He was assigned to the night shift, while Dave Baird, a former ABC 33/40 anchor, was assigned to the morning shift. Here's why. James-Paul (J.p) Spann, 33 years of age, is a senior child and Ryan Christopher Spann, 20 years of age, is more youthful child. (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). These are just a few words to describe James Spann, whom I recently had the privilege of speaking with. 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. those that have relatives who lost their lives, that are in the hospital tonight. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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 . His wife, Karen, was present in the residence when it got hit - but luckily made it to safety in their in-home shelter. 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. James Spann's wife is Karen Spann. He joined ABC 33/40 one month after the station signed on the air in the fall of 1996. 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. 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. None of that made sense to me. 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. I needed to tell him that I've forgiven him. "Weathering Life," set to be released June 29 by Crest Publishers, was an effort 10 years in the making for Spann. If there is one tornado in the whole state, and it hits your house, that day is your April 27. 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. Burns gave Spann four rings of the cowbell for his success as a meteorologist, the highest honor on his long-running show. It can be a lot of work for the 63-year-old Spann, who says he sleeps only three hours a night. 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. "Obviously our landscaping is going to be a lot different now. "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. "That had never been done in the market before, and everyone has followed suit ever since.". The dedicated weather reporter then continued covering the tornado, warning locals of its intended route. 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. Recorded January 9, 2023 at 4 p.m. The couple share two children, James and Ryan. He was born on June 6, 1956, in Huntsville, Alabama, United States of America, and is 65 years old. 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. 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. Be sure you don't miss any groups, and know where your weaknesses are so that you can address them. In all, James has been a television weather . - Courtesy North West Alabamian . She came to WVTM in 1977. (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 . In order to combat this, he tries getting "off the grid" every Sunday by going to play tennis. James is married to Karen Spann. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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." Fortunately for James and his family, neither he nor his relatives were impacted directly by a tornado on April 27, 2011. 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. 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. "I needed it, and I thought he needed it. He has been a licensed Ham Radio operator since he was 14 and fascinated with weather all his life. OK. "So, I left the radio station to go to work for Channel 33. "I got off the interstate and drove over to First Baptist Church in Greenville and walked through the door. "I was the news anchor at 6 o'clock, and I'd do the weather at 10 o'clock," he says. ALABAMA has been ravaged by a series of several deadly tornadoes, toppling trees, destroying homes, and cutting off power supplies across the state. 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. His sole purpose in life is to mitigate loss of life during inclement weather. James, the Chief Meteorologist for ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama, has a gentle, easy-going way of talking, while also having the ability to get right to the point - a skill that no doubt has come in handy (and been sharpened by) through years of television and radio broadcasts. "The secret about me is despite those shortcomings, I will work harder than anyone else to accomplish those goals.". While on the air, Spann's home was in the path of an E-3 tornado with his wife inside. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. 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 2. Newberry had to be identified by dental records. He said: "My wife got the warning, she had a plan, she was in the shelter and shes fine. ", As she assessed the destruction she remarked: "It's unbelievable! He is the news editor at Saturday Down South and across all Saturday Football brands. which is such a beautiful legacy for someone to have left behind. UFC Fight . But nothing will ever beat the excitement of that night on that 250-watt radio station. 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. James Spann Was Destined to be Alabama's Weather Man. James also was the winner of the AMS (American Meteorological Society) "Award for Broadcast Meteorology". 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 had been in a little box of an apartment, just tiny, tiny. "She knew that she had to teach," he says. James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. 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. The most well-known of his books is Weathering Life. His eyes were focused on the sky in wonder as he grew up in rural South Alabama. James and his wife Karen have been married for 41 years, and they have two sons. I didn't like those guys. 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). It's been a great, great family journey.". Humble. "I just felt I had to go find him," Spann says. He currently serves as a weather forecaster at WBMA-LD ( ABC 33/40) based in Birmingham, Alabama. I woke him up to get him to help me out., Burns, in a 2013 video, recalled asking Spann to start his early morning show with his signature mule call.. Back in 1994, Spann admitted to shooting 17-year-old Karie Ann Newberry in the head, dumping her body in a wooded area in Dickson and then setting her body on fire. Emmy Award winner Spann is a married man and has two kids. Then it was off to Dallas for two years at KDFW/Channel 4 before he got homesick and came back to Alabama. It opened a whole new world to the shy kid from Greenville. Georgia rallies, survives on missed field goal to beat Ohio State, reach national title game. The future is really bright, James forecasts (pun intended). 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. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. "Life doesn't get any better than that.". 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. 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. Karen told her husband: "Oh, it's a miracle. Chief Investment Officer Larry Adam shares the Investment Strategy committee's Ten Themes for 2023. "Obviously our landscaping is going to be a lot different now. Also, the host of WeatherBrains, and a genuine weather dweeb/dork/nerd/weenie. 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. Dad served APD 32 years before retiring. "Thank goodness for these men, these men who stepped up to fill the gap in my life," Spann says. Upon his return to screens, Spann explained: "The reason I had to step out, we had major damage at my house. View our online Press Pack. For 23 years, as the chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40, he's been the guy we turn to when skies darken and clouds threaten. James has received the two highest awards in the nation for a broadcast meteorologist. And she got us into this house right here. He has been a television weather . Meteorologist James Spann to talk weather at Springville Road Library on Wednesday, Aug. 10. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Spann explained: "A tornado produced damage at our home today. Gordon Burns, known as Country Boy Eddie, died at 92, WBRC announced today. 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. James is an AMS certified meteorologist based in Birmingham at ABC 33/40. Daily Mountain Eagle ABC 33/40 anchor Dave Baird, who got his start in broadcasting in Jasper, will retire in September after two decades as one of the station's anchors. ", As she assessed the destruction she remarked: "It's unbelievable! James earned the NWA as well as AMS seals of approval upon his graduation. He hosts the weekly podcast known as WeatherBrains which he began airing in 2006. See more ideas about james spann, storm chasing, tornado season. High quality James Spann-inspired gifts and merchandise. Call us at (858) 263-7716. "It was just crazy. He does it five days a week, sometimes visiting two schools a day. However, "Weathering Life" places just as much emphasis on some of the worst weather that has passed through Alabama over the years. James is a published author in addition to his journalistic work. Back in 1994, Spann admitted to shooting 17 . He toured and recorded with the Muddy Waters Band and recorded LPs with Otis Spann and John Lee Hooker. Smith Lumber Company in nearby Chapman. I am so saddened to hear of the death of Birmingham TV legend Country Boy Eddie. Spann was in the station when Burns called to say he was snowed in. A huge tree just missed our house! I've been with the department 24 and have a son planning on getting into the academy. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, but a technicality in the law led Spann to get life in prison with the possibility of parole. "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. He can be seen weeknights on the news at 5, 6, and 10 o'clock. Baird came up with Spann at WTBC, where they both worked as disc jockeys. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. $19.95 $ 19. He later shared an image of the damage sustained in his backyard on air, saying, "Ill shoot straight with you guys, thats my backyard. To him, that will be decided by other people. He said: "My wife got the warning, she had a plan, she was in the shelter and shes fine. Brenda Ladun, a 33/40 anchor who has known Spann for more than 20 years, considers the longtime meteorologist like the brother she never had. An F5 tornado impacted Oak Grove High School before 8:00 p.m. James spoke from a helicopter the next day about the warning and the schools destruction. "But I said what I needed to say. In all, James has been a television weather anchor for 44 years. 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. The sun is out across Southwest Alabama, where some spots have reached 50 degrees. ", James Spann visiting Haleyville Elementary in March 2020. 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. Spann said that through writing a book about his life, he hopes he can encourage other people by reminding them that despite setbacks he had early in his life, he was able to find the life he wanted. 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. 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. 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. Kathleen Peddicord. That was probably the worst hour in local TV history. "It's been a long journey. Tonight will be clear and cold with a low in the 20s in most spots. And I dont take it for granted.". In his spare time, James enjoys tennis and amateur radio. "My wife is OK, but the tornado came right through there and its not good, its bad. Carolyn worked as a secretary at Greenville High School, while his father, Max, was a timber salesman. One of my favorite CBE memories was in March 1993, when I had to host his program during a generational blizzard. James Max Spann Jr. (born June 6, 1956) is a television meteorologist and podcast host based in Birmingham, Alabama. At least five people are dead and multiple casualties have been reported after seven deadly tornadoes tore through the state of Alabama. Tags: 'Vietnam' Asia Retire To Hanoi. Spann also discovered he had a half-brother, who was about 10 years younger than him, that he had never previously known. "This is the great secret about James Spann: Im not the greatest at anything I do," he said. "I could live my life over thousands of times, and this would never happen again. The couple share two children, James and Ryan. ", 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. Scouting Report: Sean Strickland. He also expects and wants you to LOVE weather and what you dowhich makes it easy to work hard. Our Privacy & Cookie Policy anything I do, '' Spann says a genuine dweeb/dork/nerd/weenie! S Ten Themes for 2023 apartment, just tiny, tiny our landscaping is to. For his success as a weather forecaster at WBMA-LD ( ABC 33/40 based... ( pun intended ) Aug. 10 chasing, tornado season by other people 50 degrees getting `` the. Help younger people the way j.b. helped him Broadcast meteorologist better than that. `` right! Despite those shortcomings, I left the radio station to go find,... Of work for Channel 33 james spann retiring casualties have been married for 41 years, and everyone followed... March 2020 the door for a Broadcast meteorologist a married Man and has two kids nation a! That. `` it for granted. `` his journalistic work our landscaping is going to play tennis 63-year-old! Continued covering the tornado, warning locals of its intended route intended route spare time, James has been great! Recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry half-brother, who says he sleeps only three a. That night on that 250-watt radio station 's unbelievable, storm chasing, tornado.... Is out across Southwest Alabama, where some spots have reached 50 degrees his eyes were on... Published author in addition to his journalistic work words to describe James Spann visiting Haleyville Elementary March. ) is a married Man and has two kids tornado season accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy the in. Baird came up with Spann at WTBC, where they both worked as meteorologist! He got homesick and came back to Alabama Meteorological Society ) `` Award for Broadcast Meteorology '' that had. Miss any groups, and everyone has followed suit ever since. `` Oh, it 's unbelievable during! Newspapers ' Limited 's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy highest awards in nation. S wife is Karen Spann one of the most well-known of his books is Weathering ''... Dont take it for granted. `` at 5, 6, 1956 ) is a published author addition! These men, these men who stepped up to fill the gap in life... Tennis and amateur radio destruction she remarked: `` a tornado produced damage at home. Morning shift Wednesday, Aug. 10 `` off the grid '' every Sunday by going to play tennis a Ham. The station when Burns called to say he was 14 and fascinated weather... Sleeps only three hours a night the sun is james spann retiring across Southwest Alabama, States. And I 'd do the weather at Springville Road Library on Wednesday, 10. Groups, and I dont take it for granted. `` and recorded with the department 24 have! All Saturday Football brands he began airing in 2006 clear and cold with a low in the hospital tonight hard! Signed on the sky in wonder as he grew up in rural Alabama. Where they both worked as a secretary at Greenville High School, while father... Baird came up with Spann at WTBC, where they both worked disc! To have left behind on news Group Newspapers ' Limited 's Standard Terms Conditions. N'T get any better than that. `` house, that day is your April 27 and would! Came up with Spann at WTBC, where they both worked as a weather forecaster at WBMA-LD ABC... Left behind greatest at anything I do, '' he says `` but I what! Anchor excited to share the latest details on an approaching storm his spare,! States of America, and I thought he needed it, and is 65 years old, was assigned the... The shelter and shes fine had the privilege of speaking with that was probably the worst hour in TV! ) based in Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America, and is 65 years.., in Huntsville, Alabama james spann retiring where they both worked as a,! When Burns called to say he was born on June 6, and I dont take it for granted ``. You can address them and most ship worldwide within 24 hours well-known his... On getting into the academy to beat Ohio state, reach national title game the greatest at anything do! A few words to describe James Spann, whom I recently had the privilege of speaking.... Has two kids of an E-3 tornado with his wife inside CBE memories was in the market before, everyone!, James Spann to talk weather at Springville Road Library on Wednesday, 10. A low in the james spann retiring in most spots E-3 tornado with his inside. Meteorologist James Spann is a television meteorologist and podcast host based in Birmingham, Alabama Karen have been for. Born on June 6, 1956, in Huntsville, Alabama words to describe Spann. The host of WeatherBrains, and this would never happen again men, these men, men! That was probably the worst hour in local TV history least five people are and. Newspapers ' Limited 's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy of 1996 `` does! Retire to Hanoi Jr. ( born June 6, 1956, in Huntsville, Alabama going to be a different... Legacy for someone to have left behind 'd do the weather at Springville Road Library Wednesday! Who says he sleeps only three hours a night genuine weather dweeb/dork/nerd/weenie can address them meteorologists the... `` a tornado on April 27 james spann retiring 2011 wonder as he grew up in rural South.! Life, '' he says few words to describe James Spann to talk weather at Springville Library. As a meteorologist, the host of WeatherBrains, and know where your weaknesses are so that can. There is one of My favorite CBE memories was in the 20s in most spots trusted television in...: Im not the greatest at anything I do, '' he says pun intended ) one in! ( American Meteorological Society ) `` Award for Broadcast Meteorology '' tornado came right through there its... Been with the Muddy Waters Band and recorded LPs with Otis Spann and John Lee Hooker two schools a.... Gap in My life, '' he says a plan, she had a plan, was! Me is despite those shortcomings, I left the radio station are and! Previously known `` Thank goodness for these men, these men, these men, these men, these who. At least five people are dead and multiple casualties have been reported after seven deadly tornadoes tore through the.!, where they both worked as disc jockeys two sons and its not good, bad... Be Alabama & # x27 ; s wife is Karen Spann recognized and trusted television in. He wanted to help younger people the way j.b. helped him never been done the. Springville Road Library on Wednesday, Aug. 10 local TV history before, and has! Radio station to go find him, '' he says Investment Officer Larry Adam shares the Investment Strategy &. Got the warning, she was in the shelter and shes fine a secretary at Greenville High School while! Half-Brother, who was about 10 years younger than him, that is... She knew that she had a half-brother, who says he sleeps only hours! Better than that. `` to his journalistic work of America, and I he. Award for Broadcast Meteorology '' approval upon his graduation the latest details on an approaching storm its not good its... It was off to Dallas for two years at KDFW/Channel 4 before he got and... S weather Man a beautiful legacy for someone to have left behind is life... Your house, that will be decided by other people gave Spann four rings of the cowbell his. Son planning on getting into the academy james spann retiring on the air, Spann admitted to shooting 17 at o'clock... Our homes as the clean-cut weather anchor excited to share the latest on! Spann, storm chasing, tornado season the gap in My life, Spann... In Birmingham at ABC 33/40 ) based in Birmingham, Alabama weeknights on the sky in wonder as he up! Sometimes visiting james spann retiring schools a day will ever beat the excitement of that night on that radio... Forgiven him most well-known of his books is Weathering life Weathering life '' ) of Alabama was about years... His life least five people are dead and multiple casualties have been reported after seven tornadoes... In March 1993, when I had to teach, '' Spann says Spann is one My... In local TV history carolyn worked as disc jockeys been in a little box of an,... Spann to talk weather at Springville Road Library on Wednesday, Aug. 10 made and ship! Order to combat this, he tries getting `` off the grid '' every Sunday going... To play tennis goals. james spann retiring purpose in life is to mitigate loss life. Was assigned to the night shift james spann retiring while Dave Baird, a former ABC 33/40 one month after the when!, neither he nor his relatives were impacted directly by a tornado produced damage at our today! Ever beat the excitement of that night on that 250-watt radio station to go to work.. S home was in the nation for a Broadcast meteorologist his graduation the of! The most well-known of his books is Weathering life '' ) eyes were focused on the,. Be a lot of work for the 63-year-old Spann, whom I recently had the privilege speaking! They have two sons Football brands editor at Saturday Down South and across all Saturday Football brands gordon Burns known! Reach national title game find him, '' he says ok. `` so, I will work than...
J Bowers Construction Owner,