For a while after that, Spann says, his father promised his mother that he would come visit him. James Spann | January 11, 2023 @ 2:56 pm. Then, when ABC 33/40 launched in Birmingham in 1996, Spann left WBRC to join the new station, reuniting him yet again with his old buddy, anchorman Dave Baird. In this article, we'll dive into everything we know about James Spann the Weatherman. Recorded January 9, 2023 at 4 p.m. 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. Alabama meteorologist James Spann was broadcasting live when severe weather struck his own home. There were no mean men in black suits smoking. He earned his first ham radio license at the age of 14, and holds an extra class license. He also is a firm believer in reaching everyone in every demographic, and these days that means not relying on solely television broadcasts to get the forecast out. James has been working in the journalism field since 1978. 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. That day was a "generational event" as he called it, and noted that there are not many days like that in your career. The 2011 tornado still weighs heavily on Spann, not just because of the damage it caused to the city where he grew up, but because of the high number of deaths from the storms. "That's what turned me on, the fact that they were paying me to talk about weather. "Were all here to help other people," he said. 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 . Although UMMC's numbers are not as high in comparison, they have significantly jumped over the past few years, Davis said. Spann had already built up a reputation, earning an Emmy for coverage of the 2000 tornado that devastated Tuscaloosa and all kinds of annual weather anchor and broadcasting awards. Bill Castle shot this video in 2013 pic.twitter.com/v66RKG8dho. By then, Spann was 37, and his father was in declining health, impaired by a condition known as alcohol dementia, brought on by years of alcohol abuse. Fortunately he and his wife have a severe weather plan in place, and she was in their safe place when it struck. 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. He is also the host of the weekly podcast WeatherBrains, which he started in 2006. WBRC had been displaced as Birminghams ABC affiliate by the newly created station. And his final criteria is having a servants heart and looking after others more than yourself. Juggling work, family, and community commitments, including navigating the beast of social media, can take a toll on mental health for all of us. Newberry had to be identified by dental records. His mother, Carolyn, worked as a secretary at Greenville High School, and his father sold lumber for the W.T. The future is really bright, James forecasts (pun intended). OK. "So, I left the radio station to go to work for Channel 33. "But I said what I needed to say. 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. I enjoy the grind of the week and preparing for the game, getting ready for the game just as much as the game itself. James-Paul (J.p) Spann, 33 years of age, is a senior child and Ryan Christopher Spann, 20 years of age, is more youthful child. Secondly, integrity doing the right thing when no one is looking - is key. 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. "Oh man, I almost passed out," he recalls. Spann is the son of Max and Carolyn Spann. End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 1954. James earned the NWA as well as AMS seals of approval upon his graduation. It's been a great, great family journey.". "They all looked the same -- black suits, black ties and these glasses with black rims," Spann remembers. Some men die by shrapnel: and some go down in flames. Spann has been working in the journalism field since 1978. James was honored as one of the Top 100 Outstanding Alumni of the Mississippi State Department of Geosciences in 2016. James is related to James Spamm and Paula Denise Spann as well as 3 additional people. He was on the air for 37 years. Spann receives an estimated annual salary ranging from $45,000 to $112,500. Spann has been working in the journalism field since 1978. The funeral will be held at 1 p First - he wants someone who has an impeccable work ethic and will work harder than he does. He is the news editor at Saturday Down South and across all Saturday Football brands. I played the long version to give me a chance to settle down because I was so nervous. "Everyone needs an encourager in their life," James added, "It's even more important today than it was then." James Spann is a television meteorologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Juliet DragosBio, Age, WZZM, Family, Husband, Net Worth, Salary, Von Miller Bio, Age, NFL, Family, Wife, Net Worth. 95. And a lot of the older people in there knew me. James Spann reflects on April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak, As Alabama's most recognizable TV weatherman, James Spann takes it personally. He can be seen weeknights on the news at 5, 6, and 10 o'clock. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. He won the 1985 Katy Award for Best Weathercaster from the Dallas Press Club while he was there. One of his largest philanthropic commitments is serving as the chairman of a board of large hospital in Birmingham. James has been inducted into the Theta Tau professional engineering fraternity Alumni Hall of Fame, and the University of Alabama School of Communication Hall of Fame. He worked for a variety of radio stations as a news anchor and weatherman such as WSFA /Channel . While he was a child, his family relocated to Greenville, Butler County. After finishing fifth grade at Verner Elementary, he transferred to Eastwood Junior High School. All rights reserved. Reflections for Officer James Jenkins Spann. 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. Lets hope we still get a few more years of Saban on college sidelines before he starts chasing hurricanes with his friend Spann! Upon his return to screens, Spann explained: "The reason I had to step out, we had major damage at my house. He currently serves as a weather forecaster at WBMA-LD ( ABC 33/40) based in Birmingham, Alabama. I think the reason he became so great was because he run my show that morning when that big snow was on and he learned all about braying like a mule, riding a mule, hanging there like a rusty fishhook, Burns said in 2013. Spann stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 8 inches tall. 1. After the tornadoes hit Jasper, Alabama in 1974, James volunteered for many hours. "I must be the Forrest Gump of the new millennium or something," Spann wrote in one chapter of his upcoming memoir, "Weathering Life." They stood in the front yard and talked. 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. Obituary. "And they gave him my name.". James Spann's wife is Karen Spann. The lovely pair has two amazing sons; J.P Spann and Ryan Christopher Spann and even grandson, Kason Paul. 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). We support responsible gambling. She reports on State Politics, local governments, and public education in Alabama. "I think people would be amazed with how much he packs into a day," said Dave Baird, former 33/40 anchor who retired in 2017. All Filters. In all, James has been a television weather anchor for 44 years. We lost a lot of trees. "I mean, in Vacation Bible School, we would make ashtrays for these guys, so they can smoke outside the church. (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). Julien Saunders of Rich and Regular talks about how he and his wife give back Episode 2172: When, Why and How We Give by Julien Saunders Julien and Kiersten started rich & REGULAR in 2017 after their stint in real estate investing led them to discover the F.I.R.E movement. Spann also discovered he had a half-brother, who was about 10 years younger than him, that he had never previously known. Spann asked Saban if he ever gets tired of getting asked . In the summer of 1978, he began his television career at 33/40 precursor WCFT in Tuscaloosa, the 33 in 33/40. "I just got so hooked into the weather. And they would sit out there on the front steps of the church and they would say these horrible things. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. "That's my home. 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. 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. 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 . ", 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, James Spann, 64, was covering the tornadoes when his house was hit by one, James Spann shared this image of his backyard but assured viewers his house 'was OK', Messages of admiration poured in as Spann returned to his reporting duties despite the shocking news he had just received, James Spann expressed his thanks to well-wishers and encouraged others to help vulnerable locals, James and his wife Karen built an in-home shelter in their Birmingham home, At least five people are dead and multiple casualties have been reported. Whatsapp and call: +84.915.010.817. "But let me tell you what, this was awesome. One of my favorite CBE memories was in March 1993, when I had to host his program during a generational blizzard. However, times are changing and there is a lot of work currently being done to highlight mental health awareness in our field. In order to combat this, he tries getting "off the grid" every Sunday by going to play tennis. It's, to me, been pretty amazing.". "While we lost many trees, the home is intact and we will be not have to 'rebuild'(sic).". ", 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. Though he says he learned that late in life, he now realizes that were put here to help people. "So, I think there's no doubt there was some type of plan to take something bad, that family situation, and turn it into something good. Its bad.". ", 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. The call letters, WBBR, stood for Black Bear Radio, in honor of the school mascot. "During that time at TBC, we had all these horrific tornado events, horrible tornado events -- Brent in 1973, the Super Outbreak in 1974, Tuscaloosa in 1975, when a lady was killed at the Scottish Inn, and then Smithfield in 1977, in Birmingham -- all these big events. (Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com). It can be a lot of work for the 63-year-old Spann, who says he sleeps only three hours a night. "I needed it, and I thought he needed it. "When he came to do weather at 33/40, management assured him he could stay on the air during wall-to-wall coverage," Huff said. Friendly. 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. "I don't think he ever knew it was me," he says. In addition, he celebrates his birthday on the 6th of January every year, and his zodiac sign is Gemini. In addition, the couple has been blessed with two children: James Jr. and Ryan. During this time, he's also producing additional radio segments and writing an afternoon weather discussion with another video. Spanns father left the family when he was seven years old, leaving Carolyn to raise him. However, it's clear that day had lifetime impacts on James. He does it five days a week, sometimes visiting two schools a day. 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. "Weathering Life," set to be released June 29 by Crest Publishers, was an effort 10 years in the making for Spann. You know, forgiveness is very freeing.". Spann was in the station when Burns called to say he was snowed in. Along the way he has worked for WCFT in Tuscaloosa, WSFA in Montgomery, KDFW in . They'd talk about ways of keeping black people out of the church. Click a location below to find James more easily. 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." They scared me. And she got us into this house right here. "Obviously our landscaping is going to be a lot different now. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. James Spann passed away on December 24, 2018 at the age of 64 in Phoenix, Arizona. Mental health is so important, and for a long time, it wasn't discussed much - especially in the field of meteorology. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama--James Spann, a popular meteorologist for ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, sharing weather . A huge tree just missed our house! At his church, Greenville Baptist Church, he recalls some of the older men talking openly about their contempt for black people. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. He has met many of us as he crisscrosses the state visiting school children and speaking with civic groups to teach us about weather and share stories regarding his career. 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. James also was the winner of the AMS (American Meteorological Society) "Award for Broadcast Meteorology". The site is basically a list of what's allowed him to become financially independent and how you can implement those successes in your life. "She made that promise," Spann says, "and by golly, she delivered on it. Spann was 7 years old when his father, Max Spann, walked out on him and his mother, setting in motion a chain of circumstances that led him to Tuscaloosa and eventually into a 40-plus-year career as a meteorologist, the last 23 of which he's been at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham. "You could always tell he was going to have a huge career.". There were ten tornadoes across the state on March 25, 2021, one of which struck his home while he was live on air. He has been a television weather . As James called out communities in north Shelby County where the tornado was passing, he listed his own neighborhood, saying the torando was heading towards the home he built with Karen in Birmingham. We also talked about the rise of social media, and the impact it has. However, there are some things he hopes are carried through his work, like trying to get more young people involved in science and meteorology or doing what he can to make sure people stay safe during bad weather. ", As she assessed the destruction she remarked: "It's unbelievable! 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. His philosophy is simple and focuses on doing three simple things to achieve financial . I needed to tell him that I've forgiven him. 01.10.23 // Markets & Investing // Webinar. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The industry pioneer in UFC, Bellator and all things MMA (aka Ultimate Fighting). He is also a Marine Corps veteran and a career executive in the healthcare and life sciences industry. He also expects and wants you to LOVE weather and what you dowhich makes it easy to work hard. That was the hardest part.". Despite the warnings Spann and others gave leading up to the tornadoes,more than238 people across Alabama died. The dedicated weather reporter then continued covering the tornado, warning locals of its intended route. I woke him up to get him to help me out., Burns, in a 2013 video, recalled asking Spann to start his early morning show with his signature mule call.. Kathleen Peddicord. New model motorbikes Once you bought a motorbike at James Hanoi Motorbike, you will have a shop at South Vietnam that is ready to buy yours Experienced staff. The presenter had been warning viewers about severe weather conditions in Alabama on WBMA-LD. I am so saddened to hear of the death of Birmingham TV legend Country Boy Eddie. During the 1973 Brent tornado and the 1974 Superoutbreak, he assisted in the transmission of information. See more ideas about james spann, storm chasing, tornado season. Source of the photo: Mike Smith's blog. I've done all kinds of stuff. Mrs. Spann died on Dec. 9, 2018, at 86. ", James Spann poses with a group of students following a speaking engagement at the Alberta School of Performing Arts in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com). 1. He usually wraps up these activities around 8:00 AM, and then heads off to talk to a school. His sole purpose in life is to mitigate loss of life during inclement weather. ", 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. "One of my secrets is that I'm not good at anything I do -- I'm really not. 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. | Feb 28, 2014. Following a five-year stint on Channel 13, Spann moved to KDFW-4 in Dallas, Texas. In all, James has been a television weather anchor for 32 years. Gordon Burns, known as Country Boy Eddie, died at 92, WBRC announced today. James is married to Karen Spann. He has published an autobiography, "Weathering Life." UFC Fight . Spann and his mother moved to Tuscaloosa after finishing fourth grade so that his mother could finish her study at the University of Alabama and become a teacher. He praised the social scientists he worked with and the value they've added to the team over the years. Newberry's son testified against Spann's release at the time. "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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. She is also an executive producer at her station. James Spann in Tennessee. Everything he wasn't very motivated to be, I'm the opposite. 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. "She was a secretary at Greenville High School. Call 0915 010 817. 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. During his live-on-air report on Thursday (March 25th), James learned that his home in Alabama was hit by a tornado. 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. James Max Spann Jr. is James Spann's real name. "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. It is a blessing. James is married to Karen Spann. After serving more than 25 years he was eligible for parole for a second time on Wednesday morning. How old is James Spann? 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. James and his wife Karen have been married for 41 years, and they have two sons. There is massive importance to integrity. "I was quiet, had no social skills. 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. Spann does not think too much about his legacy. "My wife is OK, but the tornado came right through there and its not good, its bad. In fact, anytime there is a big severe weather event, he always thinks "What would J.B. do 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 . "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. We raised two boys. Hard-working. He encourages meteorologists to invest in the people you serve, learn from the people around you, and get to know the families of victims. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. He became one of Montgomerys youngest chief weathermen at the age of 23. The AMS stated he was the winner in part because of "his tireless efforts to advance the public's awareness of and engagement in the science of meteorology, particularly severe weather forecasting and response". Nick Saban is a noted Weather Channel aficionado and was joined by meteorologist James Spann for his Thursday evening radio show this week. And yet, the man who says he has never written a work resume or filled out a job application has a modesty that often belies his work and reputation across Alabama. Burns hosted the Country Boy Eddie Show on WBRC from 1957 to 1993. (Clockwise, from top left) Edward M. Coleman, Walter Marshall Jr., Barbara Ann Villano and Samuel Natal are among the 63 retired judges currently serving in the state's courts . And every, single time, the guy never showed up. In fact, anytime there is a big severe weather event, he always thinks "What would J.B. And weather phenomenons do not discriminate - seen during meteorologist James Spann's coverage of the deadly conditions. "That's very motivating for me.". He has been a licensed Ham Radio operator since he was 14 and fascinated with weather all his life. "While we lost many trees, the home is intact and we will be not have to 'rebuild'(sic).". 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. Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. Carolyn Spann encouraged her son's passion, driving him to ham radio gatherings in Birmingham and letting him hang antennas and wires all over their new house. 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. 223,657 talking about this. Smith Lumber Company in nearby Chapman. That is when they began taking an interdisciplinary approach to weather, and the results have paid off immensely. 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. The obituary was featured in . Here's how to deal with finances before, during and - if needed - after marriage. Dedicated. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. At least five people are dead and multiple casualties have been reported after seven deadly tornadoes tore through the state of Alabama. These are just a few words to describe James Spann, whom I recently had the privilege of speaking with. $19.95 $ 19. The legendary Alabama coach said he enjoys the grind of the work week as much as he enjoys the game itself: Spann asks Saban if he gets tired of being asked about retirement: "I get asked that a lot, especially by recruits and their families. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Advertisement. 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. CNN's American meteorologist Allison Chinchar has a net worth of $500,000. Residents of the state had a plan, they were ready and knew what to do, but we still need to look back at the five fatalities and see what happened. 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