69 talking about this. Gospel radio show host and academic administrator Markhum "Mark" L. Stansbury, Sr. was born on April 5, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee to Willie and Eliza Markham Stansbury. 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. WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. View our online Press Pack. ", Another added: "Rest In Peace to legendary Memphis DJ, Bobby OJay. Longtime WDIA Memphis personality Bobby O'Jay passes away. Its a process.. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools. WHAL Sat.. Stormy Taylor WDIA disc jockey WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African-Americans for African-Americans. Bobby was a trailblazer in the industry as well as a legacy in the community for multiple decades. It was Memphis WDIA.. 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. 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 . WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. 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! He said, well, I thought you stopped using drugs. I said, no man. 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. 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. (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. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. WDIA, where OJay worked for decades, issued this statement: It is with great sadness we share the passing of the Legendary Bobby OJay. He broke a lot of records. Stan is also a Shelby County Schools Careers and Technology instructor. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. At the time, most stations had one talk show per week. In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. King and Rufus Thomas. RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. 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. 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. As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. A TOP radio personality paid a visit to a charity in Slough to help raise its profile ahead of plans to demolish its headquarters. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. Music News Afternoon On-Air Talent: Earle Augustus. 2013, Africana: the encyclopedia of the African and African American experience, "WDIA, Sixth Memphis Station, Is Launched", "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times. Listen For Your Chance To Win! WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! 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. [11] Elvis Presley was greatly influenced by the station. I know my mother and father knew I was on drugs. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. 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 . In February 1983, he joined WDIA in Memphis, America's first Black radio station. Great to meet you. 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. May 3, 2022 WDIA. And the name kind of stuck from that time. Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - He was known as the King of Memphis Radio, a legend, and icon in the industry. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. 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. Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. In addition to providing specialized programming, through the years the station led and supported projects to benefit the community. From Library Journal: In the late 1940s, Memphis radio station WDIA became the first to target its programming to a largely ignored black audience. Television and radio personality Colin . One hot day in Batesville, Mississippi, when OJay was picking cotton, his cousin visited and OJay knew he wanted to follow his cousins path. Ive always had just the radio job. So, that day, OJay walked into the St. Joseph Rehab Center. He said, man, you sound just like him. He said can you come by the radio station?. 1070 WDIA Podcasts Playlists from 1070 WDIA Latest News See All Advertise With Us For You Selco Builders Warehouse, which has a branch on Farnham Road in Slough, was revealed as the Builders' Merchant of the Year at the Builders' Merchants Awards. The Black Effect Podcast Network Is Making History Again This April! It featured black radio personalities and its black listeners constituted a new market for radio advertisers. Atlanta Radio Personalities Among National Black Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees. What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. 2 . In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. 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. By age 17, OJay remembered walking the halls of his high school, using his radio voice.. Im not willing to say just anything. But at the time he took the job, the drugs were still in his system. 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. Tuesday morning, iHeart Radio confirmed the death of O'Jay at age 68. 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. 20072023 Blackpast.org. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! The Tennessee Radio Hall of Famer was 68. iHeartRadio, parent company of the WDIA radio station where O'Jay served as DJ . WDIA's parent company iHeartRadio announced. "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. Web. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. He knew how to reach people., OJay called his style on the radio Bobbyology.. WDIA's afternoon radio talent playing the best music in the world and keeping you up to date with the latest local and community information. 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 Updated: 5:25 PM CDT May 3, 2022. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! 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. O'Jay often shared his life on-air with his late wife, Sharon. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. King, and Bobby Blue Bland. WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Johnson remembers that Moore came here to the Memphis market from Indianapolis. Close Modal Scruggs played a major role in organizing the foundation and raising money to preserve the Lorraine Motel and found the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. In 1996 Clear Channel Communications bought WDIA. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. He had a brief on-air stint in Montgomery, Alabama, but returned to Milwaukee prior to landing the hosting gig at WDIA in 1983. He began his teaching profession at Northside High, (his alma mater), where he taught English and Applied Economics. A radio personality is a person who hosts a radio talk show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email. 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. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. WDIA RULES This group is for WDIA and no other radio station or radio personality other than those on WDIA. 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