At the end of everything, they had given me this fat contract. Condolences to his family, colleagues and all who loved him. 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. He had a daily 15-minute show, promoting first a patent medicine called Pep-Ti-Kon, and later Lucky Strike cigarettes, the first major advertiser for the station. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . Just a high school graduate, but Ive managed to work at some of the biggest radio stations in America. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. 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. Listen to the radio in the background. 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. I think the reason why Bobby thrived and was successful with it because he found his niche and he worked it, said Bell. SIDEBAR. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loyal listeners during this extremely difficult time. Its been fun more than anything, said OJay. . King would later attribute his success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA. Fred was also in a couple of movies that filmed here, too.. 7am-10a. 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. The Museum of Broadcast Communications announces the selection of 10 new Legends inductees into the Radio Hall of Fame for 2022, "recognizing the talents and efforts of air personalities, programmers and operators who contributed with greatness to the radio industry and have since passed away." He was 68. 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. He worked at radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, said Johnson. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. A cause of death has not been released by authorities. The station relocated in 1985, but the WDIA neon marquee remains above the original entrance at 112 Union Avenue near the Main Street intersection in downtown Memphis. www.mywdia.com; John Hopkins, Radio Center: A Landmark of American Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. [11], Williams ended his show in 1972 following a stroke. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. 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. 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. Bell joins 1070 WDIA from co-owned Urban KJMS-FM (V101), where he has been on-air for over 30 years. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. Listen live. 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. 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. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Moreover, the station owners established several other successful rhythm-and-blues outlets, including KDIA in Oakland, California. 1070 WDIA is an Urban Contemporary radio station serving Memphis. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. O'Jay often shared his life on-air with his late wife, Sharon. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. By Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell, TSDMemphis.com Tuesday morning, just before 9 a.m. when the phone lines are open, WDIA Program Director Bobby O'Jay fell unconscious during his show. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. Listen online at myWDIA.com/listen Johnson received her B.A. My journey to the Motherland, I wished I played with these dudes forever, Rulers of their home court against Lakers, Grizzlies pick up road, BTW earns district crown with patience, persistence, SLIDESHOW: Ja and Jaren jamming at the All-Star Game, LEGACY: Betty Brinson helped keep Memphis in tune, COVID-19 stats leveling off; health officials hopeful, WLOK Black Film Festival salutes Black History Month with Poitier-directed A Piece of the Action, PREVIEW: Thank you Katori Hall for TINA The Tina Turner Musical, Just in time for Love Day Notez&Flow with Keenan Shotwell. The original frequency was 730kHz. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Johnnie Walker, founder/CEO of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment, Inc. (NABFEME), knew OJay during her career ascension from radio station PD to senior vp, promotion at Def Jam Recordings. Its a process.. Born in Batesville, Mississippi in 1953, OJay was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. 1070 WDIA Podcasts Playlists from 1070 WDIA Latest News See All Advertise With Us For You When hewould usually open phone lines for listeners, the station continued to play music. His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. WDIA radio station, which is based in Memphis, Tennessee, has been active since 1947 and has an amazing history. Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named Honeyboy after he won a citywide amateur competition. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. [26][27] Radio DJ Alan Freedon New York City's WINS (AM)in 1955. During his 50 year radio career, O'J. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. [4], Nat D. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948. 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. After 44 years in radio, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy.. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . When WDIA first went on air June 7, 1947, it was owned by John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, both . When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. Cam Mtenzi posted an extended tribute to Moore on Facebook. Fred Hollywood Moore was the leading Actor in MA&9s 1998/ 99/2000 stage play Have Eyes see not; Have Ears hear not: Story of a family witness signs of the timeMy Prayers & condolences to Mrs. Judy Moore & the Moore Family. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. 1,679 talking about this. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say," he wrote. RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. 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 . 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. The next year he took a DJ position on an afternoon show previously hosted by Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert. Please include the headline. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. [14], "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times." The station first featured black radio personalities, and its growing success contributed in building a new audience of black listeners. All they did was just pray for me. Radio Station and Created the Sound that Changed America (New York: "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. WDIA Format: Soul Air Personalities 6:30 am--A.C. Williams 10 am--Robert Thomas 2 pm--Lee Armstrong 6 pm--Herb Kneeland 10 pm--Dave Smith 3 am--Theo Wade WLOK Format: Soul Air Personalities 6 am--Nat Washington 10 am--Gerald Floyd 2 pm--Roger W. Cavanass 6 pm--Clifton Halmon 10 pm--Alvin Moore 1 am--James Jack WHER Format: MOR, some talk Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. 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. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Mathews has been quick to tell his listeners to check out the Arbitron ratings on radio on line.It is very clear that since WPLX as been on the air, that WDIA ratings has been on a decline. Final arrangements were pending at press time Wednesday (Jan. 13). All Rights Reserved. He broke a lot of records. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy., Black Developers Housing Summit headed to Memphis to educate & empower, Ken Moody makes move from city government to the U of, For the childrens sake, let us not allow our history to, City Council edges forward with measures for police reform and oversight, A selection of books with African-American History Month in mind, Ekpe Abioto brings solid message with Dont Touch A Gun, WLOK Black Film Festival salutes Black History Month with Poitier-directed A, PREVIEW: Thank you Katori Hall for TINA The Tina Turner, Talking Black AF (And Fearless) takes root at town hall, Angela Davis reaction to a big reveal was the most priceless. A 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373 ]. Moreover, the station owners established several other successful rhythm-and-blues outlets, including KDIA Oakland... 1947 and has an amazing history a couple of movies that filmed,... 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