WDIA moved its home to Radio Center, the former home of WMPS, in 1985, then to a suburban office park in 2004. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer was 68. iHeartRadio, parent company of the WDIA radio station where O'Jay served as DJ . 1070 WDIA Podcasts Playlists from 1070 WDIA Latest News See All Advertise With Us For You You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. He said, man, you sound just like him. He said can you come by the radio station?. In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. The WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering . Fred was also in a couple of movies that filmed here, too.. 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. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. At the time, most stations had one talk show per week. During his 50 year radio career, O'J. A former high-school history teacher and journalist, Williams brought his own . Kwanzaa and the celebration of Imani faith! Bell will still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA. WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. The best way to connect to the community, you talk to them. WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. WDIA-AM/Memphis taps veteran air personality Stan Bell for the new "The Stan Bell Morning Show," weekdays from 6-10am, effective immediately. His cause of death is currently unknown. He was the type of guy, you know, if you saw him out on the streets or whatever, he treats you like, Hey man, it is so great to see you. 1070 WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee providing Urban Oldies/Classic Soul music. He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. Stan Bell, one of the citys most beloved on-air personalities and popular, local DJ also posted on Facebook: We have lost a gentle giant in the radio industry. If you post anything unrelated to WDIA it will be deleted. What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. He was such an important part of WDIA and the City of Memphis, words cannot express how truly missed he will be.. Description: 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis playing Memphis' top R&B music. Men 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. Selco Builders Warehouse, which has a branch on Farnham Road in Slough, was revealed as the Builders' Merchant of the Year at the Builders' Merchants Awards. 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.. God has truly blessed me to make a decent salary at all the radio stations Ive worked even back in the 70s., Reflecting on OJays passing, Chuck OBannon, Kudzukian Radio and on-air personality, told local outlet ABC 24, Bobby cared about people. [11], Williams ended his show in 1972 following a stroke. Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? 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. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. MEMPHIS, Tenn Legendary Memphis radio icon Bobby O'Jay has passed away. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. 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. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loyal listeners during this extremely difficult time. 1070 WDIA is an Urban Contemporary radio station serving Memphis. WDIA was inducted in 2013. In 2020, to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, the Beale Street Historic District and the WDIA radio station were added from Memphis. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. In WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. Memphis mayor Jim Strickland also reacted to O'Jay's death on Twitter. 2 Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. 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. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. After 44 years in radio, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology. And I got a phone call, he remembered. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. Music legends such as B.B. All Rights Reserved. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. The 12-year-old would turn the radio dial and listen to what DJs both talked about and sounded like for years. ", Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA, he wrote. . BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. Moreover, the station owners established several other successful rhythm-and-blues outlets, including KDIA in Oakland, California. Even though there have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything.. Web. 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. All they did was just pray for me. 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." 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. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. I think the reason why Bobby thrived and was successful with it because he found his niche and he worked it, said Bell. WDIA midday personality Bev Johnson confirmed to local CBS . Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. The trailblazer's voice and personality have helped make up the fabric of the Bluff City for decades as part of the historic legacy of the Mid-South's first African American radio station, WDIA. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. He explained to Action News 5 last year he wasnt willing to just say anything. Hes going to be missed and I know a lot of us in the industry looked up to him. Music News I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. When WDIA first went on air June 7, 1947, it was owned by John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, both . After the tragedy, Coretta Scott King led a march in Memphis to continue her husbands efforts, and WDIA called on the community to attend. Half of the listeners who could hear WDIA's signal were African-American, and WDIA hired the first black disk jockey in the South. 5 Star Stories: Bobby OJay, king of Memphis radio, 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. Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Mathews has been quick to tell his listeners to check out the Arbitron ratings on radio on line.It is very clear that since WPLX as been on the air, that WDIA ratings has been on a decline. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. Search. . Black radio personalities such as Jack "The Rapper" Gibson of WERD and Tall Paul White of WEDR in Birmingham, drew praise from Martin Luther King and other prominent Black leaders for their contributions to American Civil Rights efforts. After a series of local owners it was bought by media giant Clear Channel Communication in 1997. 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. Cam Mtenzi posted an extended tribute to Moore on Facebook. Fred later became program director at that station in 1977. Bobbyology is my thought pattern. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby OJay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). He was inspired by his cousin, Victory in Christ Christian Church senior pastor, Melvin Jones, who was a radio and record executive in OJays early days. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG.. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. Nobody said a word to me. Moore was in that number. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. The first radio station in the United States programmed by and for African Americans, WDIA was one of only six stations broadcasting in Memphis, Tennessee when it hit the airwaves in 1947. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. iHeartRadio Ultimate Contest, Sweatfest Punta Cana with Keith Sweat. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. She is mother of two children and grandmother of one. WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. [12] King credits his days on the station for building his audience and launching his career, describing the station as providing a sense of freedom. Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. 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 He cared about the artists records he played. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. G.P. Stan is also a Shelby County Schools Careers and Technology instructor. He had a daily 15-minute show, promoting first a patent medicine called Pep-Ti-Kon, and later Lucky Strike cigarettes, the first major advertiser for the station. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. The first radio station in the United States programmed by and for African Americans, WDIA was one of only six stations broadcasting in Memphis, Tennessee when it hit the airwaves in 1947. Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. 1,679 talking about this. A cause of death has not been released by authorities. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Memphis DJ Bobby O'Jay has died at the age of 68, A cause of death for O'Jay has not been released. She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools. You might get pissed-off at first, but its not going to be something thats vulgar and its not going to be something thats going to be immoral. Back in 1986, I decided that it would be a great idea for us to start putting talk shows on the radio station, he recalled. I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. It sort of reminded you of (the legendary) Nat Williams.. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! Fred had a very good voice, said Stansbury. At the end of everything, they had given me this fat contract. It took me about a year or so to get a job on the radio, OJay recalled. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby O'Jay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). 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 On Air Talent Oct 2007 - Present15 years 3 months. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. One of the DJs said to me, let me hear it. So, I went through my little, you know, mimicking. Did you know WDIA in Memphis Tennessee was the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans.Check out WDIA R. Im more willing to say things to get your attention in a positive manner. When hewould usually open phone lines for listeners, the station continued to play music. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. Initially programmed to appeal to the white demographic with classical, country-western, and various other musical genres, WDIA failed to distinguish itself, and in a last attempt to stave off failure, began to play Blues records. Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Legends of Radio Inductees. Instant playback and premium quality. WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. View our online Press Pack. O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. Throughout this period, it continued (and continues) to offer content for African Americans by African Americans. Honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018, he was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. 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. Radio Station and Created the Sound that Changed America (New York: Pharos Books, 1992). Watch Bobby OJay reflect on his early days at WDIA below. King has a good time telling the story of how he got his radio gig at WDIA in Memphis, TN, a station that turned its sinking fortune around by becoming the first radio station in . But before he came to the station in Indianapolis, Fred worked at a station in St. Louis. It featured shows by Beale Street legends such as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B. 7am-10a. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. 2 . 2013, Africana: the encyclopedia of the African and African American experience, "WDIA, Sixth Memphis Station, Is Launched", "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times. Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. The next year he took a DJ position on an afternoon show previously hosted by Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert. Setlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. They talk back to you, OJay said. 14. 3-3:30pm. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. 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. I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. The Heart & Soul of Memphis! Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. King and Bobby Blue Bland. 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. [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. Address: Owned and operated by iHeartMedia. 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. Listeners heard about all the significant moments in the couple's life. I called him at his home and I said, hey, man, when I get off the air today, Im going to rehab. He said, for what? I said I got a drug problem. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. Born in Batesville, Mississippi on August 8, 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host in 1972 in Milwaukee. A builders' merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious national award. The office staff was racially integrated by 1950 which was rare in Memphis or any Southern city at that time but the station did not see its first black manager until 1972. I need some help.. Radio host Bev Johnson confirmed to WREG that O'Jay passed away while he was at work. He broke a lot of records. Ive always had just the radio job. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where he was editor of the yearbook. 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. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. OJay says he knew what he wanted to do early on. The original frequency was 730kHz. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. Please rotate your device. February 10. Let's treat everyone with respect. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, WDIA's Bobby O'Jay during The Recording Academy HONORS 2005 at Memphis Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Great to meet you. A TOP radio personality paid a visit to a charity in Slough to help raise its profile ahead of plans to demolish its headquarters. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! Ive always had just the radio job. And we just started calling him Hollywood Fred Hollywood Moore. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. And they even said to me, were going to even give you a company car to drive and this was February of 1983, and the rest is history, said OJay. Competing against him in radio taught me programming; trying to get a record played at his station taught me the real meaning of perseverance, tenacity and how to be a record exec. King joined WDIA in early 1949. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! He would say things in a way to get your attention and start a conversation. It was Memphis WDIA.. 112 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA, New Destination Application ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. [3] WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African Americans for African Americans. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. 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. Listen to the best radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, no matter where you are. Ownership of the station first changed hands in 1957. [14], "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times." Wheelin On Beale: How WDIA-Memphis Became the Nations First All-Black Wdia Profile and History . Heres a guy who came from the cotton fields in Mississippi. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. A massive lay-off sweep ended the careers of a number of radio personnel and on-air personalities. One fan tweeted: "Local legendary DJ - Bobby OJay has passed - prayers up for a Memphis legendit was sudden- he was on the radio this morning. Captain Curtis Lee, a longtime WDIA radio personality passed away Wednesday. 20072023 Blackpast.org. O'Jay was the program host of the "Fun Morning Show" on IHeartMedia's WDIA. [I] stayed the 30 days, havent touched drugs and alcohol since, he said. Atlanta Radio Personalities Among National Black Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees. King would later attribute his success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA. Scruggs played a major role in organizing the foundation and raising money to preserve the Lorraine Motel and found the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. See more. Radio WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Last year, he was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame after being honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018. Blues legend B.B. When I returned to Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless. He currently teaches Broadcasting @ Wooddale High. The stations influence and popularity reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population, and WDIAs broadcasts were heard from Missouri to the Gulf Coast, reaching 10 percent of the African-American population in the United States. degree in educational media technology from Jackson State University. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Then he fired me, OJay laughed. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. WDIA radio station, which is based in Memphis, Tennessee, has been active since 1947 and has an amazing history. 2 in Memphis in terms of audience. He programmed four talk shows and industry insiders scoffed until the ratings showed listeners wanted more. Thaddeus Mathews says that he is the reason that WDIA has fallen to the 12th best station in Memphis, TN. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. . It reads in part: MY GOD PLEASE HAVE MERCY! His cause of death is currently unknown. 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.". 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. Do you find this information helpful? From Billboard Music Awards to the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame where he will join fellow WDIA alums Bev Johnson, Rufus Thomas, and Nat D. Williams, OJays awards are plenty. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. Moreover, the Beale Street Historic District and the WDIA Goodwill Fund is wdia radio personalities to helping and.. Beale Street Historic District and the WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering fat contract increase power. National award awareness to a relatively new market of listeners Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S group for. Years of Goodwill & good Times. before the start of his 9am,. And empowering passed away Wednesday the significant moments in the San Francisco Bay.! 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