The Wasatch Front radio market continues to diversify as the listening "pie" is cut up more and more evenly. Almost every year, it seems like stations overall become closer in ratings percentages.
For example, for listeners ages 12-plus tuning in to morning radio shows (6-10 a.m.), KSFI's (alias "FM-100") "Dain and Peggy" tied with KSL's (AM-1160) "Grant and Amanda" (soon to be Grant and Chere) with 8.8 percent of the listening audience. For the previous ratings book, "Dain and Peggy" had 10.1 percent of the audience and "Grant and Amanda" had 9 percent.When "Kidd Cassidy" debuted at KKAT, some were skeptical that this former Las Vegas radio personality was worth the daring move to bump off "Gary and Scotty" - an already proven local morning radio team. But "Kidd"' continues to prove his worth by showing a steady improvement in the ratings. Since coming on board last spring, he's climbed from a 5.4 percent audience to a 6.4 showing last fall.
- Here are the morning show ratings for the fall of 1995, weekdays, 6-10 a.m., listeners ages 12-plus:
1. (tie) "Dain and Peggy," KSFI, and "Grant and Amanda," KSL, both 8.5 percent; 3. "Kidd Cassidy and the Mornin' Posse (Kennedy and Shane)," KKAT, 6.4; 4. (tie) Tom Barberi and Bob Hendricks, KALL; and Pat Gray/Andrew Peters, KRSP, both 5.5 percent.
6. (tie) "Jon and Dan," KUBL, and "Mick and Allen," KBER, 5.4; 8. "Fisher, Todd and Erin," KISN-FM, 5.2; 9. "Country Joe" and Dick Jacobson, KSOP, 4.9; 10. "Kerry and Bill," KXRK, 4.8.
11. (tie) "Dickie Shannon and the Morning Maniacs," KODJ, and "The Wakeup Club (Alen, Mick and Rebecca)," KBEE, both 4.3; 13. "Mark and Danny," (now just "Mark"), KDYL, 3.2; 14. "Cano and McCormick," (now replaced by "Woody and Barberi") KUTQ, 2.8; 15. "Charlee Simmons and the Hot Morning Crew," KZHT, 2.4.
16. Chris Tunis, KISN-AM, 2.3; 17. "Dale and Michele," KBZN, 2.2; 18. "Len and Arnie," KLO, 1.5; 19. Kelly Monson, KUMT, 1.4; 20. Hank Hathaway (6-7 a.m.) and Mills Crenshaw (7-10 a.m.), KTKK, 1.2.
- RADIO "SHORT-GEVITY" - While "Fisher and Todd" celebrated their longevity (10 years together at the same station) one week ago, another morning show tenure ended (as reported last weekend in the Deseret News). Feb. 2 was the last day for "Cano and McCormick" on KUTQ (alias "Q-99" FM).
The DJs survived for about 18 months as a team, though McCormick had been part of the previous "Scotty and McCormick" morning show at the station.
The new KUTQ morning show is "Woody and Barberi" - Gina Barberi (yes, Tom's daughter) and Scott Woodmansee (alias "The Woodman"). Both DJs were already working at different day times for "Q-99."
Cano didn't go long without a job. He started early this week at KUBL (FM-93.3), doing part-time on-air shifts. For example, he was doing the 1-3 p.m. slot Tuesday.
Station general manager Scott Mahalick said Cano is very talented, but there are no current full-time openings available at the station. Cano said country music is his first choice in radio formats.
No word yet on new employment for McCormick.
- MASS WEDDINGS - KZHT (FM-94.9) will be offering multiple, live on-air wedding ceremonies to listeners for Valentine's Day (6-10 a.m.) at the Riverboat. The station will even air live proposals. Couples need only marriage certificates and wedding attire.
The station will kick off the action with a live broadcast from the Salt Lake County Complex at 2100 S. State. Contact the station for more details.
- KUBL (alias "K-Bull," FM-93.3) raised $67,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital last weekend.
"I think we'll do it every year," Jon Carter said afterward.
- 10 YEARS AGO - KLRZ (FM-94.9) is sold by Equivox Broadcasting to General Broadcasting.
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - Todd Herman on KCNR asked listeners Tuesday about the reasons they get married. Social pressure seemed to top the list. On Wednesday, gay clubs in schools were the main discussion . . . Tom Barberi on KALL couldn't resist providing listeners with an O.J. Simpson update Tuesday. On Wednesday, school clubs were the issue. The DJ will hit the 25-year mark at the station this summer . . .
"Kerry and Bill" on KXRK talked with regular correspondent "Louise' Tuesday. This time she discussed coffin-shaped cakes for funerals . . . "Kidd Cassidy" on KKAT discussed possible end-of-the-world headlines Tuesday. The DJ also had more "shower talk" and talked about things that bother him most about waiting in supermarket lines . . .
"Jon and Dan" on KUBL did a listener poll Tuesday on favorite candy bars. Snickers was No. 1 and Nutrageous second. The DJs also aired another adventure of "Buffalo Darby" in the wild West. On Tuesday, the DJs played "Canned Food Roulette" with listeners . . .
"Outdoor Utah Today" with Roger B airs on KISN-AM Saturday, Feb. 10, at noon . . . KZHT has new window stickers available . . . "Dickie Shannon" on KODJ had another "pop quiz" Tuesday, with Beatles laser show tickets as a prize . . .
"Woody and Barberi," the new KUTQ morning team, did a survey asking whether Utahns are normal Tuesday. Among other things, they asked listeners how they ate their Oreo cookies. On Wednesday the DJs had a telephone, on-hold event where listeners who stayed on the phone during their entire radio show earned prizes . . .
On KBER's "Mick and Allen" show Monday, the DJs had an interview with talk-show host Gordon Elliot. The DJs also played the dating game Wednesday and had "Cellular Suicide" Thursday. The station will have new studios on line as early as this weekend . . .
"Fisher, Todd and Erin" on KISN-FM accepted listener tales of romance Wednesday . . . James Ashby of Salt Lake City won the KBZN CD collection of George Howard last week in a special contest.