KDYL is once again an oldie but goodie

Holiday Broadcasting is one of the few local entities left in this era of big company radio.

It's also a company that knows the value of old-time Utah radio, and earlier this month it secured the call letters KDYL for its AM-1060 station, which is geared toward older adults. The old call letters — KKDS — were left over from when the frequency was a "kids" radio station.

KDYL were the call letters of Utah's second-oldest station, which went on the air May 8, 1922, just two days after KZN (KSL's forerunner) signed on. The KDYL call letters have not been used in the Salt Lake radio market since 2001.

"Our adult standards music format appeals to adult listeners, and we wanted to adopt the KDYL call letters to better reflect our music format," said Ralph J. Carlson, president of Carlson Communications International, the local parent company of Holiday Broadcasting.

"Many of our listeners have fond memories of listening to KDYL over the years. We're excited to bring back these great call letters," he said.

On-air personalities at KDYL include Mark and Gayle Van Wagoner from 6-10 a.m. and Danny Kramer from 2-6 p.m. Other personalities include Chick Watkins at midday, Hank Hathaway doing a noon-1 p.m. shopping show, and Mark Haden doing a 7 p.m.-midnight shift.

AM-1060 first went on the air in 1967 as KRSP-AM, a rock music station.

OTHER CALL LETTER CHANGES — FM-94.9 "The Blaze" has changed its call letters to KHTB. They replace the KPHT call letters the station used when it took over that frequency.

"The Blaze" has an arena-based rock music format. The station also simulcasts on FM-102.3, but that will end soon when a new station, KDUT, premieres.

RADIO HAPPENINGS — KBYU (FM-89.1) will air "Farmer, Soldier and Statesman: The Life of George Washington" on Sunday at 1 p.m. and "The Son of Washington — An American Hero" at 2 p.m. On Thursday at 9 p.m., Joy Shaw will be joined by historians and educations to discuss Washington's life.

— Lance Ballance, formerly of KSFI, is now the program director for KOSY.

— "Steve O" (Steve Carlson) has left KRSP, almost 33 years at the station. He's been replaced by Mike Parsons from 2-7 p.m.