KNRS radio (AM-570) has started a new talk show, "Newsmakers at Nine."
In a radio era when there are fewer local talk shows airing than perhaps ever before, this is a refreshing addition to the Salt Lake radio market.
Airing each weekday from 9-10 a.m., this program is hosted by Abby Bonell, with her distinctive British accent and professional style. The show premiered last Monday.
"'Newsmakers at Nine' is an hour of fresh, local talk you won't hear anywhere else," said Greg Foster, KNRS program director. "Abby Bonell will go beyond the headlines with today's newsmakers — not just politicians, but people from all walks of life with interesting stories to tell. Plus, Abby will talk to the reporters and correspondents covering the news. The show will also include listener phone calls."
Bonell has been the news director and morning news anchor on 570 KNRS since 2000. She previously held on-air positions in New York City, Denver, Santa Barbara and in her native England.
— KNRS is a Clear Channel-owned station, and there have been a series of changes in its Salt Lake-station cluster during the past month.
Scot Young of KOSY was let go on Dec. 8 and replaced with Kelly Monson for the morning show with Erica Hansen. Also, on Dec. 19 Steve Carlson of KXRV ("The River," FM-105.7) was let go. He's been replaced with Frank Bell on the morning show with Erin Brady. Another personality, Karin Hurst of KNRS, was let go on Jan. 3.
Rumors suggest there may be more people terminated at Clear Channel stations for budgetary reasons, or salary reductions for some continuing radio hosts.
There is definitely the biggest shake-up in local radio in some years going on out at Clear Channel's West Valley studios. Stay tuned.
RADIO HAPPENINGS — The Sundance Film Festival and KCPW (FM-88.3/AM-1010) will host two performances of the nationally syndicated public radio quiz show "Says You!" taped before a live theater audience at the Salt Lake Public Library on Sunday, Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m., and at a cabaret-seating event in the Kimball Art Center on Monday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m.
At each performance, two shows will be taped for air with a short intermission. The programs will be broadcast nationally in late January and early February. "Says You!" airs on more than 110 stations nationwide and can be heard Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. on KCPW.
— KBYU (FM-89.1) will air a recital performed by the husband-and-wife duo Darrell Babidge, baritone, and Jennifer Welch-Babidge, soprano, with pianist Barbara Allen on Thursday, Jan. 18, 9 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m.
The recital originally took place Nov. 2, 2006, in the BYU Museum of Art Auditorium and was presented to contributing members of Classical 89.
—Radio continues to embrace the Internet. Bonneville International Corporation, owner of KSL, KSFI and some other local stations, has named Andrew Bunker as its new director of Internet technology. This is a new position with the company. Brian Hoopes will replace Bunker in his previous Bonneville job, as Web/systems developer in Bonneville's new-media department.
Bonneville is expected to add more new-media employees in the next few weeks.
—If you need more Utah radio news, two great online sources for radio news/rumors and chatter are www.utradioguide.com and www.saltlakeradio.org.
TEN YEARS AGO IN SALT LAKE RADIO — KSRR, AM-1400, drops its all show-tunes format and begins playing the best hits from the past 30 years ... Richard Cano and Dan Bammes are the morning DJs on KUBL ... Bonneville International sells seven of its radio stations, including those in Seattle ... KXRK succeeds each Friday morning with a live studio audience.
The Deseret Morning News and KSL Newsradio 1160 are involved in an ongoing news-gathering partnership.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com