PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -First Alert Meteorologist Emmett Rice forecasts the weather for NewsChannel 7 viewers, but behind the scenes, he’s creating music and pursuing a dual career path.
Rice has been involved in music since the age of four, when he began playing the violin. He continued with the instrument through middle school before switching to guitar in sixth grade.
“I learned this bad boy by ear,” Rice said about his guitar.
Rice wrote his first single during his senior year of high school. He says the song took about three years to produce in his college dorm room before it was released in April 2024. The track is now available on Spotify.
His interest in meteorology developed after experiencing Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Matthew firsthand.
“When I went and saw the devastation of the aftermath of those storms, that’s what really got me into meteorology, and wanting to pursue a degree in meteorology,” Rice said.
Rice plans to continue both meteorology and music as career paths. He credits his support system for his success.
“I’ve got a lot of support from friends and family, and I wouldn’t be here without three things: God, family, and friends,” Rice said.
Rice plans to release new music in 2026. His advice to others is to remain authentic while pursuing their goals.
“Be yourself, don’t be anybody else, follow your dreams relentlessly, and continue giving glory to God,” Rice said.
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