Classic & Current Contemporary Non-Schlock-Rock Metropolitan Music

1980s AOR Radio - Radio Consultant Lee Abrams (Updated 2004)

Consultant Lee Abrams Pilots XM Radio

XM's Senior Vice President and Chief Programming Officer, Lee Abrams, has been shaping the American radio industry for over three decades. During the past 37 years, he has brought unparalleled ratings and economic success to radio stations in over 200 markets, including 97 of the top 100. Winning 318 programming battles, while losing only 11. In 1993, Newsweek listed Abrams as one of America's "100 Cultural Elite" for his contributions to creating modern day radio; and Radio Ink listed Abrams as one of the 75 most important radio figures of all time.

Abrams joined XM in June 1998 to help create the next generation of radio: satellite direct radio. With 100 stations to develop and program, Abrams is once again challenged to reinvigorate the radio landscape.

As a founding partner of Burkhart/Abrams, the Atlanta-based consulting giant, Abrams invented and built Album Rock, the first successful FM format. He also designed numerous other highly successful radio formats including the first Classic Rock format at San Francisco's KFOG; the first FM Urban/Dance format at New York's WKTU, and the first New Age/Jazz format. In addition, he created the original blueprint for the NBC Radio Network. His corporate clients have included every major broadcast group as well as Coca Cola, TNT, Sony and Walt Disney.

In 1989, Abrams joined ABC Networks as an internal consultant and oversaw the revolutionary Z-Rock format, which was the first satellite delivered Superstation, as well as being the first "Active Rock" format, and was instrumental in the launch of many top Morning Radio shows including Howard Stern.

Musically, Abrams produced the Grammy-winning CD "Ah Via Musicom" by Eric Johnson, has appeared on several Alan Parsons Project CD's, and worked with major labels and recording artists as a consultant and label head. Among his clients have been great industry leaders, such as The Moody Blues, Yes, Steve Winwood, Iron Maiden, Bob Seger and Robert Palmer.

Abrams' other media projects have included the redesign of Rolling Stone magazine, the launch of TNT Cable Network, MTV, American marketing consultant to Swatch and advisor to dozens of entertainment companies. In addition, Abrams has been the subject of feature articles in thousands of consumer publications including Playboy, Esquire, New York Times,GQ, People, and The Wall Street Journal.

Abrams resides in Washington D.C. with his wife and has two children in college. Lee is a Commercial and Instrument rated pilot.

Posted November 28, 2004, with permission from Lee Abrams.

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