1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! It was Memphis WDIA.. ", Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay. 3 29 Apr. Listen live. Thomas continued to work at WDIA until he died in 2001. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. Please rotate your device. The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. . Owned and operated by iHeartMedia. 7am-10a. Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. Discover Tuesday's shows for 1070 WDIA in Memphis, TN. After 44 years in radio, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology. Nat was a history teacher and the first black radio DJ at WDIA in Memphis. 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. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. In addition to providing specialized programming, through the years the station led and supported projects to benefit the community. (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. The Heart & Soul of Memphis! Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. Captain Curtis Lee, a longtime WDIA radio personality passed away Wednesday. Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. r'n'b. soul. [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. What remained constant was his kooky smile and the genuine respect we had for each other. As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2 Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. 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It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market . 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. He was such an important part of WDIA and the City of Memphis, words cannot express how truly missed he will be.. And I got a phone call, he remembered. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. So, he was no novice when he came here to us.. Listeners heard about all the significant moments in the couple's life. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. [I] stayed the 30 days, havent touched drugs and alcohol since, he said. Even though there have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything.. Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? The original frequency was 730kHz. Born in Batesville, Mississippi in 1953, OJay was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. 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. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. WDIA-AM/Memphis taps veteran air personality Stan Bell for the new "The Stan Bell Morning Show," weekdays from 6-10am, effective immediately. 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. Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He's the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O'Jay. He has become one of Memphis' most energetic & beloved radio personalities for twenty-nine years now! 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. 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. 20072023 Blackpast.org. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022, Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby OJay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Angela Bassett Says Potential Oscar Win Would Be A Childhood Dream ComeTrue, Kelly Rowland To Judge Audibles Breakthrough, The First Audio-Only SingingContest, De La Souls Trugoy The Doves First Posthumous Release Is A GorillazCollab. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. He was green so he hired an experienced executive who needed a job. 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. 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 would say things in a way to get your attention and start a conversation. [5] This was one of the first radio programs in the United States to appeal to black listeners. Main features: Easy to use. One of the stations most well-known personalities, Bev Johnson, told, that Moore was kind of laid back and real smooth., We have lost a gentle giant in the radio industry. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. 1070 WDIA Podcasts Playlists from 1070 WDIA Latest News See All Advertise With Us For You He was 68. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. WHAL Sat.. Stormy Taylor I have met some of the biggest stars in America. Music legends such as B.B. Only minutes after midnight, early Wednesday morning, O'Jay's colleague, author, and award-winning photographer, Mark Stansbury, confirmed that the official cause of [] The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer and WDIA DJ and program director was 68. Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. Listen to the best radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, no matter where you are. degree in educational media technology from Jackson State University. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . Its a process.. When O'Jay would open. A radio personality is a person who hosts a radio talk show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email. King and Rufus Thomas. Talking to TV outlet Fox 13/Memphis prior to his induction, OJay said of his 49-year career, Ive never had this job and that job. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter site is in North Memphis. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. When WDIA first went on air June 7, 1947, it was owned by John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, both . "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. 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. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. These days, he eats vegan and looks back with appreciation, hoping to further WDIAs image as a goodwill station. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. It featured shows by Beale Street legends such as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B. "Bobby OJay is Black Radio history and has forged many spaces that others hadnt while creating opportunities for many of the success that weve seen in both radio and black music. Bobby and I were always on opposite sides of the desk. 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. Together the three transformed WDIA into the South's first African-American-oriented radio station, soon to be known throughout the region as the "Mother Station of the Negroes.". The Black Effect Podcast Network Is Making History Again This April! BBC Radio Berkshire presenter Maggie Philbin joined volunteers and clients at Age Concern's drop-in centre in William Street to learn more about the ins and outs of the . 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. Condolences to his family, colleagues and all who loved him. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 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 Born in Batesville, Mississippi. King and Rufus Thomas got their start by working at WDIA. Press Center, This site is best experienced in portrait orientation. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA, he wrote. Ive always had just the radio job. 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. Bev Johnson. Simple and modern interface. Click here to sign up for our newsletter! RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! Bobby OJay, radio personality on Memphis WDIAthe countrys first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. For other inquiries, Contact Us. View our online Press Pack. Music News 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. 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. 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. Stan is also a Shelby County Schools Careers and Technology instructor. All Rights Reserved. Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. 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. Then he fired me, OJay laughed. In WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. Television and radio personality Colin . [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. 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