10 Questions with ... Chris Austin

NAME:Chris Austin TITLE:APD STATION: KAGG 'Aggie 96' MARKET:Bryan/College Station, TX COMPANY:Clear Channel BORN:Willoughby, OH (just outside of Cleveland) RAISED:spent time in Texas and Ohio (my dad was in construction)

Please outline your radio career so far:

Been lucky to stay in Texas during my short 8 years in radio - started out in college radio at Texas A&M - worked outside of San Antonio - in the Temple/Killeen market - and now back in Aggieland (Bryan/College Station - home of Texas A&M University - Gig 'em Ags!)

1. What was your first job in radio? Early influences?

KGNB/KNBT in New Braunfels, TX (outside of San Antonio). Mattson Rainer is the PD there, I pestered him to give me a job. About after the five straight days of banging down his door, he finally relented and let me get coffee for the morning show!

Mattson was definitely an influence. He got me into the Texas/Americana music scene. Mattson is an innovator. He was playing Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Charlie Robison and guys like that back in 1996, long before any other stations here in Texas started playing those kinds of artists.

The late "Loose" Leif Calberg was another influence. He did a lot of voice work for radio and TV in San Antonio and Austin. He took me under his wing while I was at KGNB/KNBT. At the time, I was awed, here is a guy I hear all the time who's been everywhere and here he is helping me. He didn't have to, but he did and I appreciated that.

2. Can you be a boss and also a friend to your employees?

I think you have to be. Radio is a competition (with other radio stations, satellite radio and other forms of media), you have to have the trust of your employees and they have to have your trust. We're all in this together.

3. Of all the skills that you've gained as a programmer, which area are you NOT as strong as you would like to be?

I wish I were more organized. There are just so many hours in a day and I feel I would use that time better if I were better at managing my time.

4. If you are wearing more hats today, than say last year, what area is suffering, and what are you doing about it?

With everything that goes into running a radio station, sometimes it's tough keeping up with what basically makes up 80% of our station, and that's the music. Fortunately our MD Jennifer Allen has a great finger on the music pulse, and she loves what she does, that helps too.

5. What do you think of National Contesting? Is it effective?

Not a big fan, but it does have its advantages. We certainly cannot give away one million dollars at our station, but nationally we can. Sure it's like playing the lottery, but lots of people play the lottery.

6. Has the advent of Satellite Radio affect our biz? Explain!

I like Satellite Radio, honestly. I did not think it would last, but it's good to have competition, terrestrial radio needs it. It keeps us on our toes.

7. What do you like best about your job? Least?

I like that fact that I get to be a "Minor Local Celebrity." I get to go to concerts for free, I get free music, what else can I ask for?

Least? I need more hours in the day, and more days in the weekend too!

8. What is your favorite radio station outside of your own market?

KVET/Austin, The Genuine Austin Original. They have great positioning, a great morning show and a great station

9. In your opinion, what is the greatest song ever that never made it as a hit?

Wow, there are so many on the Texas Music Scene (some have been turned into hits by other people. Bruce Robison is a good example with his songs "Travelin' Soldier" and "Angry All the Time," turned into #1's by artists on the national scene).

There are so many songs that the Randy Rogers Band has recorded that haven't made it big nationally. Charlie Robison too, almost every song on his CD Life of the Party could've been a hit. Jack Ingram, Reckless Kelly, etc.

But if I had to narrow it down it'd be between Charlie Robison's "El Cerrito Place" (written by Keith Gattis) or Pat Green's "Temporary Angel" (co-written by Green and Drew Womack), with maybe a slight edge to Charlie.

10. Favorite artist that you have met?

Pat Green! I see Pat maybe once or twice a year, but he always remembers my name. That impresses me, with all the places he goes and all the people he meets. I don't know how he does that. Matt Martindale of Cooder Graw and Cody Braun of Reckless Kelly are the same way too.

1. You are on a desert island...what 5 CDs are in you portable disc player?

Jack Ingram's Electric and Acoustic Motel
Reckless Kelly's Under the Table and Above the Sun
Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run
N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton (I had a gansta rap phase I went through in high school that I'm still fond of)

2. Describe your favorite meal?

Pepperoni pizza at Dino's in Wickliffe, OH (it's on 305th- a block north of Euclid Avenue). Being in Texas, I miss good pizza from up north, but the Mexican food and Bar-B-Q are better down here.