TUSCUMBIA– WZZA Radio founder Robert “Bob” Carl Bailey will be honored by the Town
of Leighton with a historical marker designating First Street as Bob Carl Bailey Memorial Drive.
According to Leighton Mayor Derick Silcox, the unveiling of the sign will take place the evening
of Saturday, June 8th during Leighton’s annual SledgeFest.
Robert “Bob” Carl Bailey, a Leighton native, made history by becoming the first African
American to own an FCC licensed radio station in northwest Alabama; to operate a Black
formatted AM and FM in the Shoals; to be hired as a policeman in Huntsville, Alabama; and to
be appointed by an Alabama Governor for a cabinet level position when he sat on the State’s
Small Business Advisory Council to head Alabama’s Small Business Administration. He was the
first President of the Shoals Area Business Association, a charter member of the Shoals
Economic Development Authority, and a contributing partner in the establishment of Shoals
Industrial Development Authority. Bailey was the very first Chief of Police of Triana, Alabama.
He was one of the first African American licensed professional radio announcers in northwest
Alabama, and one of the first African-American music retailers (as owner of three record stores
with his wife, Odessa). He was one of the first African-Americans to host a regularly scheduled
television talk show in northwest Alabama (“Sunday in the Shoals” on WOWL-TV). Bailey
contributed to Muscle Shoals music history by introducing his friend and fellow Leighton,
Alabama, native Jimmy Hughes to Rick Hall at FAME Recording, resulting in the recording of
the international hit song “Steal Away” (featured in the documentary “Muscle Shoals”).
The Town of Leighton’s SledgeFest honors recording icons Jimmy Hughes and Percy Sledge.
Activities begin the evening of Friday June 7th and continue Saturday, June 8th on Main Street in
Leighton with live musical performances, exhibits showcasing Leighton History Makers in the
Bank Independent and the Women In Arts at the Leighton Public Library, shopping in local
businesses along Main Street, food trucks, and specials from F&D’s Soul Food and Let’s Eat,
two Leighton restaurants. SledgeFest will culminate Sunday, June 9th at Galilee M.B. Church
with an afternoon of spiritual music and readings, beginning at 2:00pm.
Media Release/Tori Bailey /WZZA
