A new, online radio station featuring LDS music launched Nov. 3 at www.yourLDSradio.com.
Other tries at an all-LDS music radio station haven't worked in the past. In June 1985, the first-ever LDS music station, KUTR, made its premiere. The station's owner toyed with the idea of using KLDS as its call letters but decided against it.
Yet to this day, nothing outside of weekend LDS programming has worked. Why? Because advertisers over the years have maintained they can't get the support they need.
Obviously this LDS-music only Web station has different mobility limitations than an airwave station, but perhaps it will be able to succeed where its predecessors didn't.
This new station is associated with Gaylen Rust and yourLDSneighborhood.com. Sam Payne, station host, is also program director. Rust is hoping to have a worldwide audience.
Listeners can hear a live stream from a playlist hundreds of tracks deep or use the "on-demand" option.
The station Web site also has a discussion board and places to make song requests or comments about the programming.
• HOLIDAY MUSIC ALREADY — KOSY started airing all Christmas music Nov. 1. Two days later, KSFI started doing the same. Even KBZN has been playing some holiday tunes.
Christmas music is a big draw for extra listeners, even though some don't like hearing it before Thanksgiving. Some have pointed out that there is no compelling Thanksgiving music out there. Why is that the case, and is there anything that can bridge the gap between Halloween and Thanksgiving.?
• RADIO HAPPENINGS — Cody Allen, program director and afternoon drive host for KEGA, has been named host/executive producer of Westwood One's "CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan" show.
He will continue involvement in a newly designed consulting role with KEGA and parent company Simmons Media.
Alan Hague, vice president of programming and operations for Simmons, will head the daily operations of KEGA. Hague says, "We are excited over the progress of KEGA under Cody's involvement and look forward to this new partnership with CMT. We're also thrilled to retain Cody's on-air talents in our company, as The Eagle will be the Salt Lake affiliate for the CMT show. This natural addition will greatly enhance our programming."
• There may be budget cuts at KENZ radio later this month. Radio and Records has reported that "The End" program director Mike Peer — aka "Parker," an afternoon DJ — will be gone by the end of the month, after two years at the station. Rusty Keyes, program director of sister station KBEE, will assume programming duties for KENZ, too.
• KENZ will auction a piano lesson with Chris Martin from Coldplay, with proceeds going to the Utah Youth Village, which helps children who have been abused or neglected. Bids can be placed through Nov. 19 at 1019theend.com.
• Kate Mortensen of Hyrum, a longtime listener and fan of KRCL, will drive away from the KRCL studios, 1971 W. North Temple, in a brand new Toyota Yaris Saturday. She is the lucky winner of a drawing held in October.
KRCL is also holding its annual open house on Saturday. Guests can tour the facilities, meet the staff and sample light refreshments. Those attending can also bring non-perishable food items to contribute to the event's food drive.
• Box Elder High led the efforts of 67 Utah schools participating in the fourth annual "Home Away From Home Canned Food Drive," sponsored in part by KBER, KBEE and KENZ radio stations. BHS students were hoping to exceed their food donation total of 25,700 pounds.
• KBYU will broadcast two Wagner operas from the 2008 Bayreuth Festival. Hear "Parsifal" on Saturday,11 a.m., and "Tristan und Isolde" on Nov. 22, 11 a.m.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com