While most of Utah's popular radio stations have sophisticated and fancy vehicles designed to carry their broadcasts on the road, one station uses a much more humble and unusual vehicle for such purposes.
KJQN (alias "KJQ" FM-92.7, 95.5, 104.9 and AM-1490) ha snot only spread itself over simulcasts on four different frequencies, but its on-road vehicle is unlike anything else in the imaginative worlf of Utah radio. KJQ's "Milk Beast" is actually named "Bessie," and the ol-style Ford milk truck from the 1960s has become a phenomenon that draws a crowd wherever it goes."It's an amazing thing," said Bill Allred, KJQ spokesman. "We had no idea what it would turn into."
Allred said the Milk Beast usually spends six days a week traveling to various Wasatch Front locations, delivering free dairy products--chocolate milk, yogurt and cottage cheese. Cream O'Weber is a co-sponsor of the truck and so is Car Concepts, a company that put the sound system in the vehicle.
The truck also makes special visits during local fund-raisers or other charitable events.
KJQ's truck, painted to look like a cow, made its debut in the spring of 1990. Today the station receives many requests each day asking that the truck visit a particular location. Wherever the truck goes, one thing is certain--it is sure to be noticed.
Mark Christiansen, weekend KJQ deejay, is the truck's regular driver. He's able to do on-location broadcasts because of the truck's cellular phone.
KJQ's "Dairy Herd" is also growing. Bessie recently gave "birth" in front of a crowd of 6,000 during a special visit to Hogle Zoo to "Lil' Bessie," a Mercury Capri convertible that also has those same black spots on a white background.
--In other news, the long-awaited KJQ Prize Passports have finally arrived!
The passports are officially titled "The Environmentally Friendly Really Big Fact-Filled Book of Great Coupons, Free Stuff and Rainy Day Fun." The booklets are desinged in typical KJQ fashion with bizarre games, money-saving coupons, useful phone numbers, environmental tips and general foolishness.
Each passport contains "a personalized winning number chosen especially for you," the KJQ air personalities say.
Winning number will be read on the air every weekday (92.7 FM in SLc, 104.9 in Provo 95.5 in Davis and Weber counties). Listeners will have an opportunity to win many prizes, including trips to Europe.
The passports are free and are available at all locations of Holiday Oil, Movie Buffs and Kar Kwik. They are also available at Squatters, the Pie in Provo and Crandall Audio.
-KTKK (alias "K-Talk,' AM-630)--Joe Redburn has added two regulars to his 6-9 morning show. Brent Dangerfield, a Utah on-air personality on the old KSXX before it adopted a talk format in 1965, has returned as the newsman on Redburn's show. Rob Olsen will be the show's producer.
Dangerfield returned to Utah from San Francisco where he had been a sound man for such groups as Santana, It's a Beautiful Day and the late Janis Joplin.
Olsen, a Salt Lake native who lived most recently in Seattle, replaced Jim McElfresh as Redburn's producer. Olsen is responsible for securing celebrity interviews for Redburn. He recently has been able to obtain KTKK interviews with NBC commentator John Chancellor and Tammy Faye Fbaker.
Next week, Olsen has a Redburn interview lined up with Norm Weiss of Park City, the man who brought the Beatles to America.
KUER (FM-90.1)--National Public Radifo's "All Things considered" program is 20 years old today. The show has been celebrating the milestone all week long with live broadcasts from chicago and Albuquerque.
KALL (AM-910)--The station's Frank Sinatra diamond Jubilee concert contest starts Monday, May 6. Listeners must complete entry forms to enter the competition, the grand prize of which is two tickets to Sinatra's May 21 concert, a romantic dinner for two and an antique clock valued at $700. Second prize is the concert and dinner tickets.
Entry forms are available at Salt Lake Antiques, 279 E. 300 South. winners will be announced on Hans Petersen's show May 17 at 4:15 p.m.
KBZN FM-97.9)--The "Jazz Trax" show on Sunday, May 5, will feature Dan Siegal from 7 p.m. until midnight. The "Archives Album" segment will be "Silhouette" by Kenny G.
The "Musical Starstream" show on sunday, May 5, will feature Suzanne Chiani.