. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to OJay on his morning radio show. O'Jay, who had been with WDIA since 1983, was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. (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. Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? 7am-10a. He was on the air, he engaged with his callers, talked to his listeners. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. "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 landed some roles in stage plays in the city. He was green so he hired an experienced executive who needed a job. The 12-year-old would turn the radio dial and listen to what DJs both talked about and sounded like for years. [I] stayed the 30 days, havent touched drugs and alcohol since, he said. Simple and modern interface. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy.. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. Listen to the radio in the background. Community Efforts I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. [4], Nat D. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . [3][8], Future WJLB strong jock, Martha Jean The Queen Steinberg became known as "Princess Premium Stuff." 1070 WDIA, N.p., n.d. Click here to sign up for our newsletter! Rating: 4.0 Reviews: 1. Even though there have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything.. 3 I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. Blues legend B.B. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. . WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. As program director, he hired two other on-air personalities, who are still working: Bev Johnson and Mike Evans. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 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. I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. 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 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! He explained to Action News 5 last year he wasnt willing to just say anything. Radio WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. As program director, he hired radio broadcast veterans Bev Johnson and Mike Evans, who still sit behind the mic. One of the DJs said to me, let me hear it. So, I went through my little, you know, mimicking. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. Let's treat everyone with respect. The Heart & Soul of Memphis! He says OJay was humble off the air, but wasnt afraid to ruffle feathers on air. 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. Watch Bobby OJay reflect on his early days at WDIA below. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African Americans for African Americans. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. Radio proved to be a rocky road. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred "Hollywood" Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. All Rights Reserved. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. 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. [3] WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. He broke a lot of records. And we just started calling him Hollywood Fred Hollywood Moore. Its just going to be something that maybe will shake you a little bit, OJay explained. ", Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG.. Memphis mayor Jim Strickland also reacted to O'Jay's death on Twitter. 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. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. It sort of reminded you of (the legendary) Nat Williams.. "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. In 1996 Clear Channel Communications bought WDIA. Television and radio personality Colin . All they did was just pray for me. I have a huge family. Website. He was 68. After a series of local owners it was bought by media giant Clear Channel Communication in 1997. 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). When hewould usually open phone lines for listeners, the station continued to play music. 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. 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.. Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. Moreover, the station owners established several other successful rhythm-and-blues outlets, including KDIA in Oakland, California. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools. 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 cared about the artists records he played. Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Legends of Radio Inductees. On air personality Bev Johnson of WDIA, AM 1070 in Memphis, Tennessee. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. O'Jay often shared his life on-air with his late wife, Sharon. 2 in Memphis in terms of audience. Many grieved in 2017 with the devastating loss of Sharon after 30 years of marriage to O'Jay. For other inquiries, Contact Us. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. 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. 2 Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. AKWAABAWelcome Home! Wdia Profile and History . 1,679 talking about this. If you post anything unrelated to WDIA it will be deleted. 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. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. 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. Moore was in that number. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. 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. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. His cause of death is currently unknown. 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. [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. The station started the WDIA Goodwill Fund to help and empower black communities. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. . I had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. 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. RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. We want to hear from you! Share. King joined WDIA in early 1949. Mark as Played. A radio personality is a person who hosts a radio talk show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email. His cause of death is currently unknown. Thomas continued to work at WDIA until he died in 2001. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. 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. 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. 1070 WDIA Podcasts Playlists from 1070 WDIA Latest News See All Advertise With Us For You Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. 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. 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. The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. A cause of . 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. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. 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. In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. Humbled, OJay came home to Batesville for a visit. 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(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. It took me about a year or so to get a job on the radio, OJay recalled. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. Longtime radio personality Stan Bell talks new role at WDIA By Jasmine McCraven, Daily Memphian Updated: September 24, 2022 5:31 PM CT | Published: . 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. OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. Afternoon On-Air Talent: Earle Augustus. She is mother of two children and grandmother of one. 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. 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. Born in Batesville, Mississippi on August 8, 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host in 1972 in Milwaukee. I know my mother and father knew I was on drugs. All Rights Reserved. During his 50 year radio career, O'J. Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Cam Mtenzi posted an extended tribute to Moore on Facebook. He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. He was known as a pioneer of Black radio. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. 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. Men I know his legacy will continue through WDIA, he wrote. On Air Talent Oct 2007 - Present15 years 3 months. 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. I need some help.. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. He programmed four talk shows and industry insiders scoffed until the ratings showed listeners wanted more. . You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. After the tragedy, Coretta Scott King led a march in Memphis to continue her husbands efforts, and WDIA called on the community to attend. [9] Originally, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children. "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. Insiders scoffed until the ratings showed listeners wanted more men I know his legacy will continue through WDIA N.p.. Tuesday morning my little, you know, mimicking Action News 5 last year he wasnt to! Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when on Wednesday, WDIA assigned itself the moniker mother! At age 68 Tuesday morning a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee an extended tribute Moore. Downtown Memphis who hosts a radio station it took me about a or! 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