New Day Dawns For KPLZ
• Hot AC KPLZ (Star 101.5)/Seattle, now under the ownership of Lotus Communications, kicks off 2022 with a plethora of changes, starting with the return of market vet Lisa Adams as Program Director, succeeding 35-year station fixture Kent Phillips, who left at the end of the year to become a partner in Tucson-based research firm FMR Associates.
Adams (pictured) is a 30-year radio pro and a Pacific Northwest native who spent the past two years as PD of Cumulus AC KQFC (Magic 97.9)/Boise, ID. She’s certainly no stranger to the Seattle market, having previously programmed Hubbard Country KNUC (98.9 The Bull) and its earlier incarnation as Hot AC KLCK (Click 98.9) as well as KQMV (MOViN 92.5) under Sandusky. She has also programmed KVMX & KXJM/Portland, OR and enjoyed an earlier four-year stint in Boise as OM of the Peak/Townsquare cluster.
Adams commented, “I’m incredibly grateful and so excited to be granted this opportunity to program KPLZ! This radio station has always held a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to get started doing amazing radio again in Seattle! As an added bonus, my family is from here and this gives us a chance to be closer to them.”
Mike Abrams, who was recently named Lotus Regional Director of Programming, remarked, “Lisa in an exceptional programmer and understands the amazing vision we have for KPLZ. We are so happy to have her at the helm of this legendary station for its next chapter.”
• But Wait! There’s More! Star 101.5 also introduces a new jock line-up, starting at the crack o’ dawn with Moug & Angie Mornings, featuring the duo of John Moug and Angie Morales (left), who arrive from mornings on Townsquare Hot AC KCIX (Mix 106)/Boise, ID. Moug and Angie originally met while working at KLUC/Las Vegas.
Lisa Adams will handle the midday shift, followed by major market veteran Julian Nieh, a.k.a. “Julian on the Radio” from 2-7pm. Nieh (right) most recently tracked nights across the street on Hubbard Top 40 KQMV (MOViN 92.5), and his extensive resume includes afternoons at KYLD/San Francisco and KZZP/Phoenix, mornings at B96/Chicago and nights on WIHT/Washington. The station will remain music-intensive from 7pm-6am.
GM Gary Greenberg commented, “It’s an exciting time at Star 101.5 as we ramp up our commitment to our format, our community and advertisers. I’m thrilled to welcome this highly talented group. We expect great things from Star 101.5 in ’22.” Mike Abrams added, “I’m excited and ecstatic to have these talented personalities join our heritage station KPLZ. Not only will they be part of the station, but part of the Seattle lifestyle. We are all looking forward to an amazing 2022 with Star 101.5 leading the way for Seattle radio.”
