WDRC - 16 Years of Rock (G2-Aphex) (0:07:25)

… … This is Big D in Hartford … …

The late Charlie Parker, legendary WDRC Program Director, originally envisioned this piece for the 16th Anniversary of WDRC’s switch to Top 40 (August 18, 1976). It was produced by Dave “Doc” Overson, Production Director at WDRC at that time, and includes an amazing number of airchecks going back to 1963, most of which were supplied by Ed Brouder, now of Man From Mars Productions. Included are Ron Landry, Dickie Robinson, Joey Reynolds, Sandy Beach, and many, many others.

“Big D” was noted for keeping ALL of their archives…. at that point in time. Odds are they’ve since landed in private collections and won’t see the light of day in our lifetimes.

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