McFarland in, Hannity out of KSL slot

SALT LAKE CITY — Today's afternoon drive will sound different for KSL (FM-102.7/AM-1160) radio listeners as Jay McFarland attempts to fill some big shoes.

He'll be hosting the 1-4 p.m. weekday spot — where conservative national talk host Sean Hannity used to be — with his own locally generated talk show.

(Hannity will now be heard on KNRS radio.)

McFarland is coming to Salt Lake City from KRLD talk radio in Dallas-Fort Worth. There, he had a five-year run with a morning talk show for the CBS radio-owned station.

For some Texans, McFarland was considered a voice of moderation for Dallas area radio. He was also respected as an honest radio host, with a positive slant.

His last day on the Dallas radio waves was Sept. 27. (KRLD is also the voice of Texas Rangers baseball.)

"We couldn't be more excited to find someone of Jay's skill level and also his fit for this ground-breaking program," said Kevin LaRue, KSL program director. "He is thoroughly immersed in the news of the day, breaking news, politics and traditional kinds of stories. But he also loves sharing insights about the areas of life we all relate to, such as managing money, being a better parent and the newest gadget or viral website. In other words, he is as thoroughly relatable as the guy next door ... who can also deep dive on the most important issues of the day. What a find for KSL and our listeners in Utah."

Hannity's sometimes controversial, politically oriented program had been with KSL since October 2001. LaRue said the change will allow the station to focus on more local programming.

According to a podcast of McFarland's last show in Dallas, he wasn't actively seeking another radio job.

McFarland's mother lives in Utah and has likely suffered a series of strokes, refusing to see a doctor. His stepfather also is ill, and an autistic sister lives with the couple.

"The entire household is in a state of impending doom," he told listeners in Dallas. "My heart tells me her (his mother's) time is limited."

About four weeks ago, someone pointed out the job opening at KSL radio. McFarland said his inner voice prompted him to pursue it, to be closer to his mother, stepfather and sister.

"That little voice kept nagging at me," he said.

He filled out an online application for KSL in just five minutes. An hour later, KSL called. Two days later, he was in Salt Lake City for an interview, and five days later, he was offered the job.