"Sounds of the Sabbath" has become one of the most popular Sunday morning programs along the Wasatch Front, with an estimated 19,000 listeners tuning in each week.
Airing each Sunday from 7-11 a.m. on KOSY (FM-106.5, 106.9), the 15-month-old show is reminiscent of previous LDS music stations in Salt Lake. However, this program seems to have more of a general Christian music slant than its predecessors.Here's where you'll not only find mellow, religious-oriented music that sets a suitable tone for the start of a Sabbath day but also other features: Each Sunday the program highlights a musical guest artist and plays four cuts from the artist's newest release. News from churches across the Wasatch Front airs six times during the program, read by co-hostess Shauna Hullinger. There are four-minute vignettes twice each Sunday from Glen Rawson -- inspirational thoughts and stories linked to a religious song. And the program regularly gives away tickets for shows and LDS and Christian music CDs to listeners.
Only KSL is estimated by Arbitron to have more listeners during this weekly time slot, and during last winter "Sounds of the Sabbath" was actually ranked No. 1.
John Hair produces "Sounds of the Sabbath" through his independent company, Feed My Sheep. "I have certainly enjoyed bringing a good atmosphere into the homes of Utahns each and every Sunday, and we try to include everyone in our program, whatever religion they may be. I have received heartfelt welcomes from many churches and their members throughout the state."
Hair said some letters he has received from listeners prove the show affects people for the good. For example, he said, he received a letter from a man incarcerated at the Utah State Prison who was inspired by a song by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir that was played on the program.
"Sounds of the Sabbath" will add 200 new songs to its lineup starting Aug. 29.
Hair also said he's working to syndicate the show nationally because there is a dearth of such programs across the country. Right now, KOSY broadcasts the program from Downey, Idaho, on the north to as far south as Fillmore.
For more information on the show, or to highlight an upcoming church event, call Hair at 269-7117.
RUMORS -- There's a rumor that Howard Stern's outrageous radio show will be coming to the Salt Lake market soon. I've never been convinced his show would work in this conservative area, but that doesn't mean someone won't try it.
In the meantime, the syndicated "Bob and Tom" show on KBER (FM-101.1) and the "Freak Show" with Mick and Allen on KURR (FM-99.5) seem to have plenty of R-rated stuff aleady on the air. For example, last week Mick and Allen installed a stripper pole in their studio from the MillionDollar Saloon and let listeners come and try it for $1. The money collected did go to a charity, but the stunt is typical of the blue nature of the "Rock 99" morning show.
KSL radio (AM-1160) will continue its "Teacher Feature" for the eighth year this coming school season.
The program highlights and honors the best teachers throughout the state.
Nominations are received at KSL Newsradio, P.O. Box 1160, Salt Lake City, UT 84110-1160, or by e-mail at Teacher@KSL.com.
RADIO HAPPENINGS -- "The Freak Show," with Mick and Allen, interviewed Donny Osmond Monday. It's amazing how many times Osmond has been on a morning radio show during the past few months in Salt Lake City. He was even on Howard Stern's show some months ago.
Mick and Allen had a psychic on their show in July who predicted "something weird" would happen in Salt Lake City on Aug, 11. That date was, of course, when the tornado hit. . . .
The "Z-Morning Zoo" on KZHT Monday interviewed the author of the "Make the Jerk Pay" book . . . KUBL radio is looking for more listener input; phone 464-8548 to leave a message for the program director, Doyle, on what you like or don't like . . . "The Radio From Hell" show with Bill, Kerry and Gina is continuing with a live studio audience each Friday. On Aug. 20, the show went to Joe's Board Shop in Utah County for a live remote and audience . . .
"Dain and Peggy" on KSFI gave away tickets to the October Jim Brickman concert this week, two months in advance . . . "Fisher, Todd and Erin" on KISN did another "Make You Do It" event Monday by getting a listener with a cell phone to do some crazy things at a fast food drive-in . . . Cano, Rick and Dawn on KKAT spent Sunday night with family members at Karl Malone's new Wolf Crest Inn. They aired a long interview Monday with Malone and elaborated on what they liked about the new business . . .
KSOP is heavily involved in this week's Davis County Fair. The station co-sponsored the Wade Hayes concert . . . The Sunday, Aug. 22 "Feedback" program on KALL, KODJ, KKAT, KURR and KWLW, will feature Mick Ferren, the author of "Conspiracies, Lies and Hidden Agendas." The show airs at 6 a.m. on all five Clear Channel stations and is hosted by Scott Winter.
Deseret News radio editor Lynn Arave can be reached by e-mail at lynn@desnews.com or by phone at 237-2168.