By Mike McKenna
There’s something comforting about hearing a familiar voice. Studies have shown that familiar voices are easier to understand and they can make us feel better. The same things happen when one of our favorite songs comes on.
So it’s no wonder why the new KSUN 103.7 FM has tuned into both of these strengths, and is quickly building a loyal fan base.
KSUN arrived on the air last year and offered a familiar ring for many of us. That’s because it was created by Scott Parker and Larry Flynn. Scott is best known locally as the former longtime owner of both KECH and KSKI. Larry and his legendary voice first filled local airwaves in 1988 and have now helped raise over $300 million as a benefit auctioneer.
“I still love radio,” Scott said. “If you produce local content and a good product, people will come to you.”
One the things that makes KSUN unique is that, being locally owned and operated, they can adapt to and authentically connect with our community.
“We stay in touch with the community and what’s happening, so we can give the listeners of KSUN what they want,” said Larry, who does daily news, weather and ski conditions reports. National news snippets from FOX News are also sprinkled in.
“We’re not a canned format. We have a personality, “ Scott said.
In addition to Larry and Scott, the well-known voices of Julie Jordan and Cathy Nikolaisons are part of KSUN and the Sun Valley Media Group.
“I’m thrilled with what they’re doing. It’s wonderful to bring back all these years of local experience and local voices for the community,” said Julie, who Carole King used to call “the Golden Voice of the Wood River Valley.”
“It’s just like the old days of radio, when local ownership meant putting your full attention to one radio station in your hometown,” Scott said. “After running groups of stations in multiple ski towns, I decided it was time to go back to a local mom-and-pop station, focusing on just one community. It’s been great being able to do that again.”
The accustomed 103.7 stop on the FM dial is not only offering well-known voices and local information, it’s also playing a lot of music that many fans familiar with that station number still love. Scott describes their “hand-picked” musical offerings as “adult alternative with a broader format and a sprinkle of surprises.” The staff’s decades of experience in the Wood River Valley and other ski towns helps them tap into what we really want to listen to. The station is also available online and via free Apple and Google apps.
“We’re not a radio station full of ads,” Larry said, “but instead we’re full of familiar voices sharing information that hits home for locals and provides music they want to hear. We offer a comfort level. The people you’re hearing are familiar voices that have been part of the fabric of the Wood River Valley for years.”
To listen to or to find out more, tune into 103.7FM or go to KSUNFM.com.