Moab has its first commercial radio station. KCYN (FM-97.1) is now on the air in "Canyon Country" and southeast Utah, broadcasting modern country music with news and weather reports.
Station program director Tommy Cage returned to his native Moab after working at radio stations in Salt Lake and Nevada."This is big-time radio in a small market," Cage said.
Ralph J. Carlson, president of Moab Communication Co., started the station. He operated KKDS (children's radio) and also the original KRSP in Salt Lake City.
Carlson believes the station can attract more tourists into Moab and surrounding areas while providing the area with music and information.
The signal reaches 7,000 square miles and can also be heard in Price, Green River, Castle Dale, Monticello, parts of Lake Powell and portions of I-70.
The 24-hour 30,000-watt station will also run Associated Press and CNN news reports. Transmitter for KCYN is atop Bald Mesa in the La Sal Mountains, east of Moab.
- STATION CHANGE - You can now find nostalgic ("big band") music on the FM dial, too. KDYL (AM-1280) is now simulcasting on both KMGR (FM-92.1) and KTCE (FM-92.3) - at least temporarily.
KDYL is already simulcasting on KOVO (AM-960).
- TEN YEARS AGO - Another oldies music station is born as FM-96.1 becomes KZOL as KFMY dies . . . KZAN, FM-97.9, discontinues its country format and switches to a rock favorites musical style . . . Jay Byrd, the brash and loud morning personality on KKAT, FM-101.9, leaves to take a radio job in Tampa, Fla.
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - Tom Bock of KBZN left the station last month. He had been a morning host on "The Breeze" for 21/2 years. No word yet on his whereabouts or why he left . . . "Johnson and Johnson" of KUBL con-tinue their telephone money game. They usually give away $100 a shot, and the station has now awarded more than $120,000 to lucky listeners . . . Tom Barberi on KALL early this week talked about Viagra use in the military . . .
"Simon and Brady" on KBEE had another movie identity contest Tuesday, and the winner got a free massage . . . "Danger Boy" of the KZHT "Morning Zoo" show Tuesday was in a bus station restroom with a megaphone, asking users to wash their hands. He eventually got kicked out . . .
"Tom, Dawn and Rick" on KKAT Tuesday did a live interview with Riverton about the polluted drinking water . . . Kerry, Bill and Gina on KXRK Tuesday had another report from their reviewer of strange movies, "Punk." This time he examined "Petticoat Planet" . . . "Fisher, Todd and Erin" on KISN Tuesday had more tales of "Men Gone Mad," including one about a zealous bow hunter who goes to great lengths with his attire.