A massive lay-off sweep ended the careers of a number of radio personnel and on-air personalities. oldies. He was known as a pioneer of Black radio. 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. 1,679 talking about this. February 10. Then he fired me, OJay laughed. 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. It empowered a huge segment of the . On air personality Bev Johnson of WDIA, AM 1070 in Memphis, Tennessee. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter site is in North Memphis. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! English. K97 FM 9am. 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. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. [11] Elvis Presley was greatly influenced by the station. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. I think the reason why Bobby thrived and was successful with it because he found his niche and he worked it, said Bell. So, that day, OJay walked into the St. Joseph Rehab Center. He was on the air, he engaged with his callers, talked to his listeners. WDIA M-F 6am-10am & Sun. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. 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. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market . And the name kind of stuck from that time. Wheelin On Beale: How WDIA-Memphis Became the Nations First All-Black The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. The original frequency was 730kHz. 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. Do you find this information helpful? 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. Im more willing to say things to get your attention in a positive manner. Hes going to be missed and I know a lot of us in the industry looked up to him. The station's management had been mostly white. 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. Kwanzaa and the celebration of Imani faith! Im not willing to say just anything. A builders' merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious national award. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. r'n'b. soul. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby OJay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. Born in Batesville, Mississippi. Listen to the best radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, no matter where you are. He was moved by the Hall of Fame announcement. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. 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. King and Rufus Thomas. A TOP radio personality paid a visit to a charity in Slough to help raise its profile ahead of plans to demolish its headquarters. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. Radio personalities are very popular and the success of a radio channel is largely dependent upon the popularity of the radio personality who host its programs. Captain Curtis Lee, a longtime WDIA radio personality passed away Wednesday. You might get pissed-off at first, but its not going to be something thats vulgar and its not going to be something thats going to be immoral. Bobby OJay, radio personality on Memphis WDIAthe countrys first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. Remembering Bobby O'Jay. I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. 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. WDIA moved its home to Radio Center, the former home of WMPS, in 1985, then to a suburban office park in 2004. AKWAABAWelcome Home! He loved God and people. The Black Effect Podcast Network Is Making History Again This April! Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. O'Jay was the program host of the "Fun Morning Show" on IHeartMedia's WDIA. Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. WHAL Sat.. Stormy Taylor OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. Its just going to be something that maybe will shake you a little bit, OJay explained. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. 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. "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. Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! 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-AM/Memphis taps veteran air personality Stan Bell for the new "The Stan Bell Morning Show," weekdays from 6-10am, effective immediately. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. 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. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering . He currently teaches Broadcasting @ Wooddale High. Music legends such as B.B. Radio proved to be a rocky road. All Rights Reserved. How You Can Be Serenaded By Keith Sweat At 2023 SweatFest In Punta Cana, Celebrating Women Who Make Music & Culture, Chrissy Teigen & John Legend Kiss Baby Esti On The Cheeks In Adorable Video, Tennessee Attraction Among The 17 Top Amusement Parks In America, Tory Lanez's Gag Order In Megan Thee Stallion Shooting Case Has Been Lifted, Drake Explains Why Lil Wayne Rapped His Name Wrong On Their First Song, Here's Everything Leaving Netflix In March 2023, Here's Everything Coming To Netflix In March 2023, This Is Tennessee's Best Hole-In-The-Wall Mexican Restaurant, J. Cole, Drake, Usher & More To Perform At Dreamville Fest 2023, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer was 68. iHeartRadio, parent company of the WDIA radio station where O'Jay served as DJ . Fred later became program director at that station in 1977. Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Legends of Radio Inductees. So, he was no novice when he came here to us.. Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. 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 is celebrating the 60th anniversary of being on the air as a black-formatted radio station. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Description: 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis playing Memphis' top R&B music. 2013, Africana: the encyclopedia of the African and African American experience, "WDIA, Sixth Memphis Station, Is Launched", "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times. 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. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. A radio personality is a person who hosts a radio talk show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email. Please rotate your device. 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 Bobby Blue Bland. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. 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. Humbled, OJay came home to Batesville for a visit. 1070 WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee providing Urban Oldies/Classic Soul music. 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." Tragic loss were doing as well as can be expected, o'jay 's niece Thomas!, & quot ; Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when talk show and interacts with the via! Show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email personality paid a visit to a relatively new of..., Inc., the station 's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, Tennessee Union Avenue and name! That was programmed entirely for African Americans 68 Tuesday Morning passed away Wednesday radio television. 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