In 1949 the station was #two in Memphis in terms of audience. It then switched permanently to all-black programming, and quickly moved into first place. Broadcasting Blues, Gospel, and various talk programs, WDIA became known as a “direct appeal” to advertisers who wished to reach the African American demographic.

Who is Bobby OJAY?

(WMC) – He’s the king of Memphis radio, the one and only Bobby O’Jay. The trailblazer’s voice and personality have helped make up the fabric of the Bluff City for decades as part of the historic legacy of the Mid-South’s first African American radio station, WDIA.

Who benefited from WDIA radio?

Also known as the Goodwill Station, WDIA held annual Goodwill and Starlight Revues before capacity crowds, with proceeds benefiting needy African American children. WDIA found its niche in a segregated society, and with the integration of the broadcast industry during the 1960s, the station lost its unique character.

What is Wdia phone number?

1-844-BUY-RADIO
To learn more about advertising with iHeartMedia and 1070 WDIA, contact us at 1-844-BUY-RADIO, or send us an inquiry.

Who did Bobby OJay marry?

Congrats to Bobby OJay and Kim on their marriage.

What was the first black radio station?

WERD
In 1949, station WDIA in Memphis, Tennessee, became the first to employ an all-Black on-air announcing staff. Later that year WERD in Atlanta began broadcasting as the first Black-owned radio station.

What is a black radio station?

Black Information Network (BIN) is a radio network and content brand owned by iHeartMedia. Launched on June 30, 2020, it is an all-news radio network of stations targeting the African American community, carrying mostly important national news headline stories as well as current events and special interest features.

Is Ford Nelson still alive?

Henderson was killed just days before Steve Ladd, 63, the host of a WDIA Saturday morning blues show, died of complications from a brain aneurysm. Ford Nelson, 83, a WDIA disc jockey for 58 years, said Mr.

What is a three quarter nelson?

: a wrestling hold in which a wrestler kneeling beside a prone opponent passes his far arm under the opponent’s corresponding arm and behind his neck and grasps the wrist of his own near arm passed under his opponent’s body from the near side — compare full nelson, half nelson, quarter nelson.

What happened to WDIA radio in Memphis?

WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. After a switch to all-black programming, WDIA became the city’s top station. In June 1954 WDIA was licensed to increase its power from 250 to 50,000 watts, which meant moving to 1070 kHz.

What is 1070 WDIA?

1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! America’s first black radio station, playing classic R&B.

What year did WDIA go on the air?

WDIA went on the air June 7, 1947, from studios on Union Avenue. The owners, John Pepper and Bert Ferguson, were both white, and the format was a mix of country and western and light pop, as well as ” homemaker shows”, network shows and block programming that included soap operas and classical music.

What famous people have been DJ’s at WDIA?

Ernest Brazzell gave crop advice, and Robert Thomas became a DJ named “Honeyboy” after he won a citywide amateur competition. 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.