KRCL (FM-90.9) — Utah's premier example of true, independent, nonprofit radio — celebrates its 30th birthday this month.
It was in December 1979 that KRCL began.
The idea for KRCL was conceived by Steven Holbrook, a then member of the Utah Legislature, who was concerned that local media would not cover alternative viewpoints in the 1960s.
While visiting California, he discovered KPFA, a Berkeley community radio station that voiced the opinions of listeners who had been traditionally denied access to radio broadcasting.
Holbrook returned to Utah and worked to get KRCL on the air.
KRCL's call letters stand for "Listener Community Radio," with the call letters oddly listed backward. (A military ship originally had the KRCL call letters and it took a real effort to secure them.)
Some referred to the station as "Radio Free Utah" during its early years because of its unique ability to broadcast what most other stations would not.
Today, KRCL's slogan is "All the radio you need," and Holbrook is an emeritus member of the station's board of directors. But many others combined their efforts to move the station forward after Holbrook's initial groundwork.
The station is still a volunteer-driven, listener-supported community station that airs more than 50 music programs and 27 public affairs programs weekly. Its diverse programming is unrivaled by any other Utah station.
In recent years, the station hired professional DJs in favor of an all-volunteer staff.
The station hosted a formal birthday celebration on Dec. 3. Afro Omega, The Rubes, Cub Country and the Legendary Porch Pounders combined to provide the music.
For more information on KRCL, go to wwww.krcl.org.
RADIO HAPPENINGS — KBYU (FM-89.1) will air "The Christmas Chronicle," an eight-part series capturing the magic and mystery of Santa Claus, Dec. 7-14, 6 p.m. nightly. The show will repeat Dec. 21-24, 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. (with two episodes each day and evening). For more information, go to www.classical89.org.
— KRSP (FM-103.5) is offering a chance at $10,000 for a single song. Hear Bruce Springsteen sing "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" on FM-103.5 and be the 10th caller for the cash.
— KOSY (FM-106.5) is offering a Christmas Wish contest. Submit an essay to the station by Dec. 11 on why you should have your particular holiday dream granted.
— A "60 Minutes"/Vanity Fair poll found that Rush Limbaugh is considered the most influential U.S. conservative voice. He grabbed 26 percent in the poll as compared to runners-up Glenn Beck (11 percent) and Sean Hannity (8 percent).
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com