Meet John Bailey - Biography

John L. Bailey is a Florida almost-native, living and growing up in Tampa from a very early age. He worked with WDAE radio during his college years, beginning at the University of Tampa, and later worked for television stations in the midwest as writer and producer of commercials and documentaries. One of these was awarded an Emmy in 1970 for best locally-produced production.

Later, as an independent producer, he received numerous awards for several productions, including the George Washington Bronze Medal from Freedom's Foundation for a documentary concerning The Amway Company, and four major industry awards for a sales promotional film for Tampa Maid Sea Products. While working for the State of Florida, he also received awards for Forestry training videos.

Bailey moved back to Florida in 1976, settling in Snell Isle in 1991 where he has been actively pursuing his interest in Florida history, particularly in Tampa and St. Petersburg. During much of recent years, he has provided historic walking tours in the area, mostly in Ybor City in Tampa, enjoying his retirement years.

Story-telling is a particular passion, which stems from his early youth in Atlanta, listening to his grandmother telling story after story about her memories, while sitting on the front porch of their home on summer evenings. He is currently developing his family's history in an effort to re-create part of this memory of those years. His gift of gab undoubtedly stems from Grandma Bailey and her Irish gift of soft-spoken eloquence.