He was known as a pioneer of Black radio. He drove the 50 miles and interviewed on the spot. He has become one of Memphis' most energetic & beloved radio personalities for twenty-nine years now! I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. [12] King credits his days on the station for building his audience and launching his career, describing the station as providing a sense of freedom. Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. He landed some roles in stage plays in the city. He began his teaching profession at Northside High, (his alma mater), where he taught English and Applied Economics. Did you know WDIA in Memphis Tennessee was the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans.Check out WDIA R. 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. He reflected on his career just before being inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame last year. [14], "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times." OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. Search. 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. He worked at radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, said Johnson. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. 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." This callsign, however, is now assigned to an unrelated Christian-programmed station. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. 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. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. A cause of death has not been released by authorities. 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. 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. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. English. 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. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. 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. Fred was also in a couple of movies that filmed here, too.. Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. 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. King and Rufus Thomas got their start by working at WDIA. 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. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. WDIA M-F 6am-10am & Sun. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. 1,679 talking about this. Then he fired me, OJay laughed. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. For other inquiries, Contact Us. 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. 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. King joined WDIA in early 1949. Bev Johnson. Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. The Legendary Fred Hollywood Moore. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. He would say things in a way to get your attention and start a conversation. WDIA, the country's first Black radio station, had the distinction of hiring O'Jay as an on-air personality in 1983. The next year he took a DJ position on an afternoon show previously hosted by Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. 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. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. He was such an important part of WDIA and the City of Memphis, words cannot express how truly missed he will be.. We want to hear from you! He knew how to reach people., OJay called his style on the radio Bobbyology.. So, that day, OJay walked into the St. Joseph Rehab Center. WDIA-AM/Memphis taps veteran air personality Stan Bell for the new "The Stan Bell Morning Show," weekdays from 6-10am, effective immediately. Listen online or on your phone with our free app! At the end of everything, they had given me this fat contract. Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. 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. Honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018, he was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. Please include the headline. Listen live. 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. 29 Apr. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. O'Jay was the program host of the "Fun Morning Show" on IHeartMedia's WDIA. "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. They talk back to you, OJay said. 2 . Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. He was green so he hired an experienced executive who needed a job. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. 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 [I] stayed the 30 days, havent touched drugs and alcohol since, he said. WDIA radio station, which is based in Memphis, Tennessee, has been active since 1947 and has an amazing history. I hired this guy and within two months, this man had taken my job. "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. 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. Fred later became program director at that station in 1977. WDIA, where OJay worked for decades, issued this statement: It is with great sadness we share the passing of the Legendary Bobby OJay. You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. 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. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby O'Jay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). Fred was a very caring family man and loved his daughter and wife dearly.. 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. Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. Instant playback and premium quality. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. Johnson remembers that Moore came here to the Memphis market from Indianapolis. 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. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. But at the time he took the job, the drugs were still in his system. After 44 years in radio, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology. In addition to providing specialized programming, through the years the station led and supported projects to benefit the community. Together the three transformed WDIA into the South's first African-American-oriented radio station, soon to be known throughout the region as the "Mother Station of the Negroes.". Win Tickets to New Edition at FedEx Forum! The Heart & Soul of Memphis! Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. It took me about a year or so to get a job on the radio, OJay recalled. WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. O'Jay, who had been with WDIA since 1983, was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. He said, well, I thought you stopped using drugs. I said, no man. 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. 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 Community Efforts Setlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. 14. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. All Rights Reserved. A.C. Williams, a former WDIA disc jockey, helped create the Goodwill Fund in 1954. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 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. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. 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 A radio personality is a person who hosts a radio talk show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email. 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. Let's treat everyone with respect. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. May 3, 2022 WDIA. One of the DJs said to me, let me hear it. So, I went through my little, you know, mimicking. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. WDIA was inducted in 2013. It featured shows by Beale Street legends such as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. 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. Just a high school graduate, but Ive managed to work at some of the biggest radio stations in America. It was Memphis WDIA.. 1070 WDIA - WDIA is a broadcast radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, providing Top 40 and Oldies R&B and Soul music. 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. 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