The Real Don Steele, KOIL, 1962 (0:17:33)

… by golly gumdrops, no! …
The Real Don Steele counts down the latest KOIL Fabulous 50 on a chilly March afternoon in Omaha, Nebraska. For those who have never had the opportunity to hear Steele outside of the “Boss Radio” format, this ‘check, “soft-scoped” from 4:00 – 4:30 pm, is a treasure.KOIL was a Top 40 pioneer, and this aircheck, in addition to presenting the legendary Steele, features classic formatics. You can’t help but be amused by The KOIL Bannerline, during which “Rosen-Novak Chevrolet chauffeurs you around the universe in 60 seconds!” The “Bannerline” ends abruptly with a production piece that announces: “Time’s Up!”

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