KRGQ (alias "KARGO," FM-92.3, 103.1 and 107.9) does what other FM stations wouldn't dare - it airs the "Half Price Store" bidding show at about noon each day.
Hosted by Tom and Gene, the show accepts bids from listeners on such things as photographic packages, restaurant coupons, etc., for up to half of the face value.The show has separate telephone numbers for Weber/North Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties, and phone traffic seems heavy. In fact, when a 60-second time limit begins on beating a bid, things can get pretty wild. Even the hosts have trouble keeping current with the bids and names bounding about.
Considering the show airs during lunch time - when most FM stations have almost no talk and are music intensive - it stands out on the dial.
The show's hosts also do live weekend broadcasts on location from businesses and restaurants.
- KSL (AM-1160) - The station raised $184,000 during the annual Primary Children's Medical Center Radiothon earlier this month. KSL Radio personalities Doug Wright, Amanda Dixon, Grant Nielsen, Rod Arquette and Maria Shilaos put in long stints during the 24-hour radiothon, and the station suspended all advertising time that day.
"We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our KSL listeners during this year's radiothon," said Bill Murdoch, KSL executive vice president and general manager. "We are pleased with the success of this year's event, and we're already looking forward to next year's radiothon."
- In related news, Russ Wood has been named vice president of sales and marketing for Bonneville International Corp., a new position. Wood was vice president of BYU sports marketing for KSL Radio and TV. Bonneville is KSL's parent company, operating 17 U.S. radio and TV stations and eight support companies.
Wood has 24 years experience in broadcasting. He started at Provo's KEYY as an announcer in 1969 and joined KSL in 1973. Wood also served as vice president and general manager for KSL Radio in the late 1980s.
- KUER (FM-90.1) was recently awarded $500 for its entry in the Utah Broadcasters Association's anti-gang public service announcement competition.
The station's three award-winning "PSAs" featuring rap music were produced with the help of 14 students in the University of Utah's National Youth Sports Program. KUER's Robert Smith, Amber Rowland and Heidi Woodbury helped with the production, along with the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center.
- The station has hired Katrin Snow as news department reporter. She most recently served as the capitol bureau reporter for the Consortium for Public Radio in Oregon. She also has written and produced for National Public Radio and other radio news services.
- "Joe Frank: In the Dark" will air on KUER in a 26-part series that begins Sunday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m.
- "JOYFUL NOISE" is a syndicated radio show that began production Feb. 15 at the new recording studios of Covenant Communications in American Fork. The shows, produced and directed by Duane Hiatt, will include music, comedy, personal improvement tips and some of the finest entertainers and speakers in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Joyful Noise" will air on radio stations in Utah, California, Idaho and Arizona.
The public is also invited to the show in American Fork. Admission is free. Call 756-9966 for further information and to make reservations, which are required.
- 25 YEARS AGO - The main DJs on KLO (AM-1430, Ogden) in 1969 were: Len Allen (still there), Bruce Holland, Dick Curtis, Johnny Mitchell and "The Great Kahuna."
- KUMT (FM-105.7) presents "Center Stage" every weekday at noon, featuring three songs in a row by the same group or artist.
- MORNING RADIO HAPPENINGS - "Jon and Dan" of KLZX returned home Feb. 22 after spending a week in Norway for special Winter Olympics coverage. Their broadcasts were so clear you'd have thought they originated from Salt Lake City. Despite their occasional jokes, the DJS interviewed numerous special guests. One was a sportscaster from the TNT cable station. They kept joking they were trying to track down Dick Nourse, "the Viking king," and the King of Norway but admitted they had trouble finding Utahns during their stay. So they took telephone calls directly from Utah listeners.
By Wednesday they had found KSL's Bruce Lindsay in Norway. The DJs did such a good job in Norway that it makes one wonder what they could do if the Winter Olympics are ever held in Utah . . .
Is she live or on tape? Robin Morales can make you wonder. For example, Tuesday morning she was heard simultaneously on two stations. She was doing the news on KUMT while she was also doing the "Flash or Trash" contest on KMXB with co-host Tom Bock. I'd assume the "Mix 107.5" bit was on tape, but she's one busy radio personality . . .
Some people may not take "Ron and Allen" of KBER very seriously. But both are personally involved in serious community concerns. The KBER morning hosts were involved in the anti-gang crusade and were invited to a meeting with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, although their schedules kept them away.
"Fisher and Todd" on KISN-FM are back helping reunite lost family members. They seem to enjoy this type of work, and if they ever leave the radio business could probably start their own detective agency for finding lost family members. On Wednesday they made a wager with KTSA, a San Antonio radio station, on the Utah Jazz game outcome. KISN presented "Star Party 3" Thursday at the downtown Holiday Inn, with Eleanor McEvoy, Laura Branigan and Aaron Neville performing free for KISN listeners in a benefit for the Utah AIDS Foundation . . .
Dick Nourse, KSL news anchor, who will celebrate his 30th broadcasting anniversary March 1, could be a guest on some local morning radio shows next week. But as a clarification to last week's "Radio dial," KSL Radio is handling promotions for Nourse's milestone, while Bremer Public Relations is handling news releases . . .
"Kerry and Bill" on KXRK Wednesday were trying to find a chicken platter and took apart a convenience store sandwich. Guest Ben Reed discussed a balanced federal budget on his "My America." Earlier in the week they had "Mannly Monday," a show dedicated to helping male listeners become more macho, and another "Spotlight 5" segment Tuesday . . .
Tom Barberi on KALL-AM took a look at consensual crimes Wednesday.