis Lochner, W.W. Chaplain, Morgan Beatty, Stanley Richardson, John McBane, and Max Hill. Unlike most of what you’ll hear on broadcast news today, these literate reporters were fiercely pro-American, and that sentiment is reflected in their commentary. It’s also unusual to hear dramatic re-creations of some of their personal recollections of history. This is a fascinating feature for baby boomers, media students, and all those with an interest in World War II history. MORE EXHIBITS FROM THE MEDIA PRESERVATION FOUNDATION COLLECTION! REELRADIO, Inc. ©2005

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