. James Max Spann Jr. (born June 6, 1956) is a television meteorologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. 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. So, on a Sunday night, Nov. 11, 1973, Spann made his commercial broadcasting debut. 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. 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. Spann has been working in the journalism field since 1978. James leads Children's Worship every Sunday at Double Oak Community Church in Mount Laurel. He currently works for WBMA-LD (ABC 33/40), Birmingham's AB James volunteered as an amateur radio operator while attending Tuscaloosa High School. We support responsible gambling. A convicted killer serving a life sentence will go before the parole board asking for an early release. //abc3340.com . OK. "So, I left the radio station to go to work for Channel 33. Spann is the son of Max and Carolyn Spann. 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. There is so much damage everywhere. 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. those that have relatives who lost their lives, that are in the hospital tonight. One of my favorite CBE memories was in March 1993, when I had to host his program during a generational blizzard. Who is that, you ask? He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. "There are some people when I was a kid that would tell me I would be nothing," he said. James Spann's house hit by tornado. He also has been awarded the Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association and holds a certificate in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University. James's passion for protecting people is evident - which is why he visits schools every day! First - he wants someone who has an impeccable work ethic and will work harder than he does. James Spann's YouTube channel! He toured and recorded with the Muddy Waters Band and recorded LPs with Otis Spann and John Lee Hooker. Nothing has ever topped that. Newberry had to be identified by dental records. (Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com). Bill Naugher, CEO of Crest Publishers, said the book shows a part of Spann not many people get to see. by James Spann weather tornados storms hurricanes snow ice radar | Jan 1, 2016. James Spann was born in Alabama on June 6, 1956. After overcoming adversity as a youth, James channeled his passion for the weather into a long and fruitful career as a professional meteorologist. 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. Bill Bolen was asleep on a cot. In all, James has been a television weather anchor for 44 years. - Courtesy North West Alabamian . 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. Burns gave Spann four rings of the cowbell for his success as a meteorologist, the highest honor on his long-running show. Dedicated. I needed to tell him that I've forgiven him. "I needed it, and I thought he needed it. And weather phenomenons do not discriminate - seen during meteorologist James Spann's coverage of the deadly conditions. James Spann has made his way into our homes as the clean-cut weather anchor excited to share the latest details on an approaching storm. 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. Along the way he has worked for WCFT in Tuscaloosa, WSFA in Montgomery, KDFW in . "These are my people," he likes to say. . ", BBC1's live FA Cup coverage hit by porn noises from mobile hidden by prankster, Three major energy suppliers paying you to turn off appliances tonight, Major bar chain to close on Mondays and Tuesdays due to rocketing energy bills, Gran's tribute to girl, 4, & mum killed after being hit by racing Audi', News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. He can be seen weeknights on the news at 5, 6, and 10 o'clock. However, just because the state might not experience a massive outbreak as it did on that day, all it takes is one tornado. After the tornadoes hit Jasper, Alabama in 1974, James volunteered for many hours. He has published an autobiography, "Weathering Life." James talked highly of the next generation, praising the younger and upcoming workforce as brilliant with outstanding work ethics. There is so much damage everywhere. ", 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). ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann, however, once said it came with ample warning. The couple share two children, James and . If there is one tornado in the whole state, and it hits your house, that day is your April 27. Nick Saban is a noted Weather Channel aficionado and was joined by meteorologist James Spann for his Thursday evening radio show this week. James Spann (@spann) January 13, 2023. That was the hardest part.". Juggling work, family, and community commitments, including navigating the beast of social media, can take a toll on mental health for all of us. They knew I couldn't afford a ham radio, but they would give me their old equipment to use.". 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 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. Here's why. James Spann, 61, is an AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and host at ABC's Weather Brains. NEW! The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. ", 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. Also, the host of WeatherBrains, and a genuine weather dweeb/dork/nerd/weenie. One is national "Broadcaster of the Year" by the National Weather Association. The last day he was really excited was March 17, 2021, when a system produced 25tornadoesacross the state of Alabama. He later shared an image of the damage sustained in his backyard on air, saying, "Ill shoot straight with you guys, thats my backyard. Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. James Spann is the chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Ala. "I've been married for 38 years. 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. I picked up the phone and as soon as I heard his voice I knew who it was. Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. But nothing will ever beat the excitement of that night on that 250-watt radio station. I watch The Weather Channel, so I feel like I'm an expert.". "But whenever he was there, I felt loved and accepted and I felt secure. Upon his return to screens, Spann explained: "The reason I had to step out, we had major damage at my house. 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. He stops the ABC 33/40 Jeep Storm Chaser in front of the ranch-style house at 4 Fairway Drive and looks out the driver's-side window. He loves tennis so much that he plays for two to four hours at a time! View our online Press Pack. 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. Spann asked Saban if he ever gets tired of getting asked about retirement, and Saban had a great response. 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. James Spann is a television meteorologist based in Birmingham, Alabama. End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 1954. ", James Spann visiting Haleyville Elementary in March 2020. 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. He usually wraps up these activities around 8:00 AM, and then heads off to talk to a school. In all, James has been a television weather . Hendersonville Theatre is proud to launch its 2023 Hometown Sound Music Series with Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues! The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. What to expect; First visit; FAQ; Our Practice; Why? James Max Spann Jr. (born June 6, 1956) is a television meteorologist and podcast host based in Birmingham, Alabama. All rights reserved (About Us). Dec 10, 2017 - Explore Tamara Summers's board "James spann ", followed by 717 people on Pinterest. Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204. Carolyn worked as a secretary at Greenville High School, while his father, Max, was a timber salesman. "Life doesn't get any better than that.". Whatsapp and call: +84.915.010.817. James Spann is a television meteorologist and podcast host in Birmingham, Alabama. The blizzard of March 1993 came as a surprise to many across Alabama when the snow began falling that Friday afternoon. "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. 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. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. "It was just crazy. His wife took shelter in their home as a tornado bore down on March 25. "I don't think he ever knew it was me," he says. Not long after his father left them, Spann and his mother moved to her family's home in Ashville, in St. Clair County, but they came back to Greenville a year later. He was assigned to the night shift, while Dave Baird, a former ABC 33/40 anchor, was assigned to the morning shift. Though some might think it's silly for an "older" person to be on these platforms, if he can reach someone there who would never watch them on TV, to let them know that a severe threat is imminent, then it's 100% worth it to him. When Channel 13 was sold to Times Mirror and renamed WVTM-TV in 1980, James impressed his new supervisors enough that he was transferred to KDFW, a Dallas-based sister station, in 1984. Select this result to view James H Spann's phone number, address, and more. There were no mean men in black suits smoking. Fortunately he and his wife have a severe weather plan in place, and she was in their safe place when it struck. Burns hosted the Country Boy Eddie Show on WBRC from 1957 to 1993. 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." Preview: UFC Fight Night 217 'Strickland vs. Imavov'. The University of West Alabama conferred an honorary doctor of laws degree to James in 2013. They scared me. 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. We had been in a little box of an apartment, just tiny, tiny. And I dont take it for granted.". 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. They stood in the front yard and talked. "And they gave him my name.". James Spann pulls off Tuscaloosas Hargrove Road and turns onto an old, familiar street. 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. 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 A weatherman without a station, he returned to radio when he and a couple of old friends -- Tom Stipe, the longtime producer of the Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network, and Dave Baird, whom Spann had known since their days together at WTBC in Tuscaloosa -- bought an AM-FM combination in Demopolis, in Marengo County. ", Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) October 21, 2022. Hard-working. Abilene Police Department, Texas. Call us at (858) 263-7716. Spann has worked in the field since 1978, and is often praised for his easy-to-understand and likely life-saving forecasting during the destructive 2011 Super Outbreak. ", This is a school photo taken of James Spann around 1970. "I learned how to work hard," Spann says on the drive to Tuscaloosa. We lost a lot of trees. 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. However, it's clear that day had lifetime impacts on James. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. Fortunately for James and his family, neither he nor his relatives were impacted directly by a tornado on April 27, 2011. An only child, James Max Spann Jr. was born in Huntsville and his family moved to Athens when he was a toddler. And she got us into this house right here. 2023 www.tuscaloosanews.com. James is the Chairman of the Board of Grandview Medical Center, and is a member of the University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences Board of Visitors. He is the news editor at Saturday Down South and across all Saturday Football brands. Then it was off to Dallas for two years at KDFW/Channel 4 before he got homesick and came back to Alabama. 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. Looking back on March 25, he knows that the warning process worked really well; the death toll could have easily been 100. "This is the great secret about James Spann: Im not the greatest at anything I do," he said. Through the years, their paths would cross again when they both joined 33/40 in 1996. those that have relatives who lost their lives, that are in the hospital tonight. 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. Georgia rallies, survives on missed field goal to beat Ohio State, reach national title game. He also expects and wants you to LOVE weather and what you dowhich makes it easy to work hard. 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. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. (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 . We lost a lot of trees. His passion and dedication were apparent as he spoke of his schedule; it was clear that this is what he wants. I've done all kinds of stuff. It's been a great, great family journey.". 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 . Friendly. "Thats the night I lost my innocence," he said. CNN's American meteorologist Allison Chinchar has a net worth of $500,000. 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. Her family was in attendance again to argue against his release. Did we use terms that people didn't understand?". Text Size:side effects of wearing incorrect glasses nh state police logs 2021. 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. April 27 happened on his watch. In order to combat this, he tries getting "off the grid" every Sunday by going to play tennis. "But let me tell you what, this was awesome. Simultaneously, he enrolled at Mississippi State University in a meteorology program. James Spann reflects on April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak, As Alabama's most recognizable TV weatherman, James Spann takes it personally. His wife, Karen, was present in the residence when it got hit - but luckily made it to safety in their in-home shelter. Refine Your Search Results. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. "They all looked the same -- black suits, black ties and these glasses with black rims," Spann remembers. . This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. The couple share two children, James and Ryan. 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. When I was a kid, I thought it was a mansion. He actually published a book, "All You Can Do Is Pray" on the ten year anniversary in order to preserve the day, including everything from the insides of working in a weather office to the untold stories of the victims. "I mean, in Vacation Bible School, we would make ashtrays for these guys, so they can smoke outside the church. "That's what turned me on, the fact that they were paying me to talk about weather. As he mentioned while discussing preparedness, the current broadcast model is becoming dated, but reinvention is coming and will continue to make our field better. "They were ham radio operators who saw a fatherless child in a low-income family and helped me with knowledge and equipment. During this time, he's also producing additional radio segments and writing an afternoon weather discussion with another video. ALABAMA has been ravaged by a series of several deadly tornadoes, toppling trees, destroying homes, and cutting off power supplies across the state. 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. "And I was, you know, 6, 7 years old and thinking this is just warped. 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." James has been working in the journalism field since 1978. Obituary. Those are the people he wants to focus on when giving back after severe weather events. Children, especially those who have lived through traumatic severe events, typically fear weather. Bill Castle shot this video in 2013. After retiring from the NWS, J.B. joined James at his private weather company and worked there until he passed away seven years ago, though he remains in spirit. "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. $7.50 delivery Jan 19 - 24 . 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. "Were all here to help other people," he said. Recorded January 9, 2023 at 4 p.m. But there are some things you might not know about James Spann. "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. . "I'm telling you, I couldn't be prouder of what Greenville has become. 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. "That's very motivating for me.". But, if Saban ever does decide to retire? $19.95 $ 19. I've been with the department 24 and have a son planning on getting into the academy. James Spann's wife is Karen Spann. In all, James has been a television weather anchor for 32 years. Then, one day in the fall of 1963, when Spann was in the second grade, Max Spann walked out on his son and his wife and never came back. James loves working with his interns, and says he looks for three key qualities when choosing anyone who works with him. Alabama Blues Hall of Fame member Mac Arnold's first band included James Brown on piano. Ages: 10 years and up. He is also always (24 hours a day/7 days a week) monitoring his social media, trying to monitor people's questions across all social platforms, which seems to be me like a full-time job in itself! LIVE: Chief Meteorologist James Spann provides the latest on the severe weather moving through the state -- MORE -- https://bit.ly/3D45txN She was the first woman named to a nightly news broadcast in Birmingham. Every time there is a severe weather threat in Alabama, people ask James' least favorite question- "Will it be like April 27, 2011?" 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "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. 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. 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 was born James Max Spann Jr. on June 6, 1956, in Huntsville, Alabama, in the United States of America. 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. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. To him, that will be decided by other people. In addition, he celebrates his birthday on the 6th of January every year, and his zodiac sign is Gemini. James was honored as one of the Top 100 Outstanding Alumni of the Mississippi State Department of Geosciences in 2016. A huge tree just missed our house! | Feb 28, 2014. The industry pioneer in UFC, Bellator and all things MMA (aka Ultimate Fighting). I became a TV weather guy in the summer of 1978, and I'd just turned 22.". 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. And they would sit out there on the front steps of the church and they would say these horrible things. Its bad.". She reports on State Politics, local governments, and public education in Alabama. Georgia destroys TCU to repeat as national champs, Rapid Reaction: LSU dominates Purdue in short-handed Citrus Bowl wipeout, Rapid Reaction: Mississippi State swings its sword, wins ReliaQuest Bowl on last-second field goal, Rapid Reaction: Unreal! He said: "My wife got the warning, she had a plan, she was in the shelter and shes fine. His sole purpose in life is to mitigate loss of life during inclement weather. Here's how to deal with finances before, during and - if needed - after marriage. "The secret about me is despite those shortcomings, I will work harder than anyone else to accomplish those goals.". "You could always tell he was going to have a huge career.". 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. James was thereafter transferred to Tuscaloosa High School, where he received his diploma in 1974. In fact, anytime there is a big severe weather event, he always thinks "What would J.B. do Leave a Reflection. There was zero loss of life and no serious injuries, despite some significant tornadoes, and James couldn't say enough about how happy that made him. Look out for the needs of others before your own. "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. See more ideas about james spann, storm chasing, tornado season. We note a few isolated showers near the Gulf Coast, but the weather is dry elsewhere. James has earned multiple Emmy awards over the years. After serving more than 25 years he was eligible for parole for a second time on Wednesday morning. 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. 95. One of his largest philanthropic commitments is serving as the chairman of a board of large hospital in Birmingham. Call 0915 010 817. Spann today paid tribute to Burns on Twitter. Kathleen Peddicord. 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. 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. 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. The lovely pair has two amazing sons; J.P Spann and Ryan Christopher Spann and even grandson, Kason Paul. "My mama would dress me up, and she would sit me in a little chair over by the front door. 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. While he was a child, his family relocated to Greenville, Butler County. 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. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. But I will work harder than anybody else to accomplish a goal. James also was the winner of the AMS (American Meteorological Society) "Award for Broadcast Meteorology". Connect With James Spann 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. This time, hes home for good. Whether it's dealing with trolls on social media or suffering from PTSD after a traumatic weather event, the job can be quite challenging, and it's refreshing to see such a focus being put on mental health. His father died just a couple of years later, and Spann spread his ashes at the family gravesite in Industry, a little community back home in Butler County. Additionally, as of 2020, Spann's estimated net worth is $2 million. These are just a few words to describe James Spann, whom I recently had the privilege of speaking with. James Spann wedded to surge instructor, Karen Spann on June 6, 1981. "Everyone needs an encourager in their life," James added, "It's even more important today than it was then." Advertisement. His philosophy is simple and focuses on doing three simple things to achieve financial . They have also lived in Sanford, FL and Altamonte Springs, FL. Moreover, in Demopolis, Alabama, he co-owned a tiny AM-FM radio station with Dave Baird.