Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. Radio Station and Created the Sound that Changed America (New York: So, even though I was showing up for work every day, they just felt like, you know, we cant have that kind of guy on our radio station, he said. I have met some of the biggest stars in America. 3 OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. Music News He was 68. Wdia Profile and History . OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. He had a brief on-air stint in Montgomery, Alabama, but returned to Milwaukee prior to landing the hosting gig at WDIA in 1983. Claim your profile For other inquiries, Contact Us. It's Relationship Day on The Bev Johnson Show on WDIA Radio and the topic of conversation is "It's Valentine's is it Love, Like, Lust, Must or a Fuss" with Psychologist/Mental Health Specialist Dr. Dorothy Jeffries. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby O'Jay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). These days, he eats vegan and looks back with appreciation, hoping to further WDIAs image as a goodwill station. The Black Effect Podcast Network Is Making History Again This April! She remembers her longtime friend as a visionary, teacher and game changer. It empowered a huge segment of the . Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. If you post anything unrelated to WDIA it will be deleted. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. After Milwaukee, OJay crisscrossed the nation with DJ stints in multiple cities, from Houston to Dallas to Chicago, but as his popularity rose, so did temptations. www.mywdia.com; John Hopkins, Radio Center: A Landmark of American 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. The Legendary Fred Hollywood Moore. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . In 1949 the station was no. Radio personalities are very popular and the success of a radio channel is largely dependent upon the popularity of the radio personality who host its programs. Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! [3] WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. In 1996 Clear Channel Communications bought WDIA. It was Memphis WDIA.. Johnnie Walker, founder/CEO of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment, Inc. (NABFEME), knew OJay during her career ascension from radio station PD to senior vp, promotion at Def Jam Recordings. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred "Hollywood" Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. Main features: Easy to use. Watch Bobby OJay reflect on his early days at WDIA below. Click here to sign up for our newsletter! The WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering . "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. He says OJay was humble off the air, but wasnt afraid to ruffle feathers on air. They talk back to you, OJay said. During her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl . Fred was real smooth on the air, and he had that infectious laugh. WDIA's afternoon radio talent playing the best music in the world and keeping you up to date with the latest local and community information. It took me about a year or so to get a job on the radio, OJay recalled. Many grieved in 2017 with the devastating loss of Sharon after 30 years of marriage to O'Jay. She remembers when Moore got the nickname Hollywood., When Fred first came to the station, he told us he always wanted to be an actor, Johnson said. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. ------ Shows: . RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say," he wrote. Today, WDIAs major playlist offers very little in the way of the Beale Street Blues and Gospel that established the stations early reputation, but spans the 1960s music to the present day, with significant air time devoted to the classic Soul sounds of the 1970s, and an occasional offering from its early on-air contributors B.B. [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. She is mother of two children and grandmother of one. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. [citation needed]. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. r'n'b. soul. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer and WDIA DJ and program director was 68. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. O'Jay was the program host of the "Fun Morning Show" on IHeartMedia's WDIA. A cause of death has not been released by authorities. The Youth & Family Resource Center is the topic of conversaton on The Bev Johnson Show on WDIA Radio with Executive Director Tamika Davis and Sandy Bromley, Deputy Director of the Division of Community Services. A segue to an on-air gig in Montgomery, Alabama, was followed by a return to Milwaukee prior to landing at WDIA, where he also served as program director, During the course of his estimable tenure at the station, OJay interviewed a whos who in Black music and culture, including Whitney Houston, Muhammad Ali and Temptations members David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks. One of the stations most well-known personalities, Bev Johnson, told, that Moore was kind of laid back and real smooth., We have lost a gentle giant in the radio industry. Description: 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis playing Memphis' top R&B music. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. Ive always had just the radio job. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Angela Bassett Says Potential Oscar Win Would Be A Childhood Dream ComeTrue, Kelly Rowland To Judge Audibles Breakthrough, The First Audio-Only SingingContest, De La Souls Trugoy The Doves First Posthumous Release Is A GorillazCollab. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. I like to hear all kinds of opinions from all kinds of people.. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. Heres a guy who came from the cotton fields in Mississippi. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. Download the "WDIA 1070 Radio Station" radio app to enjoy the best programming in town - FREE! We were saddened to learn of the passing of Memphis radio legend Bobby O'Jay, longtime PD and morning personality on iHeartMedia's WDIA 1070-AM "The Heart & Soul Of Memphis," who died Tuesday morning, May 3 at the age of 68. 69 talking about this. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. Pharos Books, 1992). Among other notable personalities were Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert, Theo "Bless My Bones" Wade, and Ford Nelson, who continued as of 2013 as an active gospel DJ on WDIA. As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools. In addition to providing specialized programming, through the years the station led and supported projects to benefit the community. ", Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay. Fred was also in a couple of movies that filmed here, too.. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. 14. Mark as Played. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022, Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Vintage Radio Steampunk Women Alice And Wonderland Quotes Techno Old Radios Record Players The Dj H Harm Koenders Radio Disc Jockey's 1950's-1970's Dj Music Listening To Music Vinyl Junkies Radio Personality Professional Audio Thanks For The Memories British English American English J Joe Defazio Radio Disc Jockey's 1950's-1970's Rhythm And Blues The original frequency was 730kHz. iHeartRadio Ultimate Contest, Sweatfest Punta Cana with Keith Sweat. WDIA disc jockey WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African-Americans for African-Americans. Bobbyology is my thought pattern. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. King and Rufus Thomas got their start by working at WDIA. Longtime WDIA Memphis personality Bobby O'Jay passes away. WDIA Format: Soul Air Personalities 6:30 am--A.C. Williams 10 am--Robert Thomas 2 pm--Lee Armstrong 6 pm--Herb Kneeland 10 pm--Dave Smith 3 am--Theo Wade WLOK Format: Soul Air Personalities 6 am--Nat Washington 10 am--Gerald Floyd 2 pm--Roger W. Cavanass 6 pm--Clifton Halmon 10 pm--Alvin Moore 1 am--James Jack WHER Format: MOR, some talk When I returned to Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless. 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A builders' merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious national award. He reflected on his career just before being inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame last year. Suite 4100 901-535-9342 Website: http://mywdia.iheart.com Stations 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis TOMORROW: 7am Bobby O'Jay 11am Bev Johnson 4pm Earle Augustus Shows Bev Johnson Memphis, TN [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . Gospel radio show host and academic administrator Markhum "Mark" L. Stansbury, Sr. was born on April 5, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee to Willie and Eliza Markham Stansbury. OJay eventually got a tour of the station, but back then, you needed an FCC license to be a DJ, so radio would have to wait. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. WDIA personalities included: Martha Jean "The Queen" Steinberg, aka "Princess Premium Stuff" Ernest Brazzell, the giver of crop advice Robert Thomas, aka Robert "Honeyboy" Thomas Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert Theo "Bless My Bones" Wade Ford Nelson, who, until 2013, acted as a gospel D.J. Discover Tuesday's shows for 1070 WDIA in Memphis, TN. Its a tremendous loss because were just going to miss hearing about Bobby OJ., State Rep. Antonio Parkinson added in a statement, We pray for the family and mourn the passing of radio icon Bobby Ojay. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. A.C. Williams, a former disc jockey for the station, helped create the Goodwill Fund in 1954, and the station's identification announcement became, Youre Listening to 50,000 Watts of Goodwill, W-D-I-A Memphis.. Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. The Museum of Broadcast Communications announces the selection of 10 new Legends inductees into the Radio Hall of Fame for 2022, "recognizing the talents and efforts of air personalities, programmers and operators who contributed with greatness to the radio industry and have since passed away." WDIA, where OJay worked for decades, issued this statement: It is with great sadness we share the passing of the Legendary Bobby OJay. Its been fun more than anything, said OJay. Web. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy., Black Developers Housing Summit headed to Memphis to educate & empower, Ken Moody makes move from city government to the U of, For the childrens sake, let us not allow our history to, City Council edges forward with measures for police reform and oversight, A selection of books with African-American History Month in mind, Ekpe Abioto brings solid message with Dont Touch A Gun, WLOK Black Film Festival salutes Black History Month with Poitier-directed A, PREVIEW: Thank you Katori Hall for TINA The Tina Turner, Talking Black AF (And Fearless) takes root at town hall, Angela Davis reaction to a big reveal was the most priceless. Notable U.S.radio disc jockeys of the period include Alan Freed, Wolfman Jack, Casey Kasem,[25]and their Britishcounterparts such as the BBC's Brian Matthewand Alan Freeman, Radio London'sJohn Peel, Radio Caroline's Tony Blackburn, and Radio Luxembourg's Jimmy Savile. Influencing every black radio station to follow, WDIA assigned itself the moniker the Mother Station of Negroes. It earned the nickname the Goodwill Station as well because it broadcast public service bulletins announcing employment opportunities, missing children, social service agency information, and the like at the behest of its listening audience. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He was known as the King of Memphis Radio, a legend, and icon in the industry. He explained to Action News 5 last year he wasnt willing to just say anything. The 12-year-old would turn the radio dial and listen to what DJs both talked about and sounded like for years. Listen to the radio in the background. WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Blues legend B.B. They just prayed for me and June 28, 1985, I just went to work one morning after being out all night and called the general manager of the radio station. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. Moore was in that number. Music (Memphis: Hopkins-Oates & Associates, 2008); Louis Cantor, WDIA went on the air June 7, 1947,[2] from studios on Union Avenue. In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. Website. I know my mother and father knew I was on drugs. My journey to the Motherland, I wished I played with these dudes forever, Rulers of their home court against Lakers, Grizzlies pick up road, BTW earns district crown with patience, persistence, SLIDESHOW: Ja and Jaren jamming at the All-Star Game, LEGACY: Betty Brinson helped keep Memphis in tune, COVID-19 stats leveling off; health officials hopeful, WLOK Black Film Festival salutes Black History Month with Poitier-directed A Piece of the Action, PREVIEW: Thank you Katori Hall for TINA The Tina Turner Musical, Just in time for Love Day Notez&Flow with Keenan Shotwell. "Cannonball" Cantor, one of the few white announcers on WDIA, tells how this decision resulted not only in business success, but mirrored America's nascent awareness of African American culture and social issues. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. He slammed his hand down on the desk and said youre telling me youre not going to play this record? I said Im not going to play it. He said youre fired. Just like that.. Thomas continued to work at WDIA until he died in 2001. Hes going to be missed and I know a lot of us in the industry looked up to him. I started opening the phone lines on my show in the morning for people to respond to things, all kinds of things, about kids and relationships and politics, and all the things going on in the world that affect our lives. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. This is not only a loss for us as a city in Memphis, but a loss to all of us in the black community nationally, those of us in black music and radio and those of us who saw him as a mentor. Tuesday morning, iHeart Radio confirmed the death of O'Jay at age 68. Please include the headline. Men WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African Americans for African Americans. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. Memphians remember radio host Bobby OJay, Woman accused of driving into home, killing former pro basketball player Galen Young granted diversion, Justin Bieber cancels remainder of world tour after Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis, 1 dead after multi-vehicle crash on I-240, traffic heavily congested, First Alert Meteorologist Brittney Bryant's Thursday Morning Weather 3/2, Bane leads Grizzlies to victory against Rockets, Baptist Memorial speaks out on gun violence, 1 dead after crash near Shelby Drive, MPD reports. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. So, that day, OJay walked into the St. Joseph Rehab Center. His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. K97 FM 9am. 1,679 talking about this. He also served as program director during his tenure and interviewed countless Black music and culture legends, including Whitney Houston and Muhammad Ali, as well as David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. A cause of . After a switch to all-black programming, WDIA became the city's top station. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. Its been fun even though its been some ups and downs. Together the three transformed WDIA into the South's first African-American-oriented radio station, soon to be known throughout the region as the "Mother Station of the Negroes.". 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. He was moved by the Hall of Fame announcement. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. Radio WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. "The radio station helps me, it's therapeutic," Lee said. A.C. Williams, a former WDIA disc jockey, helped create the Goodwill Fund in 1954. One of the stations most well-known personalities, Bev Johnson, told The New Tri-State Defender that Moore was kind of laid back and real smooth., She continued, I came to WDIA in 1983, 38 years ago, and Fred came a later that same year, I believe it was, said Johnson. Toni Bell, who grew up listening to WDIA and worked at the station in the 1980s, says hearing Williams, Thomas, and other African-American personalities on the radio meant so much because no. Half of the listeners who could hear WDIA's signal were African-American, and WDIA hired the first black disk jockey in the South. Sherry Mackey, a former colleague of Moore, posted this tribute on Facebook: Rest in Love to one of the kindest people I have had the honor to work with, former WDIA personality, Fred Hollywood Moore. I have a huge family. Music legends such as B.B. See more. SIDEBAR. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. MEMPHIS, Tenn Legendary Memphis radio icon Bobby O'Jay has passed away. Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 He was 68. Community Efforts When O'Jay would open. 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