Simmons airs its first country station in Salt Lake

The popularity of country music in the Salt Lake radio market is at an all-time high. In fact, it ranks No. 2 — just behind Kansas City, Mo.

And the country-music saturation has gotten bigger with the addition of a sixth station — KEGA, "The Eagle," FM-101.5. This new Simmons Media station went on the air Oct. 15. Located on the dial between KBER and KKAT, this new FM frequency has taken the last available spot for the S.L. airwaves.

"Yes, there are many country stations here," said Alan Hague, KEGA program director. "But we see some opportunities."

Geared toward ages 20-44, KEGA also has one of the state's tallest radio antennas, which is located near Coalville. The station's 100,000-watt signal reaches from Payson to North Ogden and sometimes points farther north.

"The Eagle" is still finalizing its on-air staff, but Paul Koffee will soon begin his duties as the morning DJ. Until then the station is just playing music.

KEGA is Simmon's first country-music station in the S.L. market, although it has country stations in other markets around the country. Simmons is still awaiting FCC approval to sell three of its S.L. stations — KRSP, KSFI and KQMB — to Bonneville. If the sale is approved, it will leave Simmons with four stations — KXRK, KJQN, KZNS and KEGA.

RADIO HAPPENINGS — KCPW (FM-88/3/105.3) will air a live broadcast of a debate between candidates for the Salt Lake City Council on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The station will also air a live broadcast of the Salt Lake City mayoral debate on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. The debates are being held in the Salt Lake City Library Auditorium. With new studios in Library Square, KCPW plans on doing many similar broadcasts of community events.

— Bob Lonsberry is back on Salt Lake's KNRS (AM-570) radio with his 5-10 a.m. show. He was suspended earlier this month after making a racial slur on WHAM radio in Rochester, N.Y. (Lonsberry ran into trouble when he referred to Rochester's mayor — an African-American — as a "monkey" and an "orangutan.") Although both stations are owned by Clear Channel, the S.L. station decided to keep Lonsberry while WHAM fired him.

— KSL's morning hosts, "Grant and Amanda," will be at Bowman's Super Store, 326 N. Main, Kaysville, from 4-6 p.m. today. The two hosts will also dress up as pirates on Tuesday for the Utah Symphony's annual Halloween contest. Amanda will also judge the costume party at Shriner's Hospital on Halloween.

— What do your dreams mean? Listen to the "Dream Doctor," a nationally syndicated show, weekdays from 7-11 p.m. on KBEE (FM-98.7).

— KISN (FM-97.1) has revised its lineup. "Dexter and Mercedes," which airs from 6-10 a.m., is followed by Randi West from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Nikki from 6-10 p.m.

— "Fisher and Laura" on KQMB (FM-102.7) are sponsoring a "Tour of Terror" bus ride each Tuesday night that takes listeners to various haunted houses.

— James Schwartz, 13, of Bountiful won a trip to Nashville in Radio Disney's recent "Z.I.P." contest. He won by singing a version of "Beauty and Beast." He also will get to a chance to consult with representatives from Sparrow Records.

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E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com