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[The following article appeared in the July 2006 issue of Greenspun Media Group's Las Vegas Life and is used by permission.]
WHEN YOU CALL Nate Tannenbaum's phone, it doesn't ring—it plays the Rolling Stones' "Get Off of My Cloud." Fitting for this weatherman, who, when asked how he's doing, always responds, "Mostly sunny!"
The bow-tied, apple-cheeked forecaster, whose wholesome looks seem straight out of the Leave It to Beaver era, has been off the air for two months now. After 17 years working in local broadcasts, Tannenbaum's taking a break. His contract with KTNV Channel 13 Action News ended May 4 and, as Tannenbaum says, both agreed to go their separate ways.
With his easy laugh and a smile that has just enough impishness to imply that he's not all Cleaver, Tannenbaum is a Las Vegas institution. Need a weather joke? "The one that I tell people is that when I was on the air, I really had one of the easiest jobs in the world because I would go into the studio in January and tape the weather for the entire year. Then I would just call up from home each day and suggest which tape they should play that day."
Tannenbaum still has plenty to keep him busy. He's the host of KUNV's Playing Favorites, where locals select a few of their favorite songs and go on air to chat about them. He's also a popular emcee, a husband (his wife, Linda, helps coach the swimmers pictured above) and father. A flautist for more than 40 years, he's also a proud member of the Las Vegas Flute Club, which holds two performances annually.
But what he's most recognized for are those bow ties. For 15 years the accessory has adorned his neck—although it was something he actually resisted at first.
Tannenbaum was living in Grand Junction, Colorado, when an agent he'd been using helped him land a job in Las Vegas. Looking to brand him, she suggested that he arrive in town wearing a bow tie. "And I said 'Beverly, come on. That's schtick. I want to be known for who I am and what I do and not the clothes I wear.'" That lasted about two years, and he decided it was time to take Beverly's advice. Not surprisingly, the fastidious man doesn't just own bow ties—"I am a bow tie snob," he says, enunciating each syllable, "I only wear the ones you tie yourself." His collection has surpassed 200.
When he thinks back to some of his career highlights, the descriptions vary as much as his neckwear. In the early '90s, in addition to his weatherman job, he hosted the afternoon movie show Tarzan's Theater, where he wore a safari suit and helmet and showed Tarzan movies. Then there were the big weather events—the two "100-year floods" in 1999 and 2003. And the weekly feature, "Hey Nate, Do My Job," that had him changing lightbulbs on a 90-foot-tall crane at the Fremont Street Experience one day and dancing with the Chippendales the next. (That last job, of course, came with a black bow tie.)
He's spent time at channels 3 and 13, and hopes that the on-air part of his career has yet to weather away. At the moment, he's enjoying his break, and, as always, feeling shiny and happy—never partly cloudy. "It's mostly sunny," he explains, "because it leaves a little wiggle room."
— Kate Silver is the 702 editor; email her at silver@gmgvegas.com.
© Greenspun Media Group and used by permission.
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