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As a kid in the 60’s I grew up in Middle River Md. with my transistor radio, listening to the energy of the Top 40 DJ’s from all over the country at night and knew one day I wanted to have that much fun. In 1971 my “big boy” voice” developed and I did radio for years part time in Baltimore, plus syndication in Philly and Chicago. My dad had a marina growing up, so I spent a lot of time on the water, that led to a career as captain of a 45’ hydrographic survey vessel for the Army Corps of Engineers, handling shipping channels from Ft. McHenry to Norfolk. I was even the captain of the Virginia Dare for several seasons, talk about fun! Legendary radio veteran Glen Lynch started calling me “Captain Tom” back in 2006, that seemed to have stuck. My wife Joyce is also a broadcaster with her show on ultimateoldiesradio.com. We also have two young grandkids to try to keep up with! I love joining you weekday mornings 6-10AM on WYTI and whenever they are in a pinch at B999!

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Carl John Castillo, 45 plus years in broadcasting here in Virginia for a variety of formats, including news & sports reporting. Interviews done with a wide variety of subjects and programs. Also interests in writing, acting & photography.

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2026 marks my 40th year in radio. I started way back in 1986 as a high school kid taking broadcasting in vocational school. I worked my way up and down the dial over the years. I first came to Rocky Mount way back in 1993 and lived here through the mid 90's. Now I have landed on WTIT playing music that I truly love. Other colors in my rainbow include a YouTube channel that is mostly dedicated to teaching folks how to use Linux on their computers. I've also done voice-overs and written articles for web sites about Linux and radio. I LOVE all kinds of music and I have been collecting CD's and records since I was a kid. Speaking of kids, mine are grown now so it's just Miss Cindy and me along with our four cats and a 16-year-old dog named Carley.

You can hear me Monday through Friday 3 to 7 PM here on WYTI.

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Host ‘Big Jim’ Shively grew up in Ferrum in a family with deep bluegrass roots. His cousin is legendary Appalachian musician Roscoe Holcomb, and his grandfather, Frank Holcomb, played Bluegrass with all his aunts..  His Aunt Virginia Lee was in the Nashville based bluegrass band Mixt Company.  After graduating high school, Jim moved to Nashville where he worked as a session bass player and toured with several bands before returning home to Southwest Virginia. Along with his work at WYTI, Jim has also been involved with several regional radio stations including WVTF Music, WHEO, WROE-LP, and WQMR-LP. His background in both bluegrass music and broadcasting brings an authentic Appalachian connection to Blue Ridge Breakdown and the music heard each week on WYTI.  You can hear him Saturday mornings from 6am until Noon and Sundays for Blue Ridge Breakdown Noon til 7pm!

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Sundays from Noon to 6pm Sponsored by McCall Insurance Rocky Mount Va.

Blue Ridge Breakdown on WYTI is a mix of traditional and modern bluegrass music, featuring artists from the roots of the genre all the way through today’s bluegrass sound. The show includes music from legends like Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and Ricky Skaggs, along with newer artists and groups including Junior Sisk, Lonesome River Band, Dan Tyminski, Authentic Unlimited, Billy Strings, Tony Trischka, Rhonda Vincent, and more. The focus of the program is on the music itself, with a wide variety of bluegrass styles and plenty of music throughout the show.
Host ‘Big Jim’ Shively grew up in Ferrum in a family with deep bluegrass roots. His cousin is legendary App

alachian musician Roscoe Holcomb, and his grandfather, Frank Holcomb, played Bluegrass with all his aunts.. His Aunt Virginia Lee was in the Nashville based bluegrass band Mixt Company. After graduating high school, Jim moved to Nashville where he worked as a session bass player and toured with several bands before returning home to Southwest Virginia. Along with his work at WYTI, Jim has also been involved with several regional radio stations including WVTF Music, WHEO, WROE-LP, and WQMR-LP. His background in both bluegrass music and broadcasting brings an authentic Appalachian connection to Blue Ridge Breakdown and the music heard each week on WYTI.

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