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By BETTY COUTANT - Assistant Editor, Maysville's Ledger Independent Grammy Award winning songstress Linda Ronstadt sang on Rosemary's corner in Maysville Saturday night to a packed audience. Common thread Rosemary Clooney and Linda Ronstadt were friends and shared a love of composer Nelson Riddle's work. Daughter-in-law Debby Boone said the album Rosemary Clooney did with Nelson Riddle was her favorite. "It's something we will always treasure," Boone said. Clooney's daughter Monsita Botwick spoke about the friendship between Clooney and Riddle. "They loved each other very much," Botwick said. Riddle's daughter Rosemary Acerra met Clooney in 1991 during a Carnegie Hall Tribute to The Arrangers. Clooney stepped in to perform at an annual benefit for a local Catholic school, begun by Riddle. "He died before the benefit. Rosemary stepped in graciously," Rosemary Riddle Acerra said. Linda Ronstadt's turn to step in Nick Clooney again served as master of ceremonies for the Fifth Annual Rosemary Clooney Music Festival Saturday and spoke of Ronstadt's connection with his sister. "Their connection began 15 or 20 years ago. She's been a very important family connection for years," Clooney said. "Rosemary began her public career singing on that corner (Market and Third streets). She came back 50 years later and sang on the corner again for free," Clooney said. "We asked her friend 'How would you like to sing on Rosemary's corner - for free?' She said 'Yes.'" Ronstadt was not only Rosemary Clooney's friend, she helped introduce an entire generation to the music of The Girl Singer's time, Nick Clooney said. Ronstadt became famous singing soft rock, but sang Nelson Riddle tunes to the full house. She sang "I get Along Without You Very Well." "It's one of my favorite songs. For the rest of my life when I sing it I'll think of Rosemary," Ronstadt said. Mission accomplished Rosemary Clooney performed at the first three music festivals named in her honor on the condition the proceeds go to efforts to restore the Russell Theatre to its original state. The theater received national attention when Clooney premiered her movie "The Stars Are Singing" there 50 years ago. This was the first year the entire production was put on by Lundy's Special Events owned by Jerry Lundergan. His daughter Alyssa handed over a check for $12,500 to the Rescue the Russell group Saturday night. A silent auction that included artwork donated by singer Tony Bennett raised an additional $6,000. "Eventually we will have the Rosemary Clooney Theater - the Russell Theatre restored," Nick Clooney said. He and Alyssa Lundergan promised the festival will return next year. "We will be back next year even better," Alyssa Lundergan said. Contact Betty Coutant at betty.coutant@lee.net |
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