Mark Van Wagoner is going to meet his counterpart. In fact, he's going to be partners with him on KMGR (alias "Magic 107.5," FM) beginning in November.
Clyde Lewis, sometimes jokingly referred to in the local radio industry as Van Wagoner's "evil twin" because he is so opposite of him, will join the KMGR morning show (5:30-10 a.m. weekdays) as the other half of the new "Mark and Clyde Show.'According to Danny Jessop, KMGR program director, even though Lewis has been referred to as Van Wagoner's evil twin, there was an instant chemistry between the two radio personalities during a recent off-air audition.
Van Wagoner offers a conservative radio approach, while Lewis is much more diverse and liberal, especially after having been a producer and personality on KLZX's "Jon and Dan" show and most recently a morning personality with Rich Summers on KZHT.
"We're going to present a little more entertainment in the morning," Jessop said about the addition of Lewis.
Jessop said the show will have a lot of local interest items and will offer an armchair approach to the news, with Van Wagoner providing 90-second news updates twice an hour and with Lewis covering traffic and sports updates.
(Chere Wood, former news director at KMGR, has left the station.)
"We'll still be playing a lot of music," Jessop stressed. "Perhaps more than any other Utah morning radio show."
Jessop said the only real problem is what sort of subtle approach he can use to introduce Lewis, an imaginative personality, into KMGR's lineup.
Lewis, who got married Oct. 18, said he feels really good about this change, his third different Wasatch Front radio station this year.
He said he's pleased to be working with the legendary Van Wagoner and is also excited about the chemistry they have together.
Opposites are said to attract, and perhaps this is just the mix KMGR needs for an explosive radio show.
- Earlier this year KMGR switched from a soft adult contemporary music format to a "hot" and uptempo musical mix. Jessop said this move obviously cut off many of Magic 107.5's older listeners (age 45 and up), but the change has strengthened and expanded its 25-40 age listening group. He said recent summer radio ratings show KMGR is back in the running as a top Wasatch Front radio station.
- KSL (AM-1160) - The radio station is teaming up with KSL-TV to expand Ch. 5's 24-hour news coverage overnight. KSL began providing live local news cut-ins throughout the night earlier this week.
The development coincides with the one-year anniversary of KSL-TV's inauguration of the first 24-hour news service in the Utah TV market, began Oct. 10 of last year. The station offers either full newscasts or local news cut-ins on the hour from 6 a.m. until midnight each weekday. Overnight news has been supplied by CBS and CNN.
Network newscasts are being supplemented by local news cut-ins near the top of each hour. The live, 30-second news updates are produced and presented by KSL radio reporters from 1 a.m. through 5 a.m. each weekday. The cut-ins are accompanied by a full-screen graphic. KSL-TV is off the air during those hours on weekends for routine maintenance.
"This is a natural progression in our efforts to give viewers the most complete and up-to-date news available in this market around the clock," KSL-TV news director Lee Roderick said.
Rod Arquette, KSL radio news director, said, "We are delighted to cooperate with our sister station in helping to provide additional news to overnight television viewers. KSL is the region's news leader in both radio and television, and this new venture fits well with our commitment to fully serve our listeners."
- Here are some KSL radio programming highlights for next week:
Saturday, Oct. 26: 7-10 a.m. - "Greenhouse" will focus on turfgrass and what to do now to have a great lawn next spring; 10 a.m. - "Car Radio" will explain how to get your car ready for cold weather; 11 a.m. - "Clearing the clutter," with funnyman Don Aslett, on "Your House." (Note: On Sunday, Oct. 27, San Francisco football will pre-empt the "Health and Fitness" show.)
Monday, Oct. 28: 9:06 a.m. - Redistricting the legislative boundary lines; 10 a.m. - Bill Marshall visits Doug Wright to explain the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center's new child and development center; 11 a.m. - "Doing Utah Justice"; 1 p.m. - Salt Lake mayoral candidates Deedee Corradini and Dave Buhler visit Bob Lee; 2 p.m. - coin collecting.
Tuesday, Oct. 29: 10 a.m. - "Peppercorn Steaks" on KSL's "Cooking Show"; 2 p.m. - A non-biased look at insurance companies.
Wednesday, Oct. 30: 10 a.m. - Chest pains and how to avoid a heart attack; 11:30 a.m. - Key Bank economist Jeff Thredgold visits the "Dollars and Sense" show.
Thursday, Oct. 31: 10 a.m. - Halloween recipes; 10:30 a.m. - Paranormal investigations; 1 p.m. - Warren Feiberg, haunted house finder, visits Lee's show.
Friday, Nov. 1: 11 a.m. - KSL's "Movie Show," with Wright and Chris Hicks.
- KRAMER AT MURDER MYSTERY - Danny Kramer of KTKK (AM-630) will be Homestead Resort's guest of honor for its overnight Halloween murder mystery Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26 and 27.
Kramer, K-Talk AM-630, will join other guests for Homestead's "Massey Masquerade Mayhem," presented by Hunt Mystery & Company, which has staged several whodunits over the past several months.
In the whodunit, oil baron John Massey and his young wife, Susie, invite family and guests to a Halloween costume party at the Homestead, but the evening turns to mayhem. Also, there will be a costume party for the guests.
The cast includes Gary Armstrong, Lenore Cambria, Melonie Cannon, Jessie Dolce, John Elder, Nancy Elder, Jay Jamison, John Lesko, Diane Lyon, Monte Lyon, Alan Mangum and Vicki Wilson.
The Homestead package, which costs $75 a person, includes the overnight participatory murder mystery, one night lodging, a welcome social, dinner, costume contest, Sunday brunch, golf and horseback riding discounts and other special entertainment. To join the festivities, call 1 (800) 327-7220.
- KCPX (FM-98.7) - The station received three awards from the Utah Broadcasters Association earlier this month. KCPX won a gold award for the best 30-second commercial, a gold for the best 60-second promotional announcement and a silver award for a 60-second commercial.
Dain Craig, station production manager, produced all three of the commercials. They can be heard 2-7 p.m. weekdays.
- The station is continuing its Lucky Shopper promotion through the holidays, with numbers drawn each weekday. Tickets can be obtained at the 49th Street Galleria, Broadway Music, Valley Fair Mall, Cottonwood Mall, Ogden Hi Fi, Granite Furniture, Kirkhams, Jolene Children's Outlet, University Mall, Morgan Jewelers, Sylvester's and Jiffy Lube.
- KTKK (AM-630) - "Teens and Devil Worship" will be addressed on Danny Kramer's show Thursday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m.
- KBZN (FM-97.9) - Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel will be featured Sunday, Oct. 27, 8-10 a.m., on "Musical Starstreams." Later in the day, from 7 p.m. until midnight, "Jazz Trax" will highlight Alexander Zonjic. "Tourists in Paradise" will be the show's "Archives Album" segment.
Here's a rundown of KBZN's "7 O'Clock CD" show for next week:
Monday, Oct. 28: "Fourplay," by Fourplay.
Tuesday, Oct. 29: "River's Gonna Rise," by Patrick O'Hearn.
Wednesday, Oct. 30: "Nocturnal Playground," by Russ Freeman.
Thursday, Oct. 31: "A Childhood Remembered," a Narada collection.
Friday, Nov. 1: "Tour De France," by John Tesh.
- KRCL (FM-90.9) will hold a "Halloween Bash" on Nov. 1, 8 p.m. until 1 a.m, at the New Grand Ballroom of the Utah State Fairgrounds.
Admission is $8 at the door. Call 363-1818 for more information.
- KKDS (AM-1060) is co-sponsoring a "Halloween Bash" at the Children's Museum of Utah, 840 N. 300 West, Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults, $4.50 for children or $20 for a family of five.
- KUER (FM-90.1) - The station will simulcast several upcoming KUED jazz programs. On Tuesday, Oct. 29, 10:35 p.m, "New Port Jazz '90" will air and on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 10:35 p.m., "Newport Jazz '91" will be broadcast on both KUER and KUED.
"Jacksonville Jazz XI" will air Tuesday, Nov. 26, 10:35 p.m.