East Idaho gets a dose of Magic
Don Day | February 25, 2008Sand Hill Media launched a new station – KQPI/Magic 99. The station takes KQPI for calls, and is owned by Chris Devine’s College Creek. Our E. Idaho spy notes that a rumored move to Sand Hill Media may be upcoming.
The station positions as “East Idaho’s Hit Music Station,” and I’m told the format sounds quite a bit like KZDX/99.9 The Buzz in the Magic Valley
No more KUPI 99?
KUPI was a Top 40 format back like 25 years ago now.
Am I crazy or is Sand Hill trying to re-create what Riverbend already owns (and they did before they sold off those stations to *ughhhh* Marathon/Devine Media years ago?)
They will have to compete with KORR 104, 98.5, Z-103, 94.3, Hot 106.3. Is there enough room for another Hot AC/CHR type format?
1987 the format was changed. The calls then were KQPI. The positioner was “The Magic FM” Q-99. Every once in a while Jim Smith would even stop by for a visit at night.
Changing to country soon!!!!
So is this Web site no longer accurate then…?
dubya dubya dubya dot kupi99 dot com
KUPI is alive and well at 99.1! KQPI is at 99.5 in Pocatello.
Darn, radio expert beat me to it! The only jock still around from those days is Phil Moon, who works on KUPI. I’ve yet to hear it, but am curious. Old Jim Smith used to work on that frequency. Some of the others I remember listening to from that era were Kelly Beckstead, Jay Sorenson, Eli Wood (may he rest in peace, god bless him), Jim Diamond, Jim Shepard, Doug Caine. Q-99 used to be a powerhouse some 21+ years ago. It’s too bad they didn’t take it back to the hits from the 70’s and 80’s that made Q-99 great. I’ll never forget the day they switched to country (even though I worked for the competition across town). My current boss must have beat them with Z-103! Sorry for my ramblings, but ain’t it great to reminisce?
It’s 2AM here on a Wednesday morning and I’ve been listening to KQPI for about an hour. Unless it is dayparted, it seems they are programming a CHR Rythmic format. I have heard a lot of re-mixes (beat mix of Sean Kingston, etc.). What shocks me is that there are a ton of segues with hardly any imaging and talk-overs. One song slides into the next. Two liners that said “KQPI” and another “East Idaho’s hit music channel.” Is the station officially on or are they just testing and stunting? Who is programming it? Just curious. BTW: fairly strong signal in Magic Valley.
I did sales and late afternoons at Q-99 back in 1979-82. We were more of a top 40/AOR blend. If I remember correctly Kelly Beckstead did mornings 5-9, Del Ray John mids from 9-1, Jay Sorenson was MD and 1:00 – 5:00 then I did 5:00 until we switched to country at sundown when KUPI AM, only a daytimer then, went off the air. In the winters I sometimes would be on the air for less than an hour.
I worked at Q-99 for a couple of summers in the 80’s. I remember Jay Sorenson, Jim Diamond, Del Ray John, and Kelly Beckstead. They had just started running the old Drake-Chenault tapes and there were four large reel-to-reel players we’d use. The record library had been pared down a lot but after 9pm I was allowed to pull from there a little. I remember Jim leaving, but I remember who started doing evenings in his stead. Wow, hard to believe it’s been probably 23 years gone by now.
20 Years, who are you?
Yes, fond memories of Q99 however when I lived in Rexburg at the time Q99 was launched most everything they did was already being done by a little station up the road from Q99 in Rexburg. Their moniker was 94 Q FM – the Super Q. Their PD and afternoon guy was Steve Hope, middays by Wayne Carlson and the nights were handled by a “way before his time guy” by the name of Tom Shannon. The mornings were anchored by Rod Arquette, now the PD for KIRO in Seattle and weekends were taken by “Hot Rod” Jimmy Jackson, the real Jimmy Murdock now SM at Cache Valley Radio group in Logan. I think I recall the “Real” Bob Ziel worked there too. Bob is still in the Idaho Falls area isn’t he? Anyway, 94 Q FM was the “little engine that could” and they didn’t switch to country at nights!
Elchupacabras, get in touch with Jim Smith and have him give you my e-mail address. You can send me a letter and we’ll figure out if we know one another.
94Q! I worked there for 3 months until I had a couple checks bounce! Yes, Bob Ziel still lives in Rigby. I did mornings with him for a while on KID AM.
From listening to KQPI, it seems to be on a 5 or 10 hour loop. At least they’re not playing the same Metallica song over and over for seven days, ooops.
Ahhh… The REAL Bob Zeal! It was at Bob’s encouragement that I got the heck out of Idaho Falls and landed in San Francisco for many, many years. Last I heard Bob was having some health problems. An update on Bob from someone in SE would be nice. Bob was at KID for the years I knew him. I don’t know all of the historical details but I understand that my great grandfather David Smith and Delbert Groeberg started KID back in the 1930’s or 40’s… Do one of you radio history buffs have any in sight? Thanks
I talked with Bob a year ago and he told me that he is now on disability but sometimes works running the board with Mark Boland’s radio group. As for KID, it was founded in the mid 20’s by a man from southern California by the name of Jack Duckworth. Bob Burtenshaw gave me an article detailing the history of the station some 20+ years ago. I may still have the article. Bonneville International did own the station for a few years during the 40’s and 50’s. Let me see what I can dig out.
I happen to work with the Real Bob Ziel here in Idaho Falls and he’s doing just fine. He might respond himself to these wonderful comments here. He sounds just as good now as he did back in the 94Q days.
I happen to work with the Real Bob Ziel here in Idaho Falls and he’s doing just fine. He might respond himself to these wonderful comments here. He sounds just as good now as he did back in the 94Q days.
(p.s. sorry for sending this twice, but that’s what chubby fingers and a not so relient computer can do to you)
KQPI-FM is now spinning the format wheel on a 13 hour loop.
I actually started my broadcast career on 94 Q-FM. Great to hear some “vets” actually remember that place. “Located in the Small Mall”– Dick Howe was the GM, The “Round Man, Wayne Carlson” did afternoons, I did mornings for a while- later evenings to sign off. And it seems like we all did ALOT of everything; sell ads, board op, collect for ads, news and sports.
As for the Real Deal Bob Ziel,– great man. If you’re reading Bob; hope all is well with you and take care.
Prompter Jockey, you wouldn’t happen to be “Big dog?”
“…would you believe a one hour loop.”
Chupe, if you think so, you know how to get ahold of me.
hey All, the REAL BOB ZIEL IS doing great he has a show on 98.1 KGTM on Saturday nights from 7 to Midnight.
he works with me I also used to work with him at KID. I remeber Q99 I was at KTEE am 1260 back then.
I now do Morings on KBJX Hot 106 Point 3 In Idaho Falls.
I am the PD there. I am looking for a Phone number for KQPI if anyone has it that would be great.
JJ, my best guess would be to telephone MillCreek Media in Salt Lake City and ask if they know anything- same owners and such… or try calling Sand Hill and asking if KQPI is related to KUPI. Heh.
I hope 106.3’s sounding good, I haven’t listened for a while. Hopefully a good Web site can be built sometime too for all of Pac. Empire’s stations. KLCE’s the only station I can stream from (south)Eastern Idaho.
Brief Bob Ziel story. I had to film a friend of my wife’s wedding….The “Real Bob Ziel” is playing it. Anyway, it comes to the groom and bride’s “special dance”. Bob plays Puff Daddy and Jimmy Page Come With Me. P. Daddy….”You’re stepping on my toes, Back up off me, Take your hands off me, Give me room to breathe,
I’m not hearing it, I’m not fearing it” Anyway top 10 funny moments in my life.
Back to the original post. Official Format will be on soon. Or so I have heard…
Hi Everyone,
To “elchupacabras” (Ben?), Jim Smith, “Old Timer” and others…thanks so much for the kind comments on yours truly…the “Real Bob Ziel.” Yes, indeed, I’m alive ‘n still kickin’. I’m now retired and a boomer who’s old enough to collect Social Securty! I love retirement where I’m able to work on some long overdue projects at home. I still dabbled in radio parttime just to have fun and earn a few extra bucks a month. I run the boards at Good Times Music (KGTM 98.1) and HOT 106.3 (KBJX) for remotes and sports. Studios for both stations are in Idaho Falls. Also, I have a Sat. night gig from 7:00 to midnight with the “60s & 70’s R ‘n R Request Show” on KGTM. I play hit oldies not heard on radio much these days. They’re top 25 hits that were highly popular in their heyday that programmers with rediculously tight playlists tend to ignore. I’ve gotten a very good response. My great wife, Ginger, of 32 years & I are happy and we still live in Rigby. We have 3 grown sons and 5 grandkids. My health is better but I could stand to lose a few pounds. Thanks for your interest. Regards, the “Real Bob Ziel”
Bob, So nice to hear from you again! I’ll have to give you a call soon. My health has improved greatly over the past year and soon to be married. Keep up the good work, but don’t tell me, the “treasury of gin” (ha ha) is playing Puff Daddy? BRR
Ben… congrats! There’s someone for everyone… haha
When I found my wife I got 2 things: a real hot wife who thinks I’m good looking and a great break on my federal income tax cuz she’s legally blind!
She must have been to marry someone as ugly as you! (LOL) I say that tongue and cheek because I have a legally blind sister. But you’re right, there is somebody for everyone.
Bob Ziel…I’ve wondered what had happened to you, it’s great to hear that you are happy and well and, like the rest of us, still trying to lose a few pounds. Face it man, the words skinny and Bob Ziel just don’t go together naturally without the additional words ‘is not’, or ‘will never be.’
Ben Reed…I was on the air at KID for their 60th anniversary, I think it was in 1989. We had the mayor in-studio and had a big celebration as that day was proclaimed ‘KID Radio Day’ in Idaho Falls. I too, once had that article that Bob Burtenshaw gave to you and we used information from it for that day’s ceremony.
I was just kidding about my wife being blind… I think?
How much fun is this! JJ Jeffery, The Real Bob Ziel even the much underappreciated Ben Reed (how I miss those KIFI days.. )
Bob, glad to hear you’re staying busy and enjoying yourself a bit.
I knew it! You are THE BIG DOG!! Nice to hear from you Mark. Those were some great days!
Launched this am. With 10,000 songs in a row.
Thanks for being so VAGUE P.M. – what format launched with 10,000 songs in a row?
Well, this entire thread is supposed to be about KQPI, or at least that’s where it started. So, until enlightened otherwise one might just think maybe it is KQPI that finally quit playing a loop of just about anything and actually launched a format. Now, if you do the math, that’s about 3 weeks of songs, give or take a day or so.
Sorry to be vauge. They’re back to loop. I give up.
Could something be brewin’ for Monday the 24th? Sounds like they’re “under construction.” We’ll see. (or better yet we’ll hear)
Wow, the wait is over. KQPI IS finally on. I think it sounds great. They launched this New Country format at 12 Noon today.
P.M. you were right about the 10,000 songs, you were just wrong about the start date. How could you have known that. You must be an insider. You must know something you’re not telling us.
Sounds like a really smokin’ country format. I like the Mitch Craig liners on their imaging. Sounds cool!
P.M. you were right about the 10,000 songs, you were just wrong about the start date. How could you have known that. You must be an insider. You must know something you’re not telling us.
Nope. Just the janitor.
elchupacabras
Sounds like a really smokin’ country format. I like the Mitch Craig liners on their imaging. Sounds cool!
Elchupacabras, how does this Aberdeen 99.5 come in where you are? Are you sure the liner guy is Mitch Craig?
Does he have a website?
What is an Elchupacabras any way?
P.M. If you are the Janitor at this place, who is the P.D?
PD & Ops. Mike Carver. Also taking are of music.
Do they have a website yet?
Really? With all the established stations owning the F 18-49 demo, why go New Country? Z 103 & The Hawk already own that. Wow.
I worked the east idaho radio circuit 1969-97. I don’t believe dick howe and wayne “roundman” caever worked kadq simultaneously.
good spelling on “carlson”, there. wayne carlson (a/k/a tim nesmith) is now mornings and pd at ksub, et al, cedar city