Personal Stories

BK Kirkland

In a staff meeting at XM in 2001 Lee Abrams CCO announced that Quincy Jones had signed on as Artist in Residence. A week or so ago we signed Oprah. This was such a huge statement about the company’s commitment to content. Content is King. So Q got major applause. Then, Lee announced beginning immediately, he was available for interviews, and to raise your hands if you’re interested. I was in shock, and hesitated a “half second” until I came to my senses. I leaped out of my seat and said I want some time. I assumed it was first come first serve. It was, and Q was in the studios the next week for his tour of the newest and best broadcast facility in the world. The strategy I discussed with Lee was to voice and produce an audio version of his new autobiography From Be-Bop To Hip-Hop. From Lionel Hampton – Michael Jackson. The plan was to highlight the doc from Black Music Month and GM kicked in several million dollars and sponsored the project. The money did excerpt a bit of pressure to get it perfect.

Scott Walterman

I was working at NBC Television in Miami.  I had known about satellite radio for some time.  In 1995 or so I had written a memo to John McConnell when I worked for him at ABC about an article I saw in Broadcasting magazine or something about the proposed licenses.  At the time I said we should put WLS and WABC up as "super stations" like Ted Turner had done with WTBS.  I saw Irina Lallemand at a wedding and she said she was going to XM to start a news department.  I called her when I got back to Miami and said I'd love to work for her at XM.  She hired me!  The first time I walked into Eckington Place I was blown away.  1) The facility was amazing. 2) It was full of people I knew or knew of, the who's who of radio misfits - great talents that were "difficult."  3) The newsroom was an empty space - it didn't even have desks yet.  I was blown away - I wanted to work there badly. After meeting with Lee and Dave the hire offer was made.