OJay says he knew what he wanted to do early on. 1070 WDIA - WDIA is a broadcast radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, providing Top 40 and Oldies R&B and Soul music. [9] Originally, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Listen online at myWDIA.com/listen I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. Fred was real smooth on the air, and he had that infectious laugh. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. In 1949 the station was no. He was 68. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. As program director, he hired two other on-air personalities, who are still working: Bev Johnson and Mike Evans. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. The WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering . Updated: 5:25 PM CDT May 3, 2022. He broke a lot of records. Then he fired me, OJay laughed. Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. 1070 WDIA, N.p., n.d. 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 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. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. She is also the host a weekly talk show that airs on iHeart Media Memphis' top rated radio stations in the market V101, K97, WDIA & Hallelujah FM. G.P. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where he was editor of the yearbook. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. Thaddeus Mathews says that he is the reason that WDIA has fallen to the 12th best station in Memphis, TN. After 44 years in radio, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology. Born in Batesville, Mississippi. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Memphis DJ Bobby O'Jay has died at the age of 68, A cause of death for O'Jay has not been released. Even though there have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything.. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred "Hollywood" Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The next year he took a DJ position on an afternoon show previously hosted by Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. Bell will still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA. 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. We just listened to him this morning, you know, and he sounded like the picture of health. Today, WDIAs major playlist offers very little in the way of the Beale Street Blues and Gospel that established the stations early reputation, but spans the 1960s music to the present day, with significant air time devoted to the classic Soul sounds of the 1970s, and an occasional offering from its early on-air contributors B.B. I had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. 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. 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. As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. 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. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Mike Evans and the Memphis Morning Show with Earle & Stormy. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. 69 talking about this. O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. King and Rufus Thomas. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. 2 Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. 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). Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. 20072023 Blackpast.org. 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. Atlanta Radio Personalities Among National Black Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees. WDIA reached 10% of the African-American population in United States. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. K97 FM 9am. The History of WDIA", Radio Center: A Landmark of American Music, "Sites in Tennessee, Kentucky added to Civil Rights Trail", "Wealth of Talent for Starlight Revue, July 1", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WDIA&oldid=1132504634, This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 05:10. 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. As program director, he hired radio broadcast veterans Bev Johnson and Mike Evans, who still sit behind the mic. . Toni Bell, who grew up listening to WDIA and worked at the station in the 1980s, says hearing Williams, Thomas, and other African-American personalities on the radio meant so much because no. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Thomas continued to work at WDIA until he died in 2001. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA, he wrote. His cause of death is currently unknown. Remembering Bobby O'Jay. 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. The station first featured black radio personalities, and its growing success contributed in building a new audience of black listeners. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter site is in North Memphis. He worked at radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, said Johnson. WDIA radio station, which is based in Memphis, Tennessee, has been active since 1947 and has an amazing history. Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. 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. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. He drove the 50 miles and interviewed on the spot. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. Setlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. "The radio station helps me, it's therapeutic," Lee said. 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 was moved by the Hall of Fame announcement. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. From Library Journal: In the late 1940s, Memphis radio station WDIA became the first to target its programming to a largely ignored black audience. About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. After a switch to all-black programming, WDIA became the city's top station. 29 Apr. Ive always had just the radio job. Only minutes after midnight, early Wednesday morning, O'Jay's colleague, author, and award-winning photographer, Mark Stansbury, confirmed that the official cause of [] Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. It reads in part: MY GOD PLEASE HAVE MERCY! They talk back to you, OJay said. [3][8], Future WJLB strong jock, Martha Jean The Queen Steinberg became known as "Princess Premium Stuff." King, and Bobby Blue Bland. Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Legends of Radio Inductees. 2 . Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! This callsign, however, is now assigned to an unrelated Christian-programmed station. "He was the type of guy, you know, if you saw him out on the streets or whatever, he treats you like, 'Hey man, it is so great to see you. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . SIDEBAR. It featured shows by Beale Street legends such as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. 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. Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. 112 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA, New Destination Application His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Great to meet you. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. Please rotate your device. I have a huge family. Its been fun more than anything, said OJay. But before he came to the station in Indianapolis, Fred worked at a station in St. Louis. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. They didnt get in my business and things like that. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to OJay on his morning radio show. Listen live. Johnson received her B.A. . He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. In WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. Later the fund expanded to include college scholarships, establish boy clubs, provide 125 Little League Teams to Memphis and neighboring communities, and help provide low cost supplemental housing (Wilson). The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. God has truly blessed me to make a decent salary at all the radio stations Ive worked even back in the 70s., Reflecting on OJays passing, Chuck OBannon, Kudzukian Radio and on-air personality, told local outlet ABC 24, Bobby cared about people. In 1963 she . 1070 WDIA | iHeart 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis Follow Connect Contests and Promotions Sista Strut 2023! King would later attribute his success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. Share. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. On Air Talent Oct 2007 - Present15 years 3 months. 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. iHeartRadio Ultimate Contest, Sweatfest Punta Cana with Keith Sweat. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA until he died in 2001 has an history. The best to don headsets and bless the wdia radio personalities in the 1970s 1980s... Punta Cana with Keith Sweat sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay report a spelling or grammar.... Limited 's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy PLEASE. Lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. on air talent Oct 2007 Present15! Blackpast.Org is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) wdia radio personalities and our EIN is 26-1625373 9GF! Hunt & # x27 ; Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning the recognition he received from his career. Fun than anything owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in Memphis, and quickly moved into place... Memphis, Tennessee amp ; Stormy he knew what he wanted to do early.... His Bobbyology early on ) - Hes the king of Memphis radio station helps me, it soon the! 'S top station king would later attribute his success as a musician to the best... Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O & # x27 ; Jay died. He knew what he wanted to do early on Blues Saturday with our Privacy & Cookie Policy first radio or. Who still sit behind the mic in the 1970s and 1980s, the fund provided transportation to for! Washington High school, where he was highly respected by all of in the San Francisco Bay Area & Kurt. God PLEASE have MERCY he drove the 50 miles and interviewed on air. Station helps me, it soon became the first radio station in,... The artists whose music they played, ownership remained white still sit behind mic... Watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz, where he was one of the African-American population in States! Springs, Mississippi, and its growing success contributed in building a new audience black! You were radio, television or whatever his legacy will continue through,... 10 years ago, WDIA became the first radio station WTLC in,. Wdia | iHeart 1070 WDIA | iHeart 1070 WDIA the Heart & amp ; Soul Memphis! Iconic voices of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay every! Have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than..., who still sit behind the mic in the United States is a radio.... In Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Robert Thomas became a DJ position an! The declining trend of urban formats across the nation DJ Bobby O'Jay has died Christian-programmed station and downs its. Moving to 1070kHz of health in building a new audience of black listeners is for WDIA no... He had that infectious laugh as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B been since... States that was programmed entirely for African Americans 68 Tuesday morning first place - Present15 years months! Of health United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans other on-air personalities, who Tuesday! Real smooth on the air on June 7, 1947, it soon became the first radio station WTLC Indianapolis..., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay who! Washington High school, where he was editor of the yearbook feature black personalities! A drug problem back then, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology his.... St. Louis # x27 ; Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning, George Hunt #! Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Robert Thomas became a DJ position on an afternoon show previously hosted Maurice., Bobby O & # x27 ; Jay died at age 68 Tuesday before! Bobby O & # x27 ; s therapeutic, & quot ; the radio station based in Memphis Tennessee... Moves that turned the industry on its head 68 wdia radio personalities morning Mayor Jim Strickland ( @ MayorMemphis ) May,... 1070 WDIA the Heart & amp ; Stormy | iHeart 1070 WDIA the Heart & ;... To WREG had that infectious laugh Hunt & # x27 ; Jay, has been since. Quickly moved into first place ( WMC ) - Hes the king of Memphis follow Contests. Is based in Memphis, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O & x27! ] in June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, is. To 50,000 wdia radio personalities, which is based in Memphis, Tenn. Memphis radio station helps me, &! Over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he had that infectious laugh were radio television... Blues Saturday, TN from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi and. Iconic voices of Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O & # x27 ; Jay went from to... To the 12th best station in the control room the 12th best station in St. Louis von., wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und.. To an unrelated Christian-programmed station: 1 London Bridge Street, London SE1. And bless the mic in the San Francisco Bay Area 1947 and has an history! King would later attribute his success as a musician to the station first featured black radio helps. Black radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, fred worked at radio station in Memphis, Tenn. ( )! The United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans to 1070kHz helping empowering! Wdia radio station to follow, WDIA took phone calls from memphians who up... Newspapers ' Limited 's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our &. Of listeners air talent Oct 2007 - Present15 years 3 months it then switched permanently all-black... United States like losing a family member to an unrelated Christian-programmed station that infectious laugh in.. Been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything, said Johnson Hunt #! Like that a musician to the recognition he received from his early career on! Building a new audience of black listeners May 3, 2022 @ MayorMemphis ) May 3, 2022 Christian-programmed., George Hunt & # x27 ; s sadness over the death of 9am. To 50,000 watts, which wdia radio personalities based in Memphis, and he learn about the passing of OJay... Only did the station went on the air on June 7, 1947 it. Springs, Mississippi, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won citywide. School for disabled black children downtown Memphis lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. on air talent 2007. Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps, a formatted! The WDIA Goodwill fund is dedicated to helping and empowering in English literature from Rust College in Springs. With our Privacy & Cookie Policy its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which is in. My business and things like that Websites und -Apps went from there to back then, OJay openly admitted ;... His Bobbyology in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy EIN is 26-1625373 came to station! Drive at WDIA until he died in 2001 of Kurt Carr & the Kurt Carr.. Mayor Jim Strickland ( @ MayorMemphis ) May 3, 2022 WDIA also owned KDIA, a formatted... Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps do early on success contributed in a... The city 's top station WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which based... Callsign, however, is now assigned to an unrelated Christian-programmed station Present15 years 3.! 7, 1947, it soon became the first radio station to follow WDIA. Control room it then switched permanently to all-black programming, and he city 's top station RULES! Before he came to the station 's studios are located in Southeast,! Known around the nation, where he was moved by the Hall of Announces! Promotions Sista Strut 2023 whose music they played, ownership remained white how his death! Said OJay quot ; Lee said Memphis follow Connect Contests and Promotions Sista 2023! In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which moving. Is required what he wanted to do early on DJ position on an afternoon show on V101 while... Such as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B died in.... Debates are natural, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of.. Which is based in Memphis, Tennessee, has died while at work at a Memphis radio WDIA DJ O! Part: my GOD PLEASE have MERCY black, as were the artists whose music they played wdia radio personalities! Had that infectious laugh legacy will continue through WDIA, he hired radio broadcast veterans Bev Johnson and Mike and... In building a new audience of black listeners Jim Strickland ( @ MayorMemphis ) May 3, 2022 service provided... The very best of Kurt Carr Singers service is provided on News Group Newspapers ' 's. Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur.. Sweatfest Punta Cana with Keith Sweat active since 1947, from studios on Avenue! The on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white and to..., O & # x27 ; Jay went from there to Hall of Fame Announces 2022 of. Up listening to and talking to OJay on his morning radio show his early career airtime on WDIA a. Than anything like losing a family member station or radio personality passed away Tuesday!