He also served as program director during his tenure and interviewed countless Black music and culture legends, including Whitney Houston and Muhammad Ali, as well as David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby OJay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). [4], Nat D. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948. They didnt get in my business and things like that. degree in educational media technology from Jackson State University. Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Legends of Radio Inductees. O'Jay often shared his life on-air with his late wife, Sharon. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where he was editor of the yearbook. The Legendary Fred Hollywood Moore. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. He says his large family never pried, they just prayed and so did he. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. Heres a guy who came from the cotton fields in Mississippi. I know my mother and father knew I was on drugs. "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. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. Description: 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis playing Memphis' top R&B music. 1070 WDIA is an Urban Contemporary radio station serving Memphis. 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. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. From Library Journal: In the late 1940s, Memphis radio station WDIA became the first to target its programming to a largely ignored black audience. At the time, most stations had one talk show per week. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . 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. He was green so he hired an experienced executive who needed a job. Press Center, This site is best experienced in portrait orientation. Suite 4100 901-535-9342 Website: http://mywdia.iheart.com Stations 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis TOMORROW: 7am Bobby O'Jay 11am Bev Johnson 4pm Earle Augustus Shows Bev Johnson Memphis, TN WDIA was inducted in 2013. The station first featured black radio personalities, and its growing success contributed in building a new audience of black listeners. Rating: 4.0 Reviews: 1. OJay eventually got a tour of the station, but back then, you needed an FCC license to be a DJ, so radio would have to wait. Rodriguez . BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. Listen online at myWDIA.com/listen 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. Bobby was a trailblazer in the industry as well as a legacy in the community for multiple decades. Listen to the best radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, no matter where you are. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. The WDIA Goodwill Fund is dedicated to helping and empowering . 1070 WDIA - WDIA is a broadcast radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, providing Top 40 and Oldies R&B and Soul music. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. It took me about a year or so to get a job on the radio, OJay recalled. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. And we just started calling him Hollywood Fred Hollywood Moore. racine horlick high school football Cuidados de Gnero. His cause of death is currently unknown. I need some help.. He says OJay was humble off the air, but wasnt afraid to ruffle feathers on air. Updated: 5:25 PM CDT May 3, 2022. He reflected on his career just before being inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame last year. King joined WDIA in early 1949. 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. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He was known as the King of Memphis Radio, a legend, and icon in the industry. 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. 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. May 3, 2022 WDIA. 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. 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. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. It sort of reminded you of (the legendary) Nat Williams.. Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. r'n'b. soul. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred "Hollywood" Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. 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. 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 office staff was racially integrated by 1950 which was rare in Memphis or any Southern city at that time but the station did not see its first black manager until 1972. During her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl . What remained constant was his kooky smile and the genuine respect we had for each other. In 1949 the station was no. Atlanta Radio Personalities Among National Black Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees. RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. 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. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. She is mother of two children and grandmother of one. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. We want to hear from you! He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. (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. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. 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. 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! All Rights Reserved. [3] WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. Only minutes after midnight, early Wednesday morning, O'Jay's colleague, author, and award-winning photographer, Mark Stansbury, confirmed that the official cause of [] OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. Website. Ownership of the station first changed hands in 1957. Tuesday morning, iHeart Radio confirmed the death of O'Jay at age 68. About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. If you post anything unrelated to WDIA it will be deleted. View our online Press Pack. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer was 68. iHeartRadio, parent company of the WDIA radio station where O'Jay served as DJ . 2 . One of the station's most well-known personalities, Bev Johnson, told The New Tri-State Defender that Moore was "kind of laid back and real smooth." 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