Sister stations KCPX, FM-105.,7 and KOSY, FM-106.5, both experienced some dramatic changes last week.
KCPX's music is now more classic rock — like KRSP — than just an oldies format.
And all of the station's DJs, including Johnny Quest, are gone. KOSY has the same music format, but some of its DJs are also gone too, including longtime Salt Lake personality Tom Bock.
Bock had been the morning DJ since May 1999 on KOSY, and Quest had been the morning host of KCPX since September 1999. (Newsman Jim Braden and program-director Paul Wilson are also gone from KOSY.)
KCPX is boasting some 50 minutes of music per hour and says it lacks the "hard edge" many classic-rock stations have — in reference to not playing artists like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin or Ozzy Osbourne.
According to KCPX/KOSY station-manager Keith Abrams, the KCPX changes were prompted by extensive research into what listeners wanted — less talk and commercials and more music like that played by KRSP, without the harder edge. The music will remain very '70s-based but will include some from the '60s and '80s.
He said the changes are also more of an evolutionary progression for KCPX.
KCPX is DJ-less, but not all the DJs lost their jobs. Some were reassigned.
He said the lack of DJs — and going to total automation — is a situation that will be re-evaluated.
Abrams said the KOSY changes were more financially oriented, and saving money was why Bock was let go.
KOSY now has Royce Blake in the mornings; "Trish," from KCPX, in the midday; and "Delilah" at nights.
Despite rumors to the contrary, Abrams said KOSY will not be changing formats next year after its Christmas music stint ends. Soft adult-contemporary music will remain the format.
KRAR (FM-106.9) will also be kept as a pure simulcast of KOSY and will not change.
KISN, KOSY and KCPX were all Trumper Communications stations sold to Clear Channel Broadcasting. However, the new owner could keep only KISN, since that gave it the maximum number of stations the FCC would allow in the Salt Lake market. KOSY and KCPX were transferred to Mercury Broadcasting.
KLO (AM-1430) began its syndicated talk format last week, retaining its nostalgic music format only from 6-10 a.m. weekdays with DJ Len Allen and with Dan Jessop doing news.
"World Class Talk" is now the station's motto, and it has Joey Reynolds from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. daily. It's Neal Boortz from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Mitch Alborn from 1-3 p.m. Dave Ramsey is on the air from 3-6 p.m., the Dennis Prager show is 6-8 p.m. and Howie Carr airs from 8-10 p.m.
KLO is also part of the Utah Jazz Network and airs Weber State University sports.
Weekend programming includes a travel show, "Money Talk" and other sports programming.
PAUL HARVEY — If you want to listen to the legendary radio commentator, he's currently heard on seven stations in Utah through the ABC Radio Network — Brigham City KSOS-FM ,106.9; Cedar City KBRE,AM-940; Delta, KNAK AM-540; Logan, KVNU AM-610; St. George, KDXU AM-890; Salt Lake City, KNRSAM-570; and Vernal,KVEL AM-920.
RADIO HAPPENINGS — KFVR will stage its "Santa Express" promotion on Saturday by flying 60 Utah children and one parent to the "North Pole" in a special contest . . . Danny Kramer of KKDS (AM-1060) reports that the station received tons of calls last week after KLO discontinued its nostalgic music format (except in the morning with Len Allen). KKDS is now the only full-time nostalgic music station along the Wasatch Front. Kramer and Mark Van Wagoner broadcast this week from the Festival of Trees. The station is also playing lots of nostalgic holiday tunes . . .
KSFI and KOSY are also playing lots of holiday music now . . . Len Allen ofKLO was the street announcer last weekend for the annual Ogden City Christmas parade. Allen has now surpassed his 53rd year at AM-1430.
Deseret News radio editor Lynn Arave can be reached by e-mail at lynn@desnews.com or by phone at 237-2168.