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“ Personalities INSIDE RADIO ”
Monday, November 20, 2006
Thanks For Coming
Home Bill Bailey
by Mike Kinosian, Personality Editor
Quintessential Top 40 pipes and flawless delivery provided him the
ticket to the zenith of early-1970s’ contemporary radio.
That majestic voice and ultra-smooth textbook style are as brilliantly
evident as ever; but his place as a bona fide industry superstar in every aspect of the word – is solidified because of the equally
elegant and classy manner in which he comports himself.
Once and forever part of a “Rock of Chicago” (WLS) hall-offame lineup, Regent/Grand Rapids’ Bill Bailey now shines as
one of Adult Contemporary’s brightest programming and on-air
beacons.
Blown Away
A case of the mumps forced the then nine-year-old native Chicagoan
to stay bedridden for several days. “Not every room in the house
had a television as we tend to have these days,” Bailey quips in his
familiar speaker-vibrating tone. “My dad was kind enough to bring
in a portable radio so I could be entertained. I was just completely
blown away and enamored with [what I heard].”
It wasn’t until Bailey landed his first radio job that he discovered his
father attended the Columbia School of Broadcasting. “He never
told me because he didn’t want that to affect my decision,” Bailey
remarks. “[Living] in Chicago was a real blessing because I had
the chance to listen to really good radio at an early age.”
Even then, WLS was a tremendous influence on him, as was NBC’s
“Monitor,” which aired locally on WMAQ. “That was fascinating to
listen to,” Bailey recalls. “It was old-line, MOR network radio.”
Tech-Head
Perhaps the most intriguing facet to Bailey is the conscientious
fascination he developed early-on for the medium and an eagerness
to read/study every aspect of it – including the technical side.
“Before Radio Shack, Allied Radio had the greatest electronic
catalogue that showed every piece of equipment, connector and
cable,” he recounts. “In a brief synopsis, they explained each one.
I studied it from cover to cover. You’d be surprised what can be
learned by reading technical manuals.”
A Popular Electronics article about carrier current stations piqued
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his curiosity. “I tried to apply that to my little neighborhood,”
Bailey recalls. “I bought an Allied Radio kit and put it together.
It was supposed to broadcast for about 300 feet and I managed to
turn it into a mile.”
The high school student attempted to put on a small campus radio
station, but with no budget, there was consequently no support.
EZ Transition
One teacher, however, pointed him in the direction of a Board of
Education student workshop station (WBEZ). “I auditioned and
made the team,” Bailey proudly notes. “I was able to participate
in the production of educational programs.”
An even more proactive measure was taken regarding his radio
interest when the teenager called WLS personality Dick Biondi
and explained to the Wide-Eyed Windy City radio icon he wanted
to get into the business. “He invited me to WLS and I actually
spoke to him on three occasions in the same office I worked out
of when I became an air talent there,” Bailey recounts. “It was at
the same desk for the air-shift he had. He influenced me in terms
of sticking with it and for me to think anything was possible.”
The first post-high school job Bailey landed was at WVON and
97.9 - Smack Dab in the Middle of the FM dial (WSDM). “It was
programmed by none other than Mickey Shore, who became one
of my mentors,” Bailey states. “It was a pleasure to sit and watch
Herb Kent at WVON on a number of occasions. I learned a lot
from just talking with him.”
Road To Gotham
News Director Roy Wood also consulted WCHB/Detroit and
recommended Bailey for an opening there.
Nine months later, he landed at Urban KXLW/St. Louis and then
completed a three-year Army hitch.
After returning to KXLW, Bailey caught the attention of crosstown
powerhouse KMOX and was hired as a staff announcer. “I worked
for the amazing Bob Hyland for close to a year,” he points out.
“KMOX is a great radio station and it was a fabulous opportunity
[but also] a little frustrating because there was no outlet for
creativity.”
Relatively brief stints followed at KWK/St. Louis and WDIA/
Memphis before Bailey jumped to Top 40 WWDJ/New York,
a station he thought would be Urban. “When I began talking to
them I found out that wasn’t the case,” he explains. “They liked
my work and gave me the chance to do mid-days. [PD] Nick
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Anthony built an amazing [CHR] station in Hackensack [NJ] that
had virtually no power yet was able to make a name for itself in
New York City.”
Dynamic Duo
As Bailey was en-route to WWDJ he heard someone on-air in
Philadelphia he thought was absolutely sensational. “In a short
period, he managed to do things I’d never heard [anyone else
on radio] do,” he maintains. “When I got to Hackensack, I said
if they needed more on-air personalities, I knew of a very good
one. There weren’t any openings but six months later, I again
mentioned the Philadelphia guy and actually drove back down
there. I pulled off to the side of the highway and air-checked him
from a cassette recorder. I gave the tape to Nick but he’d already
hired someone else.”
While in New York, the burning desire Bailey had to work at WLS
only intensified and he and WLS’ then-PD, Mike McCormick,
were able to put a deal together. “When I got to Chicago,” Bailey
recounts, “Mike said another guy would be starting the same
night I was.”
Monday, November 20, 2006
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archrival WCFL. “We had a meeting his first day [at WCFL] and
it ended just as Larry’s shift was about to start,” Bailey notes. “It’s
2pm and Larry’s first words were, `I know you guys are over there
listening to me and I will now attempt to bite the hand that fed
me.’ The funny thing is the radio was on and all of us really were
listening to Larry.”
Colorblind Support
Awesome juggernaut-like magic that stations like WLS and
“Boss Radio” outlets CKLW/Detroit and KHJ/Los Angeles (and
others) created might never again be replicated because Bailey
opines, “It had to do with the time and situation. There wasn’t any
substance on FM and everyone didn’t have an FM radio. To be on
a clear-channel station heard [in nearly every state] and in three
countries was an unusual phenomenon. [WLS] had great talent
and immediately became a heritage station [after it] went rock and
roll [in the mid-1950s].”
It wasn’t easy for him to get there but a humble Bailey, who
physically and professionally towers over the crowd, declares, “I
was lucky to be in the right place at the right time.”
You’d be correct if you somehow surmised the other “guy” was the
same Philadelphia talent Bailey was so enthusiastic about, and you
score impressive bonus points by further knowing his identity.
The youngest air personality WLS ever hired remained at “The
Big 89” for two years and concedes it was difficult to move on
after achieving so much at such an early age.
Hint: That person’s middle name is truly Records. . .the
incomparable John Landecker.
Nevertheless, the extremely gracious Bailey quickly asserts,
“I’ve been fortunate to work with some brilliant people and great
stations. There were many highlights but I don’t think anything will
mean more to me than WLS. My prime directive when I left was
to work for a station that wanted to win [without taking] prisoners.
WDRQ/Detroit’s George Wilson took a chance putting me on in
the morning. There weren’t many [other minority talents] doing
AM drive in America then – nor are there now - on non-ethnic
stations. George gave me all the support I needed. It was an FM
Churban long before there was such a thing.”
No Identity Crisis
Speaking of memorable monikers, others have identif ied
themselves as “Bill Bailey” and there was even one at WLS prior
to the one arriving from WWDJ. “When I got to Chicago, I asked
about my name. Mike McCormick thought I didn’t like it.”
But the reason he mentioned it was his awareness of WLS’ previous
Bill Bailey. “Mike said the audience would forget about the other
one as soon as I went on the air. On occasion, there’s been some
confusion with [additional Bill Baileys] – but it’s rare.”
Something undeniable pertains to the monumental impact
Chicagoland legend Larry Lujack had in building WLS’ legacy,
and Bailey was there when Uncle Lar jumped to afternoons at
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That’s also where Bailey got his first taste of programming and
he was handed WDRQ’s PD chair after 18 months. “I went back
to Chicago to get married and got a call from George,” Bailey
remembers. “I thought he was congratulating me on the wedding,
but he told me I was the new PD. That was a fabulous opportunity
to work for a great station.”
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Sense Of Belonging
Two further entries on Bailey’s resume beside WDRQ involve
Bartell-owned properties: KZBS & WOKY/Oklahoma City and
KSLQ/St. Louis. “Each was a challenge because of the market
and the kind of station, but what stands out is the great people,” he
declares. “Al Casey built KSLQ and accomplished a lot. PD Reid
Reker had some amazing talent at [George & Reg Johns-consulted]
KZBS. [George & Reg] are talented programmers who know how
to build stations around creativity, personality and fun. It was like
I belonged at Bartell. Buzz Bennett, Jerry Clifton, Jack McCoy
and [All Access Founder/President] Joel Denver worked there and
pushed the envelope. They did whatever it took to blow up a market
and create great radio stations that attracted listeners.”
Versatility and the ability to adjust to situations certainly describe
Bailey who has programmed and/or been on-air in Top 40, Urban,
Churban, Adult Contemporary and Oldies.
Not only does Bailey program WLHT and handle 2-7pm duties on
the up tempo-leaning, “Lite Rock” AC - he’s also PD of Soft AC
“The River” (WTRV) and “Oldies 98.7” (WFGR). “Some people
are able to adapt as they get older and others aren’t,” he maintains.
“Generally as you get older, you become more sophisticated so
you begin to fit into a different mold. You’re able to talk to an older
audience. You don’t want a kid screaming to an Adult Contemporary
audience – you want someone who can relate to older [demos].”
Split Personality
The eye-opening situation at WDRQ enabled Bailey to discover
another creative aspect to radio. “Programming had a natural appeal
to me,” he states. “It was an extension of being an air personality. It
helped me create and maintain that atmosphere I felt was necessary
for making a really great radio station. I just want to be part of
this business and communicate with people. There are many good
stations out there: I want to [be part] of the greatest station I’ve ever
heard. [Some] programmers forget radio is supposed to be fun. We
get lost in the mechanics rather than having a good time. Listeners
can pick up on whether or not your station is a fun place to be.”
As much as Bailey enjoys programming, the most fun aspect of
his job is still being on the air. “There’s no question about it,” he
proclaims. “Trust me – the programming side of me is always
there [because] you can’t shut off that side of your brain. I know
it’s a business [but] it’s playtime when I go into the studio. I’ve
always wanted to be an air personality and to make people smile.
The ability to communicate, have fun and make a difference is the
greatest challenge.”
It subsequently also carries the greatest meaning for him. “It’s
[very satisfying] to be able to say something in eight seconds that
will make people think,” Bailey comments. “You’re always looking
to be better, [play] the right song, [do] the best contest/promotion
and reach out to the community. A creative atmosphere has to be
nurtured and requires concentration to keep out negative elements.
You have to create an atmosphere where people are happy to come
to work.”
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Competitive factors are unquestionably more demanding these
days and as Bailey notes, “There are many more facilities. With
that comes a difference in opportunities. We’d listen more to [outof-market] stations [which had impact] far outside their markets.
We’ve gotten away from talking to different demographics in
lieu of focusing on target demos. It’s not quite as much fun as it
was when you had the chance to affect more people and more
demos.”
’Tis The Season
It’s been nearly four weeks (10-27-2006) since Beasley Oldies
WGOR/Augusta, GA won honors as the year’s first all-Christmas
music station and about 80 other stations have followed suit. “It
seems a little over the top but listeners actually began calling us
in mid-October to ask about [Christmas music],” Bailey points
out. “They clamored for it and really wanted it. Regardless of
how jaded we as broadcasters can get, you have to remember
it’s about the listeners. If they tell us that’s what they want, we
should give it to them.”
In light of Bailey’s extraordinary talent and ability, one might
wonder why he’s been so content to work the last nine years in
Arbitron’s 67th-largest metro. “There’s a talented staff here, it’s a
heritage station and this community has a personality,” he stress
of Grand Rapids and Marconi Award-winning WLHT. “We’re
halfway between Chicago and Detroit. My daughter has always
felt very much at home here. This is also where I feel comfortable.
I’ve been given the tools to be creative and it’s been a lot of fun.
It’s about the people and that’s why I like working for Regent. I
can’t think of a better place to be. It’s a pleasure to come to work
every day and work with Market Manager Phil Catlett. I’m very
happy what I’m doing.”
WHO: Bill Bailey
WHAT: Program Director-Afternoon Drive Talent
WHERE: Regent AC WLHT/Grand Rapids
(Also PD of co-owned AC WTRV and Oldies WFGR)
Published by INSIDE RADIO.com Monday, November 20, 2006. Written by
Personality Editor, Mike Kinosian for INSIDE RADIO and M Street Corp. All
rights reserved. No alterations to the content of this story are permitted.
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