Councilman jumps on bandwagon carrying KJUL protesters

Monday, Oct. 10, 2005 | 8:45 a.m.

Las Vegas Councilman Gary Reese has jumped into the storm of controversy swirling around the recent decision by Beasley Broadcast Group of Naples, Fla., to change the format of KJUL 104.3-FM from standards to country.

"It's depressing," said Reese, who is a barber when he isn't tending to council business. "I'd be happy to make any phone calls that I could to help, or sign a petition."

He said the radio in his barbershop has been tuned to KJUL for nine years.

"It's not intrusive," he said. "It's very nice music that you can listen to, or not listen to if you choose not to."

Reese says most of his customers, young and old, have complained about the sudden switch to country.

"It's like we've lost part of the family," he said.

Zee Matulonis is planning a protest at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Beasley's Las Vegas headquarters, 1455 E. Tropicana Ave.

Others also are planning demonstrations, one of them tentatively set for Saturday at Sunset Park. The exact time, place and participants have not yet been released.

Reese said because Tuesdays and Saturdays are the busiest days in his shop, he won't be at the two events, but his heart will be with the protesters.

"Hopefully a lot of fans will attend," he said. "I'm hoping another radio station will pick up the format."

Reese says he was shocked when suddenly KJUL was gone, replaced by The Coyote.

"It must have been devastating to a lot of listeners," he said.

Brian Beasley, vice president of operations for Beasley Broadcast Group, responded to questions about the change in formats -- and the suddenness of the switch -- with a prepared statement released last week:

"Our research showed there was potential for the station, which had achieved some success in the old format, to reach a much wider and under-served audience in the country format.

"Las Vegas demographics have changed dramatically over the last few years, as have listener tastes and preferences. We try to air programming that keeps pace with the markets we serve, and sometimes, for competitive reasons, we implement programming changes without advance notice.

"We appreciate the loyal support of KJUL fans over the years and hope that we have another opportunity to serve them again through this new country music station."

Jerry Fink is an Accent feature writer. Reach him at 259-4058 or jerry@lasvegassun.com..