Rosemary Clooney: Maysville’s Girl Singer

Rosemary Clooney, whose singing career took her from small town Maysville, Kentucky to the spotlights of Hollywood, stayed close to her Kentucky roots.

Clooney, whose recording hits include White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Come On-A My House, insisted the premier of her 1953 movie 'The Stars Are Singing' be held in Maysville. During her visit in 1953 the street below her childhood home on West Third Street was named in her honor.

Rosemary married Dante DiPaolo in 1997 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in downtown Maysville and is buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery located on US Hwy 68, just 3 miles south of downtown.

In 1999 she loaned her name and talent to help city officials launch the Rosemary Clooney Music Festival. Miss Clooney performed at the festival each year until her death in 2002.

The Russell Theater, where Clooney's movie premiered in 1953 is currently under restoration by members of Rescue the Russell.

Clooney's childhood home and the Russell Theater are featured as part of the new 'Rosemary Clooney Tour' offered through the Maysville-Mason County Tourism office to groups of 15 or more people. A step on guide accompanies the group on the tour.

In addition to her childhood home and the Russell Theater, the tour includes St. Patrick's Church, and downtown Maysville. For more information on the Rosemary Clooney tour, click here.

The Rosemary Clooney House Museum in Augusta, Kentucky

Ms. Clooney purchased a riverfront home in Augusta, Kentucky, joining her brother Nick, his wife Nina and their children Ada and George in this historic town. Augusta, located 18 miles west of Maysville, was Clooney's home away from Hollywood. The home is currently owned by former Miss America 2000 Heather French Henry and husband Steve Henry, former Lt. Governor of Kentucky.

The Henry's have opened the home as the 'Rosemary Clooney House Museum'. Located on Riverside Drive, the museum features the White Christmas Room which houses costumes and memorabilia from the movie including a reproduction of Miss Clooney's red dress with fur trim and the military uniform worn by Bing Crosby.

There is memorabilia featuring Miss French, Nick & George Clooney and the entire Clooney family.

A grand opening was held October 1, 2005 to coincide with the 7th Annual Rosemary Clooney Concert in Maysville.

For more information, go to www.rosemaryclooneyhouse.com

The 2008 Rosemary Clooney Concert will be held Saturday, September 27th in downtown Maysville with Grammy award winnining entertainer Michael Bolton. Contact The Lundergan Group for ticket information at 859-255-0717.