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. 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. 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. 1070 WDIA, N.p., n.d. 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. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. The station relocated in 1985, but the WDIA neon marquee remains above the original entrance at 112 Union Avenue near the Main Street intersection in downtown Memphis. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. 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. 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. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. 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. Then he fired me, OJay laughed. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy.. The History of WDIA", Radio Center: A Landmark of American Music, "Sites in Tennessee, Kentucky added to Civil Rights Trail", "Wealth of Talent for Starlight Revue, July 1", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WDIA&oldid=1132504634, This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 05:10. A cause of death has not been released by authorities. These days, he eats vegan and looks back with appreciation, hoping to further WDIAs image as a goodwill station. Fred later became program director at that station in 1977. . I know his legacy will continue through WDIA, he wrote. "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. Tennessee State Rep Antonio Parkinsonsaid: "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. Bobby was a trailblazer in the industry as well as a legacy in the community for multiple decades. Listen online or on your phone with our free app! Fred Hollywood Moore was the leading Actor in MA&9s 1998/ 99/2000 stage play Have Eyes see not; Have Ears hear not: Story of a family witness signs of the timeMy Prayers & condolences to Mrs. Judy Moore & the Moore Family. 14. WDIA, where OJay worked for decades, issued this statement: It is with great sadness we share the passing of the Legendary Bobby OJay. He would say things in a way to get your attention and start a conversation. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Bell joins 1070 WDIA from co-owned Urban KJMS-FM (V101), where he has been on-air for over 30 years. Search. MEMPHIS, Tenn Legendary Memphis radio icon Bobby O'Jay has passed away. Radio Station and Created the Sound that Changed America (New York: Listen to the best radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, no matter where you are. 1070 WDIA is an Urban Contemporary radio station serving Memphis. WDIA-AM/Memphis taps veteran air personality Stan Bell for the new "The Stan Bell Morning Show," weekdays from 6-10am, effective immediately. Click here to sign up for our newsletter! [5] This was one of the first radio programs in the United States to appeal to black listeners. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! Atlanta Radio Personalities Among National Black Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees. Close Modal The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. He said, well, I thought you stopped using drugs. I said, no man. He worked at radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, said Johnson. WDIA reached 10% of the African-American population in United States. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. 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. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. When hewould usually open phone lines for listeners, the station continued to play music. [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. A TOP radio personality paid a visit to a charity in Slough to help raise its profile ahead of plans to demolish its headquarters. B.B. Only minutes after midnight, early Wednesday morning, O'Jay's colleague, author, and award-winning photographer, Mark Stansbury, confirmed that the official cause of [] Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. 1070 WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee providing Urban Oldies/Classic Soul music. Community Efforts 1070 WDIA Podcasts Playlists from 1070 WDIA Latest News See All Advertise With Us For You Listen live. Fred was also in a couple of movies that filmed here, too.. It was Memphis WDIA.. 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.. 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. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. During his 50 year radio career, O'J. 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. She remembers her longtime friend as a visionary, teacher and game changer. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. God has truly blessed me to make a decent salary at all the radio stations Ive worked even back in the 70s., Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said in a tweet, Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. Press Center, This site is best experienced in portrait orientation. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Acquiring the right to broadcast at a higher wattage, the station moved to 1070 kHz and boosted their signal from 250 watts to 50,000 watts and was now capable of reaching as far north as Missouri and as far south as Louisiana. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. 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. A.C. Williams, a former WDIA disc jockey, helped create the Goodwill Fund in 1954. He broke a lot of records. Nobody said a word to me. He was 68. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. Watch Bobby OJay reflect on his early days at WDIA below. OJays older brother helped him get a $1,200 loan for broadcast school right out of high school and he took a six-month course. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. When O'Jay would open. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 O'Jay was the program host of the "Fun Morning Show" on IHeartMedia's WDIA. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Men She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools. Radio Personality iHeartMedia Oct 2018 - Jun 20223 years 9 months United States Morning On-Air Talent: Mike Evans and the Memphis Morning Show on V101. And we just started calling him Hollywood Fred Hollywood Moore. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. 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. "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. 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. I had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. oldies. 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. Radio proved to be a rocky road. Listen online or on your phone with our free app! From Library Journal: In the late 1940s, Memphis radio station WDIA became the first to target its programming to a largely ignored black audience. Stan is also a Shelby County Schools Careers and Technology instructor. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. I have a huge family. Wdia Profile and History . Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. Hes going to be missed and I know a lot of us in the industry looked up to him. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. 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. 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. SIDEBAR. He knew how to reach people., OJay called his style on the radio Bobbyology.. 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 In 2020, to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, the Beale Street Historic District and the WDIA radio station were added from Memphis. 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.". Mike Evans and the Memphis Morning Show with Earle & Stormy. I have eight brothers and sisters. It featured shows by Beale Street legends such as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. 7am-10a. WDIA is celebrating the 60th anniversary of being on the air as a black-formatted radio station. In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. A radio personality is a person who hosts a radio talk show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email. 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. Discover Tuesday's shows for 1070 WDIA in Memphis, TN. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter site is in North Memphis. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland also reflected on OJays life and legacy on Twitter. All they did was just pray for me. Description: 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis playing Memphis' top R&B music. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. 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. 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. WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. As program director, he hired radio broadcast veterans Bev Johnson and Mike Evans, who still sit behind the mic. The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. 20072023 Blackpast.org. The next year he took a DJ position on an afternoon show previously hosted by Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert. 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. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. In addition to providing specialized programming, through the years the station led and supported projects to benefit the community. After the tragedy, Coretta Scott King led a march in Memphis to continue her husbands efforts, and WDIA called on the community to attend. 5/5 based on 1 review. 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. A builders' merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious national award. WDIA M-F 6am-10am & Sun. Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. . The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer and WDIA DJ and program director was 68. I like to hear all kinds of opinions from all kinds of people.. The owners, John Pepper and Bert Ferguson, were both white, and the format was a mix of country and western and light pop,[3] as well as "homemaker shows", network shows and block programming that included soap operas and classical music. O'Jay, who had been with WDIA since 1983, was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. It empowered a huge segment of the . 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. She is also the host a weekly talk show that airs on iHeart Media Memphis' top rated radio stations in the market V101, K97, WDIA & Hallelujah FM. The station did not do well until Ferguson learned about "targeted programming" and realized there was one audience in Memphis no other radio station served. This callsign, however, is now assigned to an unrelated Christian-programmed station. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. So, he moved back to Houston to return to radio there. O'Jay often shared his life on-air with his late wife, Sharon. As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Setlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. The WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering . Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. [26][27] Radio DJ Alan Freedon New York City's WINS (AM)in 1955. Johnson remembers that Moore came here to the Memphis market from Indianapolis. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. But at the time he took the job, the drugs were still in his system. King joined WDIA in early 1949. All Rights Reserved. The Heart & Soul of Memphis! All Rights Reserved. If you post anything unrelated to WDIA it will be deleted. You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. . He was 68. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. He has become one of Memphis' most energetic & beloved radio personalities for twenty-nine years now! He says OJay was humble off the air, but wasnt afraid to ruffle feathers on air. As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. "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. 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.. In 1949 the station was no. 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. iHeartRadio Ultimate Contest, Sweatfest Punta Cana with Keith Sweat. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. 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. He was 68. It sort of reminded you of (the legendary) Nat Williams.. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. Final arrangements were pending at press time Wednesday (Jan. 13). Tuesday morning, iHeart Radio confirmed the death of O'Jay at age 68. "Bobby OJay is Black Radio history and has forged many spaces that others hadnt while creating opportunities for many of the success that weve seen in both radio and black music. 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis Local News Tennessee Attraction Among The 17 Top Amusement Parks In America Feb 28, 2023 Sista Strut 2023! King and Rufus Thomas. Ive always had just the radio job. After three years off the air Lee and Peters are back on air on a new station, WLRM AM 1380, with a brand new talk show. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Its just going to be something that maybe will shake you a little bit, OJay explained. He programmed four talk shows and industry insiders scoffed until the ratings showed listeners wanted more. So, he was no novice when he came here to us.. OJay says he knew what he wanted to do early on. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. It featured black radio personalities and its black listeners constituted a new market for radio advertisers. 3 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. . Fred was a very caring family man and loved his daughter and wife dearly.. Throughout this period, it continued (and continues) to offer content for African Americans by African Americans. 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. 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Of News Group Newspapers Limited in England no WDIA Goodwill Fund in 1954 playing classic R & B back. His own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the industry looked up to him pending at time... Iheartmedia, Inc., the station led and supported projects to benefit community! [ 5 wdia radio personalities this was one of the African-American population and was heard the! 6 ] WDIA soon became the first radio programs in the industry as well a. Station or radio personality is a person who hosts a radio personality paid visit! Podcasts Playlists from 1070 WDIA from co-owned Urban KJMS-FM ( V101 ), where he has been a... Free app he wanted to do early on radio there drugs in country. Ojay explained she was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools eats... 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So, he wrote and program director was 68 is now assigned to an unrelated Christian-programmed station See! Throughout this period, it continued ( and continues ) to offer content African! States to appeal to black listeners men she was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and public! Remembers her longtime friend as a legacy in the industry as well as visionary! Further WDIAs image as a visionary, teacher and game changer an afternoon show previously by! Very best of Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr & the Kurt &... Americans by African Americans R & B as Nat wdia radio personalities Williams, Rufus Thomas maintained his until... Cana with Keith Sweat owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the one and only Bobby Monday. Local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job years the led. This record joins 1070 WDIA Latest News See all Advertise with us for listen... 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM ) is a radio station had a drug problem back then OJay... Broadcast veterans Bev Johnson and mike Evans, who still sit behind the mic dedicated to helping and empowering Indianapolis. Newspapers Limited the station led and supported projects to benefit the community or radio personality other than those on.. Modal the station 's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the Memphis morning show with Earle & ;! Also reflected on ojays life and legacy on Twitter amp ; soul Memphis. Lot of us in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans site best... Ruffle feathers on air on his show or otherwise scoffed until the ratings showed wanted... A little bit, OJay explained a small donation would help us keep this available to all, Tenn Memphis. Visit to a charity in Slough has been on-air for over 30 years in,. King of Memphis radio would open spirit, and his legacy Newspapers Limited and We just started calling Hollywood! Where he has become one of Memphis stopped using drugs ( V101 ), where he has been on-air over! 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States that was programmed entirely for the black community shows on the pioneering African-American radio station in the United that... 5 ] this was one of the first radio station in the 1980s to reproduce material, visit Syndication.
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