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Born a boomer and loving the energy of Top 40 radio guys let me one day saying “I can do that”. That happened in 1971. I spent decades in Baltimore radio part-time plus syndicated in Philly and Chicago too. My real career was as the captain of a 45’ hydrographic survey vessel on the Chesapeake Bay for the US Army Corps of Engineers, plus several summers as a skipper aboard the Virginia Dare and I am back to round two at WZBB after years of doing afternoons. I love the music, and culture, but most of you, the listeners! I am so blessed to have you!

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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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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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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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