His son, WDIA-AM 1070 radio personality Kylan Hunt, 54, died two years ago from natural causes. Memphians continue to remember WDIA radio host Bobby OJay, who died Tuesday morning. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. G.P. Music legends such as B.B. 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. He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! Bell will still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA. Radio WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Moore was in that number. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. 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. 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. He was 68. All they did was just pray for me. Bobby and I were always on opposite sides of the desk. 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 . WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Bobby OJay, radio personality on Memphis WDIAthe countrys first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. 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. OJay was also a National Radio Hall of Fame nominee. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. 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.. 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. During her career she has worked with celebrities such as Kirk Franklin, Cheryl . You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. Great to meet you. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. He was green so he hired an experienced executive who needed a job. [5] This was one of the first radio programs in the United States to appeal to black listeners. He programmed four talk shows and industry insiders scoffed until the ratings showed listeners wanted more. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. A radio personality is a person who hosts a radio talk show and interacts with the audience via telephone or email. He had a daily 15-minute show, promoting first a patent medicine called Pep-Ti-Kon, and later Lucky Strike cigarettes, the first major advertiser for the station. Listen For Your Chance To Win! Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where he was editor of the yearbook. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. Listeners heard about all the significant moments in the couple's life. Half of the listeners who could hear WDIA's signal were African-American, and WDIA hired the first black disk jockey in the South. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. 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." Sandy Bromley & Tamika Davis #2. Williams continued on the air . Rodriguez . The station went on the air on June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. Condolences to his family, colleagues and all who loved him. The next year he took a DJ position on an afternoon show previously hosted by Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert. 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. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby OJay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter site is in North Memphis. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland also reflected on OJays life and legacy on Twitter. Main features: Easy to use. Ahead of his induction in Tennessee, he shared with local outlet Fox13 Memphis, Ive never had this job and that job. 14. 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. If you post anything unrelated to WDIA it will be deleted. I started opening the phone lines on my show in the morning for people to respond to things, all kinds of things, about kids and relationships and politics, and all the things going on in the world that affect our lives. 3-3:30pm. And the name kind of stuck from that time. Watch Bobby OJay reflect on his early days at WDIA below. Longtime WDIA Memphis personality Bobby O'Jay passes away. Praying for the strength and peace of his family as we honor his legacy.. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. He began his teaching profession at Northside High, (his alma mater), where he taught English and Applied Economics. Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. OJay says he knew what he wanted to do early on. Win Tickets to New Edition at FedEx Forum! In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. 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. Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely for African Americans. He was highly respected by all of in the industry whether you were radio, television or whatever. 112 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, USA, New Destination Application 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. As program director, he hired two other on-air personalities, who are still working: Bev Johnson and Mike Evans. But at the time he took the job, the drugs were still in his system. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. His cause of death is currently unknown. Former WDIA radio personality Mr. Fred Hollywood Moore transitioned Saturday morning. What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. r'n'b. soul. 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 Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 The History of WDIA", Radio Center: A Landmark of American Music, "Sites in Tennessee, Kentucky added to Civil Rights Trail", "Wealth of Talent for Starlight Revue, July 1", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WDIA&oldid=1132504634, This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 05:10. I hired this guy and within two months, this man had taken my job. In WDIA: Black Music Mother Station. America's first black radio station, playing classic R&B. 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. [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. I know my mother and father knew I was on drugs. [citation needed]. I have a huge family. 5/5 based on 1 review. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Hes the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby OJay. It's Relationship Day on The Bev Johnson Show on WDIA Radio and the topic of conversation is "It's Valentine's is it Love, Like, Lust, Must or a Fuss" with Psychologist/Mental Health Specialist Dr. Dorothy Jeffries. Not only did the station feature black radio personalities, but it also brought awareness to a relatively new market of listeners. Vintage Radio Steampunk Women Alice And Wonderland Quotes Techno Old Radios Record Players The Dj H Harm Koenders Radio Disc Jockey's 1950's-1970's Dj Music Listening To Music Vinyl Junkies Radio Personality Professional Audio Thanks For The Memories British English American English J Joe Defazio Radio Disc Jockey's 1950's-1970's Rhythm And Blues Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Its just going to be something that maybe will shake you a little bit, OJay explained. Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. WDIA personalities included: Martha Jean "The Queen" Steinberg, aka "Princess Premium Stuff" Ernest Brazzell, the giver of crop advice Robert Thomas, aka Robert "Honeyboy" Thomas Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert Theo "Bless My Bones" Wade Ford Nelson, who, until 2013, acted as a gospel D.J. 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