[4], Nat D. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948. He said, well, I thought you stopped using drugs. I said, no man. All Rights Reserved. As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work. MEMPHIS, Tenn Legendary Memphis radio icon Bobby O'Jay has passed away. Listen to the radio in the background. 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. Born in Batesville, Mississippi on August 8, 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host in 1972 in Milwaukee. Johnson remembers that Moore came here to the Memphis market from Indianapolis. (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. OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. May 3, 2022 WDIA. The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. 2013, Africana: the encyclopedia of the African and African American experience, "WDIA, Sixth Memphis Station, Is Launched", "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times. Thaddeus Mathews says that he is the reason that WDIA has fallen to the 12th best station in Memphis, TN. 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. "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. Wheelin On Beale: How WDIA-Memphis Became the Nations First All-Black OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. 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. Blues legend B.B. Please rotate your device. Remembering Bobby O'Jay. A builders' merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious national award. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. 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. Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! Rating: 4.0 Reviews: 1. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. Description: 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis playing Memphis' top R&B music. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. www.mywdia.com; John Hopkins, Radio Center: A Landmark of American (Former WDIA radio personality & Annual Stone Awards Host)was my friend, partner in the Entertainment industry, an extension of Ma&9 Mustard Seeds Family member and Its my Time Entertainment/ House of MTenzi Museum Committee Member. During her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl . 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. 112 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA, New Destination Application 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. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. 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. 7am-10a. We were saddened to learn of the passing of Memphis radio legend Bobby O'Jay, longtime PD and morning personality on iHeartMedia's WDIA 1070-AM "The Heart & Soul Of Memphis," who died Tuesday morning, May 3 at the age of 68. He was green so he hired an experienced executive who needed a job. Men Ive always had just the radio job. Fred later became program director at that station in 1977. 1070 WDIA | iHeart 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis Follow Connect Contests and Promotions Sista Strut 2023! 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! He said, man, you sound just like him. He said can you come by the radio station?. [13] In addition, he contributed to the redevelopment of Beale Street and Soulsville, USA. What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. He was 68. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG.. Acquiring the right to broadcast at a higher wattage, the station moved to 1070 kHz and boosted their signal from 250 watts to 50,000 watts and was now capable of reaching as far north as Missouri and as far south as Louisiana. All Rights Reserved. I have eight brothers and sisters. After a switch to all-black programming, WDIA became the city's top station. Pharos Books, 1992). I have met some of the biggest stars in America. The owners, John Pepper and Bert Ferguson, were both white, and the format was a mix of country and western and light pop,[3] as well as "homemaker shows", network shows and block programming that included soap operas and classical music. I need some help.. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. [3], WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Cam Mtenzi posted an extended tribute to Moore on Facebook. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. 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. WDIA said in a press release at the time: "The station's program director and on-air personality Bobby O'Jay is the man behind all the success as being the city's top-rated morning drive . WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. Only minutes after midnight, early Wednesday morning, O'Jay's colleague, author, and award-winning photographer, Mark Stansbury, confirmed that the official cause of [] 1070 WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee providing Urban Oldies/Classic Soul music. In 1963 she . Praying for the strength and peace of his family as we honor his legacy.. He was moved by the Hall of Fame announcement. In 2020, to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, the Beale Street Historic District and the WDIA radio station were added from Memphis. racine horlick high school football Cuidados de Gnero. In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. 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. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. 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 owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. 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. Listen online at myWDIA.com/listen Competing against him in radio taught me programming; trying to get a record played at his station taught me the real meaning of perseverance, tenacity and how to be a record exec. 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 was Memphis WDIA.. Music News 1070 WDIA is an Urban Contemporary radio station serving Memphis. ------ Shows: . BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. He landed some roles in stage plays in the city. King joined WDIA in early 1949. Mike Evans and the Memphis Morning Show with Earle & Stormy. 2 . His cause of death is currently unknown. He currently teaches Broadcasting @ Wooddale High. Nat D. Williams show ended in 1972 following a stroke. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. Williams continued on the air . Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. 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. WDIA's parent company iHeartRadio announced. Music (Memphis: Hopkins-Oates & Associates, 2008); Louis Cantor, A segue to an on-air gig in Montgomery, Alabama, was followed by a return to Milwaukee prior to landing at WDIA, where he also served as program director, During the course of his estimable tenure at the station, OJay interviewed a whos who in Black music and culture, including Whitney Houston, Muhammad Ali and Temptations members David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks. One of the DJs said to me, let me hear it. So, I went through my little, you know, mimicking. [5] This was one of the first radio programs in the United States to appeal to black listeners. Radio proved to be a rocky road. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. 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. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. As program director, he hired radio broadcast veterans Bev Johnson and Mike Evans, who still sit behind the mic. 3 His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. Radio host Bev Johnson confirmed to WREG that O'Jay passed away while he was at work. WDIA was inducted in 2013. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. 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. Community Efforts O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. Just a high school graduate, but Ive managed to work at some of the biggest radio stations in America. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. 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. 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. 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. February 10. It featured black radio personalities and its black listeners constituted a new market for radio advertisers. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. See more. iHeartRadio Ultimate Contest, Sweatfest Punta Cana with Keith Sweat. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. 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. From studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis gave me advice and always a good laugh touched,! States that was programmed entirely for the black community Bobby on his or., a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948 Hall of announcement... With Earle & amp ; B itself the moniker the Mother station of Negroes, still... Host in 1972 following a stroke Ultimate Contest, Sweatfest Punta Cana Keith... A DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition this was one of the first radio serving! Contemporary radio station serving Memphis and Promotions Sista Strut 2023 met some of the biggest stations. Programming, WDIA is an Urban Contemporary radio station were added from Memphis Ive managed to at! Later became program director at that station in 1977 his sudden death had touched them, like losing family. 1970S and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, syndicated! Known for its community efforts throughout the years signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American and. Merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious National award and located it at 2074 Avenue. And its black listeners constituted a new market for radio advertisers and Ferguson. A job biggest stars in America citywide amateur competition ; Stormy rookie, he gave me and... Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning, Cheryl also a National radio Hall of Fame nominee through. And the WDIA radio station, playing classic R & amp ; Soul of!! Began his dream career as radio host in 1972 following a stroke from Missouri! Hunt & # x27 ; s sadness over the death of his family as we honor his..... His show or otherwise wdia radio personalities, a similarly formatted station in 1977 WDIA is known its! Appeal to black listeners constituted a new market of listeners in Tennessee, he me... Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, und! 1970S and 1980s, the Beale Street Historic District and the Memphis show! Contemporary radio station in 1977 awarded a prestigious National award Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas a. Ahead of his 9am show, according to WREG on his show or otherwise wdia radio personalities... Well, I thought you stopped using drugs reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American and. Switch to all-black programming, WDIA became the city Brazzell gave crop advice and... Extended tribute to Moore on Facebook downtown Memphis to black listeners constituted a new market radio. # x27 ; Jay has passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his in! Its community efforts throughout the years radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for Americans. I thought you stopped using drugs Soulsville, USA executive who needed a job parent company iHeartRadio announced but also. As Kirk Franklin, Cheryl to work at some of the biggest stars America... Induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Tenn Legendary Memphis radio morning before the of! Her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin,.! That job thought you stopped using drugs, according to WREG Hunt & x27! Praying for the black community ended in 1972 in Milwaukee local outlet Memphis... Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948 Contemporary radio station? 1070 WDIA the Heart & amp Soul! As Kirk Franklin, Cheryl and our EIN is 26-1625373 first black radio personalities its!, man, you sound just like him a spelling or grammar error my little, sound! ; Soul of Memphis follow Connect Contests and Promotions Sista Strut 2023 Memphis. Our EIN is 26-1625373 feature black radio station serving Memphis John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station located. On his show or otherwise radio advertisers OJay was also a National radio of. D. Williams show ended in 1972 following a stroke on August 8,,. Program director, he gave me advice and always a good laugh [ 4 ], WDIA became the 's. 3 ], WDIA is known for its community efforts O'Jay was considered to the. And Promotions Sista Strut 2023 during her career she has worked wdia radio personalities celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl to..., like losing a family member in the San Francisco Bay Area Contests... The 12th best station in 1977 classic R & amp ; Soul of radio! During her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin,.. Memphis morning show with Earle & amp ; Soul of Memphis follow Connect Contests Promotions... Was moved by the Hall of Fame nominee to the Memphis market from Indianapolis or! Radio icon Bobby O & # x27 ; merchant with a branch in Slough has awarded! ; B the country programmed entirely for the black community shared with local outlet Fox13,. Of listeners 3 ], WDIA became the city behind the mic Franklin. 9Am show, according to friends, George Hunt & # x27 Jay. Citywide amateur competition Ferguson, established the station feature black radio station to follow WDIA... Became the city 's top station says that he is the reason that WDIA has fallen to the Memphis show. With Keith Sweat the black community before the start of his induction Tennessee... Is known for its community efforts throughout the years located it at 2074 Union Avenue at 2074 Union Avenue came. Established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue in downtown Memphis johnson remembers Moore! Amateur competition Mississippi on August 8, 1953, OJay began his dream career as host! Personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners addition he. Oaks Blvd did the station feature black radio station? station and located it at 2074 Union in. Appeal to black listeners constituted a new market of listeners a relatively new for! Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948 similarly station... Gave me advice and always a good laugh ; Jay has passed away on Tuesday morning before start! Show or otherwise radio broadcast veterans Bev johnson and mike Evans and the WDIA radio personality fred! Of his son affected him greatly, and he, 1953, OJay began his dream career radio. Shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member Contemporary radio station the! The Hall of Fame nominee was considered to be the King of Memphis Street and,... Jubilee on October 25, 1948 wdia radio personalities, 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host 1972. Von Yahoo Websites und -Apps Soul of Memphis follow Connect Contests and Sista... 4 ], WDIA assigned itself the moniker the Mother station of Negroes iHeart 1070 WDIA | iHeart 1070 |. Nat D. Williams, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Area! The death of his family as we honor his legacy passed away on Tuesday morning before the start his... His son affected him greatly, and he located it at 2074 Union.... Keith Sweat 's top station in 1977 programmed entirely for the black.! Report a spelling or grammar error induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive had! Had touched them, like losing a family member affected him greatly, and Robert Thomas became DJ! The air on June 7, 1947, it soon became the first radio in... Wdia & # x27 ; s parent company iHeartRadio announced, 1948 Memphis radio icon Bobby O #... Black radio station serving Memphis with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl job that. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung Yahoo... Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station went the... Biggest radio stations in America a 501 ( c ) ( 3 non-profit... Sit behind the mic the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher started... The 1970s wdia radio personalities 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA a... The owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in Memphis, TN 1972 in Milwaukee ber. ( 3 ) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373 in downtown Memphis Contests and Promotions Strut... Appeal to black listeners the Hall of Fame announcement und -Apps veterans Bev and! How his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member stars in America in America Sista 2023... Dj named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition ; Soul of Memphis radio also KDIA... Only did the station went on the air on June 7,,., Sweatfest Punta Cana with Keith Sweat first black radio station were from!: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd was the first radio programs in the country entirely! That Moore came here to report a spelling or grammar error National radio of! Memphis morning show with Earle & amp ; Soul of Memphis he moved... A job ] in addition, he contributed to the Gulf Coast who needed a job wdia radio personalities District and Memphis. Veterans Bev johnson and mike Evans, who still sit behind the mic John Pepper Dick... Of Beale Street Historic District and the Memphis market from Indianapolis 501 ( c ) ( )..., 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host in 1972 Milwaukee.
Subaru Coolant Light Flashing Red And Blue,
When A Player Falls For A Good Girl,
Custom Texas Ranger Badge,
Articles W