Call sign: WDIA Frequency: 1070 AM City of license: Memphis, TN Format: Urban Contemporary Owner: iHeartMedia Area Served: Memphis Sister stations: 600 WREC , 95.7 Hallelujah FM , The Mighty 990 , K97.1 , V101 , 101.9 KISS FM , ROCK 103 Memphis It featured black radio personalities and its black listeners constituted a new market for radio advertisers. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. She remembers her longtime friend as a visionary, teacher and game changer. A.C. Williams, a former WDIA disc jockey, helped create the Goodwill Fund in 1954. 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. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Mark as Played. iHeartRadio Ultimate Contest, Sweatfest Punta Cana with Keith Sweat. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. She is mother of two children and grandmother of one. I think the reason why Bobby thrived and was successful with it because he found his niche and he worked it, said Bell. I have met some of the biggest stars in America. [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. Ownership of the station first changed hands in 1957. God bless his family, friends and coworkers.". English. WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African Americans for African Americans. 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. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. WDIA M-F 6am-10am & Sun. "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. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland also reflected on OJays life and legacy on Twitter. Listen To Podcasts That Examine The Passion, Perseverance, And Power Of Black Culture! 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. (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. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. 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 . Ive always had just the radio job. He programmed four talk shows and industry insiders scoffed until the ratings showed listeners wanted more. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. What remained constant was his kooky smile and the genuine respect we had for each other. See more. When O'Jay would open. He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. 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. Final arrangements were pending at press time Wednesday (Jan. 13). 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. Afternoon On-Air Talent: Earle Augustus. The station started the WDIA Goodwill Fund to help and empower black communities. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Tuesday morning, iHeart Radio confirmed the death of O'Jay at age 68. 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. 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. Stormy has been in the radio industry for over 29 years. 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. Memphis mayor Jim Strickland also reacted to O'Jay's death on Twitter. WDIA went on the air June 7, 1947,[2] from studios on Union Avenue. King would later attribute his success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. 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. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. 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. And I got a phone call, he remembered. Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Listeners heard about all the significant moments in the couple's life. 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. His cause of death is currently unknown. Born in Batesville, Mississippi in 1953, OJay was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. We just listened to him this morning, you know, and he sounded like the picture of health. 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 "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. Discover Tuesday's shows for 1070 WDIA in Memphis, TN. Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. 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. A massive lay-off sweep ended the careers of a number of radio personnel and on-air personalities. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. From Library Journal: In the late 1940s, Memphis radio station WDIA became the first to target its programming to a largely ignored black audience. I know my mother and father knew I was on drugs. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where he was editor of the yearbook. Download the "WDIA 1070 Radio Station" radio app to enjoy the best programming in town - FREE! Just a high school graduate, but Ive managed to work at some of the biggest radio stations in America. 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 On air personality Bev Johnson of WDIA, AM 1070 in Memphis, Tennessee. As program director, he hired two other on-air personalities, who are still working: Bev Johnson and Mike Evans. 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. One of the DJs said to me, let me hear it. So, I went through my little, you know, mimicking. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 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. Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. Pharos Books, 1992). 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. He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. 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. On Air Talent Oct 2007 - Present15 years 3 months. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. Please include the headline. AKWAABAWelcome Home! They didnt get in my business and things like that. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. Honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018, he was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Listen online or on your phone with our free app! Bell joins 1070 WDIA from co-owned Urban KJMS-FM (V101), where he has been on-air for over 30 years. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. 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) 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. 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 1996 Clear Channel Communications bought WDIA. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer and WDIA DJ and program director was 68. 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. 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. Shortly before graduation, he got his foot in the door at a Milwaukee station by calling and telling them he could mimic one of their popular DJs, Cecil Hale. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. Owned and operated by iHeartMedia. 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. Watch Bobby OJay reflect on his early days at WDIA below. The Heart & Soul of Memphis! Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. In 2020, to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, the Beale Street Historic District and the WDIA radio station were added from Memphis. "I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise.. OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. 2 in Memphis in terms of audience. Moore was in that number. 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. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. oldies. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. 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. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. All Rights Reserved. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. I added the Whats on Your Mind Line to stop the music at five oclock in the afternoon so we could talk to our listeners and they can talk back, said OJay. If you post anything unrelated to WDIA it will be deleted. 5/5 based on 1 review. . He said, man, you sound just like him. He said can you come by the radio 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. 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. 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. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Im not willing to say just anything. 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. 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. Win Tickets to New Edition at FedEx Forum! It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. Its just going to be something that maybe will shake you a little bit, OJay explained. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby O'Jay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. Updated: 5:25 PM CDT May 3, 2022. Wdia Profile and History . I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Born in Batesville, Mississippi on August 8, 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host in 1972 in Milwaukee. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred Hollywood Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. Vintage Radio Steampunk Women Alice And Wonderland Quotes Techno Old Radios Record Players The Dj H Harm Koenders Radio Disc Jockey's 1950's-1970's Dj Music Listening To Music Vinyl Junkies Radio Personality Professional Audio Thanks For The Memories British English American English J Joe Defazio Radio Disc Jockey's 1950's-1970's Rhythm And Blues Listen live. He says his large family never pried, they just prayed and so did he. 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. Simple and modern interface. The Legendary Fred Hollywood Moore. Nobody said a word to me. [11], Williams ended his show in 1972 following a stroke. Fred was also in a couple of movies that filmed here, too.. WDIA moved its home to Radio Center, the former home of WMPS, in 1985, then to a suburban office park in 2004. Many grieved in 2017 with the devastating loss of Sharon after 30 years of marriage to O'Jay. A cause of death has not been released by authorities. 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. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . 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. It sort of reminded you of (the legendary) Nat Williams.. Music legends such as B.B. "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 had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. 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. It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market . Nat D. Williams show ended in 1972 following a stroke. 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. In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. King, and Bobby Blue Bland. By Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell, TSDMemphis.com Tuesday morning, just before 9 a.m. when the phone lines are open, WDIA Program Director Bobby O'Jay fell unconscious during his show. Mike Evans and the Memphis Morning Show with Earle & Stormy. Instant playback and premium quality. ------ Shows: . Do you find this information helpful? In 1963 she . Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools. Stan is also a Shelby County Schools Careers and Technology instructor. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. [4], Nat D. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948. I have a huge family. Born in Batesville, Mississippi. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. racine horlick high school football Cuidados de Gnero. He said, well, I thought you stopped using drugs. I said, no man. 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. Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! . The trailblazers voice and personality have helped make up the fabric of the Bluff City for decades as part of the historic legacy of the Mid-Souths first African American radio station, WDIA. Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. [26][27] Radio DJ Alan Freedon New York City's WINS (AM)in 1955. A TOP radio personality paid a visit to a charity in Slough to help raise its profile ahead of plans to demolish its headquarters. May 3, 2022 WDIA. Before joining WDIA the country's first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983,. Captain Curtis Lee, a longtime WDIA radio personality passed away Wednesday. Main features: Easy to use. 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. He worked at radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, said Johnson. King and Rufus Thomas. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. It featured shows by Beale Street legends such as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B.
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