One word comes to mind when talking about Utah radio stations over the past decade - change! Since 1986, there probably have been more changes in this industry than any other across the state.
Among Wasatch Front stations (statewide radio has been impossible to track for these purposes), only five of 24 AM stations have managed to maintain the same format since 1986. (Admittedly, the definition of a format change is open for argument, and others may come up with a different number.)Only KTKK, KFAM, KANN, KDYL and KSOP have the same format today as they did in the mid 1980s.
At least 12 of the two dozen AM stations have retained their original call letters, though. These include KFAM, KSOS, KSVN, KANN, KLO, KEYY, KALL, KSL, KDYL, KTKK, KSOP and KHQN.
On the FM side, only six of 25 stations have the same format as 10 years ago. These include KSOP, KKAT, KUER, KBYU, KRCL and KISN-FM. (If you remember, even KSFI made a gradual format change in the early 1990s by adding vocal music instead of playing just instrumental songs.)
Ten FM stations have the same call letters today as in 1986: KUSU, KKAT, KPCW, KBYU, KUER, KRCL, KISN, KSFI, KRSP and KSOP.
At least three new FM stations have also started up, including KBKK (106.5), KUTQ (99.5) and KQMB (102.7) in the past decade. In addition, there have been at least half-a-dozen frequency adjustments, such as KXRK's switch from 96.1 to 96.3.
What does this mean? Only 22 percent of the radio stations have the same format and fewer than half - 45 percent - have the same call letters as they did 10 years ago.
Among radio personalities, comings and goings are a way of life - a constant game of musical chairs. Only five area DJs have been at the same radio station for 22 years or more. As a rough guess, probably only a quarter or fewer of all DJs are at the same station they were 10 years ago.
Among morning radio teams, only "Jon and Dan" - now at KUBL (FM-93.3) - have been together more than 11 years. Their partnership has lasted 14 years, though they've switched stations once and survived a classic rock to country music format change.
Now "Fisher and Todd" at KISN-FM (97.1), who started together on Feb. 8, 1986, are the second-place morning team for longevity. They added Erin Fraser to the team in 1994.
"Jon and Dan" and "Fisher and Todd" are the exceptions among veteran morning radio teams, though. Third-place drops to less than three years together, with Len Allen and Arny Wheeler of KLO (AM-1430). They teamed in September 1993.
Fourth-place is held by Bill Allred and Kerry Jackson at KXRK (FM-96.1), who started there on Oct. 18, 1993. (They also worked together at Ogden's KJQN for 51/2 years.)
- JOE LEE WAS BACK - Joe Lee, the legendary KCPX newscaster, did a guest stint on KBEE last Friday. Teamed with the "Wakeup Club," as "Patty" was off, Lee did the news once again.
OK, so it wasn't the first time we've heard his voice in recent years. He still does an occasional commercial and weekend program on FM-98.7, but this was his first stint in prime time again, during the morning drive.
How long has Lee been retired? More than nine years. He left KCPX-AM in March 1987 after 22 years at the station.
Lee is a significant radio figure in Utah. His broadcast career started back in about 1940 on Provo's KOVO. His noon newscast on Dec. 7, 1941, was interrupted by news of the Pearl Harbor attack. He worked at KDYL beginning in 1948 and moved to KNAK - Salt Lake's first rock station - in 1955. His KCPX newscasting began in 1965.
It was great to hear that deep, authoritative Lee voice again - the Utah equivalent of Walter Cronkite.
Lee also reminisced with listeners during his Sept. 13 guest appearance on KBEE. He sounded as sharp as ever.
- KXRK (alias "X-96.3," FM) will present its annual end-of-the-summer concert - The Big A Show - Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Utah State Fair Park.
More than 10 bands, including Beck, Korn, Nada Surf, Gravity Kills and Clover, will be on hand. There will also be demonstrations of the latest in sporting equipment at the show.
Tickets costs $9.60 (plus service charge) and can be purchased at Smith'sTix outlets and X-Mart, 165 S. West Temple.
- 45 YEARS AGO - KSL was the only intermountain radio station to use both radio and newspaper wire service reporting. Rex Campbell was on the air at 7 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. and Paul Royall was on at 7:45 a.m. and noon. Other KSL newscasters included Allen Jensen and Dean Bennett in September 1951.
- 10 YEARS AGO - Phil Conrad, former KCPX DJ, recovers from a heart attack and returns to the air, this time on KLTQ (FM-93.3).
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - "Kidd Cassidy" on KKAT talked with listeners last Friday about superstitions . . . Jimmy Chunga on KENZ gave away a gift certificate to Tony Romas on Sept. 13 to the winner of his morning trivia question contest . . . "Kerry, Bill and Gina" on KXRK continue their unique tradition of having a live audience in their studio each Friday morning.