KBYU's 'Classical Top 40 Contest' set to begin

Classical music fans take note — it is time once again for the annual KBYU "Classical Top 40 Contest."

For the 30 years, the station has invited listeners to vote on their five favorite classical music pieces as part of the contest.

The votes are tallied and compiled into a Top 40 list, then aired in May.

This year's theme is "Battle of the Sexes: The Rematch," comparing the choices of men and women in the listening audience. The station's first "Battle of the Sexes" took place in 2005.

The public is invited to vote on their top five favorite masterworks beginning April 1.

Then the name will be automatically entered in a drawing for The Classical 89 Entertainment Package, which includes a concert at the Deer Valley Music Festival, music CDs, DVDs, and books. The winner will be announced on Classical 89 at 8:15 a.m. on May 1.

Deadline to enter is April 28, 5 p.m. Only one entry per person.

To cast a ballot, go online to www.classical89.org.

UTAHFM.ORG — If you haven't checked out this computer-only broadcast station, you should. It could be a hint of the future of radio.

Tom Barberi is doing a show each Tuesday from 9 a.m.-noon.

None of the DJs on UtahFM receive any pay for their work. Now that's a pure love of radio — working for free.

RADIO HAPPENINGS — KUBL's "Johnson and Johnson" held their "Green Jell-O Jump" last Tuesday. Twenty contestants jumped into 100 gallons of Jell-O seeking the lucky "Blarney Stones." Tickets to see Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney were among the biggest prizes.

KUUU ("U-92") is offering the first 2,000 tickets to the annual "U-92 Cinco de Mayo Custom Car Show and Concert" at the USANA Amphitheater on May 2 for $10.

The tickets will go on sale May 21, 11 a.m., at all Smithtix locations.

Ever wonder what happens when DJs go on vacation? The "Z-Morning Zoo" on KZHT took this past week off. In their place, a bunch of "best of" shows aired in their absence. The DJs return to the air March 23.

GEICO Direct, Verizon and McDonalds Corp. are the three largest radio advertisers nationally, according to R&R.

E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com