Robert Bailey's Blog, page 10

Hear me read from The Professor on The People’s Law School…

Below is a link to my segment on The People’s Law School discussing The Professor.  I close my guest spot by reading one of my favorite scenes from the novel, which includes a cameo by Alabama legends Lee Roy Jordan and the late Billy Neighbors.

via ▶ Robert Bailey – YouTube.

The Professor on Tour: Gulf Shores Sellout!

It was so fun introducing new people to The Professor

On Saturday, March 29, 2014, The Professor book tour stopped in Gulf Shores, Alabama for a signing at Books-A-Million.  With a large part of the State of Alabama on Spring Break and an absolutely beautiful day on the Gulf, we were hopeful for a big crowd and we were not disappointed.  The store ordered 25 copies for the event, and we sold them all, leading both of the long time Books-A-Million store managers to say it was the best signing they had ever seen.

Me and my friend Tina Kemper

We had a number of special visitors for the event, starting with my own family.  As we too were on Spring Break, my wife Dixie and kids, Jimmy, Bobby and Allie were all able to attend, and it was great having them there.  Also stopping by was our friend Tina Kemper from Huntsville, who was Spring Breaking with her family.  Additionally, Dwight and Brenda Bennett, who are longtime friends of my father in law, Dr. Jim Davis, and who came to both our events in Cullman, stopped by and brought a couple of their friends who purchased a copy of the The Professor.  Finally, though not able to attend, my friends Joe and Foncie Bullard from Fairhope pre-ordered several copies of the books for a number of their friends, including Alabama football legend Lee Roy Jordan, who makes a cameo in the novel.  It was such an honor to sign a copy of the book for Mr. Jordan.

Me with Dwight and Brenda Bennett and their friends, Bob and Jane.

Meeting new people has been one of the best parts of this book tour!

One of the joys of this book tour has been meeting new people, and Books-A-Million was jam packed with people during our signing.  With our great location at the front of the store, we were able to reach out to a number of people, some of whom had heard about the book and some who were just now being introduced to it.  The entire staff at Books-A-Million, who were being overun with customers throughout the two hours we were there, were extremely helpful to our efforts and I can’t thank them enough.

Signing a book while my son Jimmy looks on

All in all, it was another fantastic day for The Professor!

The Professor wins Beverly Hills Book Award for Legal Thriller of the Year!

I am excited to announce that The Professor was recently awarded the 2014 Beverly Hills Book Award for Legal Thriller of the Year.

via 2014 Beverly Hills Book Awards Winners & Finalists.

The Professor on Tour: Prattville

Me and longtime friend, Stacey Johnson Lewis

On Saturday, March 15, the Professor book tour stopped in Prattville, Alabama for a signing at Books-A-Million.  We had an awesome day, selling 18 more copies, and seeing old friends and meeting a lot of interesting new people.

Special thanks to my high school friend, Stacey Johnson Lewis, who helped promote the event.  It was fantastic to see Stacey and her daughter, as well as many of her friends in the Prattville area.  Also, my friend, Joana Ellis, the executive director of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association (of which I am a member), dropped by.  Additionally, my law school friend and trial team member, Vernetta Perkins, came by for a book.

It was fun introducing new people to The Professor.

I was fortunate to have a great location at the front of the store, and it was fun to see several people enter the store and head right for my table, checking out the back cover, maybe asking a few questions, and then taking the book (or books) with them to the check out counter.  It is always fun hearing people’s  comments, whether it is, “this looks like it’s right down my ally,” or “my husband will love this book,” or “this would be great for our book club.”

Our display at BAM!

Thanks to Books-A-Million for being a wonderful host.  General Manager, John Allsup, made sure we had a great setup, and the folks at the front desk were nice and helpful throughout.

It was another great day for the tour!  Next stop:  Gulf Shores, Alabama on March 29…

Birmingham Sellout!

Me and longtime friend, John Dana

On Thursday, March 13, 2014, The Professor book tour stopped in the magic city of Birmingham, Alabama for a signing and wine tasting at the Little Professor Book Center.  The store purchased 32 books for this event, and all 32 copies were sold.

It was a fantastic night that included a number of special visitors, including my law school friends, Terry McCarthy, Laura Karns Fischer (who was on the trial team with me at Alabama) and Michael Vercher.  Also attending was my long time friend, colleague and golf buddy John Dana.  Finally, it was great to see my friends and fellow attorneys, John Smyth, Tom Kendrick, Sam David Knight, and Damon Boiles.

Me and law school friend, Laura Karns Fischer

Me and my friend, Terry McCarthy

Signing a book for Terry

Special thanks, as always, to my amazing wife, Dixie, who snapped some wonderful photographs of the night and set up our display.

Also, a huge thank you to my sister in law Amy Lemley Bailey and all the great folks at My Scoop, who helped us promote the event and also coordinated the purchase and delivery of the wine.   My brother, Bo, was also in attendance, and it was fun to see a number of Bo and Amy’s friends in Birmingham come out for the event.

All in all, it was another wonderful night for The Professor.

Such a fun night, making new friends and talking up The Professor

Me and my friend, Sam David Knight

Me and my friend, Tom Kendrick

With John Smyth and John Dana

Me, Michael Vercher and Michael’s son.

Hear Me Read from The Professor on Thacker Mountain Radio!

Here is my segment on Thacker Mountain Radio, which was recorded LIVE at Off Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi on Thursday, February 27, 2014 before a crowd of approximately 200 people.  On Saturday, March 8, the show was broadcast on Mississippi Public Radio.

via Robert Bailey by ThackerMountain on SoundCloud – Hear the world’s sounds.

The Professor on Tour: Athens, Alabama

Me and my friend and Athens attorney, Mark Maclin

On Saturday, March 8, 2014, the book tour for The Professor stopped in downtown Athens, Alabama at the fantastic Pablo’s on Market bookstore.  It was another awesome day for the tour, as we sold 17 copies of The Professor and saw a lot of old friends and also met some interesting new people.  Special thanks to Hubert Crow, the owner of Pablo’s, for his warmth and hospitality.  If you haven’t checked out this wonderful store, it is definitely a must see place in Athens.  Great books, great coffee and the personable Mr. Crow to greet you with a story about the many local authors who have signed copies gracing the shelves.

Me and my eighth grade English teacher, Mrs. Carolyn King

Special guests for this event included Brian Jones, the District Attorney for Limestone County, Alabama, his wondeful wife Kandye and their son Christopher.  Also in attendance was Kelli Powers, the CEO of Athens Limestone Hospital.  Additionally, my old law school classmate,  Heidi Bartlett Evans, who I had not seen since law school, stopped by for a book.  My longtime friend and law school classmate, Carl Cole, from Decatur also dropped by for a book.  Additionally, Mark Maclin, my friend and former golf partner from many moons ago stopped off before heading to his son’s baseball practice.  It was great to see longtime friend, Lee White, who I had not seen since my law school days in Tuscaloosa.  Finally, my eighth grade English teacher, Carolyn King, who had come to my signing in Tuscumbia, dropped by, and this time I was quick enough to get a picture.

Me and Kelli Powers, CEO of Athens Limestone Hospital

All in all, it was another fantastic day for The Professor.

Me and my friend, Brian Jones, District Attorney for Limestone County

Me and law school classmate, Heidi Bartlett Evans

Spotlight On: Robert Bailey – YouTube

Here is my interview and video segment with HTV, which will air in approximately 200 hospitals through the country.

via Spotlight On: Robert Bailey – YouTube.

The Professor on Tour: Cullman

It was such an honor to meet Lt. Governor, Kay Ivey

The book tour for The Professor stopped in Cullman, Alabama this past weekend for two fantastic events.  On Friday night, my father in law, Dr. Jim Davis, hosted a private party at his home for friends and family in the Cullman area, which was capped off by a special appearance from the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Alabama, Kay Ivey.  Twenty-five copies of The Professor were purchased.  My wife, Dixie, and sisters in law, Christi League and Denise Burroughs, all of whom are from Cullman, were in attendance.  The night concluded with a reading from The Professor and a signing.

Me and my father in law, Dr. Jim Davis.

On Saturday, we had a fantastic signing at Books-A-Million in Cullman.  We sold 28 copies of The Professor, just four short of another sell-out.  In fact, had the store not ordered another shipment of books just prior to the signing (they sold 14 books in the week prior to the signing), we would have sold out in fifteen minutes.   Special guests included my friend from high school, Rachel Rice Malone, who came from Arab for the signing.  Other guests included my work colleague, Stephanie DeMonia, and two friends of hers.  Also in attendance was Dr. Davis’ longtime friend, Asa Hartwig, and his wife along with two of Dr. Davis’ original office staff members, Naomi and Dottie.  Additionally, Kitty and Perry Warren came to both events, and Kitty had already read half the book by the time she arrived at Books-A-Million on Saturday.  Finally, it was special having my two sons, Jimmy and Bobby, in attendance.

Me and my high school friend, Rachel Rice Malone

Me and Asa Hartwig

Me and Dottie and Naomi

At the close of the signing at Books-A-Million, the store clerk informed me that our signing was “the best I have ever seen in the eight years I have worked at the store.”

Me and my son, Jimmy

Me and my son, Bobby

Thacker Mountain Radio!

Being a guest on Thacker Mountain Radio was such an honor!

Last Thursday, February 27, 2014, I had the honor of being a guest on the long running Thacker Mountain Radio Show at Off Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi.  I was joined on the show by musical guests, The Mulligan Brothers (from Mobile, Alabama), the Bill Perry Trio and the Foghorn Stringband.  Thacker Mountain Radio is an Oxford institution that has been around since 2000. Every Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, approximately 150 to 200 people flock to Off Square Books for the live program, which is hosted by Jim Dees.  The crowd is jovial and warm, and it was my pleasure to meet many interesting people both before and after the show.

As Dixie had to stay at home with the kids for this event, my Dad (Randy Bailey) made the trek to Oxford with me, and we arrived early enough to meet the owner of Square Books, Richard Howorth, who gave us directions to Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner.  We also got a glimpse of a few copies of The Professor in the display window of Square Books, which was a “pinch me” moment for me.

Look who’s in the display window of world famous Square Books!

Before the show began, we were greeted by Lyn Roberts, general manager of Square Books, who made sure Dad and I had a front row seat for the show.  My fantastic publicist, Julie Schoerke, whose son attends Ole Miss, also came to the show and had a bird’s eye seat.  Finally, the producer of the show, Kathryn McGraw, guided me through the sound check, and made sure everything was a go before the show began.

It is hard to describe the feeling of reading a passage of your novel to the crowd at Thacker Mountain Radio in what has to be the literary capital of the world.  As I told the audience when I introduced myself, as a boy who grew up reading William Faulkner and Willie Morris and who later loved the stories of John Grisham and Larry Brown, setting foot in Oxford for the first time and seeing my book on the display window of Square Books was, at least for me, like a golfer teeing off at Augusta for the first time.  Just an incredible experience that I will never forget.

The Mulligan Brothers were a tough act to follow.

The crowd was so wonderful.

After the show, Dad and I followed the patrons to the bar above City Grocery, where it is tradition for everyone to have a drink and talk about the night’s event.  We had a fantastic time, and topped it off with dinner downstairs.  If you haven’t had the shrimp and grits at City Grocery, you need to add that to the bucket list.  Wow!

After a full day of it, Dad and I hopped in the car for the three and a half hour road trip home.  It was a day I won’t soon forget.

So awesome to be in the literary capital of the world.

With Lyn Roberts and Richard Howorth at the checkout desk. Yes, we sold a few copies too!

Such an honor to be listed among such musical talent!