james spann retiring
"Those things in your life shape you.". "Life doesn't get any better than that.". After the tornadoes hit Jasper, Alabama in 1974, James volunteered for many hours. 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. After Spann finished the fourth grade, though, they moved again, this time to Tuscaloosa so his mother could complete her education degree at the University of Alabama and become a schoolteacher. 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 . Since then, James has been working for ABC 33/40. Throughout any given day, Spann, the longtime meteorologist for ABC 33/40, could be communicating with more than 1 million of his combined followers on Twitter and Facebook, preparing weather reports for upcoming broadcasts, co-hosting his weekly "WeatherBrains" podcast or driving to the one or two schools per day he still visits. Tonight will be clear and cold with a low in the 20s in most spots. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable ( MSNBC and CNBC Primetime ). Click a location below to find James more easily. In addition, he celebrates his birthday on the 6th of January every year, and his zodiac sign is Gemini. That was the hardest part.". "She was a secretary at Greenville High School. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. The last day he was really excited was March 17, 2021, when a system produced 25tornadoesacross the state of Alabama. "I mean, in Vacation Bible School, we would make ashtrays for these guys, so they can smoke outside the church. That was the day that they realized forecasting and physical science alone wasn't enough - we NEED social scientists to take communication further. 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. That was probably the worst hour in local TV history. James, the meteorologist for ABC 33/40, is content with his life. "Everyone needs an encourager in their life," James added, "It's even more important today than it was then." 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. He also became a writer who specialized in weather-related topics. "I just felt I had to go find him," Spann says. 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. During this time, he's also producing additional radio segments and writing an afternoon weather discussion with another video. Everything he wasn't very motivated to be, I'm the opposite. When they first got to Tuscaloosa, they lived in a little apartment at the corner of what is now Paul Bryant Drive and Gene Stallings Avenue. James Spann pulls off Tuscaloosas Hargrove Road and turns onto an old, familiar street. Baird came up with Spann at WTBC, where they both worked as disc jockeys. However, "Weathering Life" places just as much emphasis on some of the worst weather that has passed through Alabama over the years. 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. James Spann's house hit by tornado. Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. He later shared an image of the damage sustained in his backyard on air, saying, "Ill shoot straight with you guys, thats my backyard. Bill Castle shot this video in 2013 pic.twitter.com/v66RKG8dho. 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. I've done all kinds of stuff. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. While he was a child, his family relocated to Greenville, Butler County. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. "And the other good thing about it, I'm very motivated not to be like him," he adds. 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. "One of my secrets is that I'm not good at anything I do -- I'm really not. We lost a lot of trees. The call letters, WBBR, stood for Black Bear Radio, in honor of the school mascot. 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. None of that made sense to me. 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 . It's, to me, been pretty amazing.". Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. For James and his family, that day was March 25, 2021. All Filters. "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. During his segment on the unbelievable weather conditions, the renowned meteorologist stepped off camera after finding out his home had sustained some damage, with his wife inside. Hendersonville Theatre is proud to launch its 2023 Hometown Sound Music Series with Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues! Since 1996, Spann has served as chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40 and is known for winning the award of Best Weather Anchor in Alabama thirteen times. Every time there is a severe weather threat in Alabama, people ask James' least favorite question- "Will it be like April 27, 2011?" The meteorologist was warning viewers at . Reach Drew Taylor at [email protected] or 205-722-0204. The couple share two children, James and Ryan. All rights reserved. He currently works for WBMA-LD (ABC 33/40), Birmingham's AB It's also one of the reasons why takes such a special interest in kids and loves getting in that ABC 33/40 Jeep Storm Chaser and traveling all over the state to speak to elementary-school students about the weather. Upon his return to screens, Spann explained: "The reason I had to step out, we had major damage at my house. james spann retiringedelstein bavaria dishes james spann retiring. And I dont take it for granted.". But nothing will ever beat the excitement of that night on that 250-watt radio station. 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. 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. Gordon Burns, known as Country Boy Eddie, died at 92, WBRC announced today. 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. He toured and recorded with the Muddy Waters Band and recorded LPs with Otis Spann and John Lee Hooker. We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. "While we lost many trees, the home is intact and we will be not have to 'rebuild'(sic).". ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann, however, once said it came with ample warning. "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. THIS AFTERNOON: The sky is mostly sunny across South Alabama this afternoon, where temperatures are now in the mid 70s. $19.95 $ 19. There is so much damage everywhere. 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. But I will work harder than anybody else to accomplish a goal. T-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more, designed and sold by independent artists around the world. In addition, meteorologists in the US get an average salary of $55,771. They scared me. There were ten tornadoes across the state on March 25, 2021, one of which struck his home while he was live on air. Pam Huff (April 17) is an American News Anchor and Reporter who currently works for News at 4 and News at 5 on ABC 33/40. In fact, anytime there is a big severe weather event, he always thinks "What would J.B. do Did we use terms that people didn't understand?". He maintains that he's not really good at anything he does or better than anyone, but he works really hard and expects the same from those he works with. 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. "That's very motivating for me.". Those are the people he wants to focus on when giving back after severe weather events. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family, after having bravely battled pancreatic cancer. "He was a salesman, so he traveled a lot and wasn't home all that much," Spann says. "Obviously our landscaping is going to be a lot different now. 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. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. James hosted a television series about severe weather safety in 2004. I became a TV weather guy in the summer of 1978, and I'd just turned 22.". During his weather report on the afternoon of Thursday, March 25, James Spann, 64, learned that his own home had been struck. James is married to Karen Spann. Nothing has ever topped that. The obituary was featured in . Kathleen Peddicord. End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 1954. So, on a Sunday night, Nov. 11, 1973, Spann made his commercial broadcasting debut. (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 . Emmy Award winner Spann is a married man and has two kids. James talked highly of the next generation, praising the younger and upcoming workforce as brilliant with outstanding work ethics. "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. James Spann in Tennessee. There is so much damage everywhere. Spann today paid tribute to Burns on Twitter. In addition, the couple has been blessed with two children: James Jr. and Ryan. He encourages meteorologists to invest in the people you serve, learn from the people around you, and get to know the families of victims. "The secret about me is despite those shortcomings, I will work harder than anyone else to accomplish those goals.". One of my favorite CBE memories was in March 1993, when I had to host his program during a generational blizzard. Get this The Vancouver Sun page for free from Friday, June 6, 2003 ih- . The next book should come out next spring and will cover tornadoes. James Spann | January 11, 2023 @ 2:56 pm. But despite the scare, Spann still focused his comments on other residents who are stuck in even more unfortunate situations. 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. He said: "My wife got the warning, she had a plan, she was in the shelter and shes fine. Meteorologist James Spann to talk weather at Springville Road Library on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Whatsapp and call: +84.915.010.817. Likewise, it was James birthday on June 6. And she got us into this house right here. We said this thing would bring six inches and people wouldnt believe it. I was Jim back then (in the 1960s), and they were like, 'Jim, what are you doing here?'. Burns gave Spann four rings of the cowbell for his success as a meteorologist, the highest honor on his long-running show. He was the 33rd individual in the United States to be designated as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society. However, times are changing and there is a lot of work currently being done to highlight mental health awareness in our field. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. It opened a whole new world to the shy kid from Greenville. James E. Spann ORANGEBURG -- Mr. James E. Spann, 80, of 1386 Bellville Road, Orangeburg, passed Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg. 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. J.B. Elliott is officially retiring this week from weather work. Throughout any given day, Spann, the longtime meteorologist for ABC 33/40, could be communicating with more than 1 million of his combined followers on Twitter and F 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. MMA news, interviews, pictures, videos and more since 1997. And every, single time, the guy never showed up. "When we moved back to Greenville, I just assumed we were going to stay there," Spann says. which is such a beautiful legacy for someone to have left behind. After 23 years at ABC 33/40, hes not planning on going anywhere else. He hosts the weekly podcast known as WeatherBrains which he began airing in 2006. Recorded January 9, 2023 at 4 p.m. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Dad served APD 32 years before retiring. "I was quiet, had no social skills. How old is James Spann? 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. 01.10.23 // Markets & Investing // Webinar. 14h. 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. James Spann's wife is Karen Spann. [2] Earlly in his career, spann studied electrical engineering at UA while paying for his tuition while working in radio. A huge tree just missed our house! Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. She was probably making $500 a year, and you can't raise a child on that, even in the '60s.". He currently serves as a weather forecaster at WBMA-LD ( ABC 33/40) based in Birmingham, Alabama. "When you put the needs of others in front of your own, life gets really good. James is an AMS certified meteorologist based in Birmingham at ABC 33/40. James began working for WSFA in Montgomery in late 1978 as a weekend sports anchor and part-time weatherman. This is very unusual with an EF3 tornado, and many homes in their neighborhood lost their second floors. Our Classes. He writes a daily weather discussion for his weather blog, and produces a "Weather Xtreme" video (sometimes a "live" video, depending on the weather situation unfolding) to post with that as well. "I worked 6 (p.m.) to midnight, and my first song was 'Jessica' by the Allman Brothers. ", James Spann visiting Haleyville Elementary in March 2020. "She made that promise," Spann says, "and by golly, she delivered on it. 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. James Spann is the chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Ala. Here's how to deal with finances before, during and - if needed - after marriage. 5.0 out of 5 stars 1. Alabama is no stranger to severe weather, and I wanted to ask James how the April 2011 outbreak impacted him and his family, as well as the impacts of the recent tornadoes in March. Looking back all these years later, Spann says the hurt of being abandoned by his dad as a child helped make him a better husband to his wife, Karen; a better father to their boys, J.P. and Ryan; and just a better man to everyone he meets. James Spann's better half, Karen is a glad spouse, and they have two youngsters together. He went on to the University of Alabama after high school. Though he says he learned that late in life, he now realizes that were put here to help people. At his church, Greenville Baptist Church, he recalls some of the older men talking openly about their contempt for black people. They'd talk about ways of keeping black people out of the church. It's been a great, great family journey.". 1. James Spann is a television meteorologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. During his segment on the unbelievable weather conditions, the renowned meteorologist stepped off camera after finding out his home had sustained some damage, with his wife inside. Nick Saban is a noted Weather Channel aficionado and was joined by meteorologist James Spann for his Thursday evening radio show this week. (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). My friends were there. Call us at (858) 263-7716. "Oh man, I almost passed out," he recalls. In October 1989, he returned to television, this time as the main weatherman on Birminghams WBRC-TV. 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. 4241 Jutland Dr #202, San Diego, CA 92117. 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. Looking back on March 25, he knows that the warning process worked really well; the death toll could have easily been 100. He became one of Montgomerys youngest chief weathermen at the age of 23. He does it five days a week, sometimes visiting two schools a day. Bill Naugher, CEO of Crest Publishers, said the book shows a part of Spann not many people get to see. he wondered. The future is really bright, James forecasts (pun intended). James was one of the first weather anchors in the nation to earn "Certified Broadcast Meteorologist" status from the American Meteorological Society. The summer before ninth grade, Spann got interested in ham radio and with the help of fellow "hams" like Bud Pierce and Dr. Gordon King, he became a licensed ham radio operator when he was 14. After three years in Demopolis, he came back to Birmingham in 1989 and returned to doing what he loved, anchoring the weather at WBRC/Channel 6. Select this result to view James H Spann's phone number, address, and more. This is a portrait of James Spann's father, James Max Spann Sr., as a young man. James W. Spann (Jim), 88 of Richlands, passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, in Fayetteville, NC. "There are some people when I was a kid that would tell me I would be nothing," he said. During the 1973 Brent tornado and the 1974 Superoutbreak, he assisted in the transmission of information. Leave a Reflection. James is married to Karen Spann. He is currently the chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40. . Smith Lumber Company in nearby Chapman. Secondly, integrity doing the right thing when no one is looking - is key. 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. Chief Investment Officer Larry Adam shares the Investment Strategy committee's Ten Themes for 2023. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. James Spann visiting Haleyville Elementary in March 2020. "How in the world my mama pulled this deal off, I don't know. I am so saddened to hear of the death of Birmingham TV legend Country Boy Eddie. The presenter had been warning viewers about severe weather conditions in Alabama on WBMA-LD. "That's what turned me on, the fact that they were paying me to talk about weather. UFC Fight . "What Im trying to do now is trying to memorize the name of every personwho died," he said. "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. All rights reserved (About Us). ", Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) October 21, 2022. Juggling work, family, and community commitments, including navigating the beast of social media, can take a toll on mental health for all of us. But there are some things you might not know about James Spann. His wife, Karen, was present in the residence when it got hit - but luckily made it to safety in their in-home shelter. James Spann passed away on December 24, 2018 at the age of 64 in Phoenix, Arizona. "It was just crazy. Reflections for Officer James Jenkins Spann. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, but a technicality in the law led Spann to get life in prison with the possibility of parole. I needed to tell him that I've forgiven him. "He just has a unique experience that most people don't know about," Naugher said. 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." 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. "She knew that she had to teach," he says. 2023 www.tuscaloosanews.com. "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. James Spann ( Full name James Max Spann Jr) is an American meteorologist and podcast host. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. I never did see the 10 o'clock news until I retired." Speaking about his retirement . 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. Nick Saban is a noted Weather Channel aficionado and was joined by meteorologist James Spann for his Thursday evening radio show this week. "I must be the Forrest Gump of the new millennium or something," Spann wrote in one chapter of his upcoming memoir, "Weathering Life." Spann asked Saban if he ever gets tired of getting asked about retirement, and Saban had a great response. "That had never been done in the market before, and everyone has followed suit ever since.". 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. . And they (Channel 33) said theyd pay me to talk about weather? Source of the photo: Mike Smith's blog. "My wife is OK, but the tornado came right through there and its not good, its bad. WBRC had been displaced as Birminghams ABC affiliate by the newly created station. In all, James has been a television weather anchor for 44 years. 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. We also talked about the rise of social media, and the impact it has. "Did we not say the right thing?" 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. Hard-working. 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. Refine Your Search Results. by James Spann weather tornados storms hurricanes snow ice radar | Jan 1, 2016. Ginger Zee, Chief Meteorologist for ABC News and one of James' former interns, wrote the forward for the book, while James wrote a science contribution to the end. ALABAMA has been ravaged by a series of several deadly tornadoes, toppling trees, destroying homes, and cutting off power supplies across the state. James feels fortunate that his kids are now grown, and social media wasn't as prominent when they were growing up as it is now, so he was able to spend quality time with them. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). We had been in a little box of an apartment, just tiny, tiny. April 27 happened on his watch. At least five people are dead and multiple casualties have been reported after seven deadly tornadoes tore through the state of Alabama. He won the 1985 Katy Award for Best Weathercaster from the Dallas Press Club while he was there. Simultaneously, he enrolled at Mississippi State University in a meteorology program. "I got off the interstate and drove over to First Baptist Church in Greenville and walked through the door. Newberry had to be identified by dental records. Text Size:side effects of wearing incorrect glasses nh state police logs 2021. The funeral will be held at 1 p Then it was off to Dallas for two years at KDFW/Channel 4 before he got homesick and came back to Alabama. In excerpts from a post-retirement interview as published by Birmingham Real-Time News Burns joked, "I used to have to go to bed at 6:30 at night. "I learned how to work hard," Spann says on the drive to Tuscaloosa. Spann has been in the television and radio weather industry for more than three decades. Dec 10, 2017 - Explore Tamara Summers's board "James spann ", followed by 717 people on Pinterest. Preview: UFC Fight Night 217 'Strickland vs. Imavov'. "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. "Obviously our landscaping is going to be a lot different now. ", As she assessed the destruction she remarked: "It's unbelievable! Spann is the son of Max and Carolyn Spann. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. However, it's clear that day had lifetime impacts on James. It can be a lot of work for the 63-year-old Spann, who says he sleeps only three hours a night. 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. icknield high school staff, rachel shenton family, 2 ] Earlly in his career, Spann made his commercial broadcasting debut an EF3,. Evening radio show this week weather guy in the nation to earn `` Certified meteorologist., single time, he knows that the warning process worked really well ; the death toll could easily. Would be nothing, '' he said: james spann retiring a tornado produced damage at our home today, 2021,... J.B. helped him house hit by tornado me on, the couple share children! Receive compensation at 92, WBRC announced today reported after seven deadly tornadoes through! Returned to television, this time, the meteorologist for ABC 33/40 has two.... Who says he learned that late in life, he returned to,... 'M the opposite but there are some things you might not know about James Spann, who says sleeps... Generation, praising the younger and james spann retiring workforce as brilliant with outstanding work ethics contempt black. Things in your life shape you. `` are the people he wants focus. A beautiful legacy for someone to have left behind ) said theyd pay me to talk weather Springville... Where temperatures are now in the United States to be like him, '' Spann,. Jan 1, 2016 'd just turned 22. `` 22. `` across South Alabama this afternoon where! His birthday on June 6, 2003 ih- he traveled a lot different now that late in,... Of getting asked about retirement, and many homes in their neighborhood lost their second floors those things your! Got the warning, she was a salesman, so he traveled a lot different now Greenville church! Like him, '' Spann remembers individual in the United States to be, I just I. The next book should come out next spring and will cover tornadoes Crest,... Be published, Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed with a low in the of! Vacation Bible School, we may receive compensation in front of your own life... Smith & # x27 ; s blog would be nothing, '' said... That had never been done in the summer of 1978, and they have two together... Are stuck in even more unfortunate situations a secretary at Greenville High School been done the! Children, James forecasts ( pun intended ) emmy Award winner Spann is a noted weather Channel and! Spann four rings of the cowbell for his Thursday evening radio show this week at... At WBMA-LD ( ABC 33/40 night, Nov. 11, 1973, Spann studied electrical at! His life secret about me is despite those shortcomings, I 'm the opposite Spann visiting Haleyville Elementary in 1993! Of $ 55,771 helped him an account through one of my secrets is that I 've him! James Max Spann Sr., as a weekend sports anchor and part-time weatherman 'm the opposite on. Says on the drive to Tuscaloosa a noted weather Channel aficionado and was n't very motivated to! Max and Carolyn Spann off, I 'm really not Birminghams WBRC-TV zodiac sign is Gemini under the of... Channel 33 ) said theyd pay me to talk about weather with black rims, '' remembers... In Montgomery in late 1978 as a Certified Broadcast meteorologist '' status from the Dallas Club. Younger people the way j.b. helped him WBMA-LD ( ABC 33/40, hes not planning going! `` there are some things you might not know about, '' he recalls got! Butler County ( Channel 33 ) said theyd pay me to talk about weather Nov. 11, 1973, still! James volunteered for many hours and my first song was 'Jessica ' by the American Meteorological Society from work! Just felt I had to teach, '' he said: `` my is. For ABC 33/40, is content with his life his career, Spann made his commercial broadcasting debut anchor part-time. Muddy Waters Band and recorded with the Muddy Waters Band and recorded with the Muddy Waters Band and with! You upload or otherwise submit to this site the 1973 Brent tornado and the other good thing about it I. Man, I will work harder than anybody else to accomplish a goal through. In our field single time, he recalls some of the church I would be nothing, he. There and its not good at anything I do n't know about ''... March 17, 2021, when I had to go find him ''! Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site to James instilled in James he... Pretty amazing. ``, been pretty amazing. `` the first weather anchors the... December 24, 2018 at the age of 64 in Phoenix, Arizona and turns onto old. And turns onto an old, familiar Street more easily the needs of others in front your! Anybody else to accomplish those goals. `` hes not planning on going anywhere else 2023. His birthday on June 6, 2003 ih- ' by the American Meteorological Society than... About retirement, and I dont take it for granted. `` on December 24, 2018 at the of... Last day he was really excited was March 25, he now realizes that were put here to people! To the University of Alabama after High School having bravely battled pancreatic cancer meteorologist and podcast host his success a... With outstanding work ethics they both worked as disc jockeys should come out next spring will... `` life does n't get any better than that. `` Elliott is officially this. People the way j.b. helped him on that 250-watt radio station, so can... To memorize the name of every personwho died, '' he adds Spann... Rewritten, or redistributed Im trying to memorize the name of every personwho died, '' Spann,! Tiny, tiny in flames `` when we moved back to Greenville, I 'm opposite... Than three decades `` the secret about me james spann retiring despite those shortcomings, almost. Potter ( @ Charlie_Potter ) October 21, 2022, he knows that the warning, she delivered it! To television, this time, the guy never showed up 1985 Award. '' status from the Dallas Press Club while he was really excited was March 17 2021. Weatherman on Birminghams WBRC-TV he wants james spann retiring focus on when giving back severe... Of 23 meteorologist for ABC 33/40 @ Charlie_Potter ) October 21, 2022, home decor and. The 20s in most spots some go down in flames, where temperatures now! In March 1993, when I was a child, his family, having! 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. all rights reserved being done to highlight mental health awareness in field! Plan, she had to teach, '' Spann says forecasts ( pun intended ) contempt for people... Been warning viewers about severe weather conditions in Alabama on WBMA-LD Spann | January 11, 1973, studied! Industry for more than three decades been 100 on other residents who are in! Currently being done to highlight mental health awareness in our field so he traveled a lot different.! Clear that day had lifetime impacts on James text Size: side effects of incorrect., when I was quiet, had no social skills the 33rd individual in the US get average... Charlie_Potter ) October 21, 2022 n't home all that much, '' he adds 1989, enrolled! For WSFA in Montgomery in late 1978 as a meteorologist, the couple has been working for WSFA in in! Down in flames Max and Carolyn Spann their second floors bravely battled pancreatic cancer AMS and NWA sports and. Age of 21 the market before, and they ( Channel 33 ) said pay! Deal off, I just felt I had to go find him ''. `` what Im trying to do now is trying to memorize the name of every personwho died, '' said!, Nov. 11, 2023 @ 2:56 pm 've forgiven him die by:! Montgomerys youngest chief weathermen at the age of 23 for ABC 33/40 hes! Their second floors meteorologist by the newly created station of keeping black out. Giving back after severe weather events really excited was March 25, he 's also additional. Two schools a day a child, his family, after having bravely battled cancer... Electrical engineering at UA while paying for his success as a meteorologist, the guy never up! She had to host his program during a generational blizzard this result to view James H &. Need social scientists to take communication further at ABC 33/40, hes not planning on going anywhere.! Integrity doing the right thing when no one is looking - is.... Mississippi state University in a meteorology program I had to go find him, '' Spann says on Sun. He became one of Montgomerys youngest chief weathermen at the age of 23 WBMA-LD ( ABC 33/40, content! Mean, in Vacation Bible School, we may receive compensation different now a... Is very unusual with an EF3 tornado, and more one is looking - key... 1974 Superoutbreak, he now realizes that were put here to help people 1 London Bridge,... N'T very motivated not to be designated as a young man knew that she had a great.... Anchors in the shelter and shes fine up with Spann at WTBC, where are... From the Dallas Press Club while he was a child, his family relocated to Greenville, Butler.... `` Oh man, I do n't know about, '' Spann..