KDYL and KLO may have abandoned their nostalgic big-band music formats last year, but now another station — KSOS (AM-800) — has recently adopted the senior citizen-geared format.
The only problem is that listeners south of Salt Lake City will likely have trouble with reception for the 1,000-watt station, which has transmitters located in Hooper.
"Since KDYL and KLO dropped nostalgia music, that's where we decided to come in," David B. Smith, station manager and the 6-10 a.m. weekday DJ, said. "People will listen to AM radio if you give them something they want to hear."
He said KSOS has had numerous positive telephone calls in response to the format change from oldies music. Sister station KXOL (AM-1660) continues to play oldies music, rock 'n' roll from the '50s and '60s. Both stations are owned by First National Broadcasting.
KDYL and KLO dropped nostalgic music because it wasn't a format that was selling enough ads.
"We're in it for the fun," said Smith, who has been a DJ since 1962. "It's a hobby."
He also believes the older generation still spends enough money that a profit can be made from nostalgic music. So, he feels it might have simply been a trendier decision to go to an all-talk format, which is what KDYL and KLO did. (However, KLO still retains 53-year broadcast veteran Len Allen, who does play nostalgic music on AM-1430 from 6-10 a.m. weekdays.)
Besides Smith in the morning, KSOS has Michael R. Richard on the air from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Brent Larson as DJ from 3-7 p.m. and Dick Howel on in the evenings. Overnight is automated. The station also has Paul Harvey and ABC News.
ART BELL IS RETURNING — Fans of paranormal, extraterrestrial radio programs will be excited to know Bell will be back on the air in Salt Lake City on Monday, Feb. 5, 11 p.m.-6 a.m. daily on KNRS (AM-570). He'll simply replace the current "Coast to Coast" radio host, Mike Figel.
MORE CHANGES — In other local Clear Channel radio changes, sister station KALL (AM-910) will premiere a new show on Monday, "Troubleshooter Tom Martino," airing weekdays from 1-4 p.m. The "Ed Tyll" show, formerly in that time slot, moves to 11 a.m.-2 p.m. starting Monday. The "John and Jeff" program, formerly in that overnight period, has been discontinued by KALL.
NOSTALGIC MUSIC IN ST. GEORGE — Utah's Dixie is the place for "snowbirds" and senior citizens, and big-band music lovers should be aware that KUNF (AM-1210) plays full-time nostalgia music in St. George. The station's format is very similar to the old KDYL and, ironically, Simmons Media Group of Salt Lake City (and owner of KDYL) is in the process of purchasing KUNF and also KREC (FM-98.1). However, no format changes are expected on either station.
TUNIS IS BACK WITH HIS OWN SHOW — Chris Tunis has a new all-sports talk show on KIQN (AM-1010) each weeknight from 6-7 p.m. The show premiered on Jan. 15. Tunis is no longer doing morning sports reports on the station.
CHANGES AT THE BLAZE — Listeners wanted all music in the morning on KWKD (FM-102.3), and so that's what they have. The former morning show of Cory Draper and Micky Foxx, in place since November, has been disbanded. The station now has Foxx as the weekday midday DJ (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Draper as the 3-7 p.m. jock. The "Fat Guy" is on the air from 7 p.m. to midnight.
RADIO HAPPENINGS — Citadel Communications Corp., owner of KBEE, Radio Disney (AM-860), KUBL, KENZ, KFNZ ("K-Fan") and KBER is being purchased by a private investment firm. According to Reuters News Service, the buyout is $1 billion in cash for the company's 209 stations in 44 medium-size broadcasting markets.
Last week's column included a reference to KALL radio as having a "rip-and-read" news operation, as quoted from a listener. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Owned by Clear Channel Broadcasting, KALL has the resources of seven sister radio stations at its disposal. Also, besides Bob Hendricks, Salt Lake's Clear Channel has Andrew Peters, Mark Kelley and Karin Hurst as a full-time news staff.
Deseret News radio editor Lynn Arave can be reached by e-mail at lynn@desnews.com or by phone at 237-2168.