WDIA’s Bev Johnson headed to Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame
Memphis broadcaster Bev Johnson is headed to the Hall of Fame.
Johnson, the veteran WDIA host and personality, is among members of the 2019 class that will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.
The 65-year-old Johnson will be the first African-American woman inducted into the hall.
The Memphis-born Johnson graduated from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She began her career at WJSU Radio in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1976. She would spend the next five years working in the market as a disc jockey, programming assistant, public affairs director and news director. In 1981, Johnson returned to her hometown of Memphis working at WLOK, WMQM and WWEE/WLVS, eventually landing at historic station WDIA where she’s been a staple of the programming for four decades, including more than 30 years as host of “The Bev Johnson Show.”
Johnson has previously been recognized with awards from the National Black Programmers Coalition, National Association of Broadcasters and Billboard magazine. She has also been honored by the Tennessee House of Representatives, Memphis City Council and the U.S. House of Representative for her work in radio.
The Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame was founded 2011 and began inducting members in 2012. Johnson will join a prestigious group of Bluff City radio icons — including Rufus Thomas, Nat D. Williams, Dewey Phillips, George Klein and others — who already have been enshrined.
Induction ceremonies for the 2019 Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame will take place Aug. 3 in Murfreesboro.