Samas welcomes Idols judge

Johannesburg - The SA Music Awards (Samas) has welcomed the appointment of Idols judge Randall Abrahams as new chief executive and Keith Lister as supervisory board chairman.

Lister, former Sony Music head and currently SA Music Performance Rights Association chairman, would bring invaluable experience and insight to the running of the music awards, the Recording Industry of South Africa (Risa) said in a statement on Monday.

Lister said he was "thrilled" that Abrahams had joined the Sama team.

"His experience in so many different areas of the broadcasting, commercial sponsorship and music industries, as well as his deep knowledge of the music creative process across all genres, is going to make a significant impact on the awards going forward," he said.

Highest accolade

Abrahams was a heavyweight in the music industry, said Risa.

He was the general manager of commercial radio at the SABC for four years and chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters. He currently presents a show on Cape Town's Heart 104.9fm.

This would be the 18th edition of the Samas.

Abrahams said the Sama represented the highest accolade a South African recording artist could get.

"Together with support from Keith and a committed Sama team, the 18th Annual MTN SA Music Awards is going to profile South African music through an international show that can stand alongside the best global music awards events out there."