The "Soft Sunday Sounds" (LDS/Christian music) format on KUTR (AM-820) will likely disappear soon.
KUTR's owner, Bonneville International Corp., is selling the station to Julie Epperson, who also owns WBOB-FM ("The Promise") in Rocky Mount, N.C., according to Bonneville spokesman Craig Haslam.
Bonneville anticipates closing the deal in the next month or so, depending on FCC approval.
WBOB is a 24-hour gospel station that plays the music of such artists as Shirley Caesar, James Cleveland, the Clark Sisters and Fred Hammond.
The KUTR purchase price isn't being disclosed, but the rumored price is $600,000.
Bonneville purchased AM-820 from Simmons Media and tried a "talk radio for women" format from 2005-06. Since 2006 it has been a Christian music/LDS music station featuring the music of Michael W. Smith, Janice Kapp Perry, Kurt Bestor, Amy Grant, Cherie Call, Michael McLean and other inspirational artists.
• SIGNAL STRENGTH — How strong a radio station's signal is affects your reception — especially if you're listening to an AM station after dark. The V Soft Communications Web site, www.v-soft.com, offers a signal-strength guide for each U.S. ZIP code. Just enter in a ZIP code and see what each station's signal strength is.
For downtown Salt Lake (the 84110 ZIP code), KCPW (FM-88.3) has the strongest signal, followed by KALL (AM-700) and KCPW (AM-1010).
• KSL TO TURN 86 — AM-1160/FM-102.7 will observe its 86th birthday Tuesday.
The station began broadcasting on that date in 1922. Originally known as KZN, it was first located on the roof of the Deseret News building on Main and South Temple.
• RADIO HAPPENINGS — KBYU (FM-89.1/89.5) will air a special titled "Norman Bailey Sings," on Wednesday, 9 p.m. For more information, log on to www.classical89.org.
—"Johnson and Johnson" of KUBL have been leading a drive (T-shirts, buttons and more) to support David Archuleta on "American Idol."
—KUUU has announced that Upstairs Records recording artist Lil Rob and Island Urban Music recording artist Rocko will play in the the U-92 Cinco de Mayo Custom Car Show and Concert, Saturday. Lil Rob and Rocko join previously announced artists Pitbull, Baby Bash, Gemini, Mr. Capone-e, Mr. Criminal, Glasses Malone and Brown Boy at USANA Amphitheatre. General admission tickets are $20.
—Only in radio: KZHT is sponsoring a Best Rear of the Year contest. You can vote for male and female backsides on the station Web site at www.971zht.com. Winners will receive a four-night houseboat trip on Lake Powell and other prizes.
—Ultimate rerun? Radio fan Joey Santarelli reports that KXRK and sister station KJQN aired the same "Utah Issues" (public service) program on April 27. It has been broadcast for eight consecutive Sundays now.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com