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'''Shelley Stewart''' (born September [[1933]]) is a former radio personality, station owner and advertising executive.
'''Shelley Stewart''' (born September [[1933]]) is a former radio personality, station owner and advertising executive.


Stewart grew up in an abusive household in [[Rosedale]] and witnessed the death of his mother at the hands of his father at the age of 5. He was mentored by teachers and became successful in school. He later became famous as '''Shelley the Playboy''' with partner [[Erskine Fausch]] on [[WENN-AM]] and later as the owner of [[WATV-AM]].
Stewart grew up in an abusive household in [[Rosedale]] and witnessed the death of his mother at the hands of his father at the age of 5. He was left homeless, sheltering in horse barns and basements, but continued to attend school. He was mentored by teachers, such as [[Mamie Foster]], and earned good grades. He juggled numerous jobs while also participating in the drama program and writing for the school newspaper at [[A. H. Parker High School]].


Stewart began his radio career at [[WEDR-AM]] in [[1949]], earning $17.50 a week as a sixteen year old. He quickly proved a popular on-air personality and moved from mornings to mid-day to evenings. He left the station in [[1958]] to take a job with WOKJ-AM in Jackson, Mississippi, but continued to appear in Birmingham and other cities as a host of "Platter Parties" and as a stand-up comic and emcee.
He got his first taste of radio broadcasting while in high school in [[1949]], earning $17.50 a week at [[WEDR-AM]]. Though he had planned to pursue a legal career, he proved to be a popular on-air personality and remained at that station and at [[WBCO-AM]], moving from mornings to mid-day to evenings. He served briefly in the U.S. Air Force, and attended classes at the Cambridge School of Broadcasting in New York City in the early 1950s.
 
In [[1958]] Stewart moved to Jackson, Mississippi to take a job with WOKJ-AM, but continued to appear in Birmingham and other cities as a host of "Platter Parties" and as a stand-up comic and emcee. He soon became an icon as '''Shelley the Playboy''' with partner [[Erskine Fausch]] on [[WENN-AM]] and later as the owners of [[WATV-AM]]. They sold the television station to Sheriden Broadcasting Network (SBN) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in [[2002]].


In [[1960]] Stewart deejayed a weekly record hop at [[Don's Teen Town]] in [[Bessemer]]. On [[July 14]] of that year a group of about 80 [[KKK|Klansmen]] surrounded the building and sent word to manager [[Ray Mahoney]] that they wanted Stewart. Mahoney instead announced the siege to the crowd of 800 or so white teenagers, who flooded out to chase the klansmen off, allowing Stewart to escape.
In [[1960]] Stewart deejayed a weekly record hop at [[Don's Teen Town]] in [[Bessemer]]. On [[July 14]] of that year a group of about 80 [[KKK|Klansmen]] surrounded the building and sent word to manager [[Ray Mahoney]] that they wanted Stewart. Mahoney instead announced the siege to the crowd of 800 or so white teenagers, who flooded out to chase the klansmen off, allowing Stewart to escape.
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During the [[Civil rights movement]] Stewart used his radio program to pass along information about mass meetings and planned marches, especially after students became involved during the [[Children's Crusade]] of [[1963]].
During the [[Civil rights movement]] Stewart used his radio program to pass along information about mass meetings and planned marches, especially after students became involved during the [[Children's Crusade]] of [[1963]].


He and [[Cy Steiner]] co-founded an advertising firm in [[1967]], with Stewart as a "silent partner". He eventually amassed a majority stake in what became known as [[O2 Ideas]]. He sold the business to his partners in [[2015]].
He and [[Cy Steiner]] co-founded [[Steiner Advertising]] in [[1967]], with Stewart as a "silent partner". He became sole owner after Steiner's death in [[1992]], and changed the name of the firm to [[O2 Ideas]] in [[1997]]. He sold the business to his partners, including his daughter [[Sherri Stewart|Sherri]], in [[2015]].


Stewart was appointed to the [[Birmingham Park and Recreation Board]] in [[1983]] and served as president from [[1987]] until leaving the board in [[1990]].
Stewart was appointed to the [[Birmingham Park and Recreation Board]] in [[1983]] and served as president from [[1987]] until leaving the board in [[1990]].


Stewart founded the [[Mattie C. Stewart Foundation]] to honor his mother's memory by helping young people prepare for adulthood. In [[2002]] his memoir, co-written with Nathan Hale Turner, was published as ''[[The Road South]]''. Stewart was inducted into the [[Birmingham Business Hall of Fame]] in [[2021]].
Stewart founded the [[Mattie C. Stewart Foundation]] to honor his mother's memory by helping young people prepare for adulthood. In [[2002]] his memoir, co-written with Nathan Hale Turner, was published as ''[[The Road South]]''. He later worked with writer [[Don Keith]] on a follow-up, called ''[[Mattie C.'s Boy: The Shelley Stewart Story]]'', which was published in [[2013]].
 
Stewart was inducted into the [[Alabama Broadcasting Hall of Fame]] in [[2008]] and the [[Birmingham Business Hall of Fame]] in [[2021]]. He has been presented with a Silver Medal from the American Advertising Federation, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Poverty Law Center, and a "Drum Major of Justice Award" from the [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]].
 
Stewart and his wife [[Doris Stewart|Doris]] were married in [[1972]]. They have five children, five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.


{{stub}}
{{stub}}
==Publications==
==Publications==
* Stewart, Shelley and Nathan Hale Turner (2002) ''[[The Road South: A Memoir]]''. New York, New York: Warner Books. ISBN 0446530271
* Stewart, Shelley & Nathan Hale Turner (2002) ''[[The Road South: A Memoir]]''. Warner Books ISBN 0446530271
* Crawford, Cindy Fisher (April 23, 2015) "Shelley Stewart sells o2ideas to company execs." {{BBJ}}


==References==
==References==
* Williams, Roy L. (July 12, 2009) "On the Record - Shelley Stewart, president of O2 Ideas in Birmingham encourages young people to get an education." {{BN}}
* Williams, Roy L. (July 12, 2009) "On the Record - Shelley Stewart, president of O2 Ideas in Birmingham encourages young people to get an education." {{BN}}
* Crawford, Cindy Fisher (April 23, 2015) "Shelley Stewart sells o2ideas to company execs." {{BBJ}}
* Keith, Don (2013) ''[[Mattie C.'s Boy: The Shelley Stewart Story]]. NewSouth Books ISBN 9781603063135
* Ward, Brian (2006) ''Radio and the Struggle for Civil Rights in the South.'' University Press of Florida ISBN 9780813029788
* Harris Bowser, Javacia (February 1, 2023) "[https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2023/02/how-birmingham-radio-legend-shelley-stewart-became-a-global-voice/ At Age 88, Birmingham Radio Legend Shelley Stewart: ‘I Ain’t Tired Yet’]" {{BT}}
* Harris Bowser, Javacia (February 1, 2023) "[https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2023/02/many-know-the-voice-meet-shelley-stewart-the-business-owner/ The Business of Shelley Stewart: ‘Sign Checks on The Front, Not The Back’]" {{BT}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Stewart, Shelley}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stewart, Shelley}}
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Parker graduates]]
[[Category:Radio personalities]]
[[Category:Radio personalities]]
[[Category:Radio station executives]]
[[Category:Radio station executives]]
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[[Category:Birmingham Business Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Birmingham Business Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Memoirists]]
[[Category:Memoirists]]
[[Category:Alabama Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame]]

Latest revision as of 11:51, 3 February 2023

Shelley Stewart c. 1960
Shelley Stewart c. 1979
Shelley Stewart c. 2014

Shelley Stewart (born September 1933) is a former radio personality, station owner and advertising executive.

Stewart grew up in an abusive household in Rosedale and witnessed the death of his mother at the hands of his father at the age of 5. He was left homeless, sheltering in horse barns and basements, but continued to attend school. He was mentored by teachers, such as Mamie Foster, and earned good grades. He juggled numerous jobs while also participating in the drama program and writing for the school newspaper at A. H. Parker High School.

He got his first taste of radio broadcasting while in high school in 1949, earning $17.50 a week at WEDR-AM. Though he had planned to pursue a legal career, he proved to be a popular on-air personality and remained at that station and at WBCO-AM, moving from mornings to mid-day to evenings. He served briefly in the U.S. Air Force, and attended classes at the Cambridge School of Broadcasting in New York City in the early 1950s.

In 1958 Stewart moved to Jackson, Mississippi to take a job with WOKJ-AM, but continued to appear in Birmingham and other cities as a host of "Platter Parties" and as a stand-up comic and emcee. He soon became an icon as Shelley the Playboy with partner Erskine Fausch on WENN-AM and later as the owners of WATV-AM. They sold the television station to Sheriden Broadcasting Network (SBN) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2002.

In 1960 Stewart deejayed a weekly record hop at Don's Teen Town in Bessemer. On July 14 of that year a group of about 80 Klansmen surrounded the building and sent word to manager Ray Mahoney that they wanted Stewart. Mahoney instead announced the siege to the crowd of 800 or so white teenagers, who flooded out to chase the klansmen off, allowing Stewart to escape.

During the Civil rights movement Stewart used his radio program to pass along information about mass meetings and planned marches, especially after students became involved during the Children's Crusade of 1963.

He and Cy Steiner co-founded Steiner Advertising in 1967, with Stewart as a "silent partner". He became sole owner after Steiner's death in 1992, and changed the name of the firm to O2 Ideas in 1997. He sold the business to his partners, including his daughter Sherri, in 2015.

Stewart was appointed to the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board in 1983 and served as president from 1987 until leaving the board in 1990.

Stewart founded the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation to honor his mother's memory by helping young people prepare for adulthood. In 2002 his memoir, co-written with Nathan Hale Turner, was published as The Road South. He later worked with writer Don Keith on a follow-up, called Mattie C.'s Boy: The Shelley Stewart Story, which was published in 2013.

Stewart was inducted into the Alabama Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame in 2021. He has been presented with a Silver Medal from the American Advertising Federation, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Poverty Law Center, and a "Drum Major of Justice Award" from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Stewart and his wife Doris were married in 1972. They have five children, five grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

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