BYLINE: Rob Patterson
DATE: 04-10-1997
PUBLICATION: The Austin American-Statesman
PAGE: 5

Benjamin Bryant Age: 20

Occupation: program director, KJCE-AM (``The Juice''); music director, KKMJ-FM (``Majic 95.5''); air personality on both stations.

WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO WORK IN RADIO?

The best advice to get the job you want is to be willing to do the lowest possible version of whatever your dream job is, to be willing to get up at four o'clock in the morning and go in for no pay and practice, because that's how you get to be the best. That's how you prove to people that you have what it takes, and that's how you master the skills that can take you to the next level.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ``SOUL?''

Soul is like a state of mind. Soul music is singing like you mean it. People say that could be any kind of music, and that is true. But when you listen to what is considered soul music, when you hear Aretha Franklin or Al Green sing, you suddenly know what soul music is, because it is music that comes from the heart and soul, and comes from a place that isn't in any studio.

WHAT MAKES A SONG A HIT?

People like it.

Even more so, people like it and buy it. It's a song that says things that are universal. If everybody can identify with it, it makes people feel good to hear it. Songs that people can identify with and that have a great beat are all hit songs on some level. But a song is only a commercial hit if people like it, and buy it.

WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE DJ ON ANOTHER STATION?

Bill Lee on Mix 94 (KAMX-FM). He's got one of the greatest voices in the industry. And he also has an excellent sense of humor, which is always valuable in any job. He's an incredibly funny man, and he just says it, with an amazing voice.

WHAT'S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Free music.

WHAT'S THE WORST PART OF YOUR JOB?

The hours are tough. You have to be able to work nights and weekends, and be on call 24 hours a day.

IF YOU COULD BE ONE ARTIST WHOSE MUSIC YOU PLAY, WHO WOULD THAT BE AND WHY?

I could never decide. I live in awe of the creativity and the talent that all these artists have. Every one has something special about them. I am partial to those who are socially conscious, to those who use their privileged positions as celebrities to do things for others. I don't really want to highlight one of them over another, but I will say that Gloria Estefan does things for people in Austin. When she came in, she allowed the focus and the interest to be on East Austin and what money had been raised and what her foundation could do. She could have easily let all the focus be on her and her concert. I don't want to be any artist but me, but I would love to follow the lead of someone like Gloria Estefan, and be in the position to give something back in the way she has.

IF YOU WERE A RADIO STATION, KBEN, WHAT WOULD YOUR SLOGAN BE?

What you hear is what you get. Absolutely.