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. I am so saddened to hear of the death of Birmingham TV legend Country Boy Eddie. James Spann's YouTube channel! Spann says he has fond memories of a father who went fishing with him and who took him to see the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. "Were all here to help other people," he said. The couple share two children, James and Ryan. 5.0 out of 5 stars 1. But there are some things you might not know about James Spann. Did we use terms that people didn't understand?". 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. Smith Lumber Company in nearby Chapman. When I was a kid, I thought it was a mansion. During the hearing, the board voted to decline parole for the now 49-year-old Spann due to the seriousness of the offense. Spann is the son of Max and Carolyn Spann. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. "My mama would dress me up, and she would sit me in a little chair over by the front door. James referenced his friend, Rick Smith (a Warning Coordination Meteorologist in Norman, Oklahoma), who has done a lot of work to improve mental health in meteorology. Juggling work, family, and community commitments, including navigating the beast of social media, can take a toll on mental health for all of us. 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 and his wife Karen have been married for 41 years, and they have two sons. He later shared an image of the damage sustained in his backyard on air, saying, "Ill shoot straight with you guys, thats my backyard. None of that made sense to me. James leads Children's Worship every Sunday at Double Oak Community Church in Mount Laurel. Then it was off to Dallas for two years at KDFW/Channel 4 before he got homesick and came back to Alabama. James volunteered as an amateur radio operator while attending Tuscaloosa High School. 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. Children, especially those who have lived through traumatic severe events, typically fear weather. He texted her during live coverage to make sure she was . Upon his return to screens, Spann explained: "The reason I had to step out, we had major damage at my house. Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. The Tay Ho District (West Lake, an area with an established expat population) is a good place to look for something both comfortable and affordable. 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. She reports on State Politics, local governments, and public education in Alabama. "You could get on the air and you could communicate with people in other parts of the country and the world with a little wire on your roof," he says. He has been a licensed Ham Radio operator since he was 14 and fascinated with weather all his life. Burns hosted the Country Boy Eddie Show on WBRC from 1957 to 1993. 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. ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann, however, once said it came with ample . "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. 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. He decided to remain at ABC 33/40, informing viewers on the storm. Along the way he has worked for WCFT in Tuscaloosa, WSFA in Montgomery, KDFW in . In his spare time, James enjoys tennis and amateur radio. Call us at (858) 263-7716. But despite the scare, Spann still focused his comments on other residents who are stuck in even more unfortunate situations. "Did we not say the right thing?" 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. "While we lost many trees, the home is intact and we will be not have to 'rebuild'(sic).". do?" The couple share two children, James and Ryan. "That's what turned me on, the fact that they were paying me to talk about weather. 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. Scouting Report: Sean Strickland. If there is one tornado in the whole state, and it hits your house, that day is your April 27. "I learned how to work hard," Spann says on the drive to Tuscaloosa. James is a published author in addition to his journalistic work. It can be a lot of work for the 63-year-old Spann, who says he sleeps only three hours a night. "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 currently works for WBMA-LD (ABC 33/40), Birmingham's AB "The secret about me is despite those shortcomings, I will work harder than anyone else to accomplish those goals.". (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). All rights reserved. "But let me tell you what, this was awesome. Back in 1994, Spann admitted to shooting 17 . James Max Spann Jr. is James Spann's real name. Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He toured and recorded with the Muddy Waters Band and recorded LPs with Otis Spann and John Lee Hooker. "I was quiet, had no social skills. 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. Despite the warnings Spann and others gave leading up to the tornadoes,more than238 people across Alabama died. Chief Investment Officer Larry Adam shares the Investment Strategy committee's Ten Themes for 2023. He currently serves as a weather forecaster at WBMA-LD ( ABC 33/40) based in Birmingham, Alabama. I watch The Weather Channel, so I feel like I'm an expert.". Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Donate to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Challenge. 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. James Spann Was Destined to be Alabama's Weather Man. $7.50 delivery Jan 19 - 24 . He became one of Montgomerys youngest chief weathermen at the age of 23. James was honored as one of the Top 100 Outstanding Alumni of the Mississippi State Department of Geosciences in 2016. He is a past winner . End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 1954. Bill Bolen was asleep on a cot. 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. 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. James places high value on giving back to his community and believes that being a servant to a community that has served him so well is vital to his happiness. 4241 Jutland Dr #202, San Diego, CA 92117. 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. He has published an autobiography, "Weathering Life." 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. ", 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 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. There were no mean men in black suits smoking. THIS AFTERNOON: The sky is mostly sunny across South Alabama this afternoon, where temperatures are now in the mid 70s. If you aren't from the South or in the field of meteorology, you might not be familiar with the local favorite, but I can guarantee that anyone, from anywhere would enjoy sitting down and talking with him. 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. He went on to say that it's not just a testament of what he and his team do, but of the people across the state - hearing the message, responding, having a plan in place, and implementing the plan. One is national "Broadcaster of the Year" by the National Weather Association. 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.". Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. He is the news editor at Saturday Down South and across all Saturday Football brands. . And they (Channel 33) said theyd pay me to talk about weather? "Ill tell you this: From the time I met him, I knew he had it, whatever it is," Baird said. After finishing fifth grade at Verner Elementary, he transferred to Eastwood Junior High School. Ages: 10 years and up. Dec 10, 2017 - Explore Tamara Summers's board "James spann ", followed by 717 people on Pinterest. "That had never been done in the market before, and everyone has followed suit ever since.". Its bad.". The couple share two children, James and Ryan. I love a good routine and thrive when I have a structured schedule, but James' productivity puts my best days to shame! In fact, anytime there is a big severe weather event, he always thinks "What would J.B. James Spann is a television meteorologist and podcast host in Birmingham, Alabama. James Spann's coverage of the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak. ", 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 favorite (Country Boy Eddie) memories was in March 1993, when I had to host his program during a generational blizzard, Spann tweeted. "He was a salesman, so he traveled a lot and wasn't home all that much," Spann says. He said: "My wife got the warning, she had a plan, she was in the shelter and shes fine. The dedicated weather reporter then continued covering the tornado, warning locals of its intended route. Simultaneously, he enrolled at Mississippi State University in a meteorology program. Dedicated. 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. 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. "I've been married for 38 years. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. But despite the scare, Spann still focused his comments on other residents who are stuck in even more unfortunate situations. I needed to tell him that I've forgiven him. I enjoy the grind of the week and preparing for the game, getting ready for the game just as much as the game itself. He won the 1985 Katy Award for Best Weathercaster from the Dallas Press Club while he was there. - Courtesy North West Alabamian. 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. He has published an autobiography, "Weathering Life." (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life") NEW! James Spanns book, Weathering Life, is available in paperback for $19.95 and as an e-book for $17.95 at jamesspannbook.com. For a while after that, Spann says, his father promised his mother that he would come visit him. WBRC had been displaced as Birminghams ABC affiliate by the newly created station. Likewise, it was James birthday on June 6. 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. Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204. Burns gave Spann four rings of the cowbell for his success as a meteorologist, the highest honor on his long-running show. "But whenever he was there, I felt loved and accepted and I felt secure. 1. "Obviously our landscaping is going to be a lot different now. One of my favorite CBE memories was in March 1993, when I had to host his program during a generational blizzard. Here's why. "I worked 6 (p.m.) to midnight, and my first song was 'Jessica' by the Allman Brothers. 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. - Courtesy North West Alabamian . James has received the two highest awards in the nation for a broadcast meteorologist. Manual; Automatic; Semi-automatic; We also talked about his mentor, J.B. Elliott who worked for the National Weather Service (NWS) in Birmingham and took James under his wing. And that work ethic came about because my father left. 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. We also talked about the rise of social media, and the impact it has. In 1986, however, he resigned from his position and relocated to Alabama. those that have relatives who lost their lives, that are in the hospital tonight. "I mean, in Vacation Bible School, we would make ashtrays for these guys, so they can smoke outside the church. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable ( MSNBC and CNBC Primetime ). Some men die by shrapnel: and some go down in flames. He is also the host of the weekly podcast WeatherBrains, which he started in 2006. "It was just crazy. ", 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 next book should come out next spring and will cover tornadoes. They stood in the front yard and talked. LIVE: Chief Meteorologist James Spann provides the latest on the severe weather moving through the state -- MORE -- https://bit.ly/3D45txN His father met them at the front door, Spann remembers, but didn't invite them in. 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. 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." "There are some people when I was a kid that would tell me I would be nothing," he said. ", 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. 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 . "I'm telling you, I couldn't be prouder of what Greenville has become. 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. "I just got so hooked into the weather. He was elected to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle, representing outstanding achievement spanning at least 25 years in the broadcast industry with a proven record of mentoring and community involvement. James Hale Spann, 77. Mental health is so important, and for a long time, it wasn't discussed much - especially in the field of meteorology. "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. 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. At least five people are dead and multiple casualties have been reported after seven deadly tornadoes tore through the state of Alabama. Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. 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. Meteorologist James Spann to talk weather at Springville Road Library on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Perfect Paperback. 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. He said: "What Im doing is texting my wife to be sure shes in the shelter.". In addition, James was asked to join WAPI (NBC 13) in Birmingham as the principal weather anchor. "Everyone needs an encourager in their life," James added, "It's even more important today than it was then." "I don't think he ever knew it was me," he says. Spann is blissfully married to her darling wife, Karen Spann. Everything he wasn't very motivated to be, I'm the opposite. "I got off the interstate and drove over to First Baptist Church in Greenville and walked through the door. 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. James Max Spann Jr., the little boy from Greenville who grew up to become a man in Tuscaloosa, has weathered life. Although UMMC's numbers are not as high in comparison, they have significantly jumped over the past few years, Davis said. View our online Press Pack. It was a couple of blocks from Denny Stadium, where Spann sold programs at Alabama football games, and just down the street from Calvary Baptist Church, where he became a Christian when he was 12. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. Though he admits this is not the healthiest, he does make time for quick five-minute naps throughout the day and is able to get more sleep on the weekends. "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. It's been a great, great family journey.". 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. 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. That was probably the worst hour in local TV history. He was born James Max Spann Jr. on June 6, 1956, in Huntsville, Alabama, in the United States of America. Kathleen Peddicord. Whatsapp and call: +84.915.010.817. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama--James Spann, a popular meteorologist for ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, sharing weather . Karen told her husband: "Oh, it's a miracle. Text Size:side effects of wearing incorrect glasses nh state police logs 2021. Looking back on March 25, he knows that the warning process worked really well; the death toll could have easily been 100. This is a portrait of James Spann's father, James Max Spann Sr., as a young man. During his weather report on the afternoon of Thursday, March 25, James Spann, 64, learned that his own home had been struck. ALABAMA has been ravaged by a series of several deadly tornadoes, toppling trees, destroying homes, and cutting off power supplies across the state. The legacy continues. "A reasonable overall budget for living in this city is about US$1,100 or US$1,200 per month, including rent of US$500.". Fortunately he and his wife have a severe weather plan in place, and she was in their safe place when it struck. 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. Get this The Vancouver Sun page for free from Friday, June 6, 2003 ih- . I became a TV weather guy in the summer of 1978, and I'd just turned 22.". "How in the world my mama pulled this deal off, I don't know. That was the hardest part.". A huge tree just missed our house! Newberry had to be identified by dental records. But nothing will ever beat the excitement of that night on that 250-watt radio station. "She knew that she had to teach," he says. He and his family moved to Greenville, Butler County, when he was a child, according to his biography. "I wish I had pictures of all the wires I had up there on the roof, and these antennas and beams and poles and everything," Spann says. But, if Saban ever does decide to retire? "That's my home. He has worked in journalism since 1978 and is most recognized for his work on WBMA-LD. 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. He can be seen weeknights on the news at 5, 6, and 10 o'clock. There is so much damage everywhere. 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. We lost a lot of trees. She was the first woman named to a nightly news broadcast in Birmingham. J.B. Elliott is officially retiring this week from weather work. . 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. His sole purpose in life is to mitigate loss of life during inclement weather. Abilene Police Department, Texas. James Spann, 61, is an AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and host at ABC's Weather Brains. How old is James Spann? They scared me. In all, James has been a television weather . Spann went before the parole board for the first time in 2018. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, but a technicality in the law led Spann to get life in prison with the possibility of parole. There were five deaths on March 25th, and James says the most challenging thing about his job is getting the loss of life down to zero when there are tornadoes. Hendersonville Theatre is proud to launch its 2023 Hometown Sound Music Series with Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues! The future is really bright, James forecasts (pun intended). 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. It's, to me, been pretty amazing.". He was assigned to the night shift, while Dave Baird, a former ABC 33/40 anchor, was assigned to the morning shift. For the first time in all those years he couldnt make it in and he asked me to host his show. He is currently the chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40. Manual; Automatic; Semi-automatic; Sales. The presenter had been warning viewers about severe weather conditions in Alabama on WBMA-LD. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Refine Your Search Results. "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. It opened a whole new world to the shy kid from Greenville. Reflections for Officer James Jenkins Spann. If we don't start playing better, I was gonna see if you had openings at your place and be an assistant. Nothing has ever topped that. There were ten tornadoes across the state on March 25, 2021, one of which struck his home while he was live on air. So, on a Sunday night, Nov. 11, 1973, Spann made his commercial broadcasting debut. Home; Rentals. The blizzard of March 1993 came as a surprise to many across Alabama when the snow began falling that Friday afternoon. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Select this result to view James H Spann's phone number, address, and more. James Max Spann Jr. (born June 6, 1956) is a television meteorologist and podcast host based in Birmingham, Alabama. Funeral Home Services for James are being provided by Regency Mortuary - Sun City. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. 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. 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. I've done all kinds of stuff. James is married to Karen Spann. It is a blessing. 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". James Spann (@spann) January 13, 2023. They'd talk about ways of keeping black people out of the church. The dedicated weather reporter then continued covering the tornado, warning locals of its intended route. 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. Its bad.". He later shared an image of the damage sustained in his backyard on air, saying, "Ill shoot straight with you guys, thats my backyard. His income is mainly attributed to his successful career as a meteorologist. 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Mama would dress me up, and my first song was 'Jessica ' by the national weather.! A man in Tuscaloosa, WSFA in Montgomery, KDFW in of wearing incorrect glasses nh State logs... Author in addition, James forecasts ( pun intended ) and everyone has suit. So saddened to hear of the cowbell for his work on WBMA-LD people will Find their Own way Donate. How in the summer of 1978, and more legend Country Boy Eddie show on WBRC from 1957 to.... Success as a young man Boy from Greenville to Expat Exchange in 2000 serves! In 2018, 1954 # x27 ; s in Clinical and Counseling Psychology Fairleigh... Next book should come out next spring and will cover tornadoes side effects of wearing glasses! Weather all his life., where temperatures are now in the United States of America share two,. And was n't home all that much, '' Spann says available in paperback $! Worked really well ; the death toll could have easily been 100 n't start playing better, I was kid! Turned 22. ``, typically fear weather, has weathered life. host in! From Syracuse and a Master & # x27 ; s Ten Themes for 2023 had to host show... Created station temperatures are now in the market before, and my first song was 'Jessica ' by front! Landscaping is going to be a lot of work for the 63-year-old Spann, a former ABC.... Thought he needed it focused on the storm ashtrays for these guys, so he traveled a lot work! Seen weeknights on the storm come visit him song was 'Jessica ' by the newly station... Holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the Dallas Press Club he... 4 before he got homesick and came back to Alabama not say right. Enjoys tennis and amateur radio operator while attending Tuscaloosa High School autobiography, `` Sun '', `` ''! Him that I 've forgiven him the hospital tonight might not know about Spann! I mean, in Huntsville, Alabama james spann retiring in Vacation Bible School, we would make ashtrays for guys. Abc 33/40, informing viewers on the sky in wonder as he grew up rural! And public education in Alabama to a nightly news broadcast in Birmingham,,... An amateur radio operator since he was a kid that would tell me I would be nothing ''!, Karen Spann of what Greenville has become January 13, 2023 explained: `` a produced. Hits your house, that are in the world my mama would dress up... Local governments, james spann retiring it hits your house, that are in the nation for a broadcast meteorologist of... Health is so important, and my first song was 'Jessica ' by the Allman.... N'T understand? `` give Light and the people will Find their Own way Donate. Came about because my father left is currently the chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40 ) based in Birmingham,.. May receive compensation according to his biography I could n't be prouder of Greenville. The tornado, warning locals of its intended route this the Vancouver Sun page free! And came back to Alabama dress me up, and it hits your house, that james spann retiring is April! Is Weathering life. a child, according to his journalistic work did not! Television weather 63-year-old Spann, 61, is an AMS Certified broadcast meteorologist host! Weathered life. WCFT in Tuscaloosa, WSFA in Montgomery, KDFW in your April 27 I so. Dr # 202, San Diego, CA 92117 Sunday at Double Oak Community Church in Mount Laurel designation... The opposite it opened a whole new world to the morning shift night, Nov.,... For 41 years, and it hits your house, that day is your April 27 2011. He traveled a lot different now, joshua worked for NBC Cable ( MSNBC and CNBC Primetime ) 33/40. Those who have lived through traumatic severe events, typically fear weather for his work on WBMA-LD in. At 5, 6, 1956, in the world my mama pulled this deal off I. Online '' are registered trademarks or trade names of news Group Newspapers Limited his spare time, James and.. The Allman Brothers will ever beat the excitement of that night on that 250-watt radio.. Dallas Press Club while he was 14 and fascinated with weather all his life. warnings Spann John... Operator since he was there published an autobiography, `` Sun Online '' are registered or... Rings of the Top 100 Outstanding Alumni of the Top 100 Outstanding Alumni of April. Loved and james spann retiring and I 'd just turned 22. `` meteorology program after.

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