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10 Questions with ... Kris Abrams
October 31, 2006
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NAME:Kris AbramsTITLE:PDSTATION:KOB-FM/KMGAMARKET:AlbuquerqueOWNER:Citadel
Please outline your radio career so far:
1989 - 90: WZCL/WMXN Norfolk - APD/Middays
1991: WBUF Buffalo - MD/Nights
1992 - 93: WMXC & WCKZ Charlotte - APD/MD
1993 - 94: WIVY Jacksonville - PD/MD
1995: WFBC Greenville - PD/MD
1996 - 99: WMQX Greensboro - PD
1999 - 01: WZTR/WRIT-FM Milwaukee - PD
2001: KOB-FM & KMGA - OM/PD1 How would you describe your early radio days and first fulltime radio gig?
I was a radio brat. My dad was GM at WBZY/New Castle, PA and the staff used to have to kick me out of the production room. Well, when I was 14 the GM that followed my dad (Bob McCracken) let me run the Sunday AM religious shows. But, that 'top of hour legal ID' was my moment! I kicked around Western PA stations till I graduated college. The day I walked across the stage and grabbed my diploma I was out the door to my first fulltime gig working for Mike McVay consulted oldies WZCL with PD Don Schaeffer at a fun little radio station that was doomed from the start, lol. It was the first week of R&R Hot Fax and our cross town competitor (WLTY) read the 'by the time you read this' blurb days before we flipped. Well, they flipped to oldies about 24-36 hours before we did. But, it was fun.
2 How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
In the 80's/90's there were too many signals moved into the Albuquerque market from the surrounding area. In the Top 40 arena alone we have KOB-FM as Mainstream Pop, there's a Hip-Hop/Rhythm station and a Spanish language CHR (not to mention the two other CHR's that have bailed out of the format in the last two years). On the AC side of my world with KMGA we have competition from two Clear Channel AC's (KPEK, KSYU) and a Jazz station, Univision has a 3 AC's (Rhythm KQBT and two Spanish language AC's) and there are the a few others in the hands of independent operators (Soft AC KKJY, etc).
3 What is your favorite part of the job?
I've never worked a day in my life. It's a job, a hobby and a therapy all at the same time.
A close second to that - Citadel corporate (Farid/Judy) and our market manager Milt McConnell and cluster Operations Stud Eddie Haskell give me the resources and opportunity to run radio stations that I truly believe in. If we want outside consulting or advice, it's there. BUT, we are held accountable for the results and are given the freedom and flexibility to put out a product that is 100% what we feel it should be. That is rare in this day - and it is appreciated.
4 What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I voted for Ross Perot. There was a brief several day window where I thought that was a good idea. Unfortunately, the election was inside that window.
5 Could you give us a little insight into your on air staff?
On the KOB-FM side of my life, we are centered on 15 year market vet John Forsythe. John has worked San Diego, Dallas and Miami BUT chooses to make Albuquerque home for him and his family. John does one of the best morning shows anywhere with Leah Black and Kit Missile - two strong, independent, relatable female talents that are simply themselves on the radio. It's a great show, and they are great people. I am blessed. Middays is Sean O'Donnell who is a Pop culture junkie; the son of a radio guy (turned record guy), he's got 'it,' it's in his blood. Carlos Duran does afternoons and is one of the hardest working animals I've ever had on my team. He would tackle a moving Buick if he thought it would get us ratings - and I have no doubt he would sound damn good doing it. Andrea Bongiorno is our resident 'Pop Girl' and does a lot of lifestyle segments that really connect with women. It's a unique aspect of our station - KOB-FM is VERY content driven.
6 Who some of you're all-time favorite air personalities?
Always been a big fan of Bill Lee (even back to the KPKE/Denver days). When I worked in Virginia Beach I used to drive close enough to DC to pick up WAVA and listen to George McFly. He and Bill just have that 'thing' you can't teach. Also from Virginia Beach, Chris Corley in his Chris Blade days on WAFX. No one does/did/or will do a better music tease than Blade and unbelievable pacing. The man knows the value of hesitation - hard to find in a music jock. Also in the rock world, I am a big fan of Scott Paulsen, who did morning for most of the 90's on WDVE/Pittsburgh and ran off #1 books one after the next. Scott just radiated the lifestyle of that market. My all time favorite though is still Kevin Matthews. I was a registered 'Kev Head' back in his WLUP days.
I am honored to share the @citcomm.com e-mail address with him.
7 What stations did you listen to when you were a kid?
Growing up a 70's/80's Pittsburgh kid I was saturated with great radio. I was raised on the glory days of B94 when it was guided by guys like Guy Zapoleon and Jim Richards. 'DVE was also a big, big part of my 'impressionable years'. Pittsburgh had unbelievable talent - Jimmy & Steve and later Scott Paulsen on DVE. Randy Miller in WXKX, Jack Bogut on KDKA, and Quinn & Banana on B94. All great mornings shows. Toss in talent like Bruce Kelly, Don Geronimo, Bumper Morgan (and I have to mention Larry Richert and Jeff Tyson or they will take it personally). Toss in a little late night DX'ing of Kevin Matthews on WLUP/Chicago and I had found my addiction.
8 Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
Baseball, rollercoasters and (of late) anything Corvettes.
9 What is it about our industry that keeps you wanting to do it for a living?
As long as what we do is still a 'relationship' and not a utility - I'm in the game. As long as it's the art of communication and creating emotion, sign me up. If our industry continues to become one step closer to a 'sterile noise provider' like the power company provides electricity (nothing against the union workers that keep the transmitter 'on the air') - but, at that point - its not 'radio'.
10 What is the current state of the radio 'talent pool'?
It's not good...only because there is no playing field for programmers to develop talent. Overnight, weekends - there just isn't a testing/proving ground any more. Its like if they stopped playing college football for five years and all the sudden someone says 'there just aren't any good young QB's in the NFL'. Luckily, there is good young talent out there. As programmers we just need to be very proactive and make opportunities. KOB-FM has a young guy named Sean O'Donnell that we have worked up through the system and is now doing middays. When he leaves here (and that isn't any time soon, Sean!) it's gonna be for a big gig.
Bonus Questions
What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?
Bob Chrysler liner on rocker WAFX/Norfolk, "Go ahead whip it out, (long pause) it's Flag Day."
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