Can a syndicated classic country-music format succeed in the Salt Lake radio market? Citadel Broadcasting thinks it can, and it has teamed up with the Jones Radio Network of Englewood, Colo., to put "the Coyote" on the air at AM-860.
In the dial location where Radio Disney was (Disney is now at AM-910), KBEE-AM is playing country music 24/7, with live personalities from Colorado.
This classic county-music format began in 1997 with one station, and is now on some 140 U.S. stations, about 45 of them FM versions, according to Lew Jones, original program director and a midday personality (9 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays) for the Jones Radio Network.
"We concentrate on the songs and country stars that made country the nation's No. 1 radio format," Jones said. "We focus on the biggest stars from the 1980s and 1970s, rounding out the mix with carefully chosen hits from the '60s and '90s. As with any good station playing oldies, all of our songs were big hits — the vast majority of them No. 1 on the charts in their day."
A sample playlist for the station includes "You Win Again," by Charly Pride; "Holdin' a Good Hand," by Lee Greenwood; "Country Sunshine," by Dottie West; "The Bargain Store," by Dolly Parton; and "El Paso City," by Marty Robbins.
Audience-wise, the format is near the top in some markets. In Tennessee, for example, it's in the top three in one market and top five in another. "It has the potential." Jones said.
Because the format and DJs are found in 140 markets, travelers across the country can find consistency in hearing the same DJs all over. "Our personalities pride themselves on an up-to-date contemporary sound, utilizing music with a rich history," Jones said. "We spice up the music presentation with listener interaction and keep our listeners posted on current activities by the country artists we play regularly."
Other DJs include Bill Western, 4-9 a.m. (his real last name); Marty Montell, 1-6 p.m.; Jack Edwards, 6-11 p.m.; and C.J. Gregory, 11 p.m.-4 a.m. Gary Clark does weekends.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
— Do you remember Richard Cano, deep-voiced, quick-witted DJ who was part of the top-ranked morning show along the Wasatch Front on KKAT (country music) in the early 1990s? Where is he now?
He's now working for KAKT radio (FM-105) in Medford, Ore., and covering the Rogue River Valley. Cano has made a name for himself there with his "Cano in the Morning" show. He's also doing some TV work and is the inventor of a plant stand that is on track to sell a million by June, thanks to infomercials.
In Salt Lake City, Cano was a morning host on KIQN , then KKAT, and he did afternoons on KUBL. His career high here was the top-ranked show on KKAT the first time around with Ken Simmons. Cano's career was interrupted by fallout from the negative publicity generated by his partner (Simmons was arrested at the South Town Mall in December 1993 on a lewdness charge).
Former fans can e-mail Cano at RCano@radiomedford.com.
— Rick Shane and Dawn Kennedy were Cano's most recent sidekicks before he left Utah radio. Shane is now doing weekend radio work on KBEE (FM-98.7). Kennedy is reportedly working for ING Investments in Phoenix.
KBYU (FM-89.1, 89.5) will present a new, four-part series, "Music and Conversation," at 4 p.m. on the first four Sunday afternoons in June. Here is the schedule:
— Sunday: Dr. Scott Holden, pianist, BYU Professor of Piano — "Schumann's Carnival."
— June 8: Dr. Lawrence M. Vincent, tenor, BYU professor of voice; Jean Vincent, soprano; Amanda Nixon, piano—"Viennese Operetta."
— June 15: Don Cook, carillonneur, BYU associate professor of organ, "The Bells of BYU: Genuine Heavy Metal."
— June 22: Performers from the BYU School of Music and Community — "Hugo Wolf: A Hundred Years Later" — "A Liederabend Celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of His Death."
For information, go to: www.kbyufm.org/musicmoa.
E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com