BYU-Utah rivalry to get national radio attention

What do American sports fans think about the BYU-Utah football rivalry?

Local radio hosts David James and Patrick Kinahan, will find out as they address the upcoming rivalry on national radio Monday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., as they fill in for Jim Rome.

James and Kinahan, morning hosts on KFNZ radio ("K-FAN," AM-1320, sports radio), will be heard on some 200 U.S. radio stations with an estimated audience in excess of 2 million listeners.

"We're real excited about this," Scott Garrard, program director for KFNZ, said. "It should be fun."

He said Rome usually uses Los Angeles-area sports hosts when he takes time off, but this is one of those rare occasions when they are not being used.

Garrard said Rome and his crew know about the DJs and they approached KFNZ about "DJ and PK" guest hosting.

He said they want to make the upcoming Ute-Cougar game a hot topic on the show and hope to have some special guests talk about that subject, too.

That day will also mark a marathon stint for "DJ and PK." By the time they wrap up the national show, they'll have been on the air seven hours (their local show airs from 6-10 a.m.)

Some other S.L. radio hosts have also had a national reach at times. Bob Lonsberry , KNRS (FM-105.7), traditionally fills-in for Glenn Beck on the radio each Christmas Eve.

In addition, Tom Barberi has also hosted a national talk show on a fill-in basis.

PERSONALITIES CAN SPARK MORE THAN MEMORIES — I looked back at some old-time radio personalities a few years ago and how the mention of their names can open a floodgate of memories for some people.

One of the DJs I mentioned was the late Lennie Hesterman of KNAK.

His wife, now 75, still has tapes of "Lennie's Music Hour" and finds comfort in listening to them.

"What an amazing gift left behind that she can listen to my father's voice, captured in a different time and era, after all these years," Lynda Zollinger, a daughter said.

RADIO HAPPENINGS — KBYU (FM-89.1) presents "From the Top," an NPR radio program featuring dynamic young performers playing classical music and sharing entertaining stories from their lives, Saturday, Nov. 28, 6 p.m. and again on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2 p.m.

The show, which was taped in October at Libby Gardner Hall before a live audience, features include violist Jossalyn Jensen from Springville, Utah; pianist Weiyi Le from Layton, Utah; the Gifted Music School Orchestra from Salt Lake City, Utah; marimba soloist John Ringor from Chicago; and trumpeter Natalie Dungy from Washington.

"Johnson and Johnson" on KUBL have teamed up with Utah fire departments, asking for help with the 11th annual "Operation Cover Up." Need are new and used coats, gloves and blankets for homeless shelters. Donate by Dec. 21 to your local fire department.

KNRS radio is sponsoring the "Glenn Beck Flyaway to NYC" contest. Do you know an idiot who needs to be educated by Beck, or do you know someone who just wants to meet him? Enter at knrs.clearcontests.com. Winner will be announced Dec. 18.

TEN YEARS AGO IN SALT LAKE RADIO — KSFI and KENZ are the top two radio stations in the S.L. market. … "Mister West" becomes Jimmy Chunga's morning co-host on KENZ, replacing Marcus.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com