Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). In 1986, however, he resigned from his position and relocated to Alabama. 01.10.23 // Markets & Investing // Webinar. "And I was, you know, 6, 7 years old and thinking this is just warped. James hosted a television series about severe weather safety in 2004. Burns hosted the Country Boy Eddie Show on WBRC from 1957 to 1993. He said: "What Im doing is texting my wife to be sure shes in the shelter.". He currently serves as a weather forecaster at WBMA-LD ( ABC 33/40) based in Birmingham, Alabama. So, on a Sunday night, Nov. 11, 1973, Spann made his commercial broadcasting debut. Tonight will be clear and cold with a low in the 20s in most spots. "Oh man, I almost passed out," he recalls. 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. The duo tied the knot on June 6, 1981. Throughout the book, Spann details his early life in Alabama, how he and his mother moved to Tuscaloosa after his father left and how working at Tuscaloosa's WTBC in1973 gave Spann his first experience in broadcasting. There were ten tornadoes across the state on March 25, 2021, one of which struck his home while he was live on air. "I could live my life over thousands of times, and this would never happen again. 8,223. She was probably making $500 a year, and you can't raise a child on that, even in the '60s.". And weather phenomenons do not discriminate - seen during meteorologist James Spann's coverage of the deadly conditions. "But whenever he was there, I felt loved and accepted and I felt secure. ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann, however, once said it came with ample . "I understand them, and they understand me.". "One of my secrets is that I'm not good at anything I do -- I'm really not. In fact, anytime there is a big severe weather event, he always thinks "What would J.B. He has worked in journalism since 1978 and is most recognized for his work on WBMA-LD. ALABAMA has been ravaged by a series of several deadly tornadoes, toppling trees, destroying homes, and cutting off power supplies across the state. The couple share two children, James and Ryan. In his spare time, James enjoys tennis and amateur radio. Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. Likewise, it was James birthday on June 6. "She was a secretary at Greenville High School. "Life doesn't get any better than that.". In addition, he celebrates his birthday on the 6th of January every year, and his zodiac sign is Gemini. ", Spann writes about those early years -- about the father who left him, the mother who raised him, and the historic storms that shaped his career as a meteorologist -- in his new autobiography, Weathering Life., "Its for weather people, and it's also just for anybody who's interested in (knowing) what it's like coming out of South Alabama in the 1960s from a broken home," Spann says of the book. We lost a lot of trees. So, one Saturday, Spann and a friend from church went to Hazel Green in search of his father, knocking on doors until they found the right house. About Saturday Down South | Ethics and Editorial Standards | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Other Conferences: Big Ten | ACC | Pac-12, A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 14 SEC football teams. However, it's clear that day had lifetime impacts on James. James Spann (@spann) January 13, 2023. A huge tree just missed our house! Back in 1994, Spann admitted to shooting 17 . However, it was not until after the tornadoes that tore through Tuscaloosa and many parts of Alabama on April 27, 2011, that he decided it was time to write everything down. Get this The Vancouver Sun page for free from Friday, June 6, 2003 ih- . "While we lost many trees, the home is intact and we will be not have to 'rebuild'(sic).". James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. Burns gave Spann four rings of the cowbell for his success as a meteorologist, the highest honor on his long-running show. 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. "I have not been in this house since I moved out in 1978," the 63-year-old Spann says. ", As she assessed the destruction she remarked: "It's unbelievable! Upon his return to screens, Spann explained: "The reason I had to step out, we had major damage at my house. Email us: jameshanoimotorbikes@gmail.com. "And I'm motivated not to get involved with an addiction problem, to stay faithful to my wife, to be a good father to two boys. April 27 happened on his watch. . And they (Channel 33) said theyd pay me to talk about weather? I played the long version to give me a chance to settle down because I was so nervous. "Thats the night I lost my innocence," he said. One of my favorite CBE memories was in March 1993, when I had to host his program during a generational blizzard. 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. Home; Rentals. The presenter had been warning viewers about severe weather conditions in Alabama on WBMA-LD. 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. Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. "He really is who you see on TV, but I think there is even more of a depth there that others dont see," Ladun said. In 1985, the Dallas Press Club named him the best weathercaster in the Metroplex, beating out strong competition like Harold Taft of KXAS-TV and Troy Dungan of WFAA-TV. He currently works for WBMA-LD (ABC 33/40), Birmingham's ABC affiliate. Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. Refine Your Search Results. Bill Castle shot this video in 2013. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Donate to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Challenge. "How in the world my mama pulled this deal off, I don't know. James is an AMS certified meteorologist based in Birmingham at ABC 33/40. J.B. Elliott is officially retiring this week from weather work. Vera June Miles (ne Ralston; born August 23, 1929) is an American retired actress who worked closely with Alfred Hitchcock, most notably as Lila Crane in the classic 1960 film Psycho, reprising the role in the 1983 sequel Psycho II.Other films in which she appeared include Tarzan's Hidden Jungle (1955), The Searchers (1956), Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956), A Touch of Larceny (1959 . Tags: 'Vietnam' Asia Retire To Hanoi. He is currently the chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40. . James Max Spann Jr. is James Spann's real name. I've done network TV. 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. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. Meteorologist James Spann to talk weather at Springville Road Library on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Carolyn worked as a secretary at Greenville High School, while his father, Max, was a timber salesman. For James and his family, that day was March 25, 2021. "Obviously our landscaping is going to be a lot different now. OU alumnus James Spann is founder and managing partner of Norman-based Boyd Street Ventures. All rights reserved (About Us). He also went on to say that if he wasn't doing what he's doing, he'd love to be a third grade science teacher because he knows how to get to their level and communicate science for them. Spann is 66 years old as of June 2022. Carolyn Spann had promised her son that she would get them a bigger place to live, and two years later, after she finished her degree and started teaching English at Tuscaloosa High School, they moved into that house on Fairway Drive. Despite the negatives (like navigating a crazy sleep schedule and dealing with social media trolls), James continued to reiterate how much he loved his job, and that really shone through his words and outlook on life. Along the way he has worked for WCFT in Tuscaloosa, WSFA in Montgomery, KDFW in . WTBC was also known as the "15th Street School of Broadcasting" because owner Bert Bank hired so many University of Alabama broadcasting students to work there. In a changing media landscape where news organizations constantly fight for peoples attention, Spann admits part of his obsession with work is about self-preservation, but another motivation is about still about trying to prove himself. James, the meteorologist for ABC 33/40, is content with his life. We've come a long way thoughthinking back ten years ago, 252 Alabamians (342 total across the country) died during the April 27, 2011 "Super Outbreak." I never did see the 10 o'clock news until I retired." Speaking about his retirement . 1. "I was the news anchor at 6 o'clock, and I'd do the weather at 10 o'clock," he says. He was assigned to the night shift, while Dave Baird, a former ABC 33/40 anchor, was assigned to the morning shift. According to the NWA, James was selected to receive the award "For his passionate dedication to serving the Central Alabama community with critical weather information for over thirty years, especially during the deadly April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak.". This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. The American Academy of Pediatrics this month reported data that shows a 1,375 percent increase in children's consumption of "edibles," or food products infused with marijuana, between 2017-2021. He went on to the University of Alabama after high school. "He was a salesman, so he traveled a lot and wasn't home all that much," Spann says. In fact, when I asked him what was the last thing he got really excited abouthe said that he honestly just loves coming to work every day. Through the years, their paths would cross again when they both joined 33/40 in 1996. He worked for a variety of radio stations as a news anchor and weatherman such as WSFA /Channel . Juliet DragosBio, Age, WZZM, Family, Husband, Net Worth, Salary, Von Miller Bio, Age, NFL, Family, Wife, Net Worth. He has published an autobiography, "Weathering Life." (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life") NEW! Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. However, just because the state might not experience a massive outbreak as it did on that day, all it takes is one tornado. End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 1954. He constantly reiterated how blessed they were, and though they had damage from trees falling on their home, they are fortunate to have insurance to cover the damage and let them have somewhere to stay while they rebuild. James Spann is a television meteorologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. "It was like their uniform or something. What did come as a surprise to Spann was when he was called to fill in for beloved TV personality Country Boy Eddie the following Monday morning. ", James Spann, far right, is pictured in this newspaper advertisement for the Action News Team at Birmingham's WAPI/Channel 13, where Spann anchored the weather from 1979 to 1984. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, but a technicality in the law led Spann to get life in prison with the possibility of parole. In addition, James was asked to join WAPI (NBC 13) in Birmingham as the principal weather anchor. Whatsapp and call: +84.915.010.817. ", Meteorologist James Spann looks out his car window at the house in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he and his mother lived from his middle school years until he finished college at the University of Alabama. In fact, anytime there is a big severe weather event, he always thinks "What would J.B. do I think for anyone, a motivating factor is to overcome the naysayers.". In 1973, he began his broadcasting career at WTBC radio in Tuscaloosa. The obituary was featured in . James Spann's better half, Karen is a glad spouse, and they have two youngsters together. Not long after his father left them, Spann and his mother moved to her family's home in Ashville, in St. Clair County, but they came back to Greenville a year later. That is when they began taking an interdisciplinary approach to weather, and the results have paid off immensely. The whole world doesn't tune in to the night time newscast anymore, so you have to access and utilize every digital and social platform there isfrom Facebook to Snapchat to Tiktok. Though some might think it's silly for an "older" person to be on these platforms, if he can reach someone there who would never watch them on TV, to let them know that a severe threat is imminent, then it's 100% worth it to him. Additionally, as of 2020, Spann's estimated net worth is $2 million. During the 1973 Brent tornado and the 1974 Superoutbreak, he assisted in the transmission of information. The University of West Alabama conferred an honorary doctor of laws degree to James in 2013. James was one of the first weather anchors in the nation to earn "Certified Broadcast Meteorologist" status from the American Meteorological Society. He is a past winner . "I learned how to work hard," Spann says on the drive to Tuscaloosa. "If I didn't go to Tuscaloosa, I wouldn't be doing weather," he says. Following a five-year stint on Channel 13, Spann moved to KDFW-4 in Dallas, Texas. (Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com). While it takes a good chunk of time, he serving the community is just as important for his personal mental health as it is for the community. Looking back on March 25, he knows that the warning process worked really well; the death toll could have easily been 100. Spann does not think too much about his legacy. When his day finally ends, he tries to get to sleep by 1:00 AM, which puts him right at 3.5 hours of sleep on his best days. The funeral will be held at 1 p Reflections for Officer James Jenkins Spann. 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). 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. Georgia rallies, survives on missed field goal to beat Ohio State, reach national title game. which is such a beautiful legacy for someone to have left behind. At least five people are dead and multiple casualties have been reported after seven deadly tornadoes tore through the state of Alabama. James Spann in Tennessee. "Everyone needs an encourager in their life," James added, "It's even more important today than it was then." The call letters, WBBR, stood for Black Bear Radio, in honor of the school mascot. However, times are changing and there is a lot of work currently being done to highlight mental health awareness in our field. I became a TV weather guy in the summer of 1978, and I'd just turned 22.". He has published an autobiography, "Weathering Life." This is very unusual with an EF3 tornado, and many homes in their neighborhood lost their second floors. Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. Brenda Ladun, a 33/40 anchor who has known Spann for more than 20 years, considers the longtime meteorologist like the brother she never had. The best result we found for your search is James H Spann age 50s in Lake Mary, FL. It's imperative for meteorologists to understand that you are working with different types of people, different backgrounds, different socioeconomic groups and develop a way to reach all of them. 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. His wife, Karen, was present in the residence when it got hit - but luckily made it to safety in their in-home shelter. ", This is a school photo taken of James Spann around 1970. Spann receives an estimated annual salary ranging from $45,000 to $112,500. Because James was dissatisfied with Foxs diet of reality shows and other programming, he joined some of his former WBRC coworkers at ABC 33/40, which was founded by merging Annistons WCFT and WJSU-TV with a new low-power repeater in Birmingham. 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. Who is that, you ask? They knew I couldn't afford a ham radio, but they would give me their old equipment to use.". "These are my people," he likes to say. 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. James Spann, 61, is an AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and host at ABC's Weather Brains. 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. "Did we not use the right facial expressions? Spanns father left the family when he was seven years old, leaving Carolyn to raise him. He is the news editor at Saturday Down South and across all Saturday Football brands. 2003 Births & Deaths Announcement lines are open Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m . We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. We raised two boys. 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. "I needed it, and I thought he needed it. He said: "What Im doing is texting my wife to be sure shes in the shelter.". "They were ham radio operators who saw a fatherless child in a low-income family and helped me with knowledge and equipment. "When you put the needs of others in front of your own, life gets really good. 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 Spanns book, Weathering Life, is available in paperback for $19.95 and as an e-book for $17.95 at jamesspannbook.com. ", Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) October 21, 2022. It's been a great, great family journey.". She was the first woman named to a nightly news broadcast in Birmingham. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable ( MSNBC and CNBC Primetime ). While on the air, Spann's home was in the path of an E-3 tornado with his wife inside. Primetime ) multiple casualties have been reported after seven deadly tornadoes tore through the State of Alabama after High.! The 63-year-old Spann says hosted the Country Boy Eddie Show on WBRC from to., 2003 ih- Spann around 1970 settle down because I was the first woman to... 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