Indiana Broadcast History Archive

Dennis Jon Bailey is a veteran radio broadcaster with more than five decades of experience. He had co-hosted the morning show on 104.1 WIKY-FM in Evansville, Indiana since 2004. His career includes on-air and production work in multiple cities, including Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Dayton, Boston, and Jackson, Mississippi. Bailey’s contributions to broadcasting have earned him industry-wide recognition, including a Marconi Award from the National Association of Broadcasters in 2011 and a Broadcasters Team of the Year award from the Indiana Broadcasters Association in 2019. He was also inducted into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2024. 

Early Life and Career Beginnings 

Born at Fort Knox and raised in a military family, Bailey spent his childhood moving frequently, attending over a dozen schools. He discovered radio during his senior year of high school in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where a routine assignment to deliver school announcements sparked his interest in broadcasting. In 1974, he secured his first job at a local AM station, launching a career that would span the next 50 years. 

Bailey pursued broadcasting studies in Kentucky and Mississippi and later completed his certification as a broadcast meteorologist through Mississippi State University. His early radio work in Jackson caught the attention of a program director at RKO in Boston. 

Work in Indianapolis and Beyond 

Bailey arrived in Indianapolis in 1980 and became a well-known voice across several stations in the city. Initially hired by ABC, he was reassigned on his first day to Snap! 93.1 FM. He went on to host mornings on Oldies Kooler and worked alongside notable broadcasters such as Marc Patrick. During his time in Dayton and Cincinnati, he also served as both a radio morning show host and on-camera television meteorologist.  

WIKY and Evansville Impact 

Bailey joined WIKY-FM in 2004 and has played a central role in shaping the station’s public identity and community. His long-running morning show with co-host Diane Douglas has combined local news, interviews, and charitable engagement. Through projects like the WIKY Radiothon, Baily and Douglas raised over $2 million for Riley Children's Hospital. 

Bailey also developed and led seasonal drives that have had a lasting impact in the region. A campaign to collect one “ton of turkeys” grew into a recurring food drive, resulting in more than 37 tons of donations to the Tri-State Food Bank. He later introduced a companion effort, “Ton of Toys,” to benefit at-risk children through partnerships with local organizations. He also founded a Veterans Day breakfast event, honoring military families with live broadcasts and community support. 

National Voice Work 

In addition to his local presence, Bailey is recognized nationally for his voiceover work. He serves as the primary voice for Westwood One’s mainstream country format, heard on stations coast-to-coast. His national commercial and promotional work has been featured in a wide variety of broadcast and corporate media campaigns. 

March 2026

Katherine Maners