The Finger Files http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/ All about the Finger Man, Fingers. en-us Copyright 2010 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:11:25 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Looking for a a new scoot? Maybe a place off the beaten path? Something new and GULP! exciting? Well try this on for size. Roadtrip!!?

]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2010/03/looking-for-a-a-new-scoot.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2010/03/looking-for-a-a-new-scoot.html Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:11:25 -0500 Aerosmith and New Singer Aerosmith Announces 'Cocked, Locked and Ready to Rock' Tour 2010

]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2010/02/aerosmith-and-new-singer.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2010/02/aerosmith-and-new-singer.html Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:06:51 -0500 Fingers talks to Leslie West Fingers speaks with legendary guitar slinger about Bruce Jr. The WBL tour and his new DVD.

Listen here.]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2010/01/fingers-talks-to-leslie-west.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2010/01/fingers-talks-to-leslie-west.html Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:57:24 -0500 Happy New Year! 2010 is upon us. First things first. As you probably know the New Years Day Cold Finger Run was postponed because of bad weather not once but twice. On the second attempt the weather in Nassau was better than Suffolk. But with strong winds and afternoon snow in Suffolk there was no way I was going to put the lives of my fellow riders at risk. Some asked "why was it not held a week or two later?" There are several reasons. One being that there is a limited amount of on air time to promote and decimate information to the public. WBAB plans way in advance for events and promotions.

The later part of the year is always gearing up for the run on top of toy drives, holiday contests and the like. In addition we start to tease "Manuary" (a male based month long morning show promotion during January). So when the run gets postponed once we are prepared with a rain date but when it happens twice problems arise. Between Manuary, weekly contests and such we simply run out of room to effectively promote another event like the run. However we are committed to finding a way to help the children of the American Cancer Societies' Camp Adventure, the beneficiaries of the run, in the best possible way. We have already met with Camp reps and started working on different options. I have faith and believe something will happen sometime in February where the area motorcyclists as well as the community at large will be able to pitch in and send as many children to Camp as possible. I thank you for your support and patience. If you would like to learn more about Camp Adventure please vist wbab.com/fingers and watch "A Message From Fingers" Thank You...

Happy New Year! 2010 is upon us. A time for new beginnings and fresh starts. I hope that if you made a resolution you are able to stick to it with minimal frustration and that you conquer the challenge you have set for yourself. Generally this column is music based however I would like to share some things with you that are shall I say out of the box. So with that in mind please picture your favorite album playing in the background or pop on the radio (102.3 WBAB preferably) as you read this.

My New Years resolution is simply to survive. It is a challenging time for all of us. No matter the income or situation everyone is feeling the bite of the state of the economy. We all have things that we are grateful for as well as things we are fighting to keep like our jobs, homes, sanity etc. It can be very disconcerting to know you have a good job and a healthy family and always try to do the next right thing and yet you can be overwhelmed by a sense that you are fighting a never ending battle. What bills do I pay? Who gets bumped to next month? How long does this mortgage modification process take anyway? When will things start to level off? And thats just the stuff going on under our roofs. Now add in that this country is at odds with itself between health care, two wars, gay rights, political mudslinging, drug using athletes, and the list goes on. It's no wonder we wanna shut the door to just take care of our own and tell everyone else to fuck off.

But thats when we need to take a breath and refocus on the things that matter. Family, Friends and community as well as our selves. For me I know when I am in a foul mood it cascades down maybe not overtly but those who know us can tell when we are jammed up and out of sorts. This is when I need to sometimes be still, quiet and breath and maybe pray and other times find another healthy outlet to channel my feelings sometimes physically. When I pray I usually ask for the "vision" the ability to see the things I need to see no matter how clouded and murky daily life can sometimes be. Sometimes it is a strong directional message and others it is like God is winking at me.

For instance the other day I was feeling like the walls were closing in so I went to the bathroom to have a cigarette and just decompress for a few minutes. Nothing blazingly obvious happened to alert anyone where my head was at as a matter of fact I had just gotten home and I usually hit the head when I get in anyway. I remember feeling sad and fearful of losing my home because of rising costs and mounting debt (just for perspective yes I am a radio DJ but I am not Howard Stern) Anyway my thoughts and feeling were all over the map and I said God I don't know what to do or where to focus? I did not get an answer ...or did I? I finished my second cigarette took a deep breath wash my face with cold water and left the bathroom. As I opened the door I noticed on the floor right at the foot of the door neatly placed was a hand painted picture of me and my two daughters, a handful of plastic flowers wrapped in a bandana and a note that said Daddy I love you Love Julia (my 6 yr old). WINK! with a lump in my throat and a smile across my face I searched for her only to find her hiding so she could give me a "boo" I acted scared and knelt down and thanked her and hugged her till she said with a giggle "you're crushing me" That wink told me to focus on my children and their needs and in order to do that I need to take care of myself. I'm doing the best I can and strive to do better.

Even though we are a divorced family it is paramount to stress we are still a family and that we need to take care of ourselves and each other so we can care for others in the community. Our society has become so egocentric that the breakdown of family transcends into community and thus society. We are all different people experiencing similar things and if we can get past the BS we can truly make this time we have on this planet better for all of us. I don't really care about all my material possessions but I don't want to loose our house. But even if we did I know we will always have our family and no matter where we ended up we would make it home.

In closing I just want to acknowledge that almost everyday I am grateful for just waking up. Today I am grateful I didn't wake up in Haiti. Have a great day. ]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2010/01/happy-new-year-2010-is-upon-us.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2010/01/happy-new-year-2010-is-upon-us.html Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:42:57 -0500 DECIDE WHAT BON JOVI PLAYS AT THE GRAMMYS Bon Jovi will perform at this year's GRAMMY Awards and you can decide which tune they play. The band has invited fans to help them select a hit song to perform at the awards show. The options are "Always," "Bed of Roses," "Have a Nice Day," "It's My Life," "Livin' On a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive," and to vote, you just have to head to CBS.com/GRAMMYS.

There is no registration needed and you can vote as often as you like, you just have to do it by January 24th. To see which song wins, tune in to the GRAMMYS on January 31st at 8 PM on CBS.

Bon Jovi are nominated for the GRAMMY for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "We Weren't Born to Follow."

Vote here!]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2010/01/decide-what-bon-jovi-plays-at.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2010/01/decide-what-bon-jovi-plays-at.html Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:25:01 -0500 A message from Fingers Here's what Camp Adventure is all about.

]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/12/a-message-from-fingers.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/12/a-message-from-fingers.html Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:13:51 -0500 When you can't roll, Rock! Across the wall in my kitchen there is a quote from William Shakespeare that reads "If music be the food of love, play on." I like it because music indeed touches the soul and can generate an emotional surge in many a direction. I believe we all have songs that bring us places even if its a place we don't necessarily want to go yet somehow need to visit. The spiritual essence of music sometimes transcends the writers intention. But all in all songs are little time capsules that bring us to a specific time, place or event in our lives that in some cases we nearly forgot about and when the music starts that image bristles with life in our mind and spirit. For instance every time I hear "Sherry" by the Four Seasons I remember Ronnie my neighbor singing it at the top of his lungs. He was 18. I was five! yet the memory is crystal clear when ever I come across that song.

 

Some songs have more specific meaning like Loverboy's "The Kid Is Hot Tonight" because it was the first song I played on WBAB or Sammy Hagar's "Heavy Metal" from the movie of the same name not because of the movie so much as it was the first song I played on Fingers Metal Shop. Most recently I brought my children to The Led Zep Rock Symphony where Symphonic Queen opened the night. During that set they performed Queens "Somebody To Love"  I can not tell you how many times I have heard that song and its just a great song. Well later at home my 6 year old is walking around singing "Somebody Somebody Somebody Somebody Can anybodyyyy"  and now when ever I hear it, that's where it brings me.

 

What songs bring you places? Some bring up good memories, while others can stir up bad ones. Either way music feeds the soul and for that reason we should be open to all forms of musical expression. Like Will said "If music be the food of love play on" so love yourself and put on your favorite song or station (hint hint lol) and bask in the glory of you.

 

Let's try something. The song below sparks a ton of memories because of the nature of the lyrics. If you don't remember it you can find if on youtube. See what it sparks in you. And if you are up for the challenge see if you can change the words to a 2009 version. Pretend this is a song you wrote. Only in todays world based on your musical heroes.

 

"Life is a rock but the radio rolled me"  By Reunion 1974

 

B.B. Bumble and the Stingers, Mott the Hoople, Ray Charles Singers

Lonnie Mack and twangin' Eddy, here's my ring we're goin' steady

Take it easy, take me higher, liar liar, house on fire

Locomotion, Poco, Passion, Deeper Purple, Satisfaction

Baby baby gotta gotta gimme gimme gettin' hotter

Sammy's cookin', Lesley Gore and Ritchie Valens, end of story

Mahavishnu, fujiyama, Kama-sutra, rama-lama

Richard Perry, Spector, Barry, Archies, Righteous, Nilsson, Harry

Shimmy shimmy ko-ko bop and Fats is back and Finger Poppin'

 

Life is a rock but the radio rolled me

Gotta turn it up louder, so my DJ told me (whoa whoa whoa whoa)

Life is a rock but the radio rolled me

At the end of my rainbow lies a golden oldie

 

FM, AM, hits are clickin' while the clock is tock-a-tickin'

Friends and Romans, salutations, Brenda and the Tabulations

Carly Simon, I behold her, Rolling Stones and centerfoldin'

Johnny Cash and Johnny Rivers, can't stop now, I got the shivers

Mungo Jerry, Peter Peter Paul and Paul and Mary Mary

Dr. John the nightly tripper, Doris Day and Jack the Ripper

Gotta go Sir, gotta swelter, Leon Russell, Gimme Shelter

Miracles in smokey places, slide guitars and Fender basses

Mushroom omelet, Bonnie Bramlett, Wilson Pickett, stop and kick it

 

Chorus

 

Arthur Janov's primal screamin', Hawkins, Jay and

Dale and Ronnie, Kukla, Fran and Norma Okla

Denver, John and Osmond, Donny

JJ Cale and ZZ Top and LL Bean and De De Dinah

David Bowie, Steely Dan and sing me prouder, CC Rider

Edgar Winter, Joanie Sommers, Osmond Brothers, Johnny Thunders

Eric Clapton, pedal wah-wah, Stephen Foster, do-dah do-dah

Good Vibrations, Help Me Rhonda, Surfer Girl and Little Honda

Tighter, tighter, honey, honey, sugar, sugar, yummy, yummy

CBS and Warner Brothers, RCA and all the others

 

Chorus

 

spoken:

Listen--remember, they're playing our song!

Rock it, sock it, Alan Freed me, Murray Kaufman, try to leave me

Fish, and Swim, and Boston Monkey,

Make it bad and play it funky.

(Wanna take you higher!)

 

If you find yourself being creative and coming up with new lyrics send them to me at fingers@wbab.com and I will share the best ones in my next column. Until then I just want to say thanks for reading my column and for listing to me on 102.3 WBAB (2p-7p) I am living my dream thanks to you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/11/when-you-cant-roll-rock.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/11/when-you-cant-roll-rock.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:56:29 -0500 "Whose your Daddy" composed: Bleacher Creature Section 203 Row 20 Seat 19 Listener Dennis DeBernardis AKA The Bleacher Creature offers up this little ditty "Hey Pedro". Listen here. ]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/11/whose-your-daddy-composed-blea.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/11/whose-your-daddy-composed-blea.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:24:57 -0500 Tesla's Brian Wheat, 10/30/09 Tesla is coming November 5th to the Capitol One Bank Theater in Westbury listen as Fingers catches up with bass man Brian Wheat. Listen here.]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/11/teslas-brian-wheat-103009.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/11/teslas-brian-wheat-103009.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:53:38 -0500 Vote For Fingers!! I have been at WBAB for almost 28 years and now The Long Island Press readers have nominated me as best personality for their "Best Of Long Island 2010". I must say I'm honored to be included with all the other "personalities" on the list.

So I wonder if you might take a moment and cast a vote for me and/or pass this along to anyone who may be interested in helping out with a vote. Just click here and then click "Arts & Entertainment" Thanks for your support. ]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/10/vote-for-fingers.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/10/vote-for-fingers.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:48:42 -0500 Joe Panz from Rescue Ink , 9/25/09 Fingers talks to Joe Panz from Rescue Ink about who they are what they do and tonight's Nat Geo debut. Listen here.

About Rescue Ink Unleashed.

]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/09/joe-panz-from-rescue-ink-92509.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/09/joe-panz-from-rescue-ink-92509.html Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:02:28 -0500 Roger Earl, 9/23/09 Drummer extraordinaire Roger Earl speaks with Fingers about the band, music, and history of Foghat and the Oct. 4th Vets Rock Concert.

Listen here.]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/09/roger-earl-92309.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/09/roger-earl-92309.html Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:18:39 -0500 Lynyrd Skynyrd's Rickey Medlocke, 7/30/09 Fingers chats with Lynyrd Skynyrd's axe man Rickey Medlocke about their current tour with Kid Rock and new album "God and Guns".

Listen at the end for the first single Still Unbroken.

Listen here!]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/07/lynyrd-skynyrds-rickey-medlock.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/07/lynyrd-skynyrds-rickey-medlock.html Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:20:16 -0500 Billy Squire, 7/17/09 Billy Squire talks about his career, his current tour and shares a new song "When She Comes To Me"

Listen here!]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/07/billy-squire-71709.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/07/billy-squire-71709.html Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:34:52 -0500 Extreme, 7/16/09 Fingers chats with Extreme's Gary and Nuno about their current tour and the state of the music business.

Listen here! ]]> http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/07/extreme-71609.html http://wbab.com/blogs/the_finger_files/2009/07/extreme-71609.html Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:37:08 -0500