Doug Bailey began his radio career in 1944 at the age of 14, conducting audience interviews for Frank Blair.  Throughout his high school years he volunteered on the Armed Forces radio station at Walter Reed hospital, performing on the organ and the piano, in addition to writing and producing shows for veterans.

            In 1947 as a freshman at American University, he started and was Program Director for a carrier-current radio station called WAMU.  The next year he became a page for WMAL in the Trans Lux Building and then for WRC at the Wardman Park Hotel with Willard Scott.  In 1950 he left this position to become a disc jockey and musician on WBCC, Bethesda.  There he conducted a live entertainment show from the Hiser Theater, utilizing both pipe organ and piano. 

            Graduating in 1951 from American University with a BA in English, he received a Fletcher Scholar Award for integrity and selflessness in citizenship.

             Between 1952 and 1960 he was a part time professorial lecturer at American University, where he taught courses in Radio-TV Programming in the Public Interest, Radio-TV Music, and Radio-TV Production and Public Relations.  Concurrently, he wrote a radio-TV column for The Maryland News, The Bethesda Record, and The Rockville Times.  From 1952 through 1954 he opened and was Program Director for WDON, Wheaton, and a Program Director for WASH-FM, Washington DC.  He also performed regularly on live entertainment programs, community interest shows, and remote broadcasts of civic events. 

            In 1953 he completed his Masters Thesis on television facilities in New York City.  Through his studies he was able to interact with such notorieties as Perry Como, Steve Allen, Milton Berle, and Sid Caesar.  His thesis is now part of the research library at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City. 

            Between 1954 and 1956 he was Director of Advertising and Assistant Director of Public Relations at American University.  From 1957 through 1960 he produced programming for WFCR, Fairfax, doing local talent shows, public service community talk shows, and live remote coverage of local events.

            In 1959 he started Doug Bailey Advertising, producing radio and television commercials and doing public relations work.  Among Mr. Bailey’s first clients were Scotts Lawn Products and Topps Drive-In.  Doug Bailey Advertising became the first agency for Col. Harland Sander’s Kentucky Fried Chicken when it was introduced to the Topps menu.  At that time the Colonel asked whether, for advertising purposes, he should wear an all white or an all black suit.  Mr. Bailey replied:  “Definitely white—the good guys always wear white!”  By creatively using all media available (print, radio, and television), Mr. Bailey helped transform Col. Sanders into a national celebrity.  

            During the early 1960s he produced the first local color TV commercial and the first local color TV show - both for Gustin Gardens.  In 1963 he became co-host, with Charles Osgood, of WFCR’s morning show.  That same year he moved his offices to the Congressional Plaza in Rockville, where he installed a production studio, which included a complete sound stage for both radio and TV.  In 1964 he purchased the pipe organ originally installed in Lowe’s Palace Theater, Washington DC, and had it installed in this studio.  From the studio he produced programs for station WEEL that included live entertainment using the pipe organ.  In 1966 and 1967 he produced similar programs for WPIK, Alexandria.  In 1970 and 1971 he ran WXLN from his studio utilizing an old time radio format complete with live pipe organ music.

            In 1971 Doug Bailey Advertising switched to full-time film and audio production, becoming Doug Bailey Films, Inc.  He produced, wrote, and directed documentary and industrial films for trade associations, private industry, and government agencies.  Included among his many clients were Rockwell International, Reynolds Metals, The American Trucking Association, and NASA.  Throughout his advertising and film production years, he produced over 1000 commercials and over 100 films.  In 1984 the Governor of Maryland appointed him Chairman of the Maryland Film Commission and he was re-appointed in 1986.

            Awards include two Emmys, two US Film Festival International Awards, Creative Excellence Awards from the US Television Commercial Festival and from the US Industrial Film Festival, and Film Achievement Awards from the Modern Talking Pictures Association.

            After his retirement in 1989 Mr. Bailey did volunteer performances playing piano at Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, as well as organ recitals at George Mason University and the Weinberg Center for Performing Arts, Frederick.