KXRK is moving down the dial - but not too far.
Beginning at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, "X-96" will begin broadcasting on 96.3 FM. For nearly four years, the station has been transmitting its modern-rock format on 96.1 FM.The switch, required by the Federal Communications Commission, comes in conjunction with KXRK's new and improved transmitter, which will allow a potential 250,000 new listeners to hear the station from all along the Wasatch Front.
A new state-of-the-art tower, antennae and transmitter system has been erected on Mount Vision (elevation 8,466) in the Oquirrh mountain range. Station officials believe this new system will greatly improve reception, particularly in northern Utah. People in Bountiful, Magna, Ogden, Centerville, Sandy and Draper will notice the biggest improvements.
The new signal will cater to listeners from Brigham City to Payson, and tests have shown that some listeners as far north as Logan will be able to hear "X-96" for the first time.
In July, the Federal Communications Commission granted KXRK permission to relocate its transmitter in west Salt Lake County.
The frequency move will take place during "Saturday Night Phones X," an instant-request show.
"X-96" air personalities plan to travel all over the Wasatch Front promoting the switch that evening and giving away prizes to listeners.
KXRK joins three other TV stations and three other radio stations using Mount Vision as a transmitter base.
- KSL (AM-1160) - If you want to catch the last radio broadcast for Amanda Dickson, listen to KSL on Friday, Dec. 22, between 5:30-10 a.m.
She's leaving the station to work full time for a Salt Lake law firm. Her morning co-host, Grant Nielsen, will continue. KSL is searching for a replacement for its morning team.
Since Dickson announced her impending departure, KSL has used only Nielsen in its television ads. It has also stepped up promotion of the afternoon drive-time show (with Rod Arquette and Maria Shilaos).
- KALL (AM-910) - The station's production staff added a humorous twist to the Enid Greene Waldholtz situation last week by creating musical parodies of the potentially scandalous subject matter.
Three parody songs premiered in Merrill Cook's afternoon drive-time spot. The best one, "Rubber Check Writer," was sung to the Beatles' "Paper Back Writer." Another, "Runaway Joe," matches the melody of Dion's "Run-Around Sue." The third song was "The Ballad of Joe and Enid," sung to the tune of the Beatles' "The Ballad of John and Yoko."
Kevin Stanfield, Janine Baker and Dave Hurtt of Regent Communications, owner of KALL, collaborated on lyrics and vocals for the "politically inept" songs.
In light if the 4 1/2-hour press conference the congresswoman held, the songs added a touch of humor to the subject matter.
- KUBL (FM-93.3) - Robert B. Lund, music man and sidekick to "Jon and Dan" and also at times to sister station KBEE's "The Wakeup Club, has released a new CD of country and Christmas music parody songs.
He's already sold more than 6,000 copies of the CD, titled "Counterfeit Country." All the songs were written, produced and recorded by Lund. On the cover, his photo is superimposed over a $50 bill, and instead of the number 50, the bill has "93."
Among the 10 tracks are "Any Woman of Mine," "Frankenstein," "Fast Food," "Why Did She Hit Me" and "Carter Got Run Over by a John Deere."
- KTKK (alias "K-Talk, AM-630) - The Sunday, Dec. 17, 8-10 p.m. "Religion on the Line" show will feature guest Martin Tanner. The host is Van Hale
- KUER (FM-90.1) will air "The Chanukkah Story" Monday, Dec. 18, 9-10 a.m.
- The Advent Service from St. Paul's Church will be broadcast Tuesday, Dec. 19, 9-10 a.m.
- On Wednesday, Dec. 20, "Anonymous 4 - On Yoolis Night" will air from 9-10 a.m. The Vivaldi Candlelight concert will be broadcast Thursday, Dec. 21, 9-11 a.m., and the Winter Consort Winter Solstice Celebration will air later in the day at 9 p.m.
- LDS RADIO NETWORK will present an hourlong special featuring recording artist Kenneth Cope at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.
- 10 YEARS AGO - KLRZ radio begins a week radio show on TV, "Z-TV" on KSTU, Ch. 20, starring Dan McKay. KSL names A. Darryl Steele as its new regional and marketing sales manager. Jan Bagley is appointed local station sales manager.
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - "Fisher, Todd and Erin" on KISN-FM are giving away a $3,500 holiday shopping spree. The DJs are also involved in a "Holding Hands" for charity effort this month. They listened to wild tales from listeners Monday about home fix-it problems gone wrong . . .
"Kidd Cassidy" on KKAT talked about Christmas gifts Monday and made up some wild choices of his own . . . "Kerry and Bill" on KXRK did another of their "X-Polls" Wednesday, this time asking whether Brigham Young's likeness should be used to sell products. Sixteen listeners said no and 22 said it was OK . . .
"The Wakeup Club" on KBEE is giving away lots of trips to Mexico lately. On Monday, Debbie Allen won such a vacation package. The DJs tried to call the Dan Quayle Museum Wednesday to find out what it contained. All they got was a recording . . . Mark Van Wagoner on KDYL was promoting a new Christmas book Wednesday, "The Most Unusual Christmas Book" . . . "Jon and Dan" on KUBL tried to line up their producer, Darby, for a dream date Monday. On Wednesday, Fabulo gave another lesson love, this time on how to love men who can't wrap Christmas presents . . . "Cano and McCormick" on KUTQ gave away Utah Jazz tickets this week. Their Jingle Bell Rock clue contest also continued . . .
"Mick and Allen" on KBER had a long interview Monday with a holiday food guru, who compared lobsters to cockroaches. On Thursday, the DJs talked with the editor of Esquire magazine about dubious achievements of 1995. The station also gave away ski passes, long distance phone time and Grizzlies tickets . . . Gene Guthrie on KRGQ gave away tickets this week for the old-time hay ride in Layton to see the city's Christmas display in Commons Park . . .
Todd Herman on KCNR talked Monday about financial problems in marriages . . . Mills Crenshaw on KTKK shot down a listener Monday who had already made his mind up on Enid Greene Waldholtz, before all the facts were in on the issue . . .
Len Allen and Arnie Wheeler on KLO talked about good places to see neighborhood Christmas lights Wednesday . . . Todd Herman on KCNR Wednesday shared his helpful hints for successful gambling in Las Vegas . . .
Joe Lee, a legendary radio newsman who retired in the late 1980s, was heard on stations like KUTQ this week doing closeout sale ads for the former Silo stores . . . Gina Barberi, former weekend DJ on KXRK, has moved to KUTQ to become the midday personality there . . . "Matt the Rat" on KZHT sang Christmas carols around the city Wednesday in his boxer shorts.