KKAT to challenge top country stations

The "KAT" is back with an all-new staff.

Millcreek Broadcasting has revamped country station KKAT (FM-101.9) and is ready to challenge the half-dozen other country stations for a share in the market.

"This is a complex county market, with four FMs playing country music, along with two AMs," John Marks, KKAT program director, said. "We have excellent talent who bring strong programming experience to the table." It was just over 10 years ago that KKAT was the market leader.

Marks was the program director back then and knows what it takes to attract listeners.

Tommy Carerra is the new morning DJ. He comes to Utah from Albuquerque's KBQL and will also double as assistant program director and music director. Doing afternoons is Brian Hatfield, who comes from Charlotte, N.C.

Brandon Young, the original "Shotgun Jackson" on KUBL, will be the evening DJ. Roger Orton will do overnights.

The DJs began their gigs Monday, and the station is seeking feedback in it's effort to become a favorite country station.

A RARE EVENING RADIO STUNT — Outrageous radio behavior isn't always confined to morning shows.

KUUU ("U-92") sent it's evening "U Crew" to Ch. 2 studios on Main Street last month with a "U-92" banner, which could be seen on the air. Pat Clark, host of the "Clark after Dark Radio Show," said he doesn't have a TV commercial budget but got some free advertising for the station before security pushed the crew away.

TEN YEARS AGO IN SALT LAKE RADIO — "Jon and Dan" of KLZX attend the winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. . . . KBER's "Ron and Allen" repeatedly air the same show to celebrate Groundhog Day. . . . KRSP becomes "Arrow 103.5" and switches to rock 'n' roll oldies music. . . . KODJ hires Gary Zane, Rob Boshard and Johnny Mitchell for its oldies format. . . . Dana Horner resigns as general manager of KKAT, KODJ and KALL and Bill Sauer takes her place. . . . KSL raises $184,000 in its 18th annual Primary Children's Medical Center radiothon.

RADIO HAPPENINGS — Dom Casual, KJQN personality and program director, has left the station. Todd "Nuke-em" Noker has replaced him as an interim program director.

— "The Traffic Babe," who does reports on KRSP, KZNS, KRSP and KXRK, is doubling as the evening DJ on KJQN (7 p.m.-midnight). She's going by her real name, which is Jessica.

— Brian Foxx was recently added as an afternoon DJ and music director at KSFI, while CeCe Williams is the evening personality.

— Mick Martin and Earl David Reed are now the morning DJs at KURR (FM-99.5).

— "Fisher and Laura" on KQMB present an award each Monday morning to the week's "Most Overworked Mom." The presentation may seem a little too emotional, but the DJs do select some deserving mothers.

— Brian Brinkerhoff hosts "Backcountry Utah" Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. on KTKK.

— KZHT has been airing reruns of "Frankie" and "Danger Boy" while they were on vacation this week. They will be back Monday.

— With the FCC cracking down on indecency on the radio recently, Clear Channel has announced a zero-tolerance policy.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com