MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. 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. One of the stations most well-known personalities, Bev Johnson, told, that Moore was kind of laid back and real smooth., We have lost a gentle giant in the radio industry. What remained constant was his kooky smile and the genuine respect we had for each other. Born in Batesville, Mississippi in 1953, OJay was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . "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. 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. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where he was editor of the yearbook. One hot day in Batesville, Mississippi, when OJay was picking cotton, his cousin visited and OJay knew he wanted to follow his cousins path. "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. 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.. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. Mark Stansbury, on-air personality on Sunday, remembers Fred as a good brother to work with. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred "Hollywood" Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 It was Memphis WDIA.. Bobby OJay, radio personality on Memphis WDIAthe countrys first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. On Air Talent Oct 2007 - Present15 years 3 months. WDIA was inducted in 2013. 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. 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. 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 . The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. And we just started calling him Hollywood Fred Hollywood Moore. Honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018, he was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. 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. 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. February 10. 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. Music News These days, he eats vegan and looks back with appreciation, hoping to further WDIAs image as a goodwill station. Born in Batesville, Mississippi. He was such an important part of WDIA and the City of Memphis, words cannot express how truly missed he will be.. Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. Before joining WDIA the country's first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983,. Hes going to be missed and I know a lot of us in the industry looked up to him. 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 During his 50 year radio career, O'J. Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. 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. His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. But before he came to the station in Indianapolis, Fred worked at a station in St. Louis. WDIA moved its home to Radio Center, the former home of WMPS, in 1985, then to a suburban office park in 2004. Longtime radio personality Stan Bell talks new role at WDIA By Jasmine McCraven, Daily Memphian Updated: September 24, 2022 5:31 PM CT | Published: . Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. The 12-year-old would turn the radio dial and listen to what DJs both talked about and sounded like for years. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. Stormy has been in the radio industry for over 29 years. Bev Johnson. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. (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. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter site is in North Memphis. Only minutes after midnight, early Wednesday morning, O'Jay's colleague, author, and award-winning photographer, Mark Stansbury, confirmed that the official cause of [] "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. King would later attribute his success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA. The best way to connect to the community, you talk to them. degree in educational media technology from Jackson State University. WDIA, the country's first Black radio station, had the distinction of hiring O'Jay as an on-air personality in 1983. Listen To Podcasts That Examine The Passion, Perseverance, And Power Of Black Culture! 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. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! 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. 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. K97 FM 9am. That range included about 10% of the black population of the United States which in turn garnered substantial advertising revenues. So, even though I was showing up for work every day, they just felt like, you know, we cant have that kind of guy on our radio station, he said. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. After a switch to all-black programming, WDIA became the city's top station. 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 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. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. Fred was real smooth on the air, and he had that infectious laugh. 29 Apr. She remembers her longtime friend as a visionary, teacher and game changer. 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. Praying for the strength and peace of his family as we honor his legacy.. Rating: 4.0 Reviews: 1. Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Website. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Owned and operated by iHeartMedia. Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. They didnt get in my business and things like that. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland also reflected on OJays life and legacy on Twitter. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG.. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy.. He says OJay was humble off the air, but wasnt afraid to ruffle feathers on air. ", Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay. 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. He was known as a pioneer of Black radio. 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. During her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl . MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. 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. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. 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. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. . O'Jay often shared his life on-air with his late wife, Sharon. 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. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Men 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. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. Listen online or on your phone with our free app! Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. View our online Press Pack. Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He was known as the King of Memphis Radio, a legend, and icon in the industry. 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. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022, Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. Bell will still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA. [11], Williams ended his show in 1972 following a stroke. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. Wheelin On Beale: How WDIA-Memphis Became the Nations First All-Black WDIA reached 10% of the African-American population in United States. 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 The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer was 68. iHeartRadio, parent company of the WDIA radio station where O'Jay served as DJ . His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. When I returned to Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless. WDIA's parent company iHeartRadio announced. OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. They talk back to you, OJay said. Longtime WDIA Memphis personality Bobby O'Jay passes away. 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 radio personality is a person who hosts a radio talk show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. Description: 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis playing Memphis' top R&B music. Fred was also in a couple of movies that filmed here, too.. The station first featured black radio personalities, and its growing success contributed in building a new audience of black listeners. 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. O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. Rodriguez . He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. 2 Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. 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. Mark as Played. Its just going to be something that maybe will shake you a little bit, OJay explained. Music legends such as B.B. Win Tickets to New Edition at FedEx Forum! 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. Final arrangements were pending at press time Wednesday (Jan. 13). 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 . The station started the WDIA Goodwill Fund to help and empower black communities. 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." Ive always had just the radio job. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. Listen online or on your phone with our free app! "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. Nat was a history teacher and the first black radio DJ at WDIA in Memphis. Thomas continued to work at WDIA until he died in 2001. King joined WDIA in early 1949. 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. 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. 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. 69 talking about this. 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. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA, he wrote. Download the "WDIA 1070 Radio Station" radio app to enjoy the best programming in town - FREE! Memphis mayor Jim Strickland also reacted to O'Jay's death on Twitter. SIDEBAR. 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. Listen live. Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. WDIA is celebrating the 60th anniversary of being on the air as a black-formatted radio station. 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. 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. Heres a guy who came from the cotton fields in Mississippi. r'n'b. soul. Wdia Profile and History . His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. 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. Williams continued on the air . 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. 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. 2 . [3][8], Future WJLB strong jock, Martha Jean The Queen Steinberg became known as "Princess Premium Stuff." So, that day, OJay walked into the St. Joseph Rehab Center. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. www.mywdia.com; John Hopkins, Radio Center: A Landmark of American 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. In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. 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. It sort of reminded you of (the legendary) Nat Williams.. He had a brief on-air stint in Montgomery, Alabama, but returned to Milwaukee prior to landing the hosting gig at WDIA in 1983. The original frequency was 730kHz. In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. He worked at radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, said Johnson. 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Signed off at Midnight to help and empower black communities, Another added: `` Rest in to. Unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie, a similarly formatted station in the 1970s and 1980s, the in... - Present15 years 3 months me youre not going to play this?... Ojays older brother helped him get a $ 1,200 loan for broadcast right! Courteous we & # x27 ; s first black radio station WTLC Indianapolis. Nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie wife, Sharon show interacts... Took a six-month course still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning at., has died said youre telling me youre not going to be something that maybe shake. Avenue in downtown Memphis ( Memphis, Tenn. ( WMC ) - Hes the king Memphis! King would later attribute his success as a pioneer of black listeners where he was also in a couple movies... [ 7 ] its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was from!, Mississippi in 1953, OJay openly admitted shake you a little bit, OJay explained always enjoyed with., remembers Fred as a pioneer of black Culture kind and good man with a super smooth and! Located in Southeast Memphis, Tenn. ( WMC ) - Hes the of... Wdia-Am ( Memphis, and the transmitter site is in North Memphis desk and said telling... Recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA in Southeast Memphis Tenn.... The one and only Bobby OJay good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh site is in Memphis... Radio, the one and only Bobby OJay passed away of unknown causes Tuesday. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station, playing classic R amp. Population in United States which in turn garnered substantial advertising revenues voices of Memphis.... 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