Even if you're not a county-music fan, you will probably still find "Johnson and Johnson" appealing on their morning show on KUBL ("K-Bull," FM-93.3).
That's because they're too darn likable and down to earth.
Airing weekdays, 5:30-10 a.m., these two disc jockeys have now been on the air for 8 1/2 years and rank fourth in longevity among morning radio teams in the Salt Lake market.
Even among grade-school children, "Johnson and Johnson" have widespread name recognition. That's partially because the DJs have a guest spot, a Pledge of Allegiance, done by a different grade-school class most weekday mornings.
And because "their mommies listen," according to Tommy Johnson.
The DJs consistently rank in the top two for female listeners, ages 25-54, and are usually first place when it comes to women ages 18-49.
Tommy Johnson is the taller of the two, and he runs the predominantly touch-screen control board in the studio (from the "Air Chair," as DJs call it), while Joe Johnson organizes their paperwork, written plan and sits next to Scott Bigger, their producer for the past six years. Bigger screens their phone calls and keeps them going.
"We've been lucky here," Tommy said.
In an industry where the average morning show only lasts a couple of years, they've bucked the trend with their family-style program, which includes significant listener call-ins, news (from Kristy Snow), weather, traffic (from "General Gridlock") and even music every five minutes or so.
They say they aren't sure why they've succeeded, but their success is significant, because they were outsiders who made a show work from scratch, thanks to hard work and a personal, friendly and humorous touch.
"If we tried to analyze it, our minds would be pretzels," Tommy said.
Joe suspects one factor might explain their success: "In this town, clean (radio shows) win," he said.
From a regular update call to Tommy's wife, to a word-of-the-day contest and topical chatter, the show is a hit. The two Johnsons have a natural chemistry and are friends on and off the air, a factor that accounts for the synchronization their conversation also has.
Watching "Johnson and Johnson" work, they have to be among the busiest of DJs while on the air. A rush out the studio door for a quick bathroom break is all the down time they get. "They're the hardest workers I've produced for," Bigger said.
Joe also knows what listeners really want. "They listen for the music," he said.
The DJs have to rise at just after 3 a.m. each day and admit that it cramps a typical lifestyle. "You don't have nights," Tommy said, explaining he goes to bed at 8 p.m. most nights, so he never sees the 10 o'clock news.
"Johnson and Johnson" went on the air in Salt Lake City September 1997.
Tommy, a Washington, D.C., native, loves bicycles and has been doing radio since 1983. Joe started radio in 1986 and hails from near Louisville, Ky.
"RADIO FROM HECK" — Sometimes the "Radio From Hell" morning show on KXRK ("X-96") isn't named that. For example, the station's Web site (www.x96.com) has a "Radio From Heck Ice Cream Social" being advertised for Feb. 28, 6-8 p.m. at Thanksgiving Point.
RADIO HAPPENINGS — KSOP (FM-104.3) recently began a new syndicated show, "American Country Countdown," with Kix Brooks, airing Sundays at 8 a.m.
— KENZ ("The End") is one of the sponsors of the "101.9 The End Really Short Film Festival." All films are due Tuesday, March 7, 5 p.m. at the End Studios, 434 Bearcat Drive. First prize is $1,500, second is $1,000 and third is $500. Films must be rated G or PG and include plugs for the two contest sponsors — the Cameo College of Essential Beauty and Comcast (which will also have the winners available for viewing on its "On Demand"). Get the complete rules at www.1019theend.com.
— KENZ also has its annual "Swag Hag" contest going, with a winner to be named March 10.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com