We’ve started mornings and closed the nights with this Arizona news broadcaster but who really is this beloved weatherman? David Munsey, hall of fame journalist, national Emmy-Award-winning weatherman and water-safety advocate, has written a book giving us an inside look at his childhood, celebrity interviews and the development of his famous water-safety program. We sat down with Munsey as we looked back at his many years in the broadcasting, weather and journalism.

 AFM: Tell me about your childhood. Where did you grow up? What was your first job?

 Dave Munsey: “I didn’t have a normal childhood. I was raised in an adult world. I am one of nine kids but the only one that was my dad’s ‘little helper.’ He ran a private club in North Dakota and I worked the back of the bar and from that, I got an education. I was cleaning ash trays, telling jokes and driving home drunks. However, these drunks were important people! They were the police officers, city and high school officials; simply the upper-crust of my community. Half the time, they didn’t even know what they were telling me but boy did I keep track. I knew everything. Who was getting married, divorced, cheating, fired, who was even winning at the poker tables. They would give me a $10 to keep my mouth shut at the end of the night.” 

 

AFM: From working for your dad, how did you get into broadcasting/weather?

 DM: “I started off working at Kool FM. It was three programs in one, and I worked only on Sundays from 7 to midnight. I left a full-time job to work there with those hours because I saw the opportunity. The station did really well. I was at an event and the president of Kool FM/TV, Homer Lane, came over with drinks and sat down. He asked me if I had ever thought of being a weatherman, and I laughed and said no. He then looked at me and said,

‘“Well I have and I want you to come in next week for at taping. I’ll have a full crew and I want to see you on camera.”’ I thought to myself after, was he drunk? [Laughing]

But I went out and bought my first-ever suit and that was that!”

 

AFM: Through working in broadcasting, you have met quite a few celebrities and well-known people. Who was your favorite person you met?

 DM: “Oh, Clive Cussler. He is an author and an underwater explorer. He was such a nice and interesting guy, and I truly enjoyed meeting him. I even brought my book and got it signed.”

 

AFM: Tell me about the Water Safety, Watch Your Kids Around Water program you started. What inspired that?

DM: “A dear friend of mine lost their son in a drowning accident. Timmy was his name. It was years ago, but I still think of him every day. I think of Timmy before I do anything, truly, he kept me going. He was the inspiration to start the water safety program here in Arizona. I knew we had a drowning problem especially in Phoenix but no one was talking about. No one was doing anything to prevent it. So I knew I had to do something and start somewhere for all the kids out there and for Timmy. This is my proudest chapter, the signature of my career and I will continue trying to keep kids safe with this program and beyond.”

 

AFM: What was your favorite day of your 50-plus years in the broadcasting business?

 DM: [Laughing.] “I hate to say this but I have to! David Munsey Day(s)! It’s the first of June and the 17th of June from two different mayors. I mean how could I not pick those days. It is such an honor.”

 

AFM: Lastly, tell us about your book, Munsey Business. What are we going to learn, what’s it all about, and what made you want to write a book?

 DM: “When I met my wife, she didn’t believe the stories I told her were true because they were so wild. That’s sort of when I realized I had stories to share. I had a wonderful, very adult childhood. I thought everyone did, and I didn’t realize till later that it wasn’t normal and the stories I had to share, were absolutely hilarious. This book is me. I always told myself ‘“just keep being Dave!”’ For 42 years, that was my secret. This book is everything from my childhood, my journey and my stories in broadcasting, and I hope it gives people a glimpse into my life and brings a lot of laughs.”