The Brian McKnight Show Launches
On ABC Radio Networks

Talented Singer and Musician Brings Celebrity Chats and Sounds of Love to Evening Radio Syndication

DALLAS (Jan. 26, 2009)  -  ABC Radio Networks announced a partnership today with award-winning R&B recording artist Brian McKnight, who will host The Brian McKnight Show. Originating from flagship station WRKS in New York, the feature-rich program will air weekdays from 7 p.m. – Midnight ET and will offer integrated marketing opportunities for advertisers across media platforms on-air, online and mobile. The show will include interviews with entertainers from the worlds of music and film, discussions on love and relationships and McKnight’s selection of ballads from today’s top musicians.

“Brian is a phenomenal music personality who has quickly established himself as a broadcaster with a knack for touching his audience in a deeply personal way,” said Ed Pearson, Vice President Urban Programming and Distribution for ABC Radio Networks. “Adding this new show to our Urban portfolio is a win for us and R&B music fans across the country. The live studio performances will be a hit on the air and online and there’s no question they will create traffic and become a destination point for both consumers and advertisers.”

The new program will have five hours of must-hear features available for sponsorship. The show will kick off with “The Wind Down” featuring relaxing music and light conversation to ease away from the day’s bustle. Next up is “The Music Lounge” where McKnight will interview various music and film stars highlighted with live, in-studio performances. “Where Do We Go From Here” offers candid discussion on love and relationships mixed with music and listener call-ins and is followed by “The Back Seat” – the most music-intensive portion of the show. The program closes with “Last Dance” as McKnight plays some special dedications and sings a goodnight lullaby to his audience.

“The opportunity to have an intimate visit each night with an audience looking for some good Soul and R&B plus a bit of conversation is going to be a thrill for me,” said McKnight. “I’ll be able to connect with our listeners on the air, on the phone and in our live Web chat room during the show. It’s going to be a fun ride and I can’t wait to get started.”

McKnight, who has already earned his broadcasting stripes with a countdown show on Black Entertainment Television’s BET J and a morning radio program in Los Angeles, has collaborated with ABC Radio Networks the past two years on The Brian McKnight Celebrity Christmas Special, which was syndicated to 85 stations during the 2008 holiday season. As a producer and artist, his record sales have surpassed the 60 million mark and he has worked with artists ranging from Boyz II Men to Justin Timberlake.

McKnight’s career includes recognition as Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist at the American Music Awards, Outstanding Male Artist at the Image Awards and Best Album of the Year from the Soul Train Awards. He has released nine albums and has a new album due out in the spring of 2009. He is slated to appear in NBC’s second season of Celebrity Apprentice later this year and will also debut a new Saturday evening television show – McKnight at Night.

For Affiliation Information, contact Ed Pearson at 972-448-3196.