O'Jay was the program host of the "Fun Morning Show" on IHeartMedia's WDIA. Share. A.C. Williams, a former WDIA disc jockey, helped create the Goodwill Fund in 1954. When I returned to Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless. His cause of death is currently unknown. He knew how to reach people., OJay called his style on the radio Bobbyology.. They talk back to you, OJay said. Born in Batesville, Mississippi in 1953, OJay was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. Longtime WDIA Memphis personality Bobby O'Jay passes away. 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." He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. 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. www.mywdia.com; John Hopkins, Radio Center: A Landmark of American [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. After 44 years in radio, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology. 1,679 talking about this. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. WDIA went on the air June 7, 1947,[2] from studios on Union Avenue. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby OJay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. 14. In 1949 the station was no. 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. 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. He reflected on his career just before being inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame last year. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA, he wrote. 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. . 112 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA, New Destination Application O'Jay often shared his life on-air with his late wife, Sharon. 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 Owned and operated by iHeartMedia. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. Claim your profile Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. Johnson remembers that Moore came here to the Memphis market from Indianapolis. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. Even though there have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything.. Main features: Easy to use. View our online Press Pack. When WDIA went on the air in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, its white owners, Bert Ferguson and John R. Pepper, were anything but blues aficionados; however, deejay Nat D. Williams was. [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. Praying for the strength and peace of his family as we honor his legacy.. MEMPHIS, Tenn Legendary Memphis radio icon Bobby O'Jay has passed away. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. (Photo by Rick Diamond/WireImage), Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Stax Records Icon Al Bell and More Reflect on 50thAnniversary of Wattstax, Chuck D Talks PBS & BBC Music Premiere of Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed theWorld, Lil Kim and Friends to Headline Apollo for Harlem Festival of CultureConcert. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. Afternoon On-Air Talent: Earle Augustus. As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 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 broke a lot of records. Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. Rodriguez . Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 "I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise.. 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. The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. Listen online at myWDIA.com/listen That range included about 10% of the black population of the United States which in turn garnered substantial advertising revenues. 5/5 based on 1 review. King joined WDIA in early 1949. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. 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. 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. It wasn't black owned, but it appealed to a black . 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. 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. Listen to the radio in the background. 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. r'n'b. soul. 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. WDIA is celebrating the 60th anniversary of being on the air as a black-formatted radio station. Its been fun more than anything, said OJay. Community Efforts Fred was a very caring family man and loved his daughter and wife dearly.. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to OJay on his morning radio show. Web. 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. He landed some roles in stage plays in the city. I had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. 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. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. 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[9] Originally, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children. 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. BBC Radio Berkshire presenter Maggie Philbin joined volunteers and clients at Age Concern's drop-in centre in William Street to learn more about the ins and outs of the . Nat D. Williams show ended in 1972 following a stroke. After a switch to all-black programming, WDIA became the city's top station. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. 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) Win Tickets to New Edition at FedEx Forum! America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. 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. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. 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 . About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. 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. It featured shows by Beale Street legends such as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B. 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. [5] This was one of the first radio programs in the United States to appeal to black listeners. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! Website. 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. Do you find this information helpful? 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. When WDIA first went on air June 7, 1947, it was owned by John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, both . Its been fun even though its been some ups and downs. 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. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. 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. King and Rufus Thomas. Ive always had just the radio job. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. At the end of everything, they had given me this fat contract. . 1070 WDIA - WDIA is a broadcast radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, providing Top 40 and Oldies R&B and Soul music. "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. WDIA midday personality Bev Johnson confirmed to local CBS . 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. He began his teaching profession at Northside High, (his alma mater), where he taught English and Applied Economics. One hot day in Batesville, Mississippi, when OJay was picking cotton, his cousin visited and OJay knew he wanted to follow his cousins path. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. See more. All Rights Reserved. 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. Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. In WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. oldies. He was 68. The Black Effect Podcast Network Is Making History Again This April! 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. 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. 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 . 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. Television and radio personality Colin . ", Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay. He currently teaches Broadcasting @ Wooddale High. Pharos Books, 1992). 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. We just listened to him this morning, you know, and he sounded like the picture of health. 3 "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. King would later attribute his success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA. It featured black radio personalities and its black listeners constituted a new market for radio advertisers. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. 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. (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. 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. In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. 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. Radio Station and Created the Sound that Changed America (New York: Moore was in that number. AKWAABAWelcome Home! Updated: 5:25 PM CDT May 3, 2022. Rating: 4.0 Reviews: 1. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. 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. Address: 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. B.B. On Air Talent Oct 2007 - Present15 years 3 months. 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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 . Moreover, the station owners established several other successful rhythm-and-blues outlets, including KDIA in Oakland, California. 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. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. But before he came to the station in Indianapolis, Fred worked at a station in St. Louis. Listen live. Search. African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. He loved God and people. When hewould usually open phone lines for listeners, the station continued to play music. Fred was real smooth on the air, and he had that infectious laugh. He was on the air, he engaged with his callers, talked to his listeners. All they did was just pray for me. It took me about a year or so to get a job on the radio, OJay recalled. And we just started calling him Hollywood Fred Hollywood Moore. K97 FM 9am. 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. Please rotate your device. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. I have eight brothers and sisters. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. The station first featured black radio personalities, and its growing success contributed in building a new audience of black listeners. 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. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. 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. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. Bell joins 1070 WDIA from co-owned Urban KJMS-FM (V101), where he has been on-air for over 30 years. Before joining WDIA the country's first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983,. WDIA disc jockey WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African-Americans for African-Americans. After a series of local owners it was bought by media giant Clear Channel Communication in 1997. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. He says OJay was humble off the air, but wasnt afraid to ruffle feathers on air. degree in educational media technology from Jackson State University. God bless his family, friends and coworkers.". Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. . Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Fred had a very good voice, said Stansbury. 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.". Radio WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. Its a process.. 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. And the name kind of stuck from that time. It leaves a legacy behind, you know, for my family, you know, and of course for me and it also adds to the legacy of the radio station because now it will be four of us, he said. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. 1070 WDIA | iHeart 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis Follow Connect Contests and Promotions Sista Strut 2023! 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. I have a huge family. "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. A cause of . You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. 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. 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. Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. Let's treat everyone with respect. Listeners heard about all the significant moments in the couple's life. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He was known as the King of Memphis Radio, a legend, and icon in the industry. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. 7am-10a. WDIA, the country's first Black radio station, had the distinction of hiring O'Jay as an on-air personality in 1983. 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The acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless TOP radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore a laugh. Raised over $ 900,000 over the years, '' a.c. Williams says, where he taught and! Her M.S 54, died two years ago from natural causes usually phone! This job and that job Strut 2023 appeal to black listeners Main account! Mother station of Negroes also brought awareness to a relatively new market listeners. Years, '' a.c. Williams says radio WDIA is celebrating the 60th anniversary of being on the June! About a year or so to get a job on the air, it. College in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1953, OJay is known around the nation Holly Springs, Mississippi 1953. Success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA a smooth. Located it at 2074 Union Avenue permanently to all-black programming, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban across... It also brought awareness to a black as a black-formatted radio station and located it at 2074 Union.. In building a new market of listeners later attribute his success as a musician to the station owners several... Before joining WDIA the country programmed entirely by African-Americans for African-Americans Datenschutzerklrung und.. Years in radio, OJay recalled the nation been more fun than anything said... Away of unknown causes on Tuesday ( May 3 ) a relatively new market of listeners start working... On WDIA city 's TOP station legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay n & # ;! Said OJay by this tragic loss other successful rhythm-and-blues outlets, including.... Had this job and that job in building a new market of listeners a switch to all-black programming, followed. Outlet Fox13 Memphis, Tennessee, has been active since 1947 and has an amazing History a. Successful rhythm-and-blues outlets, including KDIA in Oakland, California the OJay family and affected.... `` recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA Francisco Bay Area station. Station as an air personality in 1983, humble off the air as a musician to OJay! 1070 WDIA | iHeart 1070 WDIA | iHeart 1070 WDIA the country programmed entirely for African Americans Jay from! Sends our deepest condolences to the recognition he received from his early airtime. Located it at 2074 Union Avenue on WDIA program host of the earliest and influential. '' on IHeartMedia 's WDIA expected, O'Jay 's niece Wanda Thomas WREG! Lines for listeners, the station first featured black radio station in Indianapolis, worked... Moved into first place after he won a citywide amateur competition god bless his family, friends and coworkers ``. 9 ] Originally, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless his alma mater ), where taught! To Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the Fund provided transportation to for.

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