Weather Channel releases a hit CD

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Umbrella? Check. Galoshes? Got ‘em. Scarf? Sure thing.

Smooth jazz? In the CD player.

The Weather Channel released its first CD this fall: “The Weather Channel Presents: The Best of Smooth Jazz.”

Think of the 12 tunes as a soundtrack to the elements. Some are hot and sultry, others cool and crisp. Some are sunny, some blue.

The songs are among the channel’s most requested selections and play during the forecast fixture “Local on the 8s” that airs six times an hour. It’s the cue that draws you to the TV set when you want to find out if you should take along that jacket when you leave home.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

While the disc features jazz artists such as Chick Corea, Jeff Lorber, Dave Koz and Najee, not all the music played on “Local on the 8s” is jazz. Sometimes it’s light rock or holiday tunes. But most all of it is instrumental.

“We tested some vocals, but the consumers didn’t like it,” says Shari Pace, vice president of licensing for the cable channel. “When I travel to a different city and have the Weather Channel on, the music is comforting to me. I like the calmness of it. When there are vocals with it, it changes.”

Released in October on Nashville-based Midas Records, the CD is available online and at Barnes &Noble and other retail stores. It’s currently No. 2 on Billboard magazine’s contemporary jazz chart.

The Weather Channel has been around for 25 years and has had music from the beginning, when employees would dip into their own record collections. It was obvious from the start that viewers liked it.

“When we’d play ‘Peanuts’ (Vince Guaraldi’s ‘Linus and Lucy’ theme) they went bananas,” Pace recalled. “The phones started ringing.”

These days, the Weather Channel has an employee they call the “Music Man” — Steve Hurst — whose job is to find the right tunes. During the day, his selections tend to be light and upbeat. In the evening, they’re slower and more sultry. Late at night, they’re even more mellow.

“It was fun to add songs that viewers wouldn’t usually expect to hear,” said Hurst, who chose the cuts for the CD based on viewer response. “Phish fans were coming out of the woodwork the first time we played one of their songs.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

People listen as the Marysville School Board votes to close an elementary and a middle school in the 2025-26 school year while reconfiguring the district’s elementary schools to a K-6 model on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville schools audit shows some improvement

Even though the district still faces serious financial problems, the findings are a positive change over last year, auditors said.

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Edie Carroll trims plants at Baker's Acres Nursery during Sorticulture on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sorticulture, Everett’s garden festival, is in full swing

The festival will go through Sunday evening and has over 120 local and regional vendors.

Students attending Camp Killoqua next week pose with Olivia Park Elementary staff on Friday, June 6 near Everett. Top, from left: Stacy Goody, Cecilia Stewart and Lynne Peters. Bottom, from left: Shaker Alfaly, Jenna Alfaly and Diana Peralta. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
A school needed chaperones for an outdoor camp. Everett cops stepped up.

An Olivia Park Elementary trip to Camp Killoqua would have been canceled if not for four police officers who will help chaperone.

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Everett’s minimum wage goes up on July 1. Here’s what to know.

Voters approved the increase as part of a ballot measure in the November election.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
State declares drought emergency for parts of Snohomish County

Everett and the southwest part of the county are still under a drought advisory, but city Public Works say water outlooks are good.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.