Dec. 2, 1999

KRCL, a local community radio station, reached a milestone today. 20 years on the air.

That's 20 years without commercial sponsors, operated and paid for mostly by volunteers. News Specialist Shelley Osterloh has the story.

Radio Host: "YOU'RE AT LA CAFE FOLK ON 91 FM. THIS IS COMMUNITY RADIO, OFFERING DIVERSE MUSIC AND INFORMATION.

You're likely to hear just about anything on KRCL FM-91: Folk Music, Latin, Native America, Middle Eastern, Cuban, hillbilly bluegrass. Talk shows in different languages, discussions about issues important to a diverse community -- from environmentalists, to Vietnamese refugees.

Stephen Holbrook, KRCL Founder: THE THING I LOVE MOST ABOUT KRCL IS THAT IT IS DIVERSE WITHOUT BEING CRITICAL OF OTHER POINTS OF VIEW.

Community Activist Stephen Holbrook started the station 20 years ago, when he couldn't get established media to broadcast his anti-Viet Nam War message.

Stephen Holbrook, KRCL Founder: AND SO THE IDEA OF HAVING A COMMUNITY STATION WHERE LOTS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS, WHO HAVE VARYING POINTS OF VIEW GET TOGETHER AND SHARE THOSE POINTS OF VIEW AND ALSO TELL OTHER PEOPLE THAT THEY EXIST.

Holbrook met with then apostle Gordon B Hinckley of the LDS Church, about the need for a music and information station for minorities. Bonneville International Corporation, which is owned by the LDS Church, donated used radio equipment and KRCL, also known as "Radio Free Utah," was born.

Shelley Osterloh, Reporter: LOLA AND ROBERT REDFORD WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING HOLBROOK GET FUNDING TO GET KRCL ON THE AIR, AND OVER THE YEARS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE COME FORWARD TO VOLUNTEER TIME AND MONEY TO KEEP IT ON THE AIR.

Anne Thackeray/KRCL Volunteer: I VOLUNTEER TIME BECAUSE I KNOW THEY ARE TRYING TO DO IT WITHOUT A LOT OF MONEY. AND I LISTEN SO I FIGURE I NEED TO OFFER SOMETHING.

150 volunteers donate over 9,000 hours of programing and services each year. KRCL FM 91 prides itself in offering programing you can't find anywhere else. That philosophy has stayed the same for 20 years, even though the programs and music have changed.

KRCL just started up it's big anniversary party at Abravenel Hall.