OK, so last week it was erroneously reported here that the end of the year had been slow for big radio changes. Not really so because actually on Dec. 30 - the very day the previous "Radio Dial" was published, three format changes came to light.
KSOS (AM-800) recently changed from its "Kool Gold" oldies music format to a "real country music" format of traditional or "Buck Owens" country music. Since KRGQ (alias "Kargo"), another traditional country music station seems to have been skewing more toward modern country music, KSOS may do well.However, several fans of the former "Kool Gold" format called the Deseret News this week to express how much they miss the old format - unique to the market - with its 1950s rock music (actually the 1954-65 span).
Another format change took place late last year at KSRR (alias "K-Star," AM-1400) in Utah County. This previously all LDS contemporary music station has switched to a nostalgia (big band) format during the day.
It will retain its LDS music format at night and on Sundays. This broad format change is likely the result of the traditional problem of such stations not being able to sell the LDS music format to enough advertisers.
The third format change at the end of 1994 was at KTCE (FM-92.7), also in Utah County. It will no longer a simulcast of KRGQ's country music. KTCE is now an adult rock 'n' roll format of a Westwood One satellite service.
- KCNR ("SuperTalk," AM-1320) - In addition to three station format changes, this radio station is making numerous changes this month, including the firing of afternoon host/program director Mills Crenshaw. He left the station on Jan. 3.
"There were conceptual differences about the program," Rick Marazzani, KCNR operations manager said, explaining Crenshaw and station management Citadel Broadcasting just couldn't agree.
Former Salt Lake County Commissioner Jim Bradley is temporarily taking Crenshaw's former 4-7 p.m. afternoon show. KCNR has hired Rick Taylor from Spokane and he'll begin a new p.m. drive show on Jan. 16. His style is being billed as "rock and roll talk radio."
In addition to the Crenshaw change, KCNR will totally revise the rest of its lineup, beginning Monday, Jan. 9.
"We're really going for talk radio with an attitude," Marazzani said.
He said KCNR's talk radio will now be driven by hot issues, with a focus on entertainment. As a result, the station will feature fewer special guests, authors, etc. and more listener calls about hot topics.
The new KCNR lineup next week will include a new 6-10 morning drive show - The "Rogue's Gallery" with Rogue Matthews, Simone Seikaly and Boyd Rogers. Traffic, weather and Paul Harvey will also be included.
Don Harwell, former member of the "Morning Express" is still with the station but has moved to part-time status. Ken Hamblin, the "Black Avenger," is no longer with KCNR.
Other station shows (including syndicated programming) will be: Dr. Laura Schlessinger, 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.; Paul Harvey, 1 p.m.; Martin Davies, after Harvey to 4 p.m.; Taylor from 4 to 7 p.m.; Micheal Reagan from 7 to 10 p.m.; Lowell Ponte 10 p.m. to midnight; and Coast to Coast with Art Bell, midnight to 6 a.m.
- Crenshaw said his dismissal came without warning - especially in light of the station's Arbitron trend ratings that showed steady growth in all dayparts during the three months he also served as program director.
"I have no bad feelings," he said about KCNR's management, though. "They're simply doing what their consultant tells them to do."
Crenshaw said KCNR and parent company Citadel are relying on a national consultant who knows nothing about the Wasatch Front market. He said KCNR hosts are being asked to force listeners to talk about certain issues and not to let them comment about what they want to. Crenshaw disagrees with that and believes it will drive listeners away.
In the meantime, Crenshaw is talking with the Cox Broadcasting Group and others about possible employment opportunities. He was fired by KTKK (`K-Talk") about 18 months ago.
"I think maybe I'll stand at the Sixth South off-ramp with a sign, `Will talk for food,' " Crenshaw said.
- KRCL (FM-90.9) will begin a new six-week radio series, "Day is Done," a collection of broadcasts by Utah storytellers and poets, Sunday, Feb. 5, 6:30-7 p.m.
- KUER (FM-90.1) - "Jazz Smithsonian" will once again be heard on the station beginning Jan. 7, and every Saturday thereafter from 7 to 8 p.m.
- KBZN (alias `The Breeze" FM-97.9) - Robbie Robertson & the Road Ensemble of "The Native Americans" fame will be featured on the Sunday, Jan. 8 "Musical Starstreams Show" 8 to 10 a.m. Later in the day, "Jazz Trax" will air from 7 to 10 p.m.
- Here's a schedule for next week's "10 O'Clock CD" show: Monday, Jan. 9: "Against the Grain," by Acoustic Alchemy; Tuesday, Jan. 10: "Shepherd Moons," by Enya; Wednesday, Jan. 11: "The Labor of Love," by Ken Navarro; Thursday, Jan. 12: "The Tom Grant Collection"; Friday, Jan. 13: "The Best of Fattburger.
- 10 YEARS AGO - Price Broadcasting Company of Utah purchased radio stations in Idaho and Washington State, to bring its total number of broadcasting properties to 12.
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - "The Breakfast Bunch" on KUTQ featured local predictions for 1995 by the "Swami" . . . It was "Win a Woman Wednesday" on the "Mick and Allen" show on KBER, with Jamie looking for dates. The DJs program is nicknamed "The Freak Show" . . .
"Fisher and Todd" on KISN-FM gave away concert tickets to the Eagles this week. Fisher also shared the audio portion of Todd's old movie debut as "Buddy Billy" in the "Nightmare at Noon" video. Erin Fraser, news anchor, thought Todd's performance was hilarious. KISN is also a sponsor of the chocolate eating tour at Solitude Ski Resort on Jan. 14 . . .
KODJ, alias "Oldies 94.1" is billing its format as playing the legends of rock 'n' roll . . . Tom Barberi on KALL refers to his sidekick, Dawn Kennally, as the "Annie Oakley of the airwaves" . . . It was a listener contest Wednesday on the "Jon and Dan" show on KLZX to name who the parachute jumpers off the LDS Church Office Building were. A wild guess of the Gadgets store owner and a cameraman filming a new commercial won Eagles concert tickets for Greg Shupe. KLZX and Pepsi co-host a big ski event Jan. 7 at Snow Basin . . .
"The Wakeup Club" on KVRI had another battle of the sexes Wednesday but had trouble getting a male contestant. The DJs also visit specially chosen offices each morning to deliver bagels . . . "Gary and Scotty" on KKAT had Beehive State trivia Wednesday and also had producer Rick Shane weigh people in for their weight-loss contest . . .
"Bill and Kerry" on KXRK introduced a new character Wednesday morning. They also called for a cheerleading ban on the human pyramid formation for safety reasons. KXRK's annual spring boat cruise is also now accepting reservations . . . The "Jazz Trax" program airing Sundays on KBZN has been reduced from five to three hours. It now airs from 7 to 10 p.m.