R.I.P.: Big Jim Sykes, SiriusXM Host

Jim Sykes ('63-'06)

Big Jim Sykes, longtime afternoon host on SiriusXM's Elvis Radio (Channel 78), has passed away suddenly at age 62.

Fellow Elvis Radio host Derrill Argo announced the news on Facebook on Wednesday morning, prompting an immediate outpouring of tributes from listeners, broadcasters, and Elvis fans worldwide.

“Big Jim was known for the warmth and enthusiasm he brought to every broadcast,” Argo wrote. “Through his work, he helped keep Elvis’s legacy alive for generations of listeners and created a sense of community for fans everywhere.”

Argo added that while the passing was sudden, tributes highlighted Sykes' kindness, passion, and generosity beyond his iconic voice.

A native of Paris, Tennessee, and Henry County High School graduate, Sykes launched his radio career in West Tennessee in 1980, working at stations in Paris and Jackson before joining SiriusXM's all-Elvis channel in 2005.

There, he hosted afternoon drive, produced and co-hosted the weekly “TG Sheppard Show,” and presented specialty programs like “Elvis Live In Concert.”

For over two decades at Elvis Radio, broadcasting live from Graceland, Sykes shared Elvis stories, legends, and music, fostering a global family of fans devoted to the King of Rock 'n' Roll.