KJQN
Encyclopedia
KJQN is a radio station
in Salt Lake City, Utah
which currently plays the Jack FM
radio format
. It broadcasts at 103.1MHz.
Previously known as Classic Alternative KJQ, the station flipped to Jack FM in January 2005.
KJQN is licensed to Coalville, Utah
, and KNJQ to Manti, Utah
. KNJQ ceased to simulcast the station in late 2005 and went off-air shortly after a brief stint of running Simmons' KZNS
1280 sports-talk format. The station is now on-air as KAUU
and simulcasting MillCreek owned "U92" through a mutual agreement between the companies.
in 1983. At that time, the station broadcast on 95.5 FM and was also heard with a 1000-watt simulcast from 1490 AM, which would later become KOGN
.
In the late 1980s KJQN was purchased by Abacus Communications, which fired much of the high-ranking staff in 1991. Fired program director
Mike Summers, engineered a deal to take over another station, then-top 40
KZOL of Provo, Utah
. Re-dubbed "X96" in February 1992, KXRK
raided much of KJQ's talent. For a time the stations competed, but as KJQ's ratings eroded and modern rock promoters split their business, management decided to switch formats. In early October 1992 KJQN-FM switched formats to top 40, adopting the letters KKBE. Soon thereafter KJQN-AM became a religious-themed station, changing its call letters as well. In May 1993 the Abacus sold KKBE, which became a satellite format for "Super Gospel Country."
In 2001 Simmons purchased stations in Brigham City
and Oakley
, and acquired the historic call letters. The "classic modern rock" format adopted by Simmons was meant to evoke music played on the original KJQ. The morning show featured veterans of the original KJQ, "Chet and Brad," and the station adopted some of the original KJQ's promotions including the old "Bessie" milk truck. Management went through several program directors including Ian McCain (from KCPX
), Dom Casual (from KENZ
and veteran of the original KJQ), Lara Jones (a veteran of the original KJQ), interim PD Todd Noker (also PD at sister station KXRK
) and Music Director Jon Smith (also from KENZ
). As of February 2010, the Program Director of KJQN is Frank Bell. As of November 2010 The Program Director of KJQN is Randy Rose.
On January 21, 2005, the station switched to the adult hits Jack FM
format at noon, and the staff was laid off mid-shift without advanced notice. Management stated the audience "wasn't growing as fast as we wanted."
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
which currently plays the Jack FM
Jack FM
JACK FM is the alternative name and on-air brand of 60 radio stations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Jack stations play a mix of 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s hits with some current hot adult contemporary singles. Jack's slogan "playing what we want" can also be...
radio format
Radio format
A radio format or programming format not to be confused with broadcast programming describes the overall content broadcast on a radio station. Radio formats are frequently employed as a marketing tool, and constantly evolve...
. It broadcasts at 103.1MHz.
Previously known as Classic Alternative KJQ, the station flipped to Jack FM in January 2005.
KJQN is licensed to Coalville, Utah
Coalville, Utah
Coalville is a city in Summit County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Salt Lake City, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,382 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Summit County...
, and KNJQ to Manti, Utah
Manti, Utah
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,040 people, 930 households, and 742 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,560.2 people per square mile . There were 1,010 housing units at an average density of 518.3 per square mile...
. KNJQ ceased to simulcast the station in late 2005 and went off-air shortly after a brief stint of running Simmons' KZNS
KZNS
thumb|The radio towers for KZNS, north of the [[Salt Lake City International Airport]]KZNS is a radio station broadcasting a Sports talk format. Licensed to Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, it serves the Salt Lake City area...
1280 sports-talk format. The station is now on-air as KAUU
KAUU
KAUU is a radio station broadcasting a country music format, simulcasting KEGA "101.5 The Eagle". KAUU mainly serves Manti, Utah , and surrounding areas, while KEGA serves the same station to Oakley, Utah and surrounding areas. This station is currently owned by Millcreek Broadcasting.-History:The...
and simulcasting MillCreek owned "U92" through a mutual agreement between the companies.
History
KJQN began as a modern rock station from Ogden, UtahOgden, Utah
Ogden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a...
in 1983. At that time, the station broadcast on 95.5 FM and was also heard with a 1000-watt simulcast from 1490 AM, which would later become KOGN
KOGN
KOGN is a radio station broadcasting a Regional Mexican format. Licensed to Ogden, Utah, USA, the station serves the Ogden area. The station is owned by AM Radio 1490, Inc. The station was an affiliate of Dial Global's adult standard format. KOGN's signal was also simulcasted on nearby KNFL 1470...
.
In the late 1980s KJQN was purchased by Abacus Communications, which fired much of the high-ranking staff in 1991. Fired program director
Program director
In service industries, such as education, a program director or programme director researches, plans, develops and implements one or more of the firm's professional services...
Mike Summers, engineered a deal to take over another station, then-top 40
Top Forty
The Top Forty or Top 40 is a music industry shorthand for the currently most-popular songs in a particular genre. When used without qualification, it typically refers to the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music songs of the previous week...
KZOL of Provo, Utah
Provo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
. Re-dubbed "X96" in February 1992, KXRK
KXRK
KXRK is commercial radio station located in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, broadcasting a modern rock music format to the Provo, Ogden, and Salt Lake City area.-History:...
raided much of KJQ's talent. For a time the stations competed, but as KJQ's ratings eroded and modern rock promoters split their business, management decided to switch formats. In early October 1992 KJQN-FM switched formats to top 40, adopting the letters KKBE. Soon thereafter KJQN-AM became a religious-themed station, changing its call letters as well. In May 1993 the Abacus sold KKBE, which became a satellite format for "Super Gospel Country."
In 2001 Simmons purchased stations in Brigham City
Brigham City, Utah
Brigham City is a city in Box Elder County, Utah, United States. The population was 17,899 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Box Elder County. It lies on the western slope of the Wellsville Mountains, a branch of the Wasatch Range at the western terminus of Box Elder Canyon...
and Oakley
Oakley, Utah
Oakley is a city in Summit County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Salt Lake City, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 948 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Oakley is located at ....
, and acquired the historic call letters. The "classic modern rock" format adopted by Simmons was meant to evoke music played on the original KJQ. The morning show featured veterans of the original KJQ, "Chet and Brad," and the station adopted some of the original KJQ's promotions including the old "Bessie" milk truck. Management went through several program directors including Ian McCain (from KCPX
KCPX
KCPX is a radio station broadcasting a News/Talk format. Licensed to Spanish Valley, Utah, USA, the station is currently owned by Moab Communications, LLC....
), Dom Casual (from KENZ
KENZ
KENZ, branded as "101.9 the End" is a Salt Lake City, Utah-based radio station. Owned by Cumulus Media, the station airs an alternative format on 101.9 FM.-History:...
and veteran of the original KJQ), Lara Jones (a veteran of the original KJQ), interim PD Todd Noker (also PD at sister station KXRK
KXRK
KXRK is commercial radio station located in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, broadcasting a modern rock music format to the Provo, Ogden, and Salt Lake City area.-History:...
) and Music Director Jon Smith (also from KENZ
KENZ
KENZ, branded as "101.9 the End" is a Salt Lake City, Utah-based radio station. Owned by Cumulus Media, the station airs an alternative format on 101.9 FM.-History:...
). As of February 2010, the Program Director of KJQN is Frank Bell. As of November 2010 The Program Director of KJQN is Randy Rose.
On January 21, 2005, the station switched to the adult hits Jack FM
Jack FM
JACK FM is the alternative name and on-air brand of 60 radio stations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Jack stations play a mix of 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s hits with some current hot adult contemporary singles. Jack's slogan "playing what we want" can also be...
format at noon, and the staff was laid off mid-shift without advanced notice. Management stated the audience "wasn't growing as fast as we wanted."