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. "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. All Rights Reserved. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. A segue to an on-air gig in Montgomery, Alabama, was followed by a return to Milwaukee prior to landing at WDIA, where he also served as program director, During the course of his estimable tenure at the station, OJay interviewed a whos who in Black music and culture, including Whitney Houston, Muhammad Ali and Temptations members David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks. Twitter: @WDIA Language: English Contact: 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Ive always had just the radio job. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. Longtime WDIA Memphis personality Bobby O'Jay passes away. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. 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 think the reason why Bobby thrived and was successful with it because he found his niche and he worked it, said Bell. RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. 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. "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. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. r'n'b. soul. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. Final arrangements were pending at press time Wednesday (Jan. 13). His cause of death is currently unknown. And we just started calling him Hollywood Fred Hollywood Moore. One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. WDIA's parent company iHeartRadio announced. WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, WDIA's Bobby O'Jay during The Recording Academy HONORS 2005 at Memphis Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. February 10. 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. In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loyal listeners during this extremely difficult time. 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. Vote Now For Your Favorite Artists! G.P. Nat D. Williams show ended in 1972 following a stroke. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. But before he came to the station in Indianapolis, Fred worked at a station in St. Louis. He was 68. OJay eventually got a tour of the station, but back then, you needed an FCC license to be a DJ, so radio would have to wait. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. 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. 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. Ownership of the station first changed hands in 1957. Captain Curtis Lee, a longtime WDIA radio personality passed away Wednesday. This callsign, however, is now assigned to an unrelated Christian-programmed station. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. He began his teaching profession at Northside High, (his alma mater), where he taught English and Applied Economics. Bobbyology is my thought pattern. He was 68. 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. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. WHAL Sat.. Stormy Taylor King and Rufus Thomas got their start by working at WDIA. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. 1070 WDIA - WDIA is a broadcast radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, providing Top 40 and Oldies R&B and Soul music. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Im not willing to say just anything. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to OJay on his morning radio show. O'Jay, who had been with WDIA since 1983, was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. www.mywdia.com; John Hopkins, Radio Center: A Landmark of American Before joining WDIA the country's first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983,. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. 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. 7am-10a. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. 1070 WDIA, N.p., n.d. 2 in Memphis in terms of audience. Its been fun more than anything, said OJay. God bless his family, friends and coworkers.". 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 Its been fun even though its been some ups and downs. What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. Music (Memphis: Hopkins-Oates & Associates, 2008); Louis Cantor, WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby O'Jay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). Black radio personalities such as Jack "The Rapper" Gibson of WERD and Tall Paul White of WEDR in Birmingham, drew praise from Martin Luther King and other prominent Black leaders for their contributions to American Civil Rights efforts. Radio host Bev Johnson confirmed to WREG that O'Jay passed away while he was at work. Listen For Your Chance To Win! Stormy has been in the radio industry for over 29 years. 3-3:30pm. 29 Apr. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. 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. I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. Bobby was a trailblazer in the industry as well as a legacy in the community for multiple decades. [4], Nat D. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948. [6] In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070kHz. B.B. During her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl . He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. And the name kind of stuck from that time. ", Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay. 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 cared about the artists records he played. We were saddened to learn of the passing of Memphis radio legend Bobby O'Jay, longtime PD and morning personality on iHeartMedia's WDIA 1070-AM "The Heart & Soul Of Memphis," who died Tuesday morning, May 3 at the age of 68. 1070 WDIA The Heart & Soul of Memphis Local News Tennessee Attraction Among The 17 Top Amusement Parks In America Feb 28, 2023 Sista Strut 2023! Born in Batesville, Mississippi. Only minutes after midnight, early Wednesday morning, O'Jay's colleague, author, and award-winning photographer, Mark Stansbury, confirmed that the official cause of [] He was on the air, he engaged with his callers, talked to his listeners. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. Bobby and I were always on opposite sides of the desk. 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. He currently teaches Broadcasting @ Wooddale High. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. 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. [3], WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. It leaves a legacy behind, you know, for my family, you know, and of course for me and it also adds to the legacy of the radio station because now it will be four of us, he said. 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. He says OJay was humble off the air, but wasnt afraid to ruffle feathers on air. She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools. About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work. 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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. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Having launched his start in 1972 in Milwaukee, O'Jay went from there to. Rating: 4.0 Reviews: 1. Watch Bobby OJay reflect on his early days at WDIA below. WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. They talk back to you, OJay said. 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 Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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." It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market . [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. 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. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred Hollywood Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. 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Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. 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. Its a process.. 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. Stan is also a Shelby County Schools Careers and Technology instructor. 1070 WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee providing Urban Oldies/Classic Soul music. Let's treat everyone with respect. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. 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. WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. But at the time he took the job, the drugs were still in his system. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Tuesday morning, iHeart Radio confirmed the death of O'Jay at age 68. Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer and WDIA DJ and program director was 68. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. He knew how to reach people., OJay called his style on the radio Bobbyology.. 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