Highs, lows of Salt Lake radio in '05

Here are some of the highs and lows of Salt Lake-area radio stations and personalities during 2005.

My opinions are listed first, followed by the most popular selection(s), as polled for on the forum of the www.saltlakeradio.com Web site. One of the most significant outcomes in that online voting is how diverse the votes were on the talents of individual DJs.

• Best overall morning show: (tie) "Dain and Jill," KSFI, and "Johnson and Johnson," KUBL; 1. "Radio From Hell," KXRK; 2. "Chunga and Mister," KENZ.

• Most entertaining morning show: "Z-Morning Zoo," with Frankie, Dangerboy and Jessica, KZHT; 1. "Radio From Hell," KXRK; 2. "Chunga and Mister," KENZ.

• Best news show: "Grant and Amanda," KSL; 1. Grant and Amanda, KSL; 2. Doug Wright, KSL.

• Friendliest morning radio show: Dickie and Angel Shannon, KODJ; 1. Former "Star 102: morning show with Mikey; 2. (tie) Jon Carter on KRSP and "Mancow (syndicated) on KFMS.

• Best midday DJ: (tie) Shawn Stevens, KBEE and Helen Powers, KBER; (five-way tie) Helen Powers, KBER; "TJ," KUBL; Sue Kelley, KRSP; Todd Nuke'em, KXRK; and "Monroe," KZHT.

• Best afternoon DJ : Rob Boshard, KODJ; 1. "Mick and Allen," KBER; 2. Artie Fufkin, KXRK.

• Best evening DJ : Michael Kane, KBZN; 1. Darby," KBER; 2. (tie) Pat Clark, formerly of KUUU and "Rexxx" Loper, formerly of KHTB.

• Best weekend DJ: Rick Shane, KBEE; 1. Helmet Von Schmidt, KBER.

• Best talk-show host: Doug Wright, KSL; 1. Tom Barberi, KFMS; 2. (tie) Doug Wright, KSL and Doug Fabrizio, KUER.

• Best traffic reporter : "General Gridlock," on KUBL; 1. J.T. MacKenzie, KXRK and KZNS; 2. "General Gridlock," KUBL.

• Best newscaster(s): Dan Bammes of KUER and Peggy Ijams of KEGA; 1. (tie) Jonathan Brown of NPR on KCPW and "Big Buddha" on Fox 13.

• Best local radio sports show:"Steve and Booner," KFNZ; 1. Ian Fitzsimmons on KFNZ.

Best overall voice(s): Doug Wright and Amanda Dickson, KSL; Bob Nelson, KSFI, and Steve Carlson of KXRV; 1. Twelve different DJs each received one vote each.

• Sexiest male voice(s): 1. Mick Martin, KBER.

• Sexiest female voice(s): Sue Kelley, KRSP, and Erica Hansen, KOSY; 1. "Porsche" of KXRK's "Live and Local" Sunday night bands show; 2. (tie) "Marci" on KHTB and J.T. MacKenzie on KXRK and KZNS.