When Utahns discuss country music, the conversation usually centers on KSOP and KKAT. But KSOP and KKAT aren't the only country stations along the Wasatch Front.
KRGQ, located at 92.3, 103.1 and 107.9 on the FM dial, is not afraid to be different. "The best little country music station in the universe" is one of the station's slogans.One example of its boldness is the "Saturday All-Request Oldies Dedication" program hosted by Steve Hatch.
It airs each Saturday from 7 p.m. until midnight.
Hatch said his show plays country music oldies because the niche has gone unfulfilled in this market. Country songs from the 1950s-1970s dominate the program, and Hatch reports an unusually high response from listeners - even from younger listeners.
Hank Williams Jr., Ray Stevens, Ray Price and Johnny Cash are just some of the artists you'll hear during this show's trip down memory lane. The program is music intensive; Hatch doesn't talk much, but he does take requests and dedications from listeners.
Because KRGQ (alias "KARGO" and the Rocky Mountain Radio Network) is simulcasting on KTCE (FM-92.3) in Utah County and has a Salt Lake frequency at 103.1, it covers the entire Wasatch Front.
Now that there's a regular place for old-time country, "oldies" doesn't just refer to rock music anymore.
- KKDS (alias "The Imagination Station," AM-1060) is another station that strives to fulfill listeners' requests. This station, geared for kids under 12, plays a variety of G-rated music.
You'll know if any of your kids listen to the station because they'll probably keep using your telephone's redial feature to call KKDS. My 7-year-old, Roger, spent all last Sunday morning trying to call KKDS and request the "Yoda" parody song. He finally got through. His excitement and devotion Sunday morning proves KKDS is reaching its target audience.
- NEW RELIGIOUS SHOW - A new local religious program - "Saintspeak" - premiered on KMGR radio (AM-1230) Monday, March 7, at 6 p.m.
The show is co-hosted by Bruce Smith, who recently graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Hebrew and Middle East studies, and the Deseret News' Karen Boren, who has written various religious and archaeological articles for the paper.
Saintspeak will air from 6-8 p.m. every Monday. It will feature telephone call-ins and special guests. The show replaces the "Mormon Miscellaneous" program, which was previously heard on KMGR until its hosts moved to KTKK radio.
- KTKK (alias "K-Talk," AM-630) - Inspired by Randy Horiuchi's "I'll be back" billboard, John Harrington and Randy Moore have challenged the Salt Lake County commissioner to a sumo wrestling match - with Rick "Fuji" Marazzani.
They want Horiuchi to accept their challenge by responding with a "yes" or "no" on Harrington's 2-5 p.m. weekday show. If the answer is "yes," Horiuchi would then face Marazzani, possibly during the half-time of a Utah Jazz game or a break in a Golden Eagles match.
KTKK reports that Fox News, Ch. 13, has agreed to cover the event and hopes to have news anchor Susan Masley as the referee. No word yet on if Horiuchi will accept the challenge.
- REPEAT FORMAT - When the country music format debuted on KWJJ (FM-106.5), formerly KQOL, Feb. 28, I initially thought it was a first for that frequency. However, I later recalled that FM-106.5 was a country station once before in 1990. From March to November of that year, the station tried a "Contemporary Country Crossover" format with Danny Kramer as its anchor DJ. The format, however, didn't attract enough listeners. Hopefully KWJJ will have better luck with its hot-country format.
That may be tough when you consider the history of FM-106.5. The station has gone from an album-rock format, to country, to "beautiful music," to all-sports, to a similcast of KRGQ's country and now to its own hot country format - all in less than 10 years.
- CORRECTION - A typographical error in last week's radio column incorrectly listed KKAT as FM-101.1. KKAT is actually FM-101.9, while KBER is FM-101.1. Even after a decade of doing radio coverage, keeping the numbers straight on the dial can still be difficult.
- KUTQ (alias "Q-99" FM) - Kelly Hammer is Kevin McCormick's temporary morning co-host on "The Breakfast Bunch." He is an interim replacement to Scott Christopher, who moved to KKAT.
McCormick said the station is still searching for a permanent co-host. Hammer, who is good at character voices, normally does the 10 p.m.-2 a.m. on-air shift at KUTQ. He also said he was offered a chance to move to KKAT and continue as a partner with Christopher.
- The station also has a "Top Eight at Eight" countdown every weekday evening. The song ranking is based on listeners' calls prior to 8 p.m.
- KDYL (AM-1280) begins a new show, Sunday, March 13, 5-6 p.m. "Great Expectations," hostedby Mark Van Wagoner, will highlight one artist each week. This week's featured star is Frank Sinatra.
- 25 YEARS AGO the four main radio stations in Salt Lake City were: KSL, KALL, KLUB and KDYL.
Programming schedules carried daily in the Deseret News during 1959 listed many of the programs the stations carried.
KALL carried a "Breakfast Club" show, and Don Bruce was the afternoon personality.
KDYL had at least two programs of note - "Be My Guest" and the "Paul Smith Show," while KLUB featured Bill Terry and Paul Droubay as daily personalities.
"Eve with Owen," "Thomas with Sports" and "Arthur Godfrey" were just a few of the shows on KSL radio.
- KBZN (alias "The Breeze," FM-97.9) will feature Ultramarine of "United Kingdoms" fame on the "Musical Starsteams" show, Sunday, March 13, 8-10 a.m. Later in the day, David Arkenstone will be the guest on "Jazz Trax," 7 p.m.-midnight.
- Here's a schedule of the station's "10 O'Clock CD" feature next week:
Monday, March 14: "Smooth," by Gerald Albright.
Tuesday, March 15: "Shell Game," by Don Harriss.
Wednesday, March 16: "Excusez-Moi," by Peter White.
Thursday, March 17: "True North," by various artists.
Friday, March 18: "Between the Sheets," by Fourplay.
- MORNING RADIO HAPPENINGS - "Ron and Allen" of KBER narrowly lost their annual basketball game in Malad, Idaho, Monday. However, they raised money for MDA, had an entertaining bus ride and a chance to try the state lottery. They did some "Naked Gun" trivia this week, too.
The Gary Zane and Scotty Christopher show on KKAT had a "Celebrity Inflation" day Tuesday, hoping to inflate their new plastic dinosaur. Zane also took listener calls regarding pets because he said his puppy bit his nose. The DJs have also made some personal appearances at Hardee's restaurants this week . . Kerry and Bill on KXRK had a "What's that Sound?" contest Tuesday to give listeners a chance at movie premiere tickets . . .
"The Wakeup Club" on KVRI gave away Utah Jazz and movie tickets this week . . . "Fisher and Todd" on KISN-FM made listeners sing for Jazz game tickets . . . KCNR and KLZX, the two station's involved in the Salt Lake library hostage crisis last weekend, were contacted by TV's "Inside Edition" show this week . . . "Jon and Dan" on KLZX had a top 10 list this week on what women really want . . . Scott MacNeil of KSFI took the week off. Jeff Bordner, midday personality, is filling in for him.
"Mark and Danny' on KDYL gave listeners the details on how to win a freezer full of food from Albertsons this week . . . KUTQ is giving away a free wedding to a lucky listener on April 8 in its "Great Wedding Giveaway."