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.. 7am-10a. Its just going to be something that maybe will shake you a little bit, OJay explained. 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Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. 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 . 5 Star Stories: Bobby OJay, king of Memphis radio, 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. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! He was 68. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. 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. The next year he took a DJ position on an afternoon show previously hosted by Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert. Radio personalities are very popular and the success of a radio channel is largely dependent upon the popularity of the radio personality who host its programs. Hear the conversation on my podcast at mywdia.com. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. 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. On air personality Bev Johnson of WDIA, AM 1070 in Memphis, Tennessee. After a series of local owners it was bought by media giant Clear Channel Communication in 1997. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. 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. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. He was one of the hosts for All Blues Saturday. I wanted us to be able to talk to our listeners every day about what was going on every day.. 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. 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. Im not willing to say just anything. G.P. When WDIA first went on air June 7, 1947, it was owned by John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, both . Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. 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. Many grieved in 2017 with the devastating loss of Sharon after 30 years of marriage to O'Jay. AKWAABAWelcome Home! Bev Johnson. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Angela Bassett Says Potential Oscar Win Would Be A Childhood Dream ComeTrue, Kelly Rowland To Judge Audibles Breakthrough, The First Audio-Only SingingContest, De La Souls Trugoy The Doves First Posthumous Release Is A GorillazCollab. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. [9] Originally, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children. 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. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. I think the reason why Bobby thrived and was successful with it because he found his niche and he worked it, said Bell. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. He suffered a fatal massive heart attack. The best way to connect to the community, you talk to them. O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. As program director, he hired two other on-air personalities, who are still working: Bev Johnson and Mike Evans. 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 . During his 50 year radio career, O'J. 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. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA, he wrote. Owned and operated by iHeartMedia. Website. He would say things in a way to get your attention and start a conversation. (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. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg, Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022. So, that day, OJay walked into the St. Joseph Rehab Center. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. WHAL Sat.. Stormy Taylor One of the station's most well-known personalities, Bev Johnson, told The New Tri-State Defender that Moore was "kind of laid back and real smooth." 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. A builders' merchant with a branch in Slough has been awarded a prestigious national award. Its been fun more than anything, said OJay. Web. He landed some roles in stage plays in the city. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. So, he moved back to Houston to return to radio there. 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. 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. Only minutes after midnight, early Wednesday morning, O'Jay's colleague, author, and award-winning photographer, Mark Stansbury, confirmed that the official cause of [] WDIA reached 10% of the African-American population in United States. Bobby was a trailblazer in the industry as well as a legacy in the community for multiple decades. It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market . 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. They talk back to you, OJay said. 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. Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. A massive lay-off sweep ended the careers of a number of radio personnel and on-air personalities. RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. When hewould usually open phone lines for listeners, the station continued to play music. It sort of reminded you of (the legendary) Nat Williams.. degree in educational media technology from Jackson State University. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Together the three transformed WDIA into the South's first African-American-oriented radio station, soon to be known throughout the region as the "Mother Station of the Negroes.". racine horlick high school football Cuidados de Gnero. 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. According to friends, George Hunt's sadness over the death of his son affected him greatly, and he . . Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. 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