In launching itself into a male-dominated realm, Utah's first talk station of, by and for women, AM 820 (KUTR), might take solace from career American politician and diplomat Faith Whittlesey. 

"Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels," she once said. That might ring especially true for Chris Redgrave, vice president and station manager for both KSL 1160 and the AM 820. The new station, with its Federal Communications Commission license pending, hopes to launch by month's end.

"It's been a tremendous team effort to bring this station together for the women of Utah," Redgrave says. "Our goal is to provide a place for women to listen, reflect, respond and react - all in a conversational environment."
Julie Kilgore, president of the Utah Women's Alliance for Building Community, sees the new station as providing an opportunity to "sensitively address women's issues. "This has generated a lot of interest among the members of our organization," she says of her 100-member-strong group.
"What we didn't want was another cooking show," Kilgore says. "But this radio format sounds like it will further the mission and vision of promoting the extensive talent and diversity of our women professionals."
In addition to a full lineup of local and syndicated call-in shows, ranging in topic from politics and relationships to education and family history, AM 820 will offer its own Web page (http://www.utaham820.com) and interactive e-mail links to station staff and personalities.
 
Parent Bonneville International, the Salt Lake City-based and LDS Church-owned radio/television corporation, says it spent months studying listener demographics and preparing content in anticipation of adding AM 820 to its lineup.
 
Says Amanda Dickson, assistant program director: "We think we are only the third station [just for women] in the country. There really is an audience out there that has been ignored, at least on the AM dial."

Leading the station's initial program is the "Waking up with Rebecca and Kurt" show. Scheduled to run 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday-Friday and 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturdays, it features veteran broadcast personality Rebecca Cressman and musician Kurt Bestor.

"The Dr. Liz Hale Show" follows, running to noon weekdays. It offers the former Seattle-based marriage and family therapist who now manages an eating disorders clinic for LDS Family Services.
"Ask a Woman" takes the noon to 3 p.m. slot and will feature a show-sharing format. Hosts will include former Republican Rep. Enid Green, at-home author and broadcaster Connie Sokol and Salt Lake Tribune columnist Holly Mullen.
 
The weekday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. slot offers "The Rabbi Schmuley Boteach Show." The syndicated broadcast features the lecturer and writer of the same name. Schmuley is followed (6 p.m.-9 p.m.) by former travel agency magnate and now consumer rights advocate Clark Howard.

Wrapping up the 9 p.m. to midnight slow is "The Dr. Joy Browne Show." Another nationally syndicated offering, it features its namesake, a licensed clinical psychologist known for her quick wit and practical advice.

Weekend fare will range from a home shopping show with domestic decorating, remodeling and organization guru Marie Hicks to "Cultural Connections" with educational and cultural diversity activist Joanne Miner and technology-knowhow shows such as "Satellite Sisters" and "The Family Tech Show." "Mom Talk Radio" adds a mix of "real life" mothers with co-host Roni Leiderman, a specialist in early childhood studies.

The Sunday lineup will feature several religious, inspirational and musical shows aimed at women of faith.