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The Real Don Steele, Live From The Sixties, December 10, 1990 Hr.2 (0:47:06)

Unscoped
… And now, as a public service, so that you may better converse with your teenage son or daughter, another definition from Don’s Dictionary …
This aircheck is many worlds away from KHJ and what The Real Don Steele would ultimately achieve, but it is a treasure for all it offers. It’s a countdown show – not unlike those you might have heard in New York or Los Angeles in 1961, but it was in Yakima, Washington – and there was a Countdown Club, too, and lucky numbers. It was March, 1961. He wasn’t called “The Real Don Steele”, but that’s who was on the air. It’s even the “end of the mo for the countdown show” at the conclusion of this telescoped hour. Up front, NBC Monitor News reports that barbers are learning the new JFK cuts; It’s Countdown Stage 1 and the Top Ten plus extras are featured. Later and Mickey Mouse are wacko-words requiring a Don definition. Here, the KIMA Ace-in-the-hole is Theme from Dixie by Duane Eddy, and Riot in Cell Block 9 is an Exciting Extra. There’s also a salute to a Swingin’ Mom. RDS does a bit over Apache by Jorgen Ingmann. There are lots of jingles that don’t fit the format, a missing cat report, a swap shop promo – but Steele takes these all in stride. In fact, he talks back to a PSA and questions a station promo for bowlers.

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. 

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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