Radio is one industry where people and things are constantly changing. Nothing illustrates this fact more than a look back at previous "Radio Dial" articles. With only three days left in 1990, here's a look at some of the significant local radio happenings for this calendar year, separated into three categories (this is not intended to be an all-inclusive list):
- Station format changes in 1990:
January: KBCK (FM-105.7) debuts with country music, making the switch from KCGL and Christian music.February: KRSP-FM (103.5) alters its programming to a hit-oriented approach from album rock.
March: KQOL debuts on KBER's former frequency FM-106.5 with crossover country music . . . KKWY (alias "Y-98) declares Chapter 11 bankruptcy and leaves the airwaves.
May: KKWY returns in May as KBZN ("The Breeze.")
June: KSFI (FM-100.3) goes to an "all vocals" format, abandoning its "elevator music" format.
July: KRSP-AM (1060) lays off three on-air personalities and uses more automated music . . . KMGR-AM (1230) stops simulcasting the FM signal and goes to a world news, business and sports format . . WNN, using a rented frequency, is bumped off the air and a heart and soul format premieres on AM-1510.
October: KCPX (FM-98.7) switches from top 40 hit music to a continuous favorites format and becomes "K98.7" . . . KLVV, formerly "Love-99.5" drops its adult contemporary format and picks up KCPX's old format just two days later . . . KRSP-AM becomes KKDS, a kids "imagination station" . . . KJQN receives a new majority owner.
November: KZOL's (FM-96.1) new owners change its format from satellite music to adult contemporary . . . Sister station KFYM (AM-960) becomes a news/information station . . . KQOL lets all its staff go and starts up again with a "Beautiful Music format . . . KLZX-AM stops simulcasting KLZX-FM and goes full-time with Cable News Network.
December: KUSW, the superpower shortwave station of Carlson Communications (KRSP/KKDS) is sold for $2.1 million to Trinity Broadcasting . . . KSUN (AM-1490) disappears and another simulcast, the fourth for KJQN, fills the space.
- On-air personality changes for 1990:
January: KTKK names Gaylen Palmer to replace Jim Dabakis, who left the station at the end of 1989.
February: Comedian Jeff Olson becomes Mark Van Wagoner's sidekick . . . Tom Robbin returns to KRSP after an 11-year absence . . . KSL hires Amanada Dixon as a weekend host . . . Mills Crenshaw turns down a radio job in nation's capital to do a two-man morning show with Joe Redburn . . . Martin Davies returns to KTTK after leaving the station last fall.
March: A pair of radio veterans return to the radio: Joe Lee comes back to KUTR, sister station of KCPX to do the news; Herb Jepko revives his overnight talk show on a network and it airs locally on KTKK . . . Danny Kramer joins KQOL after being off the air for about four months, since his contract wasn't reviewed in October 1989 by KALL . . . Michael O'Brien returns to KLCY after nearly a two-year absence.
June: KLCY's Tom Bock leaves the station and jumps to KMGR . . . Mills Crenshaw is fired from KTKK.
July: A new morning team, Russ Novak and Peggy Ijams, premieres on KSFI.
August: Annie Lousteau joins her husband, "Mr. Uglee," on the air at KCPX.
October: KCPX's new morning team of Jay Kelly and Tami Sanders debuts . . . "The Uglees" leave KCPX . . . Jeff Olson departs from KMGR . . . Tom Timmons is let go by KCPX.
November: Mills Crenshaw returns to KTKK . . . Danny Kramer moves from KQOL to KZOL . . . KLVV's new morning deejay goes by the nickname of Donald Trump.
December: KALL lays off three news employees: Chris Maathuis, Kristie Snow and Tracie Cayford. Several other stations also cut back because of the trend for companies to advertise less . . . Tom Timmons is hired by KLVV.
- Other 1990 radio changes/events:
February: WNN changes call letters to KLLB . . . Chris Tunis, KSL radio, is named Utah Sportscaster of the Year for the fifth time . . . National Public Radio (NPR) marks its 20th anniversary . . . Veteran sportscaster Paul James reaches a milestone by broadcasting his 1,000 BYU game.
March: KRSP sales veteran Harold (Hal) D. Collipriest retires after 41 years. . . . KISN signs another 5-year broadcasting contract with the Utah Jazz . . . Cuba's radio jamming affects KSL radio's "clear channel" frequency again, but mostly outside of Utah.
April: KALL consolidates its news department and moves it to the KUTV building.
May: KTKK radio turns 25 . . . KSL, Utah's oldest, becomes 68 years old . . KJQN celebrates its second year of "Modern Music" . . . FM radio technology turns 40.
May: KSL's Doug Wright is off the air for several weeks with a severe illness . . . KMGR gains the S.L. Golden Eagles broadcast contract.
July: KSL newsman Robert G. Schildmeyer files a $1 million lawsuit against his employer . . . KZHT causes excitement with its "Doritos Drop" contest at the Valley Fair Mall . . . Park City's KPCW celebrates its 10th anniversary.
August: KCPX starts its "What Would You Do for $5,000" contest . . . KLZX's "Jon and Dan" sign a 5-year contract with the station.
September: KUER celebrates 30 years on the airwaves . . . KALL marks 45 years of broadcasting.
December: KSRR installs a better transmitter, capable of reaching more of Salt Lake County . . . Hot Rod Hundley broadcasts his 1,500th Utah Jazz game.