"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. Website. In 1949 the station was no. He was 68. Last year, he was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame after being honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. During her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl . In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. 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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. 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. As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. Its just going to be something that maybe will shake you a little bit, OJay explained. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. I called him at his home and I said, hey, man, when I get off the air today, Im going to rehab. He said, for what? I said I got a drug problem. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby O'Jay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). I know his legacy will continue through WDIA, he wrote. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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 . "The radio station helps me, it's therapeutic," Lee said. The station also publicized Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s visits to Memphis and served as a leading source of news and information for the black community following Dr. Kings assassination. [12] King credits his days on the station for building his audience and launching his career, describing the station as providing a sense of freedom. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. . Though the on-air talent was black, as were the artists whose music they played, ownership remained white. This callsign, however, is now assigned to an unrelated Christian-programmed station. It empowered a huge segment of the . What remained constant was his kooky smile and the genuine respect we had for each other. Johnson remembers that Moore came here to the Memphis market from Indianapolis. I like to hear all kinds of opinions from all kinds of people.. He has become one of Memphis' most energetic & beloved radio personalities for twenty-nine years now! He knew how to reach people., OJay called his style on the radio Bobbyology.. Bev Johnson. Wheelin On Beale: How WDIA-Memphis Became the Nations First All-Black 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. 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. 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. The next year he took a DJ position on an afternoon show previously hosted by Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert. Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. O'Jay was the program host of the "Fun Morning Show" on IHeartMedia's WDIA. About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. I had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. Honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018, he was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. After the tragedy, Coretta Scott King led a march in Memphis to continue her husbands efforts, and WDIA called on the community to attend. Address: Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. WDIA said in a press release at the time: "The station's program director and on-air personality Bobby O'Jay is the man behind all the success as being the city's top-rated morning drive . Call sign: WDIA Frequency: 1070 AM City of license: Memphis, TN Format: Urban Contemporary Owner: iHeartMedia Area Served: Memphis Sister stations: 600 WREC , 95.7 Hallelujah FM , The Mighty 990 , K97.1 , V101 , 101.9 KISS FM , ROCK 103 Memphis 112 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA, New Destination Application Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred Hollywood Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. May 3, 2022 WDIA. (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. Description: 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis playing Memphis' top R&B music. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. "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. OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. King and Rufus Thomas got their start by working at WDIA. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. 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. The trailblazers voice and personality have helped make up the fabric of the Bluff City for decades as part of the historic legacy of the Mid-Souths first African American radio station, WDIA. When WDIA went on the air in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, its white owners, Bert Ferguson and John R. Pepper, were anything but blues aficionados; however, deejay Nat D. Williams was. English. Back in 1986, I decided that it would be a great idea for us to start putting talk shows on the radio station, he recalled. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. 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. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG.. Share. Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. [9] Originally, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children. Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. He reflected on his career just before being inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame last year. Listen For Your Chance To Win! ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. See more. Radio Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Legends of Radio Inductees. Claim your profile WDIA midday personality Bev Johnson confirmed to local CBS . Bobby OJay, radio personality on Memphis WDIAthe countrys first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland also reflected on OJays life and legacy on Twitter. Television and radio personality Colin . [13] In addition, he contributed to the redevelopment of Beale Street and Soulsville, USA. Kwanzaa and the celebration of Imani faith! 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 . The station did not do well until Ferguson learned about "targeted programming" and realized there was one audience in Memphis no other radio station served. 1070 WDIA | iHeart 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis Follow Connect Contests and Promotions Sista Strut 2023! As one of Memphis most celebrated radio personalities, OJay will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame July 31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. He landed some roles in stage plays in the city. He worked at radio station WTLC in Indianapolis, said Johnson. 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. 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. Stan Bell, one of the citys most beloved on-air personalities and popular, local DJ also posted on Facebook: We have lost a gentle giant in the radio industry. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. The 68-year-old radio personality passed away on Tuesday morning before the start of his 9am show, according to WREG. A massive lay-off sweep ended the careers of a number of radio personnel and on-air personalities. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. degree in educational media technology from Jackson State University. The station had a strong influence on music, hiring musicians early in their careers, and playing their music to an audience that reached through the Mississippi Delta to the Gulf Coast. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. 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. Updated: 5:25 PM CDT May 3, 2022. 69 talking about this. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. 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) It reads in part: MY GOD PLEASE HAVE MERCY! Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. Do you find this information helpful? [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. 14. Its been fun even though its been some ups and downs. Nat was a history teacher and the first black radio DJ at WDIA in Memphis. Please rotate your device. [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. 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. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter site is in North Memphis. A cause of death has not been released by authorities. [3], WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. 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