The report here last week on the death of the "Z-Rock" music format in Utah has proved to be exaggerated, as the album-oriented rock format has been resurrected on KZHT (FM-94.9) after a six-day absence.
According to Steve Marriott, KZHT general manager, "Z-Rock" returned Sunday night by replacing the previous pop music format on 94.9."It's an extremely popular format. . . . We've had a lot of demand for Z-Rock,' Marriott said, explaining it is doing very well in at least 12 other radio markets nationwide, including Reno.
Marriott said describing Z-Rock as the album-oriented rock of the '90s is much more accurate than the old "heavy-metal" label. He admits the music isn't mainstream, but it reflects a change in musical popularity, as proven on MTV.
KZHT previously had a lease operating agreement with KRPN (now KRGO) to use FM-107.9 for Z-Rock. Marriott said the format died there not from a lack of popularity but rather from a weak broadcasting signal that limited its listening range and thus its number of listeners.
He believes the improved KZHT signal, with 200,000 watts of power, will help the format reach enough regular listeners to survive.
Marriott confirmed the staff has been reduced by five or six people, but the Z-Rock format requires a large local staff, even though its source is ABC Radio.
Aaron Steele and Sue Kelly are doing the morning show on Z-Rock, but Marriott said Steele will eventually be doing mornings solo, while Kelly will handle afternoons. "Adam Smasher," former KZHT program director, is helping the station make the new format transition but is eventually expected to leave KZHT.
Marriott said KZHT got several hundred calls complaining when Z-Rock left the air and several hundred more calls of relief when it returned on a different frequency.
He said no call-letter changes are planned for KZHT.
- KMGR - "Magic 107.5" was replaced last week by "Mix 107.5," a result of KMGR's new ownership by US Radio.
According to David Ferraro, KMGR vice president/general manager, "The Mix" nickname better describes the musical taste of the station's audience - the best music from the '60s, '70, '80s and today.
"It was time that our station's name reflect what we are today. . . . Our on-air personalities . . . Tom Bock, Danny Jessop, Randy Steward and Lole Jones, will continue to be part of the Mix 107.5 family."
- PAUL HARVEY - If you're a fan of this popular radio feature, then you're going to be having withdrawal pains for the next 90 days because that's how long it will be before Paul Harvey returns to Salt Lake area radio.
KALL radio will no longer carry Harvey after today. KSL (AM-1160) has the new contract to carry his program, but because of the way Harvey's contracts go, it can't restart at the new station for 90 days.
According to Maggie St. Claire of KSL radio, Paul Harvey will begin on AM-1160 about Dec. 14. She said KSL will air his program three times daily.
- KRCL FM-90.9) - The station's annual fall radiothon will start Saturday through Oct. 5. KRCL is the area's only listener-supported, non-National Public Radio community radio station.
According to David Young, KRCL general manager, more than 150 volunteers will power fund-raising efforts 24 hours a day during this year's fall radiothon.
"Funding is provided by listeners who contribute during the spring and fall radiothons and by businesses that support specific programs," Young said.
He also stressed that volunteers are also the mainstay of the station the entire year, not just during radiothons, since many donate their time to help provide a forum for many segments of Utah's community that would otherwise have no voice.
"Much of this music comes from the programmers' personal collections, providing KRCL with Utah's most diverse library," said Donna Land-Maldonado, KRCL program director.
Musical formats include world music, folk, blues, ethnic, punk rock, reggae, soul, bluegrass and many others that don't find time on commercial radio.
In addition to local programming, KRCL also offers national and international news from an alternate point of view from the Pacifica News Department.
KRCL also sponsors alternate concerts and community events, including the Living Traditions Festival, the Utah Jazz and Blues Festival, the annual Sunsplash Reggae Show and contro-versial movie presentations, such as "Incident at Oglala" at the Tower Theater.
The station has earned the nickname "Radio Free Utah." For more information on KRCL, call 570-91FM.
- KXRK (alias "X-96," FM) is sending several listeners to Denver to be a part of U2's Zoo TV Tour.
Unfortunately, U2 won't be coming to Salt Lake City. But X-96 is sending a party plane to Denver's Mile High Stadium for the Oct. 21 concert.
The modern rock station is giving away several of the travel packages to listeners who have X-96 stickers on their vehicles. But for those who want to assure themselves a place in Denver, U2 fans can purchase seats on the chartered X-96 plane and tickets to the show.
The $250 package includes airfare and a reserved concert ticket. Call Breck at 364-9601 during business hours for more information.
- KUER (FM90.1) - The station will present Capitol Steps in concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in Kingsbury Hall. Tickets are $17 a person and go on sale Oct. 1 at the Kingsbury box office, phone 581-7100.
The Capitol Steps perform song parodies poking fun at current events.
- In other KUER news, "Dizzy's Diamond," a 13-part series of hourlong programs, begins Thursday, Oct. 1, 9 p.m.
National Public Radio is marking the occasion of John Birks "Dizzy" Diamond turning 75 this fall with the special series on a seminal figure in the history of jazz.
- KUTQ (alias "The Q," FM-99.5) - The station's "Breakfast Bunch," McCormick and Scotty, spent last week at the Utah State Fair raising money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake with pop-a-shot, a basketball booth.
The two deejays also hosted a party of listeners to go to the Utah Symphony performance of "Phantom of the Opera" Tuesday.
- KALL AM-910/FM-94.1) - Speaking of the Boys & Girls Clubs, radio personalities Tom Barberi and Mike Runge will be the auctioneers for its 23rd annual dinner and auction at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the Red Lion.
- KSL (AM-1160) - Radio personalities Doug Wright and Chris Hicks branched out into television last week by hosting a new weekly program, "The Movie Show," Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. on KSL-TV, Ch. 5.
- KBZN (alias "The Breeze," FM-97.9) - The group Mind Over Matter will be the guests on the Sunday, Sept. 27, "Musical Starstreams," 8-10 a.m. Wayne Henderson of the New Crusade will be the guest on "Jazz Trax" from 7 p.m.-midnight. "Good News," by Fattburger (1987) will be on the show's "Archive Album" segment.
- Here's a schedule for the show's "7 'O Clock" CD show next week:
Monday, Sept. 28: "In Search of Magic," by Jim Chappel.
Tuesday, Sept. 29: "East-West," by Hiroshima.
Wednesday, Sept. 20: "The Power of Suggestion," by Richard Elliot.
Thursday, Oct. 1: "Excusez Moi," by Peter White.
Friday, Oct. 2: "Time Will Tell," by Grant Geissman.