James was thereafter transferred to Tuscaloosa High School, where he received his diploma in 1974. During his live-on-air report on Thursday (March 25th), James learned that his home in Alabama was hit by a tornado. A huge tree just missed our house! The American Academy of Pediatrics this month reported data that shows a 1,375 percent increase in children's consumption of "edibles," or food products infused with marijuana, between 2017-2021. In fact, anytime there is a big severe weather event, he always thinks "What would J.B. 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. "Did we not say the right thing?" His income is mainly attributed to his successful career as a meteorologist. which is such a beautiful legacy for someone to have left behind. Then it was off to Dallas for two years at KDFW/Channel 4 before he got homesick and came back to Alabama. "I'm telling you, I couldn't be prouder of what Greenville has become. He has been a licensed Ham Radio operator since he was 14 and fascinated with weather all his life. 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. Spann receives an estimated annual salary ranging from $45,000 to $112,500. An only child, James Max Spann Jr. was born in Huntsville and his family moved to Athens when he was a toddler. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). Whatsapp and call: +84.915.010.817. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. And she got us into this house right here. Spann has been working in the journalism field since 1978. "They all looked the same -- black suits, black ties and these glasses with black rims," Spann remembers. 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. His sole purpose in life is to mitigate loss of life during inclement weather. The industry pioneer in UFC, Bellator and all things MMA (aka Ultimate Fighting). I am so saddened to hear of the death of Birmingham TV legend Country Boy Eddie. In addition, meteorologists in the US get an average salary of $55,771. However, just because the state might not experience a massive outbreak as it did on that day, all it takes is one tornado. 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. "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. To him, that will be decided by other people. He is currently the chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40. There is massive importance to integrity. Home; Rentals. Secondly, integrity doing the right thing when no one is looking - is key. James Max Spann Jr., the little boy from Greenville who grew up to become a man in Tuscaloosa, has weathered life. Our Classes. Juggling work, family, and community commitments, including navigating the beast of social media, can take a toll on mental health for all of us. However, it's clear that day had lifetime impacts on James. Hendersonville Theatre is proud to launch its 2023 Hometown Sound Music Series with Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues! Upon his return to screens, Spann explained: "The reason I had to step out, we had major damage at my house. The couple share two children, James and . The couple share two children, James and Ryan. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. That was probably the worst hour in local TV history. (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). James has received the two highest awards in the nation for a broadcast meteorologist. 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. 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 loves working with his interns, and says he looks for three key qualities when choosing anyone who works with him. "Out of everything in my life on the professional side, that was the most exciting night. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 10th at 2 PM at the Tuckahoe Christian Church of Trenton, NC with pastor Roger Noble . And weather phenomenons do not discriminate - seen during meteorologist James Spann's coverage of the deadly conditions. 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. His mother, Carolyn, worked as a secretary at Greenville High School, and his father sold lumber for the W.T. Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. Simultaneously, he enrolled at Mississippi State University in a meteorology program. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. Here's how to deal with finances before, during and - if needed - after marriage. James Spann is an American Emmy Award-winning meteorologist and a podcast host based in Birmingham, Alabama, He presently works for WBMA-LD, ABC 33/40, Birmingham's ABC affiliate. ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann, however, once said it came with ample warning. Ages: 10 years and up. ", 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. Carolyn Spann had promised her son that she would get them a bigger place to live, and two years later, after she finished her degree and started teaching English at Tuscaloosa High School, they moved into that house on Fairway Drive. But despite the scare, Spann still focused his comments on other residents who are stuck in even more unfortunate situations. Call 0915 010 817. UFC Fight . 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. . And I dont take it for granted.". He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He was on the air for 37 years. She came to WVTM in 1977. He became one of Montgomerys youngest chief weathermen at the age of 23. "Life doesn't get any better than that.". 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. James spent his early childhood in Greenville, a small town in southern Alabama, and though this part of his journey will not be shared in today's blog, I think it's something many will resonate with. . I was blessed because of that experience.". Additionally, as of 2020, Spann's estimated net worth is $2 million. Spann has been in the television and radio weather industry for more than three decades. 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. "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. James has earned multiple Emmy awards over the years. 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. Though there was widespread news coverage, when you have 62 tornadoes in one day, some will slip between the cracks (especially ten years ago when social media was around, but not as widely used as it is now). We raised two boys. "One of my secrets is that I'm not good at anything I do -- I'm really not. "How in the world my mama pulled this deal off, I don't know. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. 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. 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. 5.0 out of 5 stars 1. "If I didn't go to Tuscaloosa, I wouldn't be doing weather," he says. James Spann, 61, is an AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and host at ABC's Weather Brains. James Spann wedded to surge instructor, Karen Spann on June 6, 1981. Obituary. Well, he joked that hed apply to be Spanns assistant at the Weather Channel: Saban to Spann: "I certainly would never wanna ride the program down if I didn't feel like I was doing a good job. Email us: jameshanoimotorbikes@gmail.com. The presenter had been warning viewers about severe weather conditions in Alabama on WBMA-LD. 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. We said this thing would bring six inches and people wouldnt believe it. It's been a great, great family journey.". He believes that getting to kids while they're young his huge, but he can't talk to every child across the worldso he recently commissioned his wife and son (whom he credits with being much more creative than him) to write a children's book, "Benny and Chipper: PreparedNot Scared." Follow on, Paul Finebaum addresses the defensive coordinator candidate that would satisfy Crimson Tide fans, Micah DeBose, 2025 4-star OT, announces SEC commitment, Deion Sanders draws rave reviews from fans on social media after appearing on MNF ManningCast, Rapid Reaction: Back-to-back! To earn the CBM, broadcasters must hold a degree in meteorology or equivalent from an accredited college or university, pass a rigorous written examination, and have their on-air work reviewed to assess technical competence, informational value, explanatory value, and communication skills. 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. 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. "Those things in your life shape you.". "I needed it, and I thought he needed it. James Spann's wife is Karen Spann. $19.95 $ 19. They knew I couldn't afford a ham radio, but they would give me their old equipment to use.". Recorded January 9, 2023 at 4 p.m. The call letters, WBBR, stood for Black Bear Radio, in honor of the school mascot. "But whenever he was there, I felt loved and accepted and I felt secure. those that have relatives who lost their lives, that are in the hospital tonight. He was born James Max Spann Jr. on June 6, 1956, in Huntsville, Alabama, in the United States of America. Here's why. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. 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. "He moved us into a really nice house in Greenville. James Spann is a television meteorologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. But despite the scare, Spann still focused his comments on other residents who are stuck in even more unfortunate situations. "It was like their uniform or something. Spann today paid tribute to Burns on Twitter. He won the 1985 Katy Award for Best Weathercaster from the Dallas Press Club while he was there. "I don't think he ever knew it was me," he says. 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. He currently works for WBMA-LD (ABC 33/40), Birmingham's ABC affiliate. 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. "That had never been done in the market before, and everyone has followed suit ever since.". But I will work harder than anybody else to accomplish a goal. Source of the photo: Mike Smith's blog. "Did we not use the right facial expressions? Bill Castle shot this video in 2013 pic.twitter.com/v66RKG8dho. James Max Spann Jr. (born June 6, 1956) is a television meteorologist and podcast host based in Birmingham, Alabama. 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. His wife, Karen, was present in the residence when it got hit - but luckily made it to safety in their in-home shelter. Text Size:side effects of wearing incorrect glasses nh state police logs 2021. "I was the news anchor at 6 o'clock, and I'd do the weather at 10 o'clock," he says. those that have relatives who lost their lives, that are in the hospital tonight. James is married to Karen Spann. He also expects and wants you to LOVE weather and what you dowhich makes it easy to work hard. Spann is blissfully married to her darling wife, Karen Spann. 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. The presenter had been warning viewers about severe weather conditions in Alabama on WBMA-LD. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable ( MSNBC and CNBC Primetime ). "Thats the night I lost my innocence," he said. Dedicated. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. 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. Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He said: "What Im doing is texting my wife to be sure shes in the shelter.". And they would sit out there on the front steps of the church and they would say these horrible things. It opened a whole new world to the shy kid from Greenville. If we don't start playing better, I was gonna see if you had openings at your place and be an assistant. Spann has an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $5 million as of 2023. "You could always tell he was going to have a huge career.". James Spann ( Full name James Max Spann Jr) is an American meteorologist and podcast host. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. His wife took shelter in their home as a tornado bore down on March 25. Alabama meteorologist James Spann was broadcasting live when severe weather struck his own home. "Thank goodness for these men, these men who stepped up to fill the gap in my life," Spann says. He also became a writer who specialized in weather-related topics. J.B. is my mentor, and the main reason I am a professional meteorologist today. 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. He usually wraps up these activities around 8:00 AM, and then heads off to talk to a school. 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. Spann asked Saban if he ever gets tired of getting asked about retirement, and Saban had a great response. I just needed that. "When we moved back to Greenville, I just assumed we were going to stay there," Spann says. In all, James has been a television weather anchor for 44 years. James Spann (@spann) January 13, 2023. Baird came up with Spann at WTBC, where they both worked as disc jockeys. The blizzard of March 1993 came as a surprise to many across Alabama when the snow began falling that Friday afternoon. Her family was in attendance again to argue against his release. He said: "What Im doing is texting my wife to be sure shes in the shelter.". In the early 90s, he earned his certificate in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University through the schools distance learning program. James W. Spann (Jim), 88 of Richlands, passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, in Fayetteville, NC. We note a few isolated showers near the Gulf Coast, but the weather is dry elsewhere. James Spanns book, Weathering Life, is available in paperback for $19.95 and as an e-book for $17.95 at jamesspannbook.com. I never did see the 10 o'clock news until I retired." Speaking about his retirement . End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 1954. In order to combat this, he tries getting "off the grid" every Sunday by going to play tennis. During his weather report on the afternoon of Thursday, March 25, James Spann, 64, learned that his own home had been struck. 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. (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). 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. Mrs. Spann died on Dec. 9, 2018, at 86. (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). 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. It can be a lot of work for the 63-year-old Spann, who says he sleeps only three hours a night. Spann does not think too much about his legacy. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 95. He hosts the weekly podcast known as WeatherBrains which he began airing in 2006. He's . 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