Twin Cities: AM Personality Tom Barnard ReUps At KQRS; Portland OR Radio: Lar Larson Renews Deal With KXL; Richmond Radio: iHM Names A-J OM/Regional PM . Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. These days, he eats vegan and looks back with appreciation, hoping to further WDIAs image as a goodwill station. From Library Journal: In the late 1940s, Memphis radio station WDIA became the first to target its programming to a largely ignored black audience. (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. Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. Stan is also a Shelby County Schools Careers and Technology instructor. 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. 1070 WDIA is an Urban Contemporary radio station serving Memphis. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. A.C. Williams, a former WDIA disc jockey, helped create the Goodwill Fund in 1954. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! He worked at radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, said Johnson. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. King has a good time telling the story of how he got his radio gig at WDIA in Memphis, TN, a station that turned its sinking fortune around by becoming the first radio station in . Half of the listeners who could hear WDIA's signal were African-American, and WDIA hired the first black disk jockey in the South. 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. O'Jay often shared his life on-air with his late wife, Sharon. Wheelin On Beale: How WDIA-Memphis Became the Nations First All-Black WDIA's parent company iHeartRadio announced. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. 7am-10a. In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. 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. 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. The original frequency was 730kHz. WDIA reached 10% of the African-American population in United States. Cam Mtenzi posted an extended tribute to Moore on Facebook. Music News America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. Its been fun more than anything, said OJay. Bobby and I were always on opposite sides of the desk. King and Rufus Thomas. By age 17, OJay remembered walking the halls of his high school, using his radio voice.. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. Please rotate your device. racine horlick high school football Cuidados de Gnero. 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. Im more willing to say things to get your attention in a positive manner. Heres a guy who came from the cotton fields in Mississippi. That range included about 10% of the black population of the United States which in turn garnered substantial advertising revenues. 2 Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. 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. Share. Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! 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. 3-3:30pm. What remained constant was his kooky smile and the genuine respect we had for each other. Close Modal 20072023 Blackpast.org. 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. 1,679 talking about this. It took me about a year or so to get a job on the radio, OJay recalled. The 12-year-old would turn the radio dial and listen to what DJs both talked about and sounded like for years. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loyal listeners during this extremely difficult time. 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. Music (Memphis: Hopkins-Oates & Associates, 2008); Louis Cantor, Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? Simple and modern interface. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby OJay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). The station started the WDIA Goodwill Fund to help and empower black communities. Music legends such as B.B. Longtime WDIA Memphis personality Bobby O'Jay passes away. Williams continued on the air . B.B. Rating: 4.0 Reviews: 1. Humbled, OJay came home to Batesville for a visit. May 3, 2022 WDIA. In 2020, to the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, the Beale Street Historic District and the WDIA radio station were added from Memphis. He was 68. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. He was inspired by his cousin, Victory in Christ Christian Church senior pastor, Melvin Jones, who was a radio and record executive in OJays early days. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Nat was a history teacher and the first black radio DJ at WDIA in Memphis. Bobby was a trailblazer in the industry as well as a legacy in the community for multiple decades. I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where he was editor of the yearbook. Born in Batesville, Mississippi on August 8, 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host in 1972 in Milwaukee. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. In WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. 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 About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. [26][27] Radio DJ Alan Freedon New York City's WINS (AM)in 1955. You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. . 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. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. After Milwaukee, OJay crisscrossed the nation with DJ stints in multiple cities, from Houston to Dallas to Chicago, but as his popularity rose, so did temptations. I know my mother and father knew I was on drugs. He was 68. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. 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. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. And we just started calling him Hollywood Fred Hollywood Moore. 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. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Moore was in that number. WHAL Sat.. Stormy Taylor Honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018, he was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. But at the time he took the job, the drugs were still in his system. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland also reflected on OJays life and legacy on Twitter. Rodriguez . He was on the air, he engaged with his callers, talked to his listeners. 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 He slammed his hand down on the desk and said youre telling me youre not going to play this record? I said Im not going to play it. He said youre fired. Just like that.. A cause of death has not been released by authorities. 1070 WDIA | iHeart 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis Follow Connect Contests and Promotions Sista Strut 2023! WDIA moved its home to Radio Center, the former home of WMPS, in 1985, then to a suburban office park in 2004. Setlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. 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. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. Discover Tuesday's shows for 1070 WDIA in Memphis, TN. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. [13] In addition, he contributed to the redevelopment of Beale Street and Soulsville, USA. Bev Johnson. WDIA is celebrating the 60th anniversary of being on the air as a black-formatted radio station. In 1963 she . Fred later became program director at that station in 1977. 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. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. He says his large family never pried, they just prayed and so did he. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. 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) Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. He was green so he hired an experienced executive who needed a job. Listen For Your Chance To Win! Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. Then he fired me, OJay laughed. WDIA disc jockey WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African-Americans for African-Americans. (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. I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. "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. Do you find this information helpful? 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. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. WDIA radio station, which is based in Memphis, Tennessee, has been active since 1947 and has an amazing history. The iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O & # x27 ; shows! 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