Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Listen online at myWDIA.com/listen 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. Description: 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis playing Memphis' top R&B music. Nobody said a word to me. Main features: Easy to use. . Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. 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. Close Modal He currently teaches Broadcasting @ Wooddale High. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. Address: Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. Please include the headline. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. Scruggs played a major role in organizing the foundation and raising money to preserve the Lorraine Motel and found the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Television and radio personality Colin . God has truly blessed me to make a decent salary at all the radio stations Ive worked even back in the 70s., Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said in a tweet, Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. [11] Elvis Presley was greatly influenced by the station. A massive lay-off sweep ended the careers of a number of radio personnel and on-air personalities. Praying for the strength and peace of his family as we honor his legacy.. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Even though there have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything.. Bell will still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA. [5] This was one of the first radio programs in the United States to appeal to black listeners. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. Nat was a history teacher and the first black radio DJ at WDIA in Memphis. King and Rufus Thomas. 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. It empowered a huge segment of the . 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 . Then he fired me, OJay laughed. Its been fun even though its been some ups and downs. 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. K97 FM 9am. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. His cause of death is currently unknown. I think the reason why Bobby thrived and was successful with it because he found his niche and he worked it, said Bell. ------ Shows: . 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. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. 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. After a series of local owners it was bought by media giant Clear Channel Communication in 1997. I have eight brothers and sisters. He said, man, you sound just like him. He said can you come by the radio station?. By age 17, OJay remembered walking the halls of his high school, using his radio voice.. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. Kwanzaa and the celebration of Imani faith! The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG.. Moreover, the station owners established several other successful rhythm-and-blues outlets, including KDIA in Oakland, California. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. 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.". On air personality Bev Johnson of WDIA, AM 1070 in Memphis, Tennessee. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. The station first featured black radio personalities, and its growing success contributed in building a new audience of black listeners. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. 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. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. Please rotate your device. Fred had a very good voice, said Stansbury. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 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. 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. 5/5 based on 1 review. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. Ive always had just the radio job. 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. [3], WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 SIDEBAR. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. Pharos Books, 1992). ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. 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 was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. 2013, Africana: the encyclopedia of the African and African American experience, "WDIA, Sixth Memphis Station, Is Launched", "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times. Rating: 4.0 Reviews: 1. WDIA went on the air June 7, 1947,[2] from studios on Union Avenue. The Legendary Fred Hollywood Moore. OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Legends of Radio Inductees. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. [11], Williams ended his show in 1972 following a stroke. That range included about 10% of the black population of the United States which in turn garnered substantial advertising revenues. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. Owned and operated by iHeartMedia. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland also reflected on OJays life and legacy on Twitter. WDIA was inducted in 2013. Only minutes after midnight, early Wednesday morning, O'Jay's colleague, author, and award-winning photographer, Mark Stansbury, confirmed that the official cause of [] Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. 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. Wdia Profile and History . He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. 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. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! Rodriguez . To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. Press Center, This site is best experienced in portrait orientation. 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. 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. 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. 1,679 talking about this. So, he moved back to Houston to return to radio there. [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. King and Rufus Thomas. 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. Its a process.. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. Before joining WDIA the country's first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983,. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. 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. 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. Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. During her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl . When O'Jay would open. Many grieved in 2017 with the devastating loss of Sharon after 30 years of marriage to O'Jay. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. 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 was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. God bless his family, friends and coworkers.". When I returned to Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless. [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. . They didnt get in my business and things like that. 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) Memphis mayor Jim Strickland also reacted to O'Jay's death on Twitter. 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