I had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. Television and radio personality Colin . MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. O'Jay, who had been with WDIA since 1983, was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. From Library Journal: In the late 1940s, Memphis radio station WDIA became the first to target its programming to a largely ignored black audience. Praying for the strength and peace of his family as we honor his legacy.. He was 68. He was green so he hired an experienced executive who needed a job. (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. "I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise.. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. 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 [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market . . Memphis mayor Jim Strickland also reacted to O'Jay's death on Twitter. 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. The best way to connect to the community, you talk to them. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. Rodriguez . If you post anything unrelated to WDIA it will be deleted. As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 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. Born in Batesville, Mississippi. Men He has become one of Memphis' most energetic & beloved radio personalities for twenty-nine years now! 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. 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. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. 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. Ive always had just the radio job. 2 Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. But at the time he took the job, the drugs were still in his system. Humbled, OJay came home to Batesville for a visit. 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. Music legends such as B.B. All Rights Reserved. "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. [13] In addition, he contributed to the redevelopment of Beale Street and Soulsville, USA. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. Throughout this period, it continued (and continues) to offer content for African Americans by African Americans. Moore was in that number. Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. 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. K97 FM 9am. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . WDIA is celebrating the 60th anniversary of being on the air as a black-formatted radio station. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. 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. 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. Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. 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 . Ownership of the station first changed hands in 1957. I have met some of the biggest stars in America. [11], Williams ended his show in 1972 following a stroke. 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. 29 Apr. G.P. After a series of local owners it was bought by media giant Clear Channel Communication in 1997. Rating: 4.0 Reviews: 1. Born in Batesville, Mississippi in 1953, OJay was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. Im not willing to say just anything. . MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. Wheelin On Beale: How WDIA-Memphis Became the Nations First All-Black Owned and operated by iHeartMedia. 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. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! Discover Tuesday's shows for 1070 WDIA in Memphis, TN. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. SIDEBAR. He was such an important part of WDIA and the City of Memphis, words cannot express how truly missed he will be.. 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. ------ Shows: . We want to hear from you! 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 . Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. 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. King and Rufus Thomas got their start by working at WDIA. When I returned to Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless. Blues legend B.B. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. WDIA went on the air June 7, 1947,[2] from studios on Union Avenue. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Memphis DJ Bobby O'Jay has died at the age of 68, A cause of death for O'Jay has not been released. 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. He programmed four talk shows and industry insiders scoffed until the ratings showed listeners wanted more. [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. I like to hear all kinds of opinions from all kinds of people.. What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. AKWAABAWelcome Home! Thomas continued to work at WDIA until he died in 2001. 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. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. 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. Thaddeus Mathews says that he is the reason that WDIA has fallen to the 12th best station in Memphis, TN. In 1963 she . It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. WDIA personalities included: Martha Jean "The Queen" Steinberg, aka "Princess Premium Stuff" Ernest Brazzell, the giver of crop advice Robert Thomas, aka Robert "Honeyboy" Thomas Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert Theo "Bless My Bones" Wade Ford Nelson, who, until 2013, acted as a gospel D.J. It reads in part: MY GOD PLEASE HAVE MERCY! 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. 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. Great to meet you. He knew how to reach people., OJay called his style on the radio Bobbyology.. The 12-year-old would turn the radio dial and listen to what DJs both talked about and sounded like for years. Bev Johnson. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . WDIA Format: Soul Air Personalities 6:30 am--A.C. Williams 10 am--Robert Thomas 2 pm--Lee Armstrong 6 pm--Herb Kneeland 10 pm--Dave Smith 3 am--Theo Wade WLOK Format: Soul Air Personalities 6 am--Nat Washington 10 am--Gerald Floyd 2 pm--Roger W. Cavanass 6 pm--Clifton Halmon 10 pm--Alvin Moore 1 am--James Jack WHER Format: MOR, some talk 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. Listen live. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. He broke a lot of records. And the name kind of stuck from that time. King would later attribute his success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA. See more. Fred later became program director at that station in 1977. Address: WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. Over time, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children, financed college scholarships, established boy clubs, covered the costs of regional Little League teams and helped provide low-cost supplemental housing. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. Listen online at myWDIA.com/listen He says his large family never pried, they just prayed and so did he. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. But before he came to the station in Indianapolis, Fred worked at a station in St. Louis. Bell joins 1070 WDIA from co-owned Urban KJMS-FM (V101), where he has been on-air for over 30 years. 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. Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. WDIA reached 10% of the African-American population in United States. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Setlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. It was Memphis WDIA.. Listen online or on your phone with our free app! 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. 1070 WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee providing Urban Oldies/Classic Soul music. Updated: 5:25 PM CDT May 3, 2022. Please rotate your device. He drove the 50 miles and interviewed on the spot. Longtime WDIA Memphis personality Bobby O'Jay passes away. Only minutes after midnight, early Wednesday morning, O'Jay's colleague, author, and award-winning photographer, Mark Stansbury, confirmed that the official cause of [] One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. Remembering Bobby O'Jay. He worked at radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, said Johnson. He was known as the 'King of Memphis radio', Bobby OJay dead at 68: WDIA host and King of Memphis radio dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute, Pedestrian who killed cyclist in clash over riding on pavement is JAILED after victim, 77, fell into path of car, Model 'paid thousands to smuggle 5m criminal cash into Dubai by hiding money in her holiday luggage', Dad 'fatally shot daughter, 7, in head & gunned down headteacher mum' who died of 'shock' from wounds in double killing, Rolf Harris sued over 'fresh sex attack after molesting vulnerable 10-year-old girl at school holiday camp', UK weather: Exact date snow and hail will hit Britain as chilly winds from the north blow in -1C temperatures, Frogmore eviction shows King Charles has drawn a line with Harry - now he must do two more things with the spoilt brat, Im a prison officer & worked with some of Britains feared men but I made a BIG mistake on my first month on the wing, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Radio WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. After 44 years in radio, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology. 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. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. These days, he eats vegan and looks back with appreciation, hoping to further WDIAs image as a goodwill station. When WDIA first went on air June 7, 1947, it was owned by John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, both . . VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. He landed some roles in stage plays in the city. . One hot day in Batesville, Mississippi, when OJay was picking cotton, his cousin visited and OJay knew he wanted to follow his cousins path. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Angela Bassett Says Potential Oscar Win Would Be A Childhood Dream ComeTrue, Kelly Rowland To Judge Audibles Breakthrough, The First Audio-Only SingingContest, De La Souls Trugoy The Doves First Posthumous Release Is A GorillazCollab. Radio Station and Created the Sound that Changed America (New York: 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.. English. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer was 68. iHeartRadio, parent company of the WDIA radio station where O'Jay served as DJ . Its a process.. WDIA disc jockey WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African-Americans for African-Americans. degree in educational media technology from Jackson State University. He was known as a pioneer of Black radio. WDIA M-F 6am-10am & Sun. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. 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. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. For other inquiries, Contact Us. 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. 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. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! 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
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