Jon Carter, the former KUBL morning DJ, has a six-month "no compete" clause in his Citadel Communications contract, so it's anyone's guess if he'll reappear anytime soon in the Salt Lake radio market.
However, those who remember when he and Dan Bammes (of "Jon and Dan") jumped from KRSP to KLZX in 1989 know that they had the same "no compete" clause then and, thanks to some legal pressure, they were back on the air in three months - not six.Scott Mahalick, Citadel Communications vice president and general manager for Salt Lake operations and KUBL, declined to comment on why Carter was given the option to either resign or be fired.
Carter could not be reached for comment, but he's said to be working to land another job in the market.
In the meantime, Mahalick said the current morning duo of Richard Cano and Dan Bammes is in an evaluation stage and could become permanent.
Mahalick said Bammes is happy at KUBL and has indicated he will remain.
"Jon and Dan" started together at rock station KRSP in 1982 as "The Dawn Patrol." They spent about seven years there.
Then they moved to KLZX - a new classic rock station at the time. When KLZX died in May 1995 and was resurrected as KUBL, a country station, "Jon and Dan" were off the air for about four months. They returned in September 1995 on KUBL.
"Jon and Dan" haven't done as well recently in the Arbitron ratings as in years past. In their heyday at KRSP in the mid-1980s, they were No. 1 among morning radio shows by one survey.
In the most recent rankings (summer, 1996), they were sixth place among morning shows for listeners ages 25-54.
Carter grew up in the Sun Valley, Idaho, area. He got into radio at age 14 and within four years had become a program director for a local station. He started college but soon quit to take full-time radio jobs in Idaho and Oregon.
He came to Utah in 1980 and was hired by KRSP. Carter quickly gained fame for his talents at doing character voices ("Mr. Twister" and the "Bible Brothers," to name a few).
The separation of "Jon and Dan" ends a partnership that was by far the longest in recent Wasatch Front radio, at more than 14 years.
The morning radio team along the Wasatch Front with the second-highest longevity is "Fisher and Todd" at KISN-FM. (They will hit the 11-year mark next February.)
After "Fisher and Todd," just over three years (Len Allen and Arnie Wheeler at KLO) is the second-longest pairing among Wasatch Front morning radio teams.
- With Carter gone, Greg Thomas has been doing middays for KUBL. Filling in at Cano's former afternoon spot is "Geronimo," recently hired from the Simmons Family Radio Group.
- CHARLES OSGOOD, CBS Radio Network correspondent, will be in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 19, to speak at a Utah Advertising Federation luncheon. He will discuss the importance of radio for news and entertainment.
A reception begins at 11:15 a.m., with the luncheon at noon in the Red Lion Hotel. The cost is $18 per person. Call 355-9001 to RSVP.
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - Dan Bammes and Richard Cano on KUBL discussed LDS cartoon books Monday. The DJs also talked about strange things that can happen in church. On Tuesday they promoted the memorial fund for the Steve Goodman family, devastated by an auto accident at 700 E. 11400 South on Sunday afternoon . . . Tom Barberi on KALL gave some advice on Christmas tree decorating Monday . . . "Charlee and Brian" on KBER talked about their company Christmas party being too diverse Monday . . .
"Kidd Cassidy" on KKAT talked about the lack of key traffic signals in certain locations of the area, making for dangerous driving. The DJ also gave away Utah Jazz tickets and quizzed Burger King about why its "Toy Story" toys are so hard to get. On Tuesday Kidd asked listeners about the worst Christmas gift they ever received . . .
The men won the "Battle of the Sexes" on the "Fisher, Todd and Erin" show on KISN-FM. The DJs also discussed avalanche dangers. On Tuesday they talked about holiday family traditions . . . "The Wakeup Club" on KBEE gave listeners chances to win exclusive video games this week. On Tuesday the DJs played a new song by Robert Lund on the winning streak of the Utah Jazz . . .
It was "Corny Joke" day Monday on the "Dickie Shannon" show on KODJ. The DJ also gave away family passes to Disneyland and qualified listeners this week for a chances at a big "Family Reunion" trip to Southern California . . . KSOP will be giving away $10,000 in holiday cash on Dec. 16 in a contest. In the meantime, "Country Joe" is awarding $100 prizes each morning . . .
KISN-AM will air the Colorado State and Utah State basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. The New England at Dallas NFL game airs Sunday, Dec. 15, 1:45 p.m. . . . "Kerry, Bill and Gina" on KXRK talked to the author of the new "Surfer Girls" book Tuesday on their "Spotlight Five" show. They also played a new episode of "Space Elders," this one featuring a meeting with Buzz Lightyear . . .
"Mick and Allen" on KURR talked Monday about how flawed the college football bowl game selection process has become. On Tuesday, the DJs interviewed the author of a casino guide book . . . Jimmy Chunga on KENZ Tuesday played an episode of him impersonating a Valley Fair Mall security guard . . . Chet Buchannan on KZHT had a dream expert on his show Tuesday.