[4], Nat D. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He was known as the King of Memphis Radio, a legend, and icon in the industry. 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. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. 69 talking about this. Music legends such as B.B. Web. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. (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. ------ Shows: . Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. 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. 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. 2 Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. 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. 5 Star Stories: Bobby OJay, king of Memphis radio, 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. When I returned to Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless. Address: The WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering . [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. Radio WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. The station first featured black radio personalities, and its growing success contributed in building a new audience of black listeners. And I got a phone call, he remembered. He was such an important part of WDIA and the City of Memphis, words cannot express how truly missed he will be.. WDIA's parent company iHeartRadio announced. Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? 1070 WDIA Podcasts Playlists from 1070 WDIA Latest News See All Advertise With Us For You Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. He was 68. This callsign, however, is now assigned to an unrelated Christian-programmed station. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. Search. Listen live. Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. 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. [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. 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. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. When O'Jay would open. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. After 44 years in radio, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology. 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. He was 68. 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. Simple and modern interface. At the time, most stations had one talk show per week. 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. [3], WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. Listen to the radio in the background. O'Jay was the program host of the "Fun Morning Show" on IHeartMedia's WDIA. That range included about 10% of the black population of the United States which in turn garnered substantial advertising revenues. Fred later became program director at that station in 1977. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. He said, well, I thought you stopped using drugs. I said, no man. 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. 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. 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. WDIA radio station, which is based in Memphis, Tennessee, has been active since 1947 and has an amazing history. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. He says his large family never pried, they just prayed and so did he. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. She is mother of two children and grandmother of one. He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. It wasn't black owned, but it appealed to a black . 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. 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. On Air Talent Oct 2007 - Present15 years 3 months. 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. Mark Stansbury, on-air personality on Sunday, remembers Fred as a good brother to work with. He was on the air, he engaged with his callers, talked to his listeners. 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) He drove the 50 miles and interviewed on the spot. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred "Hollywood" Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. I have eight brothers and sisters. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. Williams continued on the air . 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. 20072023 Blackpast.org. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. 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. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. Listen online at myWDIA.com/listen 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. He loved God and people. 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. WDIA reached 10% of the African-American population in United States. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Listen For Your Chance To Win! WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Bev Johnson. 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 been fun more than anything, said OJay. 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. Nat D. Williams show ended in 1972 following a stroke. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. 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. AKWAABAWelcome Home! Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. WDIA, where OJay worked for decades, issued this statement: It is with great sadness we share the passing of the Legendary Bobby OJay. [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. 1070 WDIA, N.p., n.d. ", Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay. 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. The station started the WDIA Goodwill Fund to help and empower black communities. Wdia Profile and History . Download the "WDIA 1070 Radio Station" radio app to enjoy the best programming in town - FREE! WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby OJay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. When WDIA first went on air June 7, 1947, it was owned by John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, both . Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. 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." 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. He said, man, you sound just like him. He said can you come by the radio station?. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. 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. WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. Bobbyology is my thought pattern. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. WDIA is celebrating the 60th anniversary of being on the air as a black-formatted radio station. The Heart & Soul of Memphis! 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! WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. He was moved by the Hall of Fame announcement. It featured black radio personalities and its black listeners constituted a new market for radio advertisers. Listen To Podcasts That Examine The Passion, Perseverance, And Power Of Black Culture! Memphis mayor Jim Strickland also reacted to O'Jay's death on Twitter. Nobody said a word to me. 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. Website. Cam Mtenzi posted an extended tribute to Moore on Facebook. WDIA M-F 6am-10am & Sun. The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown 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. Mike Evans and the Memphis Morning Show with Earle & Stormy. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred Hollywood Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. WDIA moved its home to Radio Center, the former home of WMPS, in 1985, then to a suburban office park in 2004. Atlanta Radio Personalities Among National Black Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees. Its a process.. 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 know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. 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. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. 1,679 talking about this. His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools. English. 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. 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. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. A builders' merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious national award. degree in educational media technology from Jackson State University. The station's management had been mostly white. Today, WDIAs major playlist offers very little in the way of the Beale Street Blues and Gospel that established the stations early reputation, but spans the 1960s music to the present day, with significant air time devoted to the classic Soul sounds of the 1970s, and an occasional offering from its early on-air contributors B.B. 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. 14. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. From Library Journal: In the late 1940s, Memphis radio station WDIA became the first to target its programming to a largely ignored black audience. Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. 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. In WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Throughout this period, it continued (and continues) to offer content for African Americans by African Americans. WDIA was inducted in 2013. God bless his family, friends and coworkers.". One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. Press Center, This site is best experienced in portrait orientation. The original frequency was 730kHz. Ive always had just the radio job. After a series of local owners it was bought by media giant Clear Channel Communication in 1997. Start by working at WDIA, N.p., n.d. ``, Another added: `` Rest in Peace to Memphis. 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