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Show The Thundcr6ird Monday, Octo6er i, 1983 Page 13 Mark and Ron liven dull Cedar mornings by Fletcher Matson Morning Traffic Report with the rubber KGSU helicopter that can fly to Salt Lake and back in less than two minutes; trivia questions (with occasional prizes); local and world news from the AP wire service with hourly news updates; and, of course, humor. band-powere- d There is a show this year that has no plot, no script, no scenery, no costumes and no commercials. The cast consists of only two very strange radio announcers, a few famous comedians and an Australian exchange student with odd taste in clothes. It also has a great (depending on your definition of that word) soundtrack of popular songs. is this one of NBCs new fall prime-tim- e lineup? No, its the Morning Show on KGSU 91 FM. The Morning Show Guys have a little fun at very little expense. The two very strange DJs are Marcus Q. Wade and Ron Stott, two communication majors with a broadcasting emphasis. From 7 to 9 a.m. every weekday morning they administer a prescription of Top 40 hits, information, news, weather, sports, and personal philosophies just right for clearing up the blues. Wade and Stott began the Morning Show after deciding the college radio station needed a light, pleasant alternative to regular rock in the early morning. They premiered the first day of winter quarter 82 and the audience response has been enthusiastic ever since. In fact, People set their radios for the Morning Show and just lay in bed for half an hour listening to us, says w aue. KGSU is the only radio station in Southern Utah with a personality-oriente- d wake-ushow, and the Wade-Stoteam has attracted a large and diverse following. Local residents as well as students of all ages have responded to their air wave wackiness usually in a positive way. The show format includes such features as the College and Community Calendar, a list of the happenings around the campus and town; comedy spots starring headliners like Bill Cosby and Doug and Bob MacKenzie; the KGSU p tt off-be- Speaking of humor, the boys usually invent their own. We sometimes get stuff from DJ promo services, says Wade. Some days are better than others, adds Stott. The appealing Mr. Abbo Rigine, the Australian exchange student who sports pinstriped kangaroo suits, is creations. one of their (Ron mentions that Mr. Rigine has just acquired a spiffy new wardrobe, which he purchased during his summer vacation in Paris. Abbo has yet to be spotted in his new sartorial splendor, though he has worked as Rons Seeing Eye Dog in the KGSU helicopter during the Morning Traffic Report on at least one occasion.) Brooks Washburn keeps SUSC alert with his probing questions on student views, and occasionally substitutes for Mark or Ron with Paul Ward. The station tries not to have too many different people substitute so as not to confuse the listeners. Perhaps the only real problem The Morning Show has encountered is refusing requests for harder rock later in the morning. We dont want to shake anyone out of bed, says Stott, the official program director. Some people who have been up since seven don't realize that people are still waking up at nine. KGSU is currently increasing its output from 250 to 10,000 watts, so the Morning Show madness will soon spread to St. George and possibly Beaver. The station is initiating a fund drive, the first in its history, to pay for this expanded service. Any donation would be welcome. The station does not sell advertising. The station also encourages listener feedback, not just about The Morning Show but for a'.l its programs. We like to know how were doing, says Wade. better-know- n The Morning Show runs from 7 to a.m., then easy listening plays from 10 a.m. to noon, classical music from noon to 5 p.m., featuring the 10 Theyre back! The notorious Morning Show Guys (alias respectable students Mark Wade left and Ron Stott) have taken to the Cedar City airwaves once again in their never-endin- g fight against dreary dreams, rude awakenings and malicious morning breath. Chicago Symphony twice a week, and easy listening once again from 5 to 7 p.m. The KGSU Request Line, featuring the Top 40, is open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The number is 586-797- Why so many different formats? We try to meet needs the other dont, comments Stott. Says Lance Jackson, chief engineer, We have a pretty good working relationship with the other radio stations. The idea is to be as professional as possible. Were shooting for 100 percent. Were going from a college image to a public service image. Wed like to extend the Morning Show feeling all day. If their relaxed banter is any indication, Mark and Ron really enjoy their work. However, they do have one small complaint. We always talk about breakfast, but nobody brings us any. Put that in your article, says Stott. OK, Ron. A few minutes after making that announcement over the microphone an anonymous pair of kindhearted young ladies delivered a package of Grandmas Swirl Cookies and bottles of fresh orange juice. The hungry DJs were so excited and pleased that they played Michael Sembellos Maniac for their benefactoresses and even held their goodies to the mike so listeners could see them. |