Bobby and I were always on opposite sides of the desk. 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. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. "The radio station helps me, it's therapeutic," Lee said. . The Black Effect Podcast Network Is Making History Again This April! On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to OJay on his morning radio show. It empowered a huge segment of the . Many grieved in 2017 with the devastating loss of Sharon after 30 years of marriage to O'Jay. Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy., Black Developers Housing Summit headed to Memphis to educate & empower, Ken Moody makes move from city government to the U of, For the childrens sake, let us not allow our history to, City Council edges forward with measures for police reform and oversight, A selection of books with African-American History Month in mind, Ekpe Abioto brings solid message with Dont Touch A Gun, WLOK Black Film Festival salutes Black History Month with Poitier-directed A, PREVIEW: Thank you Katori Hall for TINA The Tina Turner, Talking Black AF (And Fearless) takes root at town hall, Angela Davis reaction to a big reveal was the most priceless. Discover Tuesday's shows for 1070 WDIA in Memphis, TN. 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 Bobby OJay, radio personality on Memphis WDIAthe countrys first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. 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. 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. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. 20072023 Blackpast.org. In 2020, to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, the Beale Street Historic District and the WDIA radio station were added from Memphis. It reads in part: MY GOD PLEASE HAVE MERCY! Fred was a very caring family man and loved his daughter and wife dearly.. 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. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. I need some help.. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. All Rights Reserved. Throughout this period, it continued (and continues) to offer content for African Americans by African Americans. 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 Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. G.P. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. And we just started calling him Hollywood Fred Hollywood Moore. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. Simple and modern interface. King joined WDIA in early 1949. Ive always had just the radio job. By age 17, OJay remembered walking the halls of his high school, using his radio voice.. WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. Listen to the radio in the background. 5/5 based on 1 review. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. (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. r'n'b. soul. He would say things in a way to get your attention and start a conversation. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Bell will still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA. O'Jay often shared his life on-air with his late wife, Sharon. It wasn't black owned, but it appealed to a black . During his 50 year radio career, O'J. 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. . 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Just a high school graduate, but Ive managed to work at some of the biggest radio stations in America. Address: Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African Americans for African Americans. 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. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. When O'Jay would open. When I returned to Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless. He was 68. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. WDIA was inducted in 2013. Radio host Bev Johnson confirmed to WREG that O'Jay passed away while he was at work. 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. Stan is also a Shelby County Schools Careers and Technology instructor. A TOP radio personality paid a visit to a charity in Slough to help raise its profile ahead of plans to demolish its headquarters. 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. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. 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. 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. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. Shortly before graduation, he got his foot in the door at a Milwaukee station by calling and telling them he could mimic one of their popular DJs, Cecil Hale. He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. Moore was in that number. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. It featured shows by Beale Street legends such as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B. He landed some roles in stage plays in the city. 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." He currently teaches Broadcasting @ Wooddale High. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. On Air Talent Oct 2007 - Present15 years 3 months. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. oldies. I have eight brothers and sisters. Afternoon On-Air Talent: Earle Augustus. AKWAABAWelcome Home! The WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering . I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. 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. WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. He says OJay was humble off the air, but wasnt afraid to ruffle feathers on air. Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Legends of Radio Inductees. Fred later became program director at that station in 1977. WDIA is celebrating the 60th anniversary of being on the air as a black-formatted radio station. As program director, he hired radio broadcast veterans Bev Johnson and Mike Evans, who still sit behind the mic. He worked at radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, said Johnson. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. King and Rufus Thomas. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. [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. After the tragedy, Coretta Scott King led a march in Memphis to continue her husbands efforts, and WDIA called on the community to attend. K97 FM 9am. 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. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. 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. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. Thaddeus Mathews says that he is the reason that WDIA has fallen to the 12th best station in Memphis, TN. A.C. Williams, a former disc jockey for the station, helped create the Goodwill Fund in 1954, and the station's identification announcement became, Youre Listening to 50,000 Watts of Goodwill, W-D-I-A Memphis.. Atlanta Radio Personalities Among National Black Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer was 68. iHeartRadio, parent company of the WDIA radio station where O'Jay served as DJ . Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. Main features: Easy to use. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. A radio personality is a person who hosts a radio talk show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email. His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. 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 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) WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. Then he fired me, OJay laughed. He had a brief on-air stint in Montgomery, Alabama, but returned to Milwaukee prior to landing the hosting gig at WDIA in 1983. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. 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. I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. The Legendary Fred Hollywood Moore. In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis Local News Tennessee Attraction Among The 17 Top Amusement Parks In America Feb 28, 2023 Sista Strut 2023! MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. 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. His cause of death is currently unknown. It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market . Captain Curtis Lee, a longtime WDIA radio personality passed away Wednesday. Bobby was a trailblazer in the industry as well as a legacy in the community for multiple decades. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . Claim your profile ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. Praying for the strength and peace of his family as we honor his legacy.. He cared about the artists records he played. At the time, most stations had one talk show per week. 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. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. He said, man, you sound just like him. He said can you come by the radio station?. [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. 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. So, he moved back to Houston to return to radio there. 14. After a series of local owners it was bought by media giant Clear Channel Communication in 1997. 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