Utah's original talk-radio station, KTKK (alias "K-Talk," AM-630), is up for sale and three different parties are interested in it.
Starley Bush, owner and general manager, confirmed he is negotiating with three groups on a purchase."I'm just considering the offers," he said, explaining one has given him a firm offer, though he expects to have the station sold within a couple of weeks.
Other sources have revealed that David Bresnahan and Mills Crenshaw are one group trying to buy the station. Both are currently talk-show hosts on the station. Bresnahan is also a state legislator from West Jordan.
Another group of interested buyers is represented by Jim Dabakis. Bush declined to reveal the identity of the third interested buyer but confirmed all three potential buyers are from Utah.
- In related news, former KUTQ (alias "Q-99") general man-ager/part owner Gary H. Waldron filed a lawsuit Aug. 22 in Salt Lake County's 3rd District Court against owner Starley Bush charging fraud and breach of contract.
Bush owns and operates KUTQ with sister stations KZHT and KTKK under D&B Broadcasting and Bountiful Broadcasting companies.
Bush said he was advised by his attorney not to comment on the lawsuit but indicated he believes it has no basis in fact and that he's confident he'll win the civil suit.
Bush hired Waldron in January 1992 to manage KUTQ. He had formerly worked at KISN-FM and started his radio career in the 1960s as DJ "Wooly Waldron." Waldron was fired by Bush in February 1995.
Waldron is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. The lawsuit alleges payola (accepting brides from record companies to play records). However, Waldron claims he eliminated the unlawful practice of payola at the station and this was one reason why Bush dismissed him.
Waldron also says Bush terminated him to defraud Waldron of his ownership interest in the two broadcast companies.
- WHAT'S IN A NAME? - Plenty, if you are one of the two airborne reporters for Salt Lake's Aerotraffic Service. These reporters go by three or more names to better appeal to the different radio stations they report live to each weekday. (Aerotraffic provides current traffic information to almost all Salt Lake radio stations, except KSL.)
"Leslie Scott" (if that's her real name) has at least two different aliases she uses each weekday to report on the traffic conditions for some Salt Lake radio stations.
Just keeping track of the traffic jams, accidents and construction projects must be confusing enough, but Scott also somehow keeps her different names straight as she talks live to the different stations.
"Giavani," the newest Aerotraffic traffic reporter, also uses two other names in her traffic reporting duties.
The different names seem geared to fit the personality and format of the various stations. Many DJs also go by stage names, but this is even more unusual because there is more than one alias involved.
Here's a list of Scott's names:
KMXB (FM-107.5) and KISN (FM-97.1) - She's Leslie Scott.
KSOP (FM-104.3/AM-1370) - She's Lee West.
KBEE (FM-98.7) - She's B. Stevens.
Here's a list of Giavani's names:
KALL (AM-910) - She's Giavani, with an Italian last name.
KKAT (FM-101.9) - She's Tiger.
KODJ (FM-94.1) - She's Lucy in the sky.
Dave Candland, another Aerotraffic reporter who stays on the ground, does live reports too on KUBL, KUTQ, KZHT, KUMT, KLO and a few other stations. However, he chooses to use different variations of his real name in all reports - such as "Super Dave," Dave, Dave Candland, etc.
- SEPT. 11 CHANGES - The morning of Monday, Sept. 11, is when KUTC (alias "KWJJ") leaves FM-106.5. A new country station, KBKK (alias "K-Buck"), will begin a format featuring golden hits of country music on FM-106.5, while "JJ" will be off the air for several weeks before a new FM frequency - FM-102.7 - is ready to sign on and bring that country station back.
- KSRR (alias "K-Star,' AM-1400) - "Talk of the Town" airs weekdays from 9-9:30 a.m. on the station.
- 10 YEARS AGO - KSL's Tom Bock moves from late morning to afternoon drive time to replace Russ Wood on the air.
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - "Kidd Cassidy" on KKAT did a spoof of "Country Joe" on Tuesday with a word-of-the-day skit. He also had another "Kidd's Puzzler" quiz and gave away tickets to Utah State Fair concerts. On Wednesday, the DJ did his own investigation into the quality of jail food . . . "Cano and McCormick" on KUTQ asked listeners to call-in funny stories . . .
"Jon and Dan" on KUBL asked their listeners Tuesday what they did on Labor Day. Most just stayed home . . . "Fisher, Todd and Fraser" on KISN-FM had a pasta expert on their show Tuesday. The "Battle of the Sexes" Tuesday featured another tie, so the women are still ahead in the standings. On Wednesday, the DJs heard tales of romance from listeners . . .
"The Wakeup Club" on KBEE had another "Gender Bender" game Tuesday and also hyped its Hawaii vacation giveaway. The DJs asked listeners about phrases you'll never hear a man say ("hold me," etc.) . . .
Scotty Christopher, formerly a morning DJ on KKAT, is still doing local commercials, particularly ones for the University of Phoenix . . . Todd Herman on KCNR talked about dreams and childhood ambitions Tuesday . . . Tom Barberi on KALL discussed year-round schools Tuesday and also the difficult task teachers have . . . "Dickie Shannon" on KODJ had another "Three Songs" contest Tuesday . . .
"Chin-Wa" was back on the "Mick and Allen" show on KBER Tuesday, providing more listener fortunes . . . KZHT will be visiting area high schools each weekday for the next three months. The station also gave away trips to the MTV Music Awards and welcomed "Dr. Doug" back to the air this week in the 6-10 p.m. spot . . .
Does your office deserve a free lunch? KBZN offers just that at Village Inn. Fax a message indicating why your office deserves a free lunch to "The Breeze" at 364-8068. The station also has extended music sweeps that start every hour at 20 minutes past and 10 minutes before the hour . . . "Kerry and Bill" on KXRK gave away more "Simpsons" prize packages. The DJs will have a special "Simpsons' TV day" on Sept. 18. Thursday morning, "X-96" had another X-Poll and discussed the new country station ready to start in Salt Lake next week.