KJUL’s format change protested

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2005 | 7:25 a.m.

Protesters marched outside the Beasley Broadcast Group's Las Vegas offices Tuesday morning. The group was angered that the Naples, Fla., company has changed the format of their favorite radio station from standards to country.

More than 20 sign-carrying fans of the former format at KJUL 104.3-FM paced the sidewalk at 1455 E. Tropicana Ave. and waved at passing motorists, many of whom expressed sympathy for the marchers, honking and returning the waves and sometimes shouting their approval.

A rally also has been scheduled for 11 a.m. on Oct. 22 in Sunset Park.

Organizers of that event say a number of local celebrities who were fans of KJUL's music will be there, among them Rich Little, Marty Allen, Bill Acosta, Vincent Falcone and Frankie Randall.

At Tuesday's protest most of those carrying signs were in their 70s and 80s. At least one was in his 90s.

"Country music didn't make this town," said 91-year-old Frankie DeMatto, a Las Vegas resident since retiring from the construction industry in 1979.

From 1979 to 1995 DeMatto hosted a celebrity talk show on KUNV 91.5-FM. Each Friday, for one hour, he interviewed some of Las Vegas' most well-known entertainers -- performers whose voices were among those still heard on KJUL.

"We've got to keep those entertainers alive through the music on radio stations like KJUL," DeMatto said. "If we don't play Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and all those others, the kids today will never know what made this town."

Businessman Tom Best, 57, says he supports boycotting Beasley advertisers because of the switch in formats and because of the way the station treated its fans.

"The fans weren't surprised -- they were in shock," said Best, who moved to Las Vegas from Phoenix eight years ago. "I thought KJUL would be the last station to go."

The protest was organized by Zillah "Zee" Matulonis, president of Entertainment Consumers Exchange Inc., a national organization that focuses on entertainment issues related to the older population.

"Today's demonstration is part of our national campaign to bring attention to the fact that entertainment for older people is disappearing," Matulonis, 62, said. "This is a problem for older adults all over the country, not just Las Vegas."

Matulonis said she and her followers will boycott companies that advertise on Beasley stations in Las Vegas, which include KJUL 104.3-FM, KSTJ 102.7-FM and KKLZ 96.3-FM.

"If they don't want to entertain seniors, then they don't need our business," she said.

Judi Booe (pronounced BOO-ee), one of the organizers of next week's gathering at Sunset Park, said fans can find the rally by looking for a four-foot balloon floating in the air.

"That's where we'll be," she said. "And there is ample parking."

The park is at Eastern Avenue and Sunset Road.

Booe, 62, described the upcoming event as "a rally for all the people who have been loyal listeners and who were surprised by the sudden death of KJUL."

In addition to entertainers, Booe said a number of civic leaders, including Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, might attend.

She said a petition will be available for people to sign.

"It will be sent to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to force stations to give some notice when they change formats as a courtesy to the community and the loyal listeners," Booe said.

Like so many others, Booe said, she was furious when she turned on her radio and KJUL was gone.

"Something that had become a part of my life was suddenly taken away," Booe said.

Jerry Fink can be reached at 259-4058 or jerry@lasvegassun.com.