Ron Rhodes Told Me 10 Things I Never Knew About Him
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Ron Rhodes
Every weekday morning, we get to chat with Eyewitness News Chief Meteorologist Ron Rhodes about the weather. They're usually quick conversations, but after talking with him for the past several months, I've realized we actually have quite a bit in common.
We're both cat lovers. We both love Café Arazu. We both live in Newburgh. We both have backgrounds in news.
The more I've gotten to know Ron, the more I've realized he's just one of those genuinely fun people. He's always ready for an adventure, appreciates a good movie, has great taste in music, and has one of the best collections of colorful ties around.
But it also made me wonder...
What don't I know about Ron Rhodes?
This month, our station has been doing a fun challenge where we interview someone and ask them things most people probably don't know. So naturally, I turned to my friend Ron and asked him one simple question.
"Ron, what's something people don't know about you?"
Let's just say... I learned a lot.
Ron Has Always Been Creative
One of the first things Ron told me was that he loves drawing caricatures.
Honestly, I had no idea, but I love it and if he ever wanted to make one of me I wouldn't be mad about it at all.
Long before he was forecasting storms, he was putting pencil to paper and making people laugh through his artwork.
He Was a Cartoonist Before TV
That artistic side actually started pretty early.
While he was still in high school, Ron worked as the editorial cartoonist for the University of San Francisco's newspaper.
That's a pretty impressive accomplishment before you've even graduated.
He Was an Old-School Paperboy
Before weather apps and breaking news alerts, Ron was helping deliver the news himself.
Growing up in Owensboro, he had a newspaper route back when newspapers were delivered by kids riding bicycles through the neighborhood.
It feels like something straight out of a movie now.
He Once Rode Across the Blue Bridge for Fireworks
This story made me laugh.
As a teenager, Ron rode his bicycle across the Blue Bridge into Indiana just to buy fireworks.
I told Ron that reminds me of the movie Stand By Me but in a good way, and I'm sure it made for a pretty memorable Fourth of July.
Ron Was Homecoming King
This didn't surprise me because I know Ron is a social guy and I was assuming he's always been like that and sure enough.
Ron was crowned Homecoming King during his senior year at Owensboro Catholic.
Even better?
He told me he still has the scepter to prove it.
He's an Official Kentucky Colonel
Ron also happens to be an official Kentucky Colonel.
When he told me that, I immediately joked about the fried chicken.
Apparently, he's still waiting for the free bucket everyone assumes comes with the title.
He Once Performed With a Backstreet Boy
This may have been my favorite answer of the entire interview.
Ron once sang "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" on stage while AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys played the drums.
I had to stop for a second after he told me that because... what?!
That's definitely not something I expected to hear during a weather interview.
He's a Proud Cat Dad
If you've listened to Ron for a while, this one probably won't surprise you.
He currently has five cats.
At one point, though?
He had eight.
As someone who also loves cats, I am not judging, I completely understand.
He's Called Nine Different Cities Home
Ron has lived in nine different cities throughout his life.
The interesting part is they've all been in either Kentucky or Indiana.
He's definitely a Tri-State guy through and through.
And Yes... He Really Had Hair
I couldn't end the interview without sharing Ron's final fun fact.
Believe it or not...
He really did have a full head of hair when he was younger.
His words, not mine.
The photo taken up above was his Senior High School photo.
It's Fun Getting to Know the People We Talk to Every Day
One of my favorite parts of working in radio is getting to know people beyond what you see on TV or hear on the air.
Sure, we all know Ron Rhodes as the guy who tells us when to grab an umbrella or when we can expect sunshine. But behind the weather maps is someone with some pretty incredible stories, a great sense of humor, and a personality that makes those daily phone calls a lot of fun.
Now I'm just wondering...
What other stories has Ron been holding out on us?
Want to read more about other interesting people along the Tri-State click here.
How Well Do You Know One-Hit Wonders From the '80s? Take This Quiz
Gallery Credit: Bobby G.
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