Chuck Christensen, the new morning deejay (5:30-9 a.m.) on KLCY (FM-94.1), is one of the most famous and experienced deejays to ever ride the Utah radio waves.
Now nicknamed "The Chucker," Christensen went by the title of "Magic Christen" back in 1976 when Billboard Magazine listed him as one of the top five major market disc jockeys in the nation.Christensen has been just about everywhere in his 32 years of radio work. That's not bad for a guy who you might think in mathematical terms as being over 50. But he's only 46, having started his radio career at age 14 at West Covina, Calif.'s KDWC-FM.
"The Chucker" has worked in radio longer than his more famous longtime friend, Bob Smith. And who is he? He is none other than perhaps America's most famous deejay - "Wolfman Jack."
Christensen stressed that he even needed his mom's help to drive him to the radio station with his first audition tape, but he said "it's been a charmed life from that moment."
The list of stations in Christensen's history includes just about every radio format possible and also most every state. For example, he's been at Chicago's WCFL, Philadelphia's WIBG, and KBLA and KGBS in Los Angeles. He even worked for Mexico's XHITZ (note that Mexican radio stations can have as many call letters as they wish).
When asked to describe how he characterizes himself on the air, Christensen said, quoting Billboard Magazine, "They called me the master of contemporary one-liners; I guess that fits."
In the past year, Christensen underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery, and after a year of rest laced with some short work periods, he said he is a changed man.
"I've been blessed with a great career, and it's only half over. They tell me I have another 50 years to live; I just have to decide what I'm going to do. It's a pleasant problem."
Christensen came to Salt Lake City because of his longstanding friendship with KLCY program director Tom Connelly. He was told how great Salt Lake City was before his arrival and after being here, he said, "I haven't heard a discouraging word since my arrival - truly. This place is paradise."
He further said Salt Lake City is "the place" and if it's up to him, he's here to stay.
Christensen also said he enjoys his listeners the most on the job and that listening to them is the only way to stay current.
He and his wife, Kim, have made their home in the Holladay area.
-GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - After surviving three format changes on AM-1320, Salt Lake news veteran Chris Maathuis was let go by KUTR Wednesday.
Wayne Courtney, KUTR general manager, said that it was a tough decision to make but that it was purely an economic one.
KUTR program director Mike Carver stressed that the station will miss the talented newsman's dedication and hard work.
Maathuis had been anchoring both morning and afternoon drive news reports on AM-1320 and had earned an award from his peers for coverage of the shuttle Discovery's return to space. He also covered evening sports events.
Although it's unclear where Maathuis may obtain his next permanent radio job, he will be covering the high school football playoffs this month on KNKK (AM-800) radio.
-KALL (AM-910) has a full schedule of local programming Saturday morning with host John Berg's three regular programs from "The Radio Advice Network."
"Grow-It" will air from 7 to 8 with guest Debbie Amundsen from the Utah Botanical Gardens discussing "Easy to Grow House Plants."
"Hometalk" will be broadcast from 8 to 10 with Wendy Honey, a Salt Lake interior designer, discussing "New Ideas for Inside Your Home."
"Auto-Medic" will air from 10 to 11 with guest Don Burdett talking about "Tuneup Problems."
Call-in questions are welcome on all three programs.
- KALL will also air "Sports Kall with Tom Nissalke and Brad Stone" tonight at 6:05, and Sunday's NFL game will be the Los Angeles Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals. Pregame coverage begins at 1:33 p.m.
-KUER (FM-90) - Host Noah Adams will anchor the "All Things Considered" National Public Radio Program from Boise during the week of Nov. 13-17.
The show during that week will focus on the six northern tier states that are celebrating their centennials.
The three-hour program is heard weekdays on KUER from 4-7 p.m.
NPR's "Morning Edition" (weekdays 7-9 a.m.) and "Weekend Edition" (Saturdays 6-10 a.m. and Sundays 9-11 a.m.) will also air reports on this northern region that includes Idaho, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Washington.
"Morning Edition" is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. The show boosts 4.1 million listeners nationwide each day.
- NPR White House correspondent Jim Angle will be the special guest at a public breakfast at the University Park Hotel Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 a.m. The cost per person is $15.
Reservations must be made by Saturday, Nov. 9, through KUER.
-KSL (AM-1160) will air the Oregon at BYU game Saturday at 11:15 a.m.