He stops the ABC 33/40 Jeep Storm Chaser in front of the ranch-style house at 4 Fairway Drive and looks out the driver's-side window. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. I didn't like those guys. James loves working with his interns, and says he looks for three key qualities when choosing anyone who works with him. That day was a "generational event" as he called it, and noted that there are not many days like that in your career. At least five people are dead and multiple casualties have been reported after seven deadly tornadoes tore through the state of Alabama. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family, after having bravely battled pancreatic cancer. The industry pioneer in UFC, Bellator and all things MMA (aka Ultimate Fighting). At least five people are dead and multiple casualties have been reported after seven deadly tornadoes tore through the state of Alabama. "The secret about me is despite those shortcomings, I will work harder than anyone else to accomplish those goals.". At his church, Greenville Baptist Church, he recalls some of the older men talking openly about their contempt for black people. "But I said what I needed to say. They scared me. Every time there is a severe weather threat in Alabama, people ask James' least favorite question- "Will it be like April 27, 2011?" "She made that promise," Spann says, "and by golly, she delivered on it. The summer after his junior year at Tuscaloosa High School, Spann and a few of his fellow students pooled some of their electronic equipment and started a low-power AM school radio station in the projection room above the school auditorium. About three years ago, on his way back from Mobile on a Sunday morning, Spann also went back to revisit his old church, Greenville Baptist Church. Spann has been working in the journalism field since 1978. Spann asked Saban if he ever gets tired of getting asked about retirement, and Saban had a great response. This is Spann's old stomping grounds, where he and his mother moved when he was in junior high school and where he lived until he graduated from the University of Alabama and began his meteoric rise as Alabama's most recognizable and influential TV weatherman. She was probably making $500 a year, and you can't raise a child on that, even in the '60s.". We lost a lot of trees. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. While still a student at the University of Alabama studying electrical engineering, James began working as a disc jockey at WTBC-AM in Tuscaloosa while still a student at the University of Alabama. After WBRC was purchased by News Corporation in 1996, James departed the station and began dropping its long-standing affiliation with ABC in order to join Fox. In 1973, he began his broadcasting career at WTBC radio in Tuscaloosa. | Feb 28, 2014. Bill Naugher, CEO of Crest Publishers, said the book shows a part of Spann not many people get to see. Nick Saban is a noted Weather Channel aficionado and was joined by meteorologist James Spann for his Thursday evening radio show this week. Select this result to view James H Spann's phone number, address, and more. James Spann is a television meteorologist and podcast host in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition, meteorologists in the US get an average salary of $55,771. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Through the years, their paths would cross again when they both joined 33/40 in 1996. Bill Bolen was asleep on a cot. James Spann is the chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Ala. To him, that will be decided by other people. James leads Children's Worship every Sunday at Double Oak Community Church in Mount Laurel. You know, forgiveness is very freeing.". I was Jim back then (in the 1960s), and they were like, 'Jim, what are you doing here?'. Upon his return to screens, Spann explained: "The reason I had to step out, we had major damage at my house. But despite the scare, Spann still focused his comments on other residents who are stuck in even more unfortunate situations. "When we moved back to Greenville, I just assumed we were going to stay there," Spann says. "There are some people when I was a kid that would tell me I would be nothing," he said. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) named James as the National Weatherperson of the Year in 2019. [2] Earlly in his career, spann studied electrical engineering at UA while paying for his tuition while working in radio. He later shared an image of the damage sustained in his backyard on air, saying, "Ill shoot straight with you guys, thats my backyard. (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). "I was quiet, had no social skills. After working as an afternoon-drive announcer at WHHY-FM (Y102) in Montgomery during the summer of 1979, James was appointed as a chief weatherman at WAPI-TV in Birmingham, despite having no official weather training. "My mama would dress me up, and she would sit me in a little chair over by the front door. Simultaneously, he enrolled at Mississippi State University in a meteorology program. He then makes his way to the studio, where he works from around 1:30 PM to 11:30 PM, as he's on the evening newscasts at 4, 5, 6, and 10 PM. "Out of everything in my life on the professional side, that was the most exciting night. Baird came up with Spann at WTBC, where they both worked as disc jockeys. James was thereafter transferred to Tuscaloosa High School, where he received his diploma in 1974. Smith Lumber Company in nearby Chapman. Weve had obviously some shingle damage, but the house is intact, its OK.", "My ask is that you consider helping those that are homeless tonight, that have lost their homes. "And it was the most marvelous experience because there were black people in there, the mean guys were gone, and one of my best friends from childhood is the mayor, a guy named Dexter McLendon. He and his wife make time for quality talks in the morning before he leaves for the day, and they also eat dinner together after the 6:00 PM newscast (as long as there isn't active weather in the area). ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann, however, once said it came with ample warning. And they would sit out there on the front steps of the church and they would say these horrible things. "When you put the needs of others in front of your own, life gets really good. Spann receives an estimated annual salary ranging from $45,000 to $112,500. ", Forensic MeteorologyWeather Resources + GuidesSeminars, STM WeatherPO Box 117Cropseyville, NY 12052, 2021 STM Weather | Privacy PolicySite Design by Dapper Fox, when a system produced 25tornadoesacross the state of Alabama. His wife, Karen, was present in the residence when it got hit - but luckily made it to safety in their in-home shelter. "Were all here to help other people," he said. 2023 www.tuscaloosanews.com. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. I've done all kinds of stuff. James Spann | January 11, 2023 @ 2:56 pm. Spann is blissfully married to her darling wife, Karen Spann. His passion and dedication were apparent as he spoke of his schedule; it was clear that this is what he wants. His philosophy is simple and focuses on doing three simple things to achieve financial . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. NEW! Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. Recorded January 9, 2023 at 4 p.m. Here's how to deal with finances before, during and - if needed - after marriage. ", James Spann, front row, far right, is pictured here with some of his fellow Tuscaloosa High School students who launched the school radio station WBBR in 1973. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) James Michael Spann, a man serving a life sentence for the 1993 murder of a teenage girl, was denied parole on Wednesday. The duo tied the knot on June 6, 1981. Well, he joked that hed apply to be Spanns assistant at the Weather Channel: Saban to Spann: "I certainly would never wanna ride the program down if I didn't feel like I was doing a good job. ", The 64-year-old later tweeted a statement regarding the damage to his home echoing his earlier comments, while adding: "As I often say, tornadoes happen to real people, at a real place, at a real time.". The obituary was featured in . J.B.'s impact and time commitment to James instilled in James that he wanted to help younger people the way J.B. helped him. Be sure you don't miss any groups, and know where your weaknesses are so that you can address them. Weve had obviously some shingle damage, but the house is intact, its OK.", "My ask is that you consider helping those that are homeless tonight, that have lost their homes. Click a location below to find James more easily. Despite the warnings Spann and others gave leading up to the tornadoes,more than238 people across Alabama died. In 1986, however, he resigned from his position and relocated to Alabama. We note a few isolated showers near the Gulf Coast, but the weather is dry elsewhere. Then, the following fall, when he was just 17 and still in high school, he got his first real radio job playing rock 'n' roll on Tuscaloosa's WTBC-AM 1230, the station Spann had listened to on his transistor radio since he and his mother first came to Tuscaloosa. The next book should come out next spring and will cover tornadoes. (Bob Carlton/[email protected]). Pre-COVID, he visited 1-2 schools a day, and though he can't be there in-person right now, he's continuing to connect with the community virtually. "This is the great secret about James Spann: Im not the greatest at anything I do," he said. Spann was only at Channel 33 for a few months before he got on a fast track that took him to Montgomery to work at WSFA/Channel 12 and then to Birmingham to join WAPI/Channel 13. Its bad.". He has persevered through many challenging situations that have helped shape him into the person he is today. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "But whenever he was there, I felt loved and accepted and I felt secure. In this article, we'll dive into everything we know about James Spann the Weatherman. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. "Did we not use the right facial expressions? James Spann's wife is Karen Spann. But despite the scare, Spann still focused his comments on other residents who are stuck in even more unfortunate situations. Tonight will be clear and cold with a low in the 20s in most spots. All rights reserved (About Us). James Spann in Tennessee. James Spann (@spann) January 13, 2023. We raised two boys. He actually published a book, "All You Can Do Is Pray" on the ten year anniversary in order to preserve the day, including everything from the insides of working in a weather office to the untold stories of the victims. Email us: [email protected]. J.B. is my mentor, and the main reason I am a professional meteorologist today. As he mentioned while discussing preparedness, the current broadcast model is becoming dated, but reinvention is coming and will continue to make our field better. "He was supposed to come pick me up multiple times to take me somewhere, to go get an ice cream cone or go somewhere around Greenville," Spann remembers. During his weather report on the afternoon of Thursday, March 25, James Spann, 64, learned that his own home had been struck. Fortunately he and his wife have a severe weather plan in place, and she was in their safe place when it struck. There were no mean men in black suits smoking. In his spare time, James enjoys tennis and amateur radio. Kathleen Peddicord. UPDATED at 2:16 p.m. CDT on Monday, July 8, 2019 to add that Spann received a certificate in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University in the early 1990s. See more ideas about james spann, storm chasing, tornado season. One is national "Broadcaster of the Year" by the National Weather Association. //abc3340.com . He also expects and wants you to LOVE weather and what you dowhich makes it easy to work hard. by richard keech, steven keech, et al. "Ill tell you this: From the time I met him, I knew he had it, whatever it is," Baird said. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Lets hope we still get a few more years of Saban on college sidelines before he starts chasing hurricanes with his friend Spann! Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. Latest severe weather updates from ABC 3340 Chief Meteorologist James Spann and The Weather Authority:1:46 a.m.The risk of severe weather has ended for Jefferson County.1:39 a.m.Heavier storms are . "I'm telling you, I couldn't be prouder of what Greenville has become. I played the long version to give me a chance to settle down because I was so nervous. For 23 years, as the chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40, he's been the guy we turn to when skies darken and clouds threaten. In order to combat this, he tries getting "off the grid" every Sunday by going to play tennis. Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. James Spann is an American Emmy Award-winning meteorologist and a podcast host based in Birmingham, Alabama, He presently works for WBMA-LD, ABC 33/40, Birminghams ABC affiliate. In fact, anytime there is a big severe weather event, he always thinks "What would J.B. do Manual; Automatic; Semi-automatic; Sales. "Oh man, I almost passed out," he recalls. James, the Chief Meteorologist for ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama, has a gentle, easy-going way of talking, while also having the ability to get right to the point - a skill that no doubt has come in handy (and been sharpened by) through years of television and radio broadcasts. Spann asked Saban if he ever gets tired of getting asked . It is a blessing. April 27 happened on his watch. ", BBC1's live FA Cup coverage hit by porn noises from mobile hidden by prankster, Three major energy suppliers paying you to turn off appliances tonight, Major bar chain to close on Mondays and Tuesdays due to rocketing energy bills, Gran's tribute to girl, 4, & mum killed after being hit by racing Audi', News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Coming of age in South Alabama during the height of the civil rights movement in the 1960s was also confusing to Spann, who didn't understand why black kids his age couldn't go to school with him, couldn't go swimming with him, couldn't even be seen hanging out with him. During this time, he's also producing additional radio segments and writing an afternoon weather discussion with another video. The most well-known of his books is Weathering Life. His eyes were focused on the sky in wonder as he grew up in rural South Alabama. Alabama meteorologist James Spann was broadcasting live when severe weather struck his own home. One of my favorite CBE memories was in March 1993, when I had to host his program during a generational blizzard. This is very unusual with an EF3 tornado, and many homes in their neighborhood lost their second floors. He encourages meteorologists to invest in the people you serve, learn from the people around you, and get to know the families of victims. Its bad.". . Indoor & Outdoor SMD Screens, LED Displays, Digital Signage & Video Wall Solutions in Pakistan I picked up the phone and as soon as I heard his voice I knew who it was. Then, one day in the fall of 1963, when Spann was in the second grade, Max Spann walked out on his son and his wife and never came back. "I understand them, and they understand me.". My life was there.". Burns' show ran from the late 1950s until the early 1990s. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama--James Spann, a popular meteorologist for ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, sharing weather . Newberry's son testified against Spann's release at the time. He and his family moved to Greenville, Butler County, when he was a child, according to his biography. James and his wife Karen have been married for 41 years, and they have two sons. The University of West Alabama conferred an honorary doctor of laws degree to James in 2013. To learn more about where James' story began and the winding road that brought him to where he is today, I encourage you to read his autobiography, "Weathering Life." James Spann's better half, Karen is a glad spouse, and they have two youngsters together. Spann also discovered he had a half-brother, who was about 10 years younger than him, that he had never previously known. James Spann | January 13, 2023 @ 3:21 pm COLD WINTER DAY: Temperatures are only in the mid to upper 30s across the northern half of Alabama this afternoon with clouds and a few light snow flurries. Spanns father left the family when he was seven years old, leaving Carolyn to raise him. The future is really bright, James forecasts (pun intended). "My wife is OK, but the tornado came right through there and its not good, its bad. On this particular summer day, he's back in Tuscaloosa to visit the kids at the Alberta School of Performing Arts, most of whom are too young to remember the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak that devastated the city. James W. Spann (Jim), 88 of Richlands, passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, in Fayetteville, NC. Officer James Jenkins Spann. The sun is out across Southwest Alabama, where some spots have reached 50 degrees. Newberry had to be identified by dental records. There are stories that were never told, and though it was emotionally exhausting to turn these stories into a book, it was something that James felt strongly was needed. Ages: 10 years and up. Spann has been in the television and radio weather industry for more than three decades. James has served as the Chief Meteorologist for ABC 33/40 for 25 years, and can be seen weeknights at 4, 5, 6, and 10 o'clock. He can be seen weeknights on the news at 5, 6, and 10 o'clock. Thirty years after he last saw his father, Spann started doing some research and found out that he was living in Hazel Green, just north of Huntsville. Chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40 since 1996 who received the two highest awards in the nation for a broadcast meteorologist, Broadcaster of the Year by the National Weather Association and the Award for Broadcast Meteorology by the American Meteorological Society. 223,657 talking about this. Spann has worked in the field since 1978, and is often praised for his easy-to-understand and likely life-saving forecasting during the destructive 2011 Super Outbreak. ", As she assessed the destruction she remarked: "It's unbelievable! A huge tree just missed our house! Follow on, Paul Finebaum addresses the defensive coordinator candidate that would satisfy Crimson Tide fans, Micah DeBose, 2025 4-star OT, announces SEC commitment, Deion Sanders draws rave reviews from fans on social media after appearing on MNF ManningCast, Rapid Reaction: Back-to-back! The Birmingham TV station announced on its website this week that Daily Mountain Eagle ABC 33/40 anchor Dave Baird, who got his start in broadcasting in Jasper, will . do?" Spann has been working in the journalism field since 1978. by James Spann weather tornados storms hurricanes snow ice radar | Jan 1, 2016. The dedicated weather reporter then continued covering the tornado, warning locals of its intended route. The meteorologist was warning viewers at . James Spann has covered severe weather in Alabama since the 1970s. James Max Spann Jr. (born June 6, 1956) is a television meteorologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. He is also the host of the weekly podcast WeatherBrains, which he started in 2006. She is also an executive producer at her station. "She was a secretary at Greenville High School. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. He wanted to write a book for kids who loved science and weather, but also a book that addressed fear by giving valuable information to overcome that fear and not scare them. His father met them at the front door, Spann remembers, but didn't invite them in. He has published an autobiography, "Weathering Life." James began working for WSFA in Montgomery in late 1978 as a weekend sports anchor and part-time weatherman. There were ten tornadoes across the state on March 25, 2021, one of which struck his home while he was live on air. Spann is the founder of The Meteorological Factory, which supplies weather data to industrial and business clients as well as broadcasts weather forecasts for many radio stations. In addition to the 2011 tornadoes and the blizzard of 1993, one storm the book covers is the 1974 "Super Outbreak," the second-largest tornado outbreak on record for a single 24-hour period from April 3-4, 1974, that killed 315 people across 13 states. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. ", James Spann is pictured here in this childhood photo with his mother, Carolyn Spann, who raised him after his father left when James was 7 years old. How old is James Spann? "I was driving through Butler County and it was about 9 o'clock and it just hit me like a brick in the head: You need to go back to that church over there," he says. He gives the TV weather broadcast from his home studio, followed by a radio broadcast that is aired on 24 commercial radio stations across the country. ", This is a school photo taken of James Spann around 1970. OK. "So, I left the radio station to go to work for Channel 33. He's . We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. . Following the storm, Spann traveled to Jasper to report on the damage, leading him to a local hospital to see the dozens of people either dead or injured from the storm. WBRC had been displaced as Birminghams ABC affiliate by the newly created station. James Spann was born in Alabama on June 6, 1956. While he was a child, his family relocated to Greenville, Butler County. There is so much damage everywhere. Mental health is so important, and for a long time, it wasn't discussed much - especially in the field of meteorology. - Courtesy North West Alabamian . The presenter had been warning viewers about severe weather conditions in Alabama on WBMA-LD. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. One of his largest philanthropic commitments is serving as the chairman of a board of large hospital in Birmingham. He texted her during live coverage to make sure she was . He also became a writer who specialized in weather-related topics. This is a portrait of James Spann's father, James Max Spann Sr., as a young man. OU alumnus James Spann is founder and managing partner of Norman-based Boyd Street Ventures. James Spann pulls off Tuscaloosas Hargrove Road and turns onto an old, familiar street. Dec 10, 2017 - Explore Tamara Summers's board "James spann ", followed by 717 people on Pinterest. "Thats the night I lost my innocence," he said. I've been with the department 24 and have a son planning on getting into the academy. In all, James has been a television weather anchor for 44 years. James is the Chairman of the Board of Grandview Medical Center, and is a member of the University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences Board of Visitors. James Spann Was Destined to be Alabama's Weather Man. Secondly, integrity doing the right thing when no one is looking - is key. He worries more about the people who don't have the money in place to repair their homes or anywhere to go while their homes are being rebuilt. They have also lived in Sanford, FL and Altamonte Springs, FL. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. He is also the host of the weekly podcast WeatherBrains, which he started in 2006. Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. "And they gave him my name.". "I must be the Forrest Gump of the new millennium or something," Spann wrote in one chapter of his upcoming memoir, "Weathering Life." It opened a whole new world to the shy kid from Greenville. Daily Mountain Eagle ABC 33/40 anchor Dave Baird, who got his start in broadcasting in Jasper, will retire in September after two decades as one of the station's anchors. And a lot of the older people in there knew me. From being raised by a single mother in Tuscaloosa to tales from his career in broadcast news, the book puts on paper many of the stories he has told while traveling around Alabama. He also has been awarded the Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association and holds a certificate in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University. "If I didn't go to Tuscaloosa, I wouldn't be doing weather," he says. Fortunately for James and his family, neither he nor his relatives were impacted directly by a tornado on April 27, 2011. James Spann is an American Emmy Award-winning meteorologist and a podcast host based in Birmingham, Alabama, He presently works for WBMA-LD, ABC 33/40, Birmingham's ABC affiliate. His alarm goes off at 4:30 AM most mornings, earlier if there is a severe weather threat in the area, and he starts his mornings at his home studio. He praised the social scientists he worked with and the value they've added to the team over the years.

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