All Rights Reserved. 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. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. WDIA-AM/Memphis taps veteran air personality Stan Bell for the new "The Stan Bell Morning Show," weekdays from 6-10am, effective immediately. 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. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! Thaddeus Mathews says that he is the reason that WDIA has fallen to the 12th best station in Memphis, TN. 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. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. Rodriguez . 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. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer and WDIA DJ and program director was 68. WDIA radio station, which is based in Memphis, Tennessee, has been active since 1947 and has an amazing history. He cared about the artists records he played. Heres a guy who came from the cotton fields in Mississippi. [4], Nat D. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948. All Rights Reserved. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. Address: 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. Moore was in that number. He was 68. Mark as Played. Williams continued on the air . 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. Im more willing to say things to get your attention in a positive manner. 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 . In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. 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. Thomas continued to work at WDIA until he died in 2001. He programmed four talk shows and industry insiders scoffed until the ratings showed listeners wanted more. He began his teaching profession at Northside High, (his alma mater), where he taught English and Applied Economics. Bobby was a trailblazer in the industry as well as a legacy in the community for multiple decades. I had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Owned and operated by iHeartMedia. 69 talking about this. I like to hear all kinds of opinions from all kinds of people.. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Legends of Radio Inductees. [11], Williams ended his show in 1972 following a stroke. 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. His cause of death is currently unknown. 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. 1070 WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee providing Urban Oldies/Classic Soul music. He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. In 1963 she . MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. Mark Stansbury, on-air personality on Sunday, remembers Fred as a good brother to work with. 29 Apr. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. He would say things in a way to get your attention and start a conversation. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. Martha Jean The Queen Steinberg (September 9, 1930 January 29, 2000) was an influential African-American radio broadcaster and later was also the pastor of her own church. He loved God and people. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. February 10. 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. She remembers her longtime friend as a visionary, teacher and game changer. Longtime WDIA Memphis personality Bobby O'Jay passes away. [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. 5/5 based on 1 review. . 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. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. So, he was no novice when he came here to us.. [3] WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. 14. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. 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. 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. It reads in part: MY GOD PLEASE HAVE MERCY! 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. In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. [I] stayed the 30 days, havent touched drugs and alcohol since, he said. Bobby OJay, radio personality on Memphis WDIAthe countrys first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Main features: Easy to use. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. 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. When I returned to Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. God bless his family, friends and coworkers.". He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where he was editor of the yearbook. Bobbyology is my thought pattern. I know my mother and father knew I was on drugs. When O'Jay would open. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. At the time, most stations had one talk show per week. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. www.mywdia.com; John Hopkins, Radio Center: A Landmark of American G.P. The original frequency was 730kHz. Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! After a switch to all-black programming, WDIA became the city's top station. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. Honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018, he was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. Stan is also a Shelby County Schools Careers and Technology instructor. From Library Journal: In the late 1940s, Memphis radio station WDIA became the first to target its programming to a largely ignored black audience. 1070 WDIA Podcasts Playlists from 1070 WDIA Latest News See All Advertise With Us For You Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. Even though there have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything.. 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. The station started the WDIA Goodwill Fund to help and empower black communities. Let's treat everyone with respect. ------ Shows: . Web. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. Listen to the radio in the background. Bell will still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. 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. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. If you post anything unrelated to WDIA it will be deleted. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. King would later attribute his success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. In 1949 the station was no. One hot day in Batesville, Mississippi, when OJay was picking cotton, his cousin visited and OJay knew he wanted to follow his cousins path. The station did not do well until Ferguson learned about "targeted programming" and realized there was one audience in Memphis no other radio station served. [5] This was one of the first radio programs in the United States to appeal to black listeners. Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. Bev Johnson. WDIA was inducted in 2013. WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? 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. 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.. His cause of death is currently unknown. King and Bobby Blue Bland. I need some help.. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. 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 . As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. WDIA disc jockey WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African-Americans for African-Americans. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. Mike Evans and the Memphis Morning Show with Earle & Stormy. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . The Heart & Soul of Memphis! 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. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. Kwanzaa and the celebration of Imani faith! 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. WDIA M-F 6am-10am & Sun. Fred was also in a couple of movies that filmed here, too.. After 44 years in radio, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology. These days, he eats vegan and looks back with appreciation, hoping to further WDIAs image as a goodwill station. Nobody said a word to me. Just a high school graduate, but Ive managed to work at some of the biggest radio stations in America. 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