A pleasant voice is the most noticeable trademark of a radio personality, and a unique sound in the Wasatch Front market belongs to British-accented Abby Bonell of KUMT (alias "The Mountain," FM-105.7).
She anchors the new "Abby and Wren" morning team (5:30-10 a.m. weekdays), and her English accent adds a delightful touch to the show.Bonnell is also the station's program director.
Co-host Wren has an extensive sports background and complements Bonnell by creating a U.S.-British combination. Wren used to work for all-sports KISN-AM (570).
In addition, Candice Holdaway does the news for the "Abby and Wren" show. She worked at KSFI as an evening personality.
Raised in Cheshire, England, Bonnell has been in America eight years. She came to America because of Madonna. Bonnell was a journalist for Piccadilly Radio in London when she was assigned to travel to New York and Detroit to dig up some information on Madonna, a very popular singer in Britain then.
"It blossomed for me here," she said. "I forgot to go home."
Jacor Communications discovered her during her brief trip and hired her for "The Fox" station in Denver. Later, she moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., and "Magic 106," where she also become their program director. Also, she worked at New York's WDBZ "The Buzz," then a Bonneville International station, in afternoon drive time.
Early this year, Trumper Communications offered her a great opportunity, and she moved to Salt Lake City eight weeks ago. She's been on the air about six weeks.
Bonnell said Salt Lake is such a welcoming city, a relief from the concrete jungles in other parts of America, like New York.
Regarding differences in U.S. and British radio, she said London has just 10 radio stations and yet there are more than 50 in the Salt Lake market.
She finds the U.S. radio competition refreshing.
"It keeps you on your toes," she said.
Bonnell's also surprised by how unforgiving and unpredictable radio can be here. The lifespan of most DJs is very short.
She's also been amazed at the number of returned LDS missionaries from England. Many have noticed her voice on the air.
KUMT strives to appeal to a male-female audience with its soft rock format.
"We spiked it up with more personality," she said of the current approach of the active morning team vs. its past music-in-tensive style.
She said she's having a really good time here and is trying to get her family to come visit Salt Lake, which she describes as one of the most scenic cities in the world.
- KBEE (FM-98.7) - Morning host Scott Simon has teamed up with Erin Brady from Australia for the "Simon and Brady Show."
Her "down under" voice, like Bonnell on the "Mountain," adds an international dimension to Wasatch Front morning radio.
Brady was born in Michigan bu moved to Adelaide, Australia, at age 2. She returned to the United States for college and most recently worked in radio in Australia. She's also worked for radio stations in Michigan and Colorado Springs.
- KBEE also staged an unusual promotion Tuesday: "Dunk the IRS Agent Day." A dunking booth was set up at the Cottonwood Mall on tax deadline day so people could vent their frustrations by getting an IRS agent all wet.
- KCPW (FM-88.3) will air "Problems and Prospects of a Palestinian Israeli Settlement," an address by Yezid Sayigh of Cambridge University, Tuesday, April 21, 11 a.m.
"Women, Minorities and Gay Rights" will be a panel discussion to be broadcast Thursday, April 23, 11 a.m. on the station.
- MORE ON CALL LETTERS - I missed at least one radio station in my call letter story last week - KVNU in Logan (AM-610). The last three letters were selected because they represent "voice northern Utah."
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - "Fisher, Todd and Erin" on KISN-FM Monday listened to more "Outrageous Tales," including one about UFOs. The DJs also had special Titanic-related events on the anniversary of its sinking, including showing "Titanic" to some 200 listeners who had not seen it . . .
"Johnson and Johnson" on KUBL had a "Bulltanic" event Tuesday, the Titanic anniversary. They showed the movie to 280 listeners who had not yet seen it . . .
"Simon and Brady" on KBEE had a pirated script of the final "Seinfeld" episode Monday. They gave listeners a little information but decided not to give them the ending and spoil the surprise . . . "Tom, Rick and Dawn" on KKAT Monday had a report on a "Highlander" conference in Southern California. On Wednesday, the DJs talked to listeners who had yet to start doing their income taxes . . . Tom Barberi on KALL Tuesday did his own analysis on presidential investigations.
Jimmy Chunga and Marcus on KENZ Monday got excited about their upcoming trip to Hawaii with listeners. The DJs also discussed bad breath. The station is also reserving 107 seats for lucky listeners at all Grizzlies playoff games in the E Center . . . "Mick, Allen and Roxy" on KURR Monday talked about the parking meters in Park City . . .
"Kerry, Bill and Gina" on KXRK Monday did an X-Poll on sleazy motels. They also gave listeners some income tax advice . . . "Dain and Peggy" on KSFI Monday provided more "Totally Useless Trivia." This installment explained how Vatican City is the world's smallest country . . .