Bob Mueller, Lelan Statom, Holly Thompson and other news vets on stories that most moved them

More than ever, local news is changing constantly, as are the faces deliverying it. Among the incredible churn in Nashville, though, we've found 12 who've been at the same outlet for more than 20 continuous years.

We recognize there are other talented news folks who've been in Middle Tennessee for decades. (Can I count myself among them?)

To narrow the pool, though, we chose to focus on the ones who've been at their same organization for 20 or more years in a row. We also chose to limit the group to public-facing news staffers like reporters and anchors.

We asked them about their craziest and most moving moments on the job. We asked about the changing media landscape, changes in news gathering, changes in Nashville. And we asked what it's like to be in the same place for years as everything and everyone around them changes.

We got back some strong opinions — "The city has been overwhelmed by the pace of growth," one news veteran said — and some gut-level honesty and self reflection.

"I didn't grow up wanting to be a reporter, and to this day," 38-year Tennessean veteran Andy Humbles said, "it certainly doesn’t come naturally to me. It’s never stopped being very challenging, and I always feel I should have been better."

Here are the 12 Nashville news media long timers and their answers to some of our questions.

Bob Mueller, 43 years at WKRN-News 2

Anchor

Craziest moment on the job: "Late 1980s, anchoring [at] 10 p.m. when the fire alarm goes off. It is quickly determined it’s a false alarm. I kept doing the newscast when suddenly behind me, firefighters in full gear come into the newsroom in full view of the cameras shooting me for the newscast. I turn around and ask, 'Everything OK?' A firefighter yells back. 'Looks like it but we have to check.' They mill around behind me a short while, then leave. We never stopped the newscast."

Most fun story:  "The total eclipse a few years ago. One of those few events in life that actually exceeded my expectations. It was really cool to cover and see the city go from daylight to dark with street lights coming on, then back to daylight."

Most moving story: "The second protest march in downtown Nashville in 2020 over gun violence, school shootings and police shootings that was organized by two Williamson County teenagers. To see these young people take on an issue that they confront on a daily basis was moving, as was the close to 100,000 marchers who turned out to have their voices heard."

Thoughts on Nashville changing: "Everything has changed. Nashville was not a destination city, restaurant city, entrepreneurial city, young people city, downtown-living city, and now it is. I think growth and change and diverse cultures of new residents is good. But I also think the city has been overwhelmed by the pace of growth. Traffic, mass transit, parking, schools and more are lagging, resulting in traffic congestion, high costs of living and gentrification of neighborhoods. Change has its good and bad."

Thoughts on changing media landscape: "When I started in Nashville, there were three commercial and a PBS station. We were shooting stories on film [on] clunky, cumbersome and heavy video tape cameras. Now I can’t count all the channels that are available through cable and streaming plus websites, podcasts, YouTube channels and all of social media. We can now shoot and edit our stories on our phones. Appointment TV is dwindling fast."

Thoughts on career longevity: "I'm a lucky guy. Few people last in any career this long, and to be at one station 43 years is close to unheard of. Obviously I’m a bit of a survivor as well and had to keep my head down and swallow my pride a few times along the road. But overall, I’m blessed and lucky to have lasted this long. [I credit] part of this longevity to the many people I worked with over the years who I learned from, who I hopefully passed some knowledge along to and who, through their different ages and backgrounds, kept me relevant. It’s a young person's business; I know I'm operating on borrowed time and the end is in sight. Just not quite yet."

Davis Nolan, 42 years at WKRN-News 2

Meteorologist

Craziest moment on the job: "A 10 p.m. live shot doing weather at [outdoor festival] Summer Lights, roughly in the early '90s.  It was a Friday night and the people were as lit as the lights themselves.  They were all friendly, but it was one of the craziest live shots I have ever done!"

Thoughts on changing media landscape: "I feel good about the progression of meteorology in the media. In news, I worry about the degradation on certain networks in truth in reporting to please an audience’s political leaning."

Thoughts on holding the job for so many years: "Over the years, I was willing to fulfill whatever roles changing managements wished of me. Now, in my golden years, I am lucky to have a management that truly appreciates what I do."

Andy Humbles, 38 years at The Tennessean

Wilson County reporter

Toughest story to cover: "The 2003 death of Mt. Juliet police officer Jerry Mundy and Wilson County Sheriff’s Deputy John Musice who were hit while deploying spike strips by a car on I-40 driven by Fallon Tallent, who was being chased by police in Knoxville. The ongoing impact and tension that this event had on families, all the way to a movie-like trial that resulted in a first-degree murder conviction."

Most moving stories: "The March 2020 tornado and in particular the deaths of Jim and Donna Eaton who died in bed side by side after their Mt. Juliet home was demolished. Also following the journey of Lawrence McKinney, a man cleared from a rape conviction through DNA evidence in 2009 after spending 31 years in prison and the process of finally getting financial compensation of $1 million in 2018."

Thoughts on a changing Nashville: "Big city traffic, the challenge to park and tall, shiny new buildings are daily reminders of how Nashville has changed since I arrived to attend college at Trevecca in 1983. The change doesn’t get old to me. Nashville had a small-town feel then that seems different now.  However, it is a much more modern and up-to-date city with all the amenities. As an old sports reporter and still a sports fan, the impact the Titans and Predators have had have certainly brought a new element to the city. And that Nashville is a strong hockey market is actually amazing if you were here before the Predators arrived."

Thoughts on longevity: "I didn't grow up wanting to be a reporter and to this day, it certainly doesn’t come naturally to me. It’s never stopped being very challenging, and I always feel I should have been better. I’m not good enough to be ever be bored with it. But it is great fun to get inside to these all these worlds that this job gives me access to. It’s a privilege. I overheard the late Getahn Ward, who set the standard for business reporting, say once, 'I can’t believe we get paid for doing this job.' So many days that’s how I feel as well."

Mike Organ, 38 years at The Tennessean

Sports writer

Wildest moment on the job: "The day a local college basketball coach came into the office in 1988 to complain to former sports columnist Larry Woody about a story Woody had written. The coach, who stood about 6-foot-6 and weighed close to 300 pounds, started to cuss Woody using words I’d never heard before. We had a petite older lady (close to 80 years old) who would come in once a week to write an equine report. The coach, who towered over the lady, positioned himself in front of her terminal to rant. The more he talked, the angrier he became, but when he would use a curse word, he would stop, look down at the lady and say, 'Pardon me, ma'am.’ Then he’d go right back to chewing Woody out. If it had not been such a frightening ordeal it would have been quite hilarious."

Most fun story: "I flew in a hot air balloon even though I have a great fear of heights. I practiced with the Belmont women’s basketball team on its first day as an NCAA Division I program. I played polo, skied barefoot, performed a ski trick jumping over a wrecked boat, drove 120-plus miles per hour on the Nashville Superspeedway and ran a half-marathon.

"But the most fun was when, in 1993, I tried out for a semipro football team — Tennessee Generals — and made it. To this day I believe I made the team because the coaches/owners thought my being on the team would give the team more exposure rather than because of my football skills. Nonetheless it was an absolute blast. I am still close today to many who were on the team, including Nashville media darling Joe Dubin."

Toughest story to cover: "I was the Vanderbilt beat writer from 1993 to 2003, and the Commodores football team failed to post a winning record over that stretch. To watch the players come in with great enthusiasm and vigor every preseason and then watch the energy slowly, painfully and predictably seep out of the program year after year never got easy. In the 10 years I was on the beat I covered four different head coaches (Gerry DiNardo, Rod Dowhower, Woody Widenhofer and Bobby Johnson) and witnessed a total of only 28 victories (an average of 2.8 per season)."

Most moving story: "In 2018, Vanderbilt was playing Tennessee State in a football at Vanderbilt when TSU middle linebacker Christion Abercrombie suddenly collapsed on the field near halftime. He had not been involved in a big hit during the game and to this day the cause of his head injury is unknown. He was rushed to Vanderbilt Medical Center where emergency brain surgery was performed. Abercrombie was not expected to live following the surgery.

"He remained comatose for several weeks. He was surrounded in the hospital around the clock by family, friends, coaches (from TSU and other local schools) and teammates who prayed for his recovery. Miraculously, Abercrombie did finally regain consciousness. He had to relearn all of his motor skills and was eventually able to return to school and graduated. While he was never able to play football again he did return to the team and served as a student manager."

Lelan Statom, 30 years at NewsChannel 5

Meteorologist and Talk of the Town co-host

Most moving story: "I was sent to Waverly the Monday after the devastating floods and met a gentleman who was a survivor. It's one thing to see an interview on TV, it's totally different when you're face to face with a person who now needs to rebuild."

Thoughts on how Nashville has changed: "As someone who works downtown, it's crazy to think about how much the skyline has changed in just the last several years and continues to change.  I love watching it & the city grows, but the downside is the growth is pricing some people out of their homes. I hope we're able to keep some of the small-town charm."

Thoughts on changing media landscape: "For all of us, there were only a couple of news outlets & platforms for local news and information when we started. Now, information is coming at us from so many directions. This allows people to have hyper-local information about their towns & even their neighborhoods in real time. I think that's awesome.

"I just tell people to vet your sources. The downside of so much information is not everything is true, and the citizen journalist doesn't have a gate keeper to give a second look before their news is put out to the public."

Thoughts on job longevity: "I think it's a blessing for all of us to keep our jobs for this long, but that is also due to hard work you don't necessarily see on camera and knowing that our job isn't just at the station. It also means making connections within the community. We also know it means adapting to change which is happening more rapidly now than ever."

Jennifer Kraus, 30 years at NewsChannel 5

Weekend anchor/investigative reporter

News breaks, and so did her water: "I went into labor while anchoring the news (6/9/02). I made it through the newscast, drove home, got my bag, and went to the hospital, only to deliver my son a few hours later."

If you keep your eyes open: "In March of 2014, photographer Bryan Staples and I went to the state Capitol to shoot some video of lawmakers approving a bill inspired by a story we'd done. As we were waiting — this was back when lawmakers let reporters down on the floor with them — we saw a lot of votes come up. And we watched as lawmakers grabbed long sticks and used them to push the voting buttons for colleagues who were not in their seats. That turned into our investigation into 'ghost voting' in the Tennessee House where we exposed how this was commonplace and lawmakers were not only voting for each other but were also marking them present when they were in fact not there that day."

Crying on the air, right along with the viewers: "In May of 2017, reporter Heather Graf and photographer Nathan Thompson had the story of an organization called, 'Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.' Photographers spend time with families whose children are dying and capture their time together and the love they share in the children's final days and moments. Heather and Nathan followed a photographer and family whose son Jeddidiah who was about to pass and produced an incredible and incredibly emotional story.

"I'd heard that the story was really well done, but I had not gotten a heads up to watch it ahead of time. I was a crying mess when the story finished and I found myself back on camera. I heard from so many people after that who shared how they were right there crying with me."

A live shot from a cell phone: "You know, when I got here, if you were going to report live from a location, you needed either a microwave or satellite truck, depending on how far you were from the station, plus a photographer and an engineer to operate the truck. These days, I report live weekday mornings from my house doing consumer-related reports, and there is no photographer, no engineer, and no special truck. I can be live from my kitchen on the 6AM news using my phone and an app. How about that?!"

Thoughts on longevity: "Nothing reminds you that you've been here a while than when people who are clearly adults will come up and say they've been watching you since they were a child. Lol.... I love my job. No news day is like another. I love meeting people and hearing their stories and getting the chance to tell their stories....

"I also love being a resource in the newsroom. Being in Nashville and working at the same station for 30 years, I am able to provide prospective and context to stories and share with our newer reporters what makes certain issues and events important and help them make connections (and find file tape) to earlier or similar reporting. I've had a number of opportunities to leave over the years, but why would I? NewsChannel 5 is a fabulous place to work."

Nick Beres, 29 years at NewsChannel 5

Reporter/anchor

Most surreal moment: "Going to Mexico in search of [convicted murderer] Perry March’s father [and accused co-conspirator], Arthur. We find him. He invites us to his home and makes us guacamole from avocados from a tree in his yard. Then he pulls out a sword to show us how he’ll defend himself if American authorities try to come and arrest him. Oh, they got him."

Toughest story: "Covenant school shooting. I was one of first reporters on scene and spent the day at the command center, seeing panicked parents and brave first responders. The emotion. I have covered more horrible stories in my career than I care to count. But this was the first time I just broke down. While writing my story in the news car before the evening newscast, it all just hit me and I started sobbing. Took a bit to compose myself and finish the job."

On job longevity: "You know, it’s 29 years in a blink of an eye. Before I moved to Nashville I was a nomad moving for years taking jobs from Medford, Oregon, to Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles. But Nashville is home and I stayed. I’ve been blessed to work for and with some amazing people. Great news directors who made me better. Colleagues who challenge me and all are friends. And this is an incredible community.

"My wife constantly reminds me I’m incredibly lucky to have a job that I love. This is what I was meant to do. News is not for everyone. I’ve seen many others come and go, getting out of the business. Not me. I’ve had offers, but nothing I’ve ever seriously considered even for more money. Every day is different. Meeting incredible people. And even now — as one of the oldest general assignment reporters in town — I still love it."

Neil Orne, 29 years at WKRN-News 2

Morning news anchor

Reflections on a changing Nashville: "I remember doing stories on Lower Broadway on vagrancy, crime, adult stores, empty buildings etc. Meeting guys like [honky tonks owner] Steve Smith and [restaurateur] Jack Cawthon, who risked everything hoping for the area to take off. Stories about the lack of housing downtown with just several hundred places to live, and guys like [developer] Tony Giarratana saying they were going to change that. I remember that when you said you were going to meet someone anywhere in the city, you automatically said, 'I'll be there in 10 minutes.'  Going to little dive bars in Hickory Hollow and seeing a new guy from Australia play with his band called The Ranch and Phil Vassar opening a piano joint there. Running into a frail Chet Atkins at Mars Music staring at a display of his guitars.

"The city seemed to have a chip on its shoulder as we were viewed as one dimensional. No food scene, few sports, etc. Fast forward three decades and the city swapped out the small-town feel for a bustling southeastern hub that has replaced landmarks and historic spots with some pretty incredible venues, residences and other amenities you’d expect in a place where growth seems like it may slow but never stop.  My fear is that we lose the very identity that attracted everyone here in the first place. Do not get me wrong here, I love where we are but want to protect that Nashville culture."

Thoughts on the changing media landscape: "Technology has made the job easier, but the volume of content required is overwhelming. My job personally has not changed dramatically, other than the types of stories covered.  What concerns me moving forward is figuring out how we remain relevant in people's lives. Getting people to sit and watch a produced newscast is being replaced by 20-second clips on phones tailored for one's personal preference and beliefs. It is a challenge the industry must meet or go the way of rental videos and other businesses that vanished rapidly."

On longevity at Channel 2: "I never expected to last a week in Nashville. I remember shaking so bad before my first time on air that Anne Holt came to me, put her hand on my shoulder and said, 'You are here for a reason.' I never looked back. The fact that my career here in this building is older than most of my talented coworkers blows me away. In many ways, each day I sit here at 4 a.m. and roll into the show feels like the very first day, in other ways it feels like forever — especially when I meet a young adult that says my parents used to watch you when I was getting ready for school. Ouch, but also wow.  It is a young person's game, and sticking around becomes a year by year consideration. It's been a ride."

Andy Cordan, 28 years at WKRN-News 2

Reporter

Chest to chest with an angry ex-Titan: "I’ve had countless crazy stories.... But the story that still resonates with me was going up to Pacman Jones — April 2006 I believe — and asking him about his alleged involvement ... in one of the biggest cocaine deals in Metro Nashville history. [Editor's note: Jones never was charged in the case.] Pacman Jones calling 911 trying to make a citizens arrest on me and trying to get me arrested for some sort of trespassing and not letting me leave in my news car.

"Ultimately all the national news media, ESPN and local sports guys accused me of ambush journalism, but not a single reporter called me to get my side of the story except for Mike Organ, who did a television column for the Tennessean. And he’s the only reporter on the planet who actually got the story correct. Both sides. But going chest to chest with an angry defensive Titans back... certainly stands out!"

On how TV news has changed: "I think the biggest change in media landscape is the addition of multiple newscasts around the clock. Online platforms break news now regardless of broadcast times, and [there's] the advent of one-man band [a reporter shooting and editing their own video], with little to no experience covering news in a city that demands expertise. In many cases, the youthful reporters just don’t have the time in the business and experience in many situations to understand the nuances of so many facets of what we do day in and day out to be accurate."

On longevity: "In many ways, I’m a dinosaur. In many ways, I consider myself innovative and still pushing the limits of creativity, storytelling, daring to be different. I wake up every day, and I want to win. I wake up every day and want to tell great stories that either put a smile on my face or a smile on the viewers; faces. And the day I wake up and don’t feel those things, that’s the day I’ll retire."

Holly Thompson, 26 years at WSMV Channel 4

Morning news anchor

Most awesome surprise: "My managers had me rush to the studio for a quick satellite interview with 'NASA,' but it wasn't NASA. Instead, it was the one and only Dolly Parton calling in to wish me a Happy 20^th anniversary at WSMV-4, telling me she watches our morning show, loves wearing her Snowbird slippers and ended by saying, 'Holly, you're my girl.'  We both grew up in East Tennessee. Her sweet call is something I will forever treasure and never forget."

A not-so-awesome surprise: "In summer of 2004, I was interviewing one of the animal handlers of an aquatic center during our live midday show and kept hearing loud, angry noises emerging from a massive, plastic tub.  As the handler raised the lid, an irritated 5-foot caiman leaped out and lunged at me, which sent me screaming and running to take cover.  The handler and his assistant jumped on top of the crazy creature, full out lying on top of it, as I was told to continue asking interview questions so we could fill the five-minute segment slot. I was laughing and crying at the same time!"

Toughest story: "The Covenant School shooting holds a place of raw hurt in my heart. My stomach was in knots, my heart physically hurting for these precious families in our beloved community whose child or loved one would not be coming home. We were live on the air with all the breaking news, sharing the most heartbreaking, gut-wrenching information as we discovered and confirmed new details. There were several times I found myself trying to maintain composure, inwardly praying for our city, all while trying not to break down on the air."

Thoughts on holding job for so long: "I love this community. After all these years, I'm still incredibly honored to be able to wake up my sweet TV family and help them get their morning started, prepare them for their day, get them out the door informed and help them smile somewhere along the way. As a woman of strong faith, I know God has had me where I am for a reason, and at least part of that plan has always involved encouraging others.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to still try and do that every single day."

Phil Williams, 25 years at NewsChannel 5

Investigative reporter

The most bizarre moment: "I got a tip that employees were playing slot machines in a back room at the Davidson County Clerk's Office. When I got there, I wasn’t sure that it was going to be much of a story because they were actually novelty machines, not real slot machines. But I did want to know if employees were playing for money. The chief deputy clerk decided he was going to forcibly remove me from the back room and started shoving me, even punching me in the back at one point. When County Clerk John Arriola arrived, he refused to say whether employees were playing for money. He just kept asking me over and over what my problem was with St. Patrick’s Day. They took a situation that was probably not going to be a story and turned it into a story that has now developed a cult following in Nashville."

Toughest story to cover: "An investigation 25 years ago involving police corruption and a longtime Nashville gambling figure. A group of police officers came to me one day and expressed concern that my life might be in danger. They offered me a tactical vest and a handgun. (I took the vest, but not the handgun. I was afraid it could be a setup.) One of the subjects of the investigation did threaten to kill me. Another hired private investigators to try to come up with information that would bring me down, and he financed two unsuccessful lawsuits against me. It’s moments like that when you realize this isn’t just a job; it’s a calling."

Perspective on a changing Nashville: "Nashville has matured as a city in ways that newcomers cannot fully appreciate. When I was a young reporter at The Tennessean, I was sent to infiltrate an underground casino operated by the mayor’s brother. Nashville had its well-known red-light districts where prostitution flourished and corruption was an on-going element in Metro government. We’ve come a long way!"

Thoughts on longevity: "I am incredibly fortunate to work for bosses who have been part of this community for a long time and care about what happens here as much as I do. These days, I find great satisfaction in reflecting on the incredible difference I've been able to make in the Middle Tennessee community where I was raised, and I look forward to being able to do more of that in the years to come."

Lisa Spencer, 23 years at WSMV Channel 4

Chief meteorologist

Most moving story: "It was Super Tuesday in 2008, the story was supposed to be the election, but it quickly changed when numerous tornadoes struck. One went through Castalian Springs destroying the home of a young mother and her son. Unfortunately, the mother was killed but her 11-month-old son was miraculously found alive in a field across the street. He was initially mistaken as a doll by the rescue worker. Fast forward about seven years — I was speaking to an elementary class in Trousdale County and among the students was that little boy. I always wondered what happened to that baby boy and there he was sitting in front of me."

Thoughts on Nashville's changes: "It's so exciting to live in such a thriving city. I’ve seen so much growth in my 23 years here and as native Tennessean. For example, all the improvements to downtown. It is such a draw for tourists. Everywhere I go, when people find out I’m from Nashville, they always say, 'I love Nashville.'

"I can remember in my early days here, going downtown and saying, 'What is that smell?' Much of that was from the thermal plant burning garbage. Fortunately, that not so pleasant smell is gone. Not all of the changes are my cup of tea, but that’s OK. I just hope that in the process of growth that we don’t lose some of the things that make us special — the Southern charm, our friendly people, our historic places, keeping horn honking to a minimum, letting cars get in front of you in traffic, saying 'yes ma’am' and 'no ma’am' and please and thank you."

Thoughts on changing news media: "Technology has changed our business in so many ways. Our weather graphics computers allow us to show such great story telling imagery. We’ve come a long way from the magnetic maps. Plus, the forecasting tools have advanced tremendously. I know folks like to joke that the forecast is always wrong, but I am amazed at how much detail we can give on timing and threats with a high degree of accuracy. Technology has also eliminated many jobs. There are no studio cameramen anymore. The cameras are run remotely in the control room. I do miss the rapport with the studio crew and the visual time cues. I even had one guy who would let you know if a hair was out of place.

"Generally, we do far more with fewer people. I used to be just responsible for the weather in the newscasts. Now in addition to television, I update weather for radio, our website, mobile app, streaming service and all platforms of social media. Of course, I’ve seen viewing habits change too. The evening newscasts used to be appointment TV, now people can get their weather information from so many sources. That is why I have to be a part of all those sources of information too."

Thoughts on job longevity: "I have worked with so many wonderful people at WSMV, including Middle Tennessee legends Bill Hall and Dan Miller. I feel honored to have known both of them. After arriving at WSMV, it didn’t take me long to know that I didn’t want to move again... I love all the community outreach I get to do, talking to thousands of children at Middle Tennessee schools, speaking to church and civic groups about weather safety and emceeing events.

"I recently visited a kindergarten class. About 18 years ago, that class’s teacher was one of the students I spoke to about weather. It’s come full circle. Over the years, some of the management changes that have been made have been difficult to navigate. I just keep reminding myself the sun always comes out after the storm and it does. Even Snowbird is back after a long vacation. Viewers invite me into their homes each evening. It’s an honor to be the person they trust for weather information and to be that calm person during storms. I don’t take that for granted. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to serve WSMV and this community for so long."

Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@tennessean.com or call 615-259-8384.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bob Mueller, Lelan Statom, Holly Thompson: News vets on touching stories