You are here:
The Big Gun of Weather: From Police Scanners to Emmy Awards with James Quinones
Are you ready to step back into the “Golden Years” of television? On the latest episode of the Big Guns Podcast, host Chris Crane reunites with his lifelong friend, James Quinones (affectionately known as “JQ” or “The Big Kahone”), for a deep dive into a 22-year career in network weather that spans from the desert of New Mexico to the major markets of San Diego and Phoenix,.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of those polished local news broadcasts, you won’t want to miss this. Here’s a teaser of the incredible highlights from their conversation:
The “Golden Years” and the Emmy “Lifetime Achievement”
James spent over two decades in the industry, catching the tail end of what he calls the “Golden Years” of television—a time when local news anchors were “kings” before the internet and smartphones made traditional news feel fragmented,. He even breaks out his Emmy Award, which he jokingly refers to as a “lifetime achievement award” for surviving the brutal hours and high pressure of the business.
Late Nights and Police Scanners
In a hilarious trip down memory lane, Chris and James reminisce about their early days in Albuquerque. While Chris was patrolling the streets as a police officer, James was driving around in an ABC news truck, listening to police scanners and following the action at 4:00 AM,. James recalls it as a “dream job” where he learned the ropes of storytelling through a lens.
The “Burn the Ships” Mentality
One of the most inspiring parts of the interview is James’s philosophy on success. He discusses the “Cortez theory” of burning your ships—having no backup plan because a backup plan is often just a “failure plan”,. From busing tables with a college degree to almost getting lured into an Amway pitch when he thought he was interviewing for a “real” job, James shares the grit required to stay in the game,,.
“You Suck So Bad, We Have to Hire You”
You have to hear James tell the story of his big break in San Diego. After a high-stakes audition, the general manager walked in and told him, “You suck so bad I don’t know if anyone’s going to be able to hire you, so we’re going to have to hire you”. That “magical” moment led to an 11-year run in one of the most beautiful cities in the country,.
The Secret to Mastery: 95% Preparation
James doesn’t just talk about the glamour; he breaks down the “academic” discipline required to be a pro. Whether it’s weather, stand-up comedy, or sports, James argues that success is 95% preparation. He challenges the younger generation to put down the video games, “get into real reality,” and treat their careers with the same rigor as a classroom,.
Ready to see the full story? From 80s nostalgia to hard-hitting career advice, James Quinones delivers a forecast you didn’t see coming.
Watch the full interview on YouTube here!