He cared about the artists records he played. Memphis mayor Jim Strickland also reacted to O'Jay's death on Twitter. 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. 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 . May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy.. Radio Station and Created the Sound that Changed America (New York: Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. 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. Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. He was known as a pioneer of Black radio. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Longtime radio personality Stan Bell talks new role at WDIA By Jasmine McCraven, Daily Memphian Updated: September 24, 2022 5:31 PM CT | Published: . OJay was open about his own struggles, including his struggle with drugs in the 1980s. Half of the listeners who could hear WDIA's signal were African-American, and WDIA hired the first black disk jockey in the South. Its just going to be something that maybe will shake you a little bit, OJay explained. Fred had a very good voice, said Stansbury. degree in English literature from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and her M.S. 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. When I was a rookie, he gave me advice and always a good laugh. Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 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. The station's management had been mostly white. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. 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.. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. The trailblazer's voice and personality have helped make up the fabric of the Bluff City for decades as part of the historic legacy of the Mid-South's first African American radio station, WDIA. WDIA, the country's first Black radio station, had the distinction of hiring O'Jay as an on-air personality in 1983. Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. The Heart & Soul of Memphis! Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. B.B. 69 talking about this. A former high-school history teacher and journalist, Williams brought his own . In WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer was 68. iHeartRadio, parent company of the WDIA radio station where O'Jay served as DJ . "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. Fred was real smooth on the air, and he had that infectious laugh. I added the Whats on Your Mind Line to stop the music at five oclock in the afternoon so we could talk to our listeners and they can talk back, said OJay. Born in Batesville, Mississippi on August 8, 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host in 1972 in Milwaukee. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Throughout this period, it continued (and continues) to offer content for African Americans by African Americans. 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. He said, man, you sound just like him. He said can you come by the radio station?. 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. Heres a guy who came from the cotton fields in Mississippi. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! He began his teaching profession at Northside High, (his alma mater), where he taught English and Applied Economics. He was 68. Mark as Played. 2013, Africana: the encyclopedia of the African and African American experience, "WDIA, Sixth Memphis Station, Is Launched", "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times. Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to OJay on his morning radio show. One fan tweeted: "Local legendary DJ - Bobby OJay has passed - prayers up for a Memphis legendit was sudden- he was on the radio this morning. A.C. Williams, a former disc jockey for the station, helped create the Goodwill Fund in 1954, and the station's identification announcement became, Youre Listening to 50,000 Watts of Goodwill, W-D-I-A Memphis.. Setlist: The Very Best of Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. "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. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market . 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. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. It reads in part: MY GOD PLEASE HAVE MERCY! Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. Listen online at myWDIA.com/listen WDIA was inducted in 2013. During his 50 year radio career, O'J. Click here to sign up for our newsletter! His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. King and Rufus Thomas. 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. 14. Blues legend B.B. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . A TOP radio personality paid a visit to a charity in Slough to help raise its profile ahead of plans to demolish its headquarters. (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. WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. He was known as the 'King of Memphis radio', Bobby OJay dead at 68: WDIA host and King of Memphis radio dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute, Pedestrian who killed cyclist in clash over riding on pavement is JAILED after victim, 77, fell into path of car, Model 'paid thousands to smuggle 5m criminal cash into Dubai by hiding money in her holiday luggage', Dad 'fatally shot daughter, 7, in head & gunned down headteacher mum' who died of 'shock' from wounds in double killing, Rolf Harris sued over 'fresh sex attack after molesting vulnerable 10-year-old girl at school holiday camp', UK weather: Exact date snow and hail will hit Britain as chilly winds from the north blow in -1C temperatures, Frogmore eviction shows King Charles has drawn a line with Harry - now he must do two more things with the spoilt brat, Im a prison officer & worked with some of Britains feared men but I made a BIG mistake on my first month on the wing, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). When WDIA first went on air June 7, 1947, it was owned by John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, both . The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. But before he came to the station in Indianapolis, Fred worked at a station in St. Louis. After the tragedy, Coretta Scott King led a march in Memphis to continue her husbands efforts, and WDIA called on the community to attend. [14], "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times." [11] Elvis Presley was greatly influenced by the station. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer and WDIA DJ and program director was 68. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. 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