We all had our radio heroes before we entered the business. I’m certain you’re thinking about those who shaped your love for radio years back. You might even find them on the list below:
Cousin Brucie – Dick Biondi – Casey Kasem – Wolfman Jack – Murray The K – Larry Lujack – Art Laboe – John Record Landecker – The Real Don Steele – Clark Webber – Buster Bodine – The Greaseman – Hy Lit – Robert W. Morgan – Rick Dees – Ron Britain – Alan Freed – Bob Hale.
These personalities were more than announcers. They were culture trendsetters and wildly popular celebrities.
While in Chicago, I had the honor to work alongside a handful of these legends. Many are no longer with us.
This week, let’s catch up with one of those legends who still brings incredible talent and boxcar ratings to his Adult Contemporary brand.
Dennis Jon Bailey. Or as most of us call him – DJB.
A 51-year radio veteran, DJB co-hosts the #1 rated Adult Contemporary brand 104.1 WIKY (say – Whickie) Morning Show in Evansville, Indiana. Before arriving in Evansville 21 years back, DJB’s deep vocals could be heard in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Dayton, Boston and globally on The Satellite Network.
Along with his long-time partner, Diane Douglas, his trophy case includes a 2011 Marconi Award, and in 2024, DJB was inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.
It was in Indianapolis that I first heard DJB on the history-making 93.1 WNAP (The Buzzard). It was a rebel brand, led by the late Adult Contemporary genius George Johns, that made new rules for radio and also broke a few during its decade-long reign.
You know – this kind of stuff that makes you say “I wanna be in radio!”.
93.1 WNAP held a massive home-made Raft Race on The White River, hand-drawn, edgy graphics for their billboards and a vast Secret Sticker Patrol that’s been duplicated for decades.
Their free-styling jocks had what seemed like limitless creativity and energy – all encouraged from station leadership.
We were in conversation with DJB this week
Kevin Robinson – How did YOU catch The Radio Bug?
Dennis Jon Bailey – I’m an Army Brat, so every year, a different city. I was born at Fort Knox and moved all the time. When we were in Fort Hood, I saw a disc jockey in the window of a radio station. I made a request, and he played it. I thought, “I wish I could do that!”
In High School, I was recruited to do the school announcements. So, I made a huge radio-like production out of it. I wrote parts for the school principal, had a member of the marching band play, and the school cheerleaders cheering throughout!
Also, as journalism students, we were able to come into the local station and voice 15-minute Public Service programs on Sunday morning. I stayed around and watched the guy on the air, and thought, “I could do that!” So, I did! I got my first paycheck in January 1974, running God Squad and ‘riding the board’ before automation in Hattiesburg.
Indianapolis was the first time I was on FM, and I HATED my voice. It took a LONG time before I could comfortably listen to myself. You know, on AM, the compression and echo were fantastic, and I worked for some great engineered radio stations. Like WRKO in Boston. An unbelievably great-sounding station.
I’ve been in Evansville for 21 years and have been with Diane for the better part of it. She came across the hall working for our sister station, HOT 96 WSTO, with Brad Booker.
Never lived anywhere as long as I have in Evansville – came here for the job. It’s a great job, my kids loved it, and my wife became a teacher here.
KROB – What’s your very best day in radio and why?
DJB – Whew, boy. That’s a tough one. I have memorable days, and here are a few of them.
I was on the air in Dayton the day AFTER 9-11. Early in the show, a couple from Ohio called the radio station to say they had gone to New York City for a vacation. The day before, they had taken the first ferry out to Liberty Island at 8:30 that morning.
From Liberty Island, they had witnessed the entire event. They could not get off the island until later that night. They were stuck the entire time, all day long. When they finally got back to their hotel, they drove all night back to Dayton. One of the most remarkable calls in my broadcast career. They just wanted to talk to someone about it.
When I was in Indianapolis, the new owners of WNAP decided to change format. The station, after WNAP, became WKLR– Indy’s first Oldies station. A lady called me and told me she was in the audience of The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 when The Beatles first played.
Her uncle, a cameraman who worked for CBS, got her a ticket. She was like 12 or 13 at the time. They had just released their appearance on VHS, and she was so excited.
And of course, I’ve talked to a bunch of people claiming to be at Woodstock. And by the way. They ALL say it was a miserable experience. So much mud, you couldn’t hear the music, and nobody had a good time (chuckles).
It’s really the calls and interaction with the audience that I remember most. They are the reason we are here.
KROB – What would you say – or advise – emerging talent who want to make radio their career today?
DJB – Thad’s a tough one. So much has changed in radio. It’s still a great job. You’re not going to make a ton of money. We have a kid around here who just loves radio. You have to love it to make it a career. Be prepared to do about anything.
I would also tell them to make every show great. Every show is an audition for your next show. Is this show going to be my best show? You have to have that mindset.
When you show up for your show today, was yesterday your BEST show? I wake up at 3:30 every weekday morning and ask myself those questions.
KROB – If you could host a show with any guest, living or dead, who would it be?
DJB – That’s a great question.
I would love – absolutely LOVE – to have been on the radio with Jay Thomas. Jay was absolutely one of the greats. One of the very best air checks ever was with Jay Thomas and The Greaseman together years ago on WAPE in Jacksonville. Just a great talent.
Also, don’t forget all the greats in Chicago. I absolutely loved Chicago radio growing up. You know, Larry Lujack, Fred Winston and all those guys. And Ron Britain. I worked with Ron on The Satellite Music Network for three and ½ years. I would have loved to work in Chicago, but I never did. Chicago radio in the ‘60s and ’70s was a great influence on me.
Fun Facts about DJB:
- DJB has been heard on Satellite Radio since 1983 and remains the signature voice for Westwood One’s Mainstream Country.
- As the child of an active Army father, DJB attended 12 schools in 12 years.
- DJB hosts Evansville’s West Side Nut Club Fall Festival every fall (the second largest street festival in America, behind New Orleans’s Mardi Gras) and one year tasted food from all 125 booths.
- As a high schooler, he sold women’s shoes and claims – by far – the worst job he’s ever had.
Listen to DJB and Diane Douglas – HERE.
We could all benefit from emulating the passion Dennis Jon Bailey holds for radio after more than 50 years behind a mic.
Kevin Robinson is a passionate award-winning programmer, consultant and coach – with multi-formats success all over the country. He has advised numerous companies including Audacy (formerly Entercom Communications), Beasley Broadcast Group, Westwood One, Midwest Communications, Townsquare Media, Midwest Family Broadcasting Group, EG Media Group, Federated Media, Kensington Media, mediaBrew Communications, Starved Rock Media, and more. He specializes in strategic radio cluster alignment, building lean-forward tactics and talent coaching – legacy and entry-level – personalities.
Known largely as a trusted talent coach, Kevin is the only personality mentor who’s coached three different morning shows on three different brands in the same major market to the #1 position. His efforts have been recognized by The World Wide Radio Summit, Radio & Records, NAB’s Marconi, and he has coached CMA, ACM and Marconi Award-winning talent. He is also in The Zionsville High School Hall of Fame as part of the 2008 inaugural class. Kevin is an Indiana native – living near Zionsville with his wife of 39 years, Monica and can be reached at kevin@robinsonmedia.fm.
