Russ and Dee Fine fired from 'The Source'

Sept. 29, 2006

by HUNTER FORD

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Russ and Dee Fine, fixtures of the Birmingham radio scene for two decades, were abruptly fired Monday morning by 101.1-FM WYDE The Source, the station that has carried the Fines morning drive time show for seven years.

Dee Fine said she felt the firing was political in nature.

We're not walking a strict Republican line like they wish we would, Fine said.

Station manager Steve Armstrong was unavailable for comment at press time.

Fine said she and her husband were given the option of staying on the air until Friday and announcing their resignation at the end of the week.

We said no, you just fired us we won't be back, Fine said.

The Fines have been tenacious in recent weeks, saying that Gov. Bob Riley belongs to a Masonic Lodge in Clay County that excludes black members. The Hoover Gazette asked the governor's campaign office for comment, but phone calls made last week were not returned as of press time.

Fine said she and her husband have always spoken out against politicians they thought were doing something wrong.

We go after everybody, Republican or Democrat, Fine said. In this day and age for the governor of Alabama to belong to a group that excludes black people, it's just wrong.

Fine also said she and her husband have been advised by friends that the Masons do good works, and don't have across the board policies excluding minorities.

We know the Masons do good works, she said. We also know that not all of the Masonic Lodges have the same policy that The Grand Lodge of Alabama does. Other members have broken away from The Grand Lodge of Alabama, and there are Masonic Lodges who have primarily black membership but they don't exclude whites.

Fine said the issue is whether the governor of the state, who should represents the entire population, should belong to any group that has a policy excluding black people or minorities.

Fine also said she expects shake-ups at the station which may include future hosts buying air time. Good talk radio shouldn't be just an infomercial, she said.

As for future plans, Fine said the couple would maintain a website and think about other opportunities. There are always better things around the corner, she said.

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