No. 1 Finger

Popular DJ has made a career of making merry in the morning

It's been 15 years since Ed Fingers first went on the "The Dawn Patrol," WEBN's morning drive-time radio program. In an industry where fluctuating public taste can mean a quick pink slip for a radio personality, Fingers' enduring popularity is notable - even CityBeat readers named him best disc jockey in the 2001 Best of Cincinnati Readers Poll.

Eddie Fingers

When asked if Fingers is his given name, he just smiles and says, "Yeah."

"Tony Soprano's grandfather gave it to him," says co-host Mojo Nixon.

Fingers' career stretches all the way back to 1979.

"I started in town at the old WSAI-FM right out of college," he says during a brief break from the show. "Got fired. (Worked at an advertising) agency for a year. The agency folded."

He laughs. Advertising, it seems, simply wasn't the right career path. "I realized it wasn't for me. It didn't help that the guy I was working for was an asshole."

Fingers spent three years at 96 Rock, now Country Y-96, before being added to "The Dawn Patrol" along with Robin Wood and Craig Kopp.

In his time at WEBN, the industry has changed, and merger after merger has affected the talent pool in many ways.

"The technology is such," Fingers says, "that I could do this morning show, but I could also be doing afternoons in San Diego. Or mid-days in Portland. I could be doing, like, five other shows, which in my opinion is going to take jobs away from people who need and want them. I don't think there's a way to develop new talent."

Bob "The Producer" Berry agrees, citing how things have changed slightly on Frog Mountain.

"When it became Clear Channel, they gave us a rule book this thick," he says holding his thumb and index finger about three inches apart.

"Needless to say, WEBN's rule book wasn't quite that thick," Fingers adds. " 'Show up. Don't take stuff we need.' "

" 'If you get arrested, call me,' " Mojo adds.

Fingers, though, won't disparage those who appear on different shows in different markets. "No, I'm not going to knock people who do it. But I don't personally agree with it."

Syndicated programs, too, like Bob & Tom and Howard Stern also don't hold much interest for Fingers.

"There's a place for it," he says, "but I think nothing beats people who are right down the street from you. I don't know how a syndicated show can speak to what's going on here. I'd rather hear someone who knows what they're talking about, not 'Blah, blah, blah,' local cut-in, 'There's a tie-up on 75.' We can talk more about it. Make fun of local issues."

Going into "The Dawn Patrol" highway report from John Phillips, Fingers admits to the traffic reporter that he was shocked to learn of the man's death.

"Wow, it made national news," he tells Phillips. "Then I realized they meant John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas."

It's relatable bits like this that keep listeners coming back to 102.7 every morning at 5:30. Gauging taste, however, isn't easy, nor is it particularly difficult, as there are several ways to do it - one being the quarterly ratings book.

"Every three months they let us know," Fingers says with a laugh, adding, "It's what people are talking about. (When you live here) you know what's pissing people off or what they think is funny."

Fifteen years on, his love for the work hasn't diminished. "It's a blast. That's another thing people like about the show. They can tell we're having a good time. It's not forced. There's no laugh track."

Between sets, Fingers fastforwards through a Village People CD trying to find the right track to set up Bob the Producer's essay/eulogy of the band's late performer, Glenn "Leather Biker" Hughes. The trio seems to crack more jokes off the air than on as they try to remember if there was a Glenn Hughes in Judas Priest.

"No," offers Mojo. "They just wore leather."

Fingers has even ventured into afternoons, periodically subbing for a vacationing Gary Burbank.

"Gary's great," Fingers states. "He's a legend. And to be able to try to step into his shoes was really cool. Everyone was like, 'Hey, if you want to do two shifts in a day, go for it.' There was never any (extra) pay or anything. I just wanted to try something different."

For now, though, "The Dawn Patrol" remains his permanent home, though he doesn't necessarily plan to hang on forever.

"As soon as I start to make a fool of myself," Fingers says, "I'm outta here."