wdia radio personalities

[14], "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times." Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. Radio WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Moore was in that number. 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 OJay says he knew what he wanted to do early on. WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African Americans for African Americans. 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. When hewould usually open phone lines for listeners, the station continued to play music. I had a drug problem back then, OJay openly admitted. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! [3], WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. His cause of death is currently unknown. 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 M-F 6am-10am & Sun. 2013, Africana: the encyclopedia of the African and African American experience, "WDIA, Sixth Memphis Station, Is Launched", "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times. A builders' merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious national award. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. 112 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA, New Destination Application 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. Many shared how his sudden death had touched them, like losing a family member. Honored by the Living Legends Foundation in 2000 and iHeartMedia Memphis in 2018, he was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. The station first featured black radio personalities, and its growing success contributed in building a new audience of black listeners. Listen to the best radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, no matter where you are. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Its been fun even though its been some ups and downs. By age 17, OJay remembered walking the halls of his high school, using his radio voice.. 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. He was on the air, he engaged with his callers, talked to his listeners. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. Martha Jean The Queen Steinberg (September 9, 1930 January 29, 2000) was an influential African-American radio broadcaster and later was also the pastor of her own church. 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. You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. I was listening to WDIA radio when they only stayed on the air until 12:AM Rufus Thomas signed off at Midnight. 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. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer was 68. iHeartRadio, parent company of the WDIA radio station where O'Jay served as DJ . All they did was just pray for me. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. She is mother of two children and grandmother of one. 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. And they even said to me, were going to even give you a company car to drive and this was February of 1983, and the rest is history, said OJay. 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. "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. [I] stayed the 30 days, havent touched drugs and alcohol since, he said. 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. Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. 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. Listen live. Pharos Books, 1992). One of the best to don headsets and bless the mic in the control room. 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. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. WDIA disc jockey WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African-Americans for African-Americans. . Memphians remember radio host Bobby OJay, Woman accused of driving into home, killing former pro basketball player Galen Young granted diversion, Justin Bieber cancels remainder of world tour after Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis, 1 dead after multi-vehicle crash on I-240, traffic heavily congested, First Alert Meteorologist Brittney Bryant's Thursday Morning Weather 3/2, Bane leads Grizzlies to victory against Rockets, Baptist Memorial speaks out on gun violence, 1 dead after crash near Shelby Drive, MPD reports. It was Memphis WDIA.. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to OJay on his morning radio show. All Rights Reserved. "Bobby O'Jay's impact on our industry is undeniable," said iHeartMedia Memphis Senior Vice President of Programming Sue Purnell. Fans of the radio legend, known as the "King of Memphis radio," took to Twitter to mourn him and celebrate his life. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. So, that day, OJay walked into the St. Joseph Rehab Center. Please include the headline. Then he fired me, OJay laughed. 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 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 knew how to reach people., OJay called his style on the radio Bobbyology.. He was moved by the Hall of Fame announcement. Humbled, OJay came home to Batesville for a visit. Afternoon On-Air Talent: Earle Augustus. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter site is in North Memphis. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Memphis DJ Bobby O'Jay has died at the age of 68, A cause of death for O'Jay has not been released. Wheelin On Beale: How WDIA-Memphis Became the Nations First All-Black 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. WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. In 1963 she . "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. At the end of everything, they had given me this fat contract. Web. English. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. Music (Memphis: Hopkins-Oates & Associates, 2008); Louis Cantor, 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! The station started the WDIA Goodwill Fund to help and empower black communities. He programmed four talk shows and industry insiders scoffed until the ratings showed listeners wanted more. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. 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. The Legendary Fred Hollywood Moore. Bobby was a trailblazer in the industry as well as a legacy in the community for multiple decades. ------ Shows: . 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 . 20072023 Blackpast.org. Please rotate your device. I need some help.. About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. Bell will still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA. Its a process.. Bev Johnson. [11] Elvis Presley was greatly influenced by the station. Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. One hot day in Batesville, Mississippi, when OJay was picking cotton, his cousin visited and OJay knew he wanted to follow his cousins path. 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 . If you post anything unrelated to WDIA it will be deleted. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Its owners, John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, established the station and located it at 2074 Union Avenue. 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. She is mother of two children and grandmother of one John Pepper Dick... Shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Tennessee, no matter where are. 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