I was told by a source at KBER (FM-101.1) that midday DJ Alan Bain was completing his 10th year at the radio station. I was also informed that Bain, the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekday personality, was also well-respected among personalities at other stations. That proved correct when DJs at two other radio stations also contacted me to suggest doing a story on Bain's decade milestone.
Bain, 37, started at KBER as one of the original DJs back in February 1986 when the station was gearing up to make its on-air premiere. Today he's the only original on-air staff member left. (KBER itself celebrates the 10-year anniversary on March 5.) It's a rarity in radio to spend more than a few years at any one station - especially at rock stations, where the turnover is even higher than average."It's sort of a milestone. I've got to count my blessings," Bain said.
He also credit's KBER's original and former owner, Chris Devine, for making working conditions so favorable.
"It's hard to think of this as a job," Bain said, referring to fun at the station as a main reason for his longevity. "I've seen so many people come and go."
Bain's never had other job offers, but then he never went looking elsewhere either. He's done about about every on-air shift there is at the station during his decade, including several morning stints. One was the "B.S." morning show with Steve Seaver in the 1980s.
Afternoon shifts were Bain's favorite, because that gave him plenty of morning ski time. He said rock music is really his own personal choice, too.
"It's more me," he said.
Bain describes himself as a family man, with his wife, Vickie, and one teenage son.
Some KBER staffers refer to Bain as the station's model employee. He's so likable, friendly and cooperative that it's probably hard to think otherwise. In fact, he perceives the Salt Lake radio market as more of a fraternity than a competitive situation among DJs.
Bain likes the contact with the public the best in his job.
"I just try to be natural . . . don't be fluffed up," he said.
Bain is starting his 17th year in radio. He previously worked at KDAB, KJQN, the former KUUT, FM-107.5, and three out-of-state radio stations. As is more typical, until KBER he'd never had a job last more than two years.
- RELIGION ON THE RADIO SERIES - KUFR is a Salt Lake, 24-hour station with most of its programming coming from the Ministry of Family Radio, a network headquartered in San Fran-cisco/Oakland that had its origins in 1958.
The station, started in Utah in 1990, airs Christ-centered music, has Bible readings and teachings, and offers news and some educational programming.
"Family Radio," says the stations official description, "is a non-profit, non-denominational organization whose purpose is to exalt the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ."
"The sound of a new life" is one of the station's slogans.
The 91.7 FM frequency reaches Salt Lake area communities, while the FM-102.3 setting is for Bountiful, Tooele and parts of Utah County.
The station's programming lineup includes family Bible study in the mornings; prayers, music to live by and religious news in the midday and more Bible reading and open forum in the evenings. Overnight the station broadcasts "Nighwatch."
Family Radio offers free program guides to listeners who call 800-543-1495.
- KISN-AM UPDATE - It's no secret that Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller is looking to buy an AM radio station. The likely candidate is KFAM (easy-listening, AM-700). KFAM has been for sale for several years, with several other candidates never closing a deal. That may be because of the $1 million asking price.
If Miller succeeds in buying an AM station, the Utah Jazz broadcasts will likely go to the new station. Chris Tunis, KISN-AM pro-gram director and morning host, said he's known for a long time that his station could lose the Jazz contract.
"Business will proceed. We're not going to go dark," Tunis said.
He said all-sports stations are succeeding in other markets without major sports contracts and he believes KISN could do so as well.
If the Jazz move on, "It would open up a number of other doors," Tunis said. However, he said he hopes the Jazz won't just let the 11-year relationship with KISN-AM end.
KISN is in its third year as an all-sports station. Tunis himself is a full-fledged KISN employee, while Ron Boone and Rod Hundley are Jazz employees and Dave Blackwell and Steve Klauke are half-and-half.
Rumors are that when Miller does purchase a radio station, it could be moved to and headquartered in the Delta Center. Another rumor indicates the Salt Lake Buzz could also leave KISN for the new station.
- KISN-AM will air the finals of the boys State High School 4A and 5A baseball tournament Saturday, March 2, beginning at 5:50 p.m. The 4A game begins at 6 p.m. and the 5A at 8:30 p.m.
- TIMES and SEASONS, the award-winning radio public affairs program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has released 14 programs dealing with family issues to radio stations, libraries and community groups throughout the world.
The programs are available on CD or cassette, in either English or Spanish.
- KCPW (FM-88.3) will air a "Legislative Wrap-Up" program, Tuesday, March 5, 11 a.m.
At 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, the station will broadcast "Fighting for Utah's Children," an address by Lily Eskelson, president of the Utah Education Association.
- 10 YEARS AGO - KBER becomes Utah's newest station at FM-106.5, broadcasting album rock music. Tom Bradshaw becomes a DJ on KDYL. KWCR, Weber State University's station, turns 20.
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - Donna Lifsey has been hired as the new public relations director for KKAT. Morning DJ "Kidd Cassidy" gave away Olympics Torch merchandise this week and a chance at being the torch runner through part of Salt Lake City. On Tuesday the DJ asked listeners about their job perks . . . "Jon and Dan" on KUBL took a survey on the most popular jeans Monday . . .
The men won the "Battle of the Sexes" Monday to go up by three games in the series Monday on the "Fisher, Todd and Erin" show on KISN-FM . . . Charlee Simons on KZHT tried to call a cab driver Monday to get some wild tourist tales. On Tuesday the DJ had a comedian on the air who imitated Barney Fife . . . Tom Barberi on KALL tried to squeeze in as much talk about the Utah Legislature as possible earlier this week before the session closed. On Tuesday he discussed the photo cop issue . . .
Todd Herman on KCNR asked listeners Monday who is to blame for failures in public education. On Tuesday he and listeners talked about the problems of shopping with children . . . "Dain and Peggy" on KSFI speculated Monday about the new Tarzan movie, now in the works . . . "Mick and Allen" on KBER interviewed the author of the book "Different Loving" on Monday. On Tuesday night, the station held its Sugarbear finals and had the winners in the studio Wednesday. On Thursday there was another game of "Cellular Suicide" and a bit about fact-or-fiction stories. FM-101.1 will give away a trip to Chicago and an AC-DC concert later this year.
"The Wakeup Club" on KBEE has Leeza Gibbons of "Entertainment Tonight" report most mornings around 7:15 . . . Dickie Shannon on KODJ awarded dinner tickets to the winner of his quiz contest Tuesday . . . Len Allan and Arnie Wheeler on KLO talked about Sherwood Hills resort Monday.