He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. At the time, most stations had one talk show per week. Music (Memphis: Hopkins-Oates & Associates, 2008); Louis Cantor, English. 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. Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. WDIA M-F 6am-10am & Sun. 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. I had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. G.P. 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. During his 50 year radio career, O'J. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. 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. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. WDIA, where OJay worked for decades, issued this statement: It is with great sadness we share the passing of the Legendary Bobby OJay. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland also reflected on OJays life and legacy on Twitter. We just listened to him this morning, you know, and he sounded like the picture of health. 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. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. A builders' merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious national award. Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. 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. WDIA midday personality Bev Johnson confirmed to local CBS . 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. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. But at the time he took the job, the drugs were still in his system. Email us [email protected] call212 416 4552. The best way to connect to the community, you talk to them. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. These days, he eats vegan and looks back with appreciation, hoping to further WDIAs image as a goodwill station. Throughout this period, it continued (and continues) to offer content for African Americans by African Americans. He was 68. Half of the listeners who could hear WDIA's signal were African-American, and WDIA hired the first black disk jockey in the South. All Rights Reserved. That range included about 10% of the black population of the United States which in turn garnered substantial advertising revenues. [14], "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times." All they did was just pray for me. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. In addition to providing specialized programming, through the years the station led and supported projects to benefit the community. 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. 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. "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. 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. Born in Batesville, Mississippi in 1953, OJay was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. In 1963 she . He said, man, you sound just like him. He said can you come by the radio station?. Williams continued on the air . Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. Do you find this information helpful? Mark Stansbury, on-air personality on Sunday, remembers Fred as a good brother to work with. Even though there have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything.. Born in Batesville, Mississippi on August 8, 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host in 1972 in Milwaukee. 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. 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 . . 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. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy.. Ive always had just the radio job. Fired within three months of taking his first gig in Birmingham, that Milwaukee station he called during high school hired him and he quickly became program director. He explained to Action News 5 last year he wasnt willing to just say anything. 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 29 Apr. King and Bobby Blue Bland. Click here to sign up for our newsletter! WDIA's parent company iHeartRadio announced. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. As program director, he hired two other on-air personalities, who are still working: Bev Johnson and Mike Evans. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. [11], Williams ended his show in 1972 following a stroke. 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 Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. Web. 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 knew how to reach people., OJay called his style on the radio Bobbyology.. As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. Praying for the strength and peace of his family as we honor his legacy.. [26][27] Radio DJ Alan Freedon New York City's WINS (AM)in 1955. He was green so he hired an experienced executive who needed a job. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. (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. In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. At the end of everything, they had given me this fat contract. Its been fun more than anything, said OJay. It reads in part: MY GOD PLEASE HAVE MERCY! God bless his family, friends and coworkers.". WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. Bell joins 1070 WDIA from co-owned Urban KJMS-FM (V101), where he has been on-air for over 30 years. WDIA went on the air June 7, 1947,[2] from studios on Union Avenue. In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. Final arrangements were pending at press time Wednesday (Jan. 13). Fred was a very caring family man and loved his daughter and wife dearly.. WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. I need some help.. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! Thomas continued to work at WDIA until he died in 2001. 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. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby O'Jay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). Music legends such as B.B. Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG.. ", Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. He had a daily 15-minute show, promoting first a patent medicine called Pep-Ti-Kon, and later Lucky Strike cigarettes, the first major advertiser for the station. Nobody said a word to me. WDIA radio station, which is based in Memphis, Tennessee, has been active since 1947 and has an amazing history. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . Website. Description: 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis playing Memphis' top R&B music. Its been fun even though its been some ups and downs. 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. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Fred had a very good voice, said Stansbury. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred Hollywood Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. 112 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA, New Destination Application Before joining WDIA the country's first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983,. 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. 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.". View our online Press Pack. It's Relationship Day on The Bev Johnson Show on WDIA Radio and the topic of conversation is "It's Valentine's is it Love, Like, Lust, Must or a Fuss" with Psychologist/Mental Health Specialist Dr. Dorothy Jeffries. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. Watch Bobby OJay reflect on his early days at WDIA below. "I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise.. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. He was on the air, he engaged with his callers, talked to his listeners. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. Its a process.. 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. 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. One hot day in Batesville, Mississippi, when OJay was picking cotton, his cousin visited and OJay knew he wanted to follow his cousins path. [13] In addition, he contributed to the redevelopment of Beale Street and Soulsville, USA. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. 2 in Memphis in terms of audience. [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in 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. The station's management had been mostly white. He was known as a pioneer of Black radio. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Press Center, This site is best experienced in portrait orientation. The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He was known as the King of Memphis Radio, a legend, and icon in the industry. The WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering . I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. 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. WHAL Sat.. Stormy Taylor Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. One fan tweeted: "Local legendary DJ - Bobby OJay has passed - prayers up for a Memphis legendit was sudden- he was on the radio this morning. 1,679 talking about this. Fred was also in a couple of movies that filmed here, too.. Bobby and I were always on opposite sides of the desk. 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). 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