KUTE, perhaps Utah's most limited-audience radio station, has returned. After an absence of several years, the student station at the University of Utah is back, broadcasting its college radio format via closed circuit to the university dormitory and union building.
Now, the U. has the well-known KUER, but that's its polished, nonstudent broadcasting operation. KUTE is a real student station and the only place where students can receive hands-on radio training.According to John Larson, public relations director for KUTE, the station started broadcasting again on Feb. 17 when a $3,000 fiber optic line to the dorms was completed. The signal is carried at an AM-600 frequency. In previous years, KUTE has only been available over the public address system in the union building.
KUTE is a 24-hour station with a format similar to KRCL's - a mixed bag of alternative radio - from country to heavy metal, to rock to rappers. KUTE is the only radio station around that plays the CMJ - College Music Journal format. It has 25 disc jockeys and five directors.
"We're a suppressed voice of the university," Larson said, indicating some university officials seem to think the station is composed of a bunch of radicals. He said it was a three-year battle to get the funds for the fiber optic line. In contrast, KUER and KUED opened a new multimillion dollar broadcasting facility on March 1.
"It's amazing what we do with what little we have," Larson said.
Larson said KUTE has a good chance of becoming a subcarrier on KUER's FM-90.1 frequency later this spring. This would make the station available to much of the state - wherever KUER has translator stations. Larson didn't elaborate, but a special type of receiver would likely be necessary to pick up the subcarrier college station, though.
KUTE began in 1967 and originally was to be the training ground for students who would later move to KUER, but it rarely worked that way.
The station also gives local bands some exposure. Like KRCL, not only is the music and programming diverse, but the DJs also represent a diverse group. Most are from outside of Utah, but Larson believes that's because college radio is better known outside Utah.
KUTE carries limited advertising, but it doesn't generate enough income to keep the station operating.
"We've got a pretty good thing going," Larsen concluded. "We're the only station no one has ever heard."
He estimates the station has a "hard-core" group of 2,000 listeners from the dorms and union building.
- MORNING CHANGE? - Is KSL (AM-1160) going to make a change in its morning show? Maybe, but nothing has been decided despite the rumors circulating.
"Yes, we have auditioned people, but not necessarily for morning," Rod Arquette, news services managing editor and radio program director, said. "We're just trying to get a feel for what we're trying to do."
Arquette said a decision on KSL's morning show could be made as early as March 15.
Tim Hughes and Maria Shilaos are currently the two dominant KSL morning voices, but Shilaos is on vacation this week in Mexico with her husband. Tammy Kikuchi has been filling in for Shilaos.
According to James Tensley, producer for the "Mark and Danny" show on KDYL, KSL recently auditioned Mark Van Wagoner for a possible morning show position.
"It was his (Mark's) decision to stay," Tensley said, noting that even if Van Wagoner had taken the job, he has a three-month noncompetitive clause in his contract that would have required him to sit out for 90 days at another station.
"Mark believes in KDYL," Ken Bell, KDYL promotions director said, wondering if this offer was KSL's way of trying to keep KDYL under control before it activates its new transmitter and greatly increases its coverage in Utah County.
Tensley understands Amanda Dixon was the leading candidate as Van Wagoner's co-host.
Bell also said KSL approached Peggy Ijams, KSFI ("FM-100") co-host about an audition, but she declined because she is happy at KSFI.
- PRESIDENT'S RADIO ADDRESS - Each Saturday, President Clinton, like former President Bush, delivers a morning radio address to the nation. Unfortunately, there is no Salt Lake area station currently broadcasting the address.
However, KCRN (AM-1320) hopes to start carrying the president's Saturday addresses starting sometime later this month. Stay tuned.
- MORNING RADIO HAPPENINGS - KVRI has a 98-minute block on continuous music that airs weekdays after 9 a.m. "Gary and Mick" also have a "You are what you eat" feature on their show, where they read the contents of a food item and invite callers to guess what it is. A free dinner for two is the prize . . . KKAT gave some interesting advice Monday to a young boy on how to get a girl to talk to him. "Cano and Simmons" said the boy, among other things, needs to wear aftershave and get a shaving nick on his face to appear more grown-up. KKAT also talked on the air Monday to a woman upset because the "Morning Guys" seem so rude to most callers. "Most of the people call up for some abuse," Simmons told her. "They can take it." The woman concluded by telling them she still thinks they're rude . . . KISN-FM had a "Screamin' Tuesday" on March 9 when "Fisher and Todd" invited listeners to phone in and then scream, with Utah Jazz tickets up for grabs. On Wednesday, "Lawrence" (Todd) called a psychic hotline for advice . . . "Dom and Bill" of KXRK read an unsigned letter Wednesday from a listener who said the morning duo is pro-LDS Church . . . "McCormick and Scotty" of KUTQ have another interesting character on their show, "Hot Knob," a takeoff from Hot Rod of the Utah Jazz . . . Since "Ron and Allen" of KBER don't have complete liberty to say whatever they want on the air, they now say they have an "uncensored hotline," a 976-number with a new message every day. KBER is also bringing "Guns and Roses" to the Delta Center on April 7 . . . KRCL, Salt Lake's "organic, home-grown radio station," is currently holding its semiannual radiothon . . .KMXB is referring to itself as the official station to listen to at work and invites offices to fax in their name for a chance at a free lunch . . . KUMT will have a musical special on Fleetwood Mac, Sunday, March 14, at 1 p.m.
- KRSP (FM-103.5) - The station was stunned last weekend by the death of Barry Moll, 33, afternoon personality, music director and sports fan.
Moll died in his sleep Sunday of undetermined causes. He was sometimes referred to as the "world's biggest Utah Jazz fan" and previously worked at KLZX, KTOU, KCPX and KRSP. In fact, he started his radio career at age 16 with Salt Lake's KNAK.
Todd West is currently taking Moll's former 3-7 p.m. weekday shift.
- KBZN (alias "The Breeze," FM-97.9) - Sunday, March 14, "Musical Starstreams," (8-10 a.m.) will feature Douglas Spotted Eagle and the "Stand at the Center Album." Later in the day, "Jazz Trax," (7 p.m.-midnight) will have Nick Webb and Greg Carmichael of Acoustic Alchemy.
- Here's a schedule of next week's "7 O'Clock CD" show:
Monday, March 15: "Play," by Special EFX.
Tuesday, March 16: "Valley in the Clouds," by David Arkenstone.
Wednesday, March 17: "Heart's Horizon," by Al Jarreau.
Thursday, March 18: "Vintage BB's," by Flim and the BB's.
Friday, March 18: "Deep Breakfast," by Ray Lynch.
- KBZN is operating out of new studios at 257 E. 200 South in Salt Lake City.