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. 1070 WDIA is an Urban Contemporary radio station serving Memphis. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. 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." B.B. 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. Its been fun even though its been some ups and downs. Mark as Played. I need some help.. As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. After a switch to all-black programming, WDIA became the city's top station. Many grieved in 2017 with the devastating loss of Sharon after 30 years of marriage to O'Jay. WDIA, where OJay worked for decades, issued this statement: It is with great sadness we share the passing of the Legendary Bobby OJay. Address: 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. King and Rufus Thomas. They didnt get in my business and things like that. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Radio host Bev Johnson confirmed to WREG that O'Jay passed away while he was at work. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. 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. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . 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. You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. View our online Press Pack. Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! The Black Effect Podcast Network Is Making History Again This April! WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. Martha Jean The Queen Steinberg (September 9, 1930 January 29, 2000) was an influential African-American radio broadcaster and later was also the pastor of her own church. Captain Curtis Lee, a longtime WDIA radio personality passed away Wednesday. These days, he eats vegan and looks back with appreciation, hoping to further WDIAs image as a goodwill 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. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. Pharos Books, 1992). 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I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. He says his large family never pried, they just prayed and so did he. Click here to sign up for our newsletter! Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. And the name kind of stuck from that time. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. In 1963 she . I have met some of the biggest stars in America. The Heart & Soul of Memphis! Twin Cities: AM Personality Tom Barnard ReUps At KQRS; Portland OR Radio: Lar Larson Renews Deal With KXL; Richmond Radio: iHM Names A-J OM/Regional PM . Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. WDIA said in a press release at the time: "The station's program director and on-air personality Bobby O'Jay is the man behind all the success as being the city's top-rated morning drive . Discover Tuesday's shows for 1070 WDIA in Memphis, TN. See more. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. Talking to TV outlet Fox 13/Memphis prior to his induction, OJay said of his 49-year career, Ive never had this job and that job. 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.. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. WDIA M-F 6am-10am & Sun. Afternoon On-Air Talent: Earle Augustus. Listen For Your Chance To Win! Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. I have a huge family. Wheelin On Beale: How WDIA-Memphis Became the Nations First All-Black 2 in Memphis in terms of audience. 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. In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. 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. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. At the end of everything, they had given me this fat contract. . [9] Originally, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. 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. A builders' merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious national award. 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. He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. In addition to providing specialized programming, through the years the station led and supported projects to benefit the community. 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. Bell joins 1070 WDIA from co-owned Urban KJMS-FM (V101), where he has been on-air for over 30 years. WDIA radio station, which is based in Memphis, Tennessee, has been active since 1947 and has an amazing history. 69 talking about this. 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. 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.". At the time, most stations had one talk show per week. [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. K97 FM 9am. Final arrangements were pending at press time Wednesday (Jan. 13). OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. He broke a lot of records. 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. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. I hired this guy and within two months, this man had taken my job. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. 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. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. God bless his family, friends and coworkers.". It wasn't black owned, but it appealed to a black . What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. 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. Please rotate your device. It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market . The station also publicized Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s visits to Memphis and served as a leading source of news and information for the black community following Dr. Kings assassination. He loved God and people. Nobody said a word to me. Broadcasting Blues, Gospel, emerging R&B and various talk programs, WDIA became known as a direct appeal to advertisers who wished to reach the African American demographic. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. The best way to connect to the community, you talk to them. As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. WDIA moved its home to Radio Center, the former home of WMPS, in 1985, then to a suburban office park in 2004. 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. 3 7am-10a. Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 Press Center, This site is best experienced in portrait orientation. Website. 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 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. . Fred was real smooth on the air, and he had that infectious laugh. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 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. G.P. He was on the air, he engaged with his callers, talked to his listeners. Bell will still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA. Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. The station first featured black radio personalities, and its growing success contributed in building a new audience of black listeners. Fred had a very good voice, said Stansbury. OJay says he knew what he wanted to do early on. 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. Tuesday morning, iHeart Radio confirmed the death of O'Jay at age 68. Updated: 5:25 PM CDT May 3, 2022. Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! (Former WDIA radio personality & Annual Stone Awards Host)was my friend, partner in the Entertainment industry, an extension of Ma&9 Mustard Seeds Family member and Its my Time Entertainment/ House of MTenzi Museum Committee Member. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! Its been fun more than anything, said OJay. News-Talk 1380 WAOK - Atlanta News & Talk Radio - WAOK-AM News How you can send well wishes to former President Carter News Atlanta mourns death of civic leader and businessman Thomas Dortch News Why it's important to know who your teen is dating News Services held for Bunnie Jackson-Ransom Atlanta's 1st Black First Lady racine horlick high school football Cuidados de Gnero. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. WDIA reached 10% of the African-American population in United States. Hes going to be missed and I know a lot of us in the industry looked up to him. Fired within three months of taking his first gig in Birmingham, that Milwaukee station he called during high school hired him and he quickly became program director. Music (Memphis: Hopkins-Oates & Associates, 2008); Louis Cantor, [11] Elvis Presley was greatly influenced by the station. The station started the WDIA Goodwill Fund to help and empower black communities. King and Rufus Thomas. In WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. Cam Mtenzi posted an extended tribute to Moore on Facebook. The station had a strong influence on music, hiring musicians early in their careers, and playing their music to an audience that reached through the Mississippi Delta to the Gulf Coast. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Humbled, OJay came home to Batesville for a visit. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Condolences to his family, colleagues and all who loved him. r'n'b. soul. So, he moved back to Houston to return to radio there. Mike Evans and the Memphis Morning Show with Earle & Stormy. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. Listen to the best radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, no matter where you are. He can be heard Monday through Friday on WDIA from 6 to 10 a.m. and on V101 from 3 to 7 p.m. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian) 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. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby O'Jay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). Radio proved to be a rocky road. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy.. 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. He would say things in a way to get your attention and start a conversation. "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. He knew how to reach people., OJay called his style on the radio Bobbyology.. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. 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. Later the fund expanded to include college scholarships, establish boy clubs, provide 125 Little League Teams to Memphis and neighboring communities, and help provide low cost supplemental housing (Wilson). Fred was also in a couple of movies that filmed here, too.. Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. On air personality Bev Johnson of WDIA, AM 1070 in Memphis, Tennessee. . 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 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 Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. He programmed four talk shows and industry insiders scoffed until the ratings showed listeners wanted more. But at the time he took the job, the drugs were still in his system. A radio personality is a person who hosts a radio talk show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email. He was such an important part of WDIA and the City of Memphis, words cannot express how truly missed he will be.. So, he was no novice when he came here to us.. Bobby and I were always on opposite sides of the desk. [4], Nat D. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948. 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. Listen to the radio in the background. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. He reflected on his career just before being inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame last year. Even though there have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything.. I had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. 3-3:30pm. "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. RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. The WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering . For other inquiries, Contact Us. OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. 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. AKWAABAWelcome Home! Longtime radio personality Stan Bell talks new role at WDIA By Jasmine McCraven, Daily Memphian Updated: September 24, 2022 5:31 PM CT | Published: . I know his legacy will continue through WDIA, he wrote. It was Memphis WDIA.. [citation needed]. During her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl . This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. Johnson received her B.A. Born in Batesville, Mississippi. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. All Rights Reserved. As program director, he hired radio broadcast veterans Bev Johnson and Mike Evans, who still sit behind the mic. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loyal listeners during this extremely difficult time. King, and Bobby Blue Bland. One of the station's most well-known personalities, Bev Johnson, told The New Tri-State Defender that Moore was "kind of laid back and real smooth." After a series of local owners it was bought by media giant Clear Channel Communication in 1997. 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. Williams continued on the air . Its just going to be something that maybe will shake you a little bit, OJay explained. O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. 1,679 talking about this. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. Web. "I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise.. He began his teaching profession at Northside High, (his alma mater), where he taught English and Applied Economics. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. What remained constant was his kooky smile and the genuine respect we had for each other. Over time, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children, financed college scholarships, established boy clubs, covered the costs of regional Little League teams and helped provide low-cost supplemental housing. So, he hired radio broadcast veterans Bev Johnson confirmed to WREG, O & # x27 ; went. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948 truly. 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