One of Hollywood's and Cincinnati's most beloved entertainers will be celebrated in song and visuals when "Nancy James Sings Rosemary Clooney" on June 16 at The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in Covington, Kentucky.
The Carnegie is across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, where the late Ms. Clooney got her start, singing on WLW Radio in the 1940s with her sister, Betty. Coincidentally, Nancy James also began her career at WLW, performing on the Bob Braun Show, a popular TV and radio show syndicated in the Midwest in the 1970s.
"I got to know Rosie when she came back several times as a guest on the Bob Braun Show," James said. "She was the quintessential girl next door. She had no airs, and was very kind and giving. She was as normal as anyone you would ever meet, even though she was one of the greatest singers in the world."
Clooney, who died in 2002, was a native of Maysville, Kentucky, about 50 miles from Cincinnati, and had moved from
Beverly Hills to the nearby town of Augusta in her later years. Her house, which overlooks the Ohio River in Augusta, is now a museum featuring her music and movie memorabilia, including exhibits dedicated to
George Clooney, her nephew.
The upcoming concert is being produced with cooperation from the
Rosemary Clooney fan site www.rosemaryclooney.com, which is providing historic photos to be shown onstage during the show. The show will include an hour and a half of Clooney's greatest songs, as well as some that were not necessarily her favorites, such as the classic "Come On-A My House."
"Rosie thought it was just a silly novelty song," James said. "She also didn't like the idea of singing it in a mock Italian accent, but
Columbia Records pressured her to do it, and it became a huge hit. She didn't like it, but her fans sure did."
Nancy James was trained at the prestigious College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in Cincinnati, and has been a popular jazz vocalist in the area for three decades, having performed on television, radio and on stage. She is also the former co-host of the television program "Northern Kentucky Magazine."
Joining her onstage will be Carmon DeLeone, music director of the Cincinnati Ballet, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and the Middletown (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra. DeLeone, who is recognized for his knowledge of music history, will introduce each song by telling a brief story about it. Also accompanying James will be other, popular Cincinnati musicians: pianist Steve Schmidt; trombonist Bill Gemmer; guitarist Br
Ad Meyers; and bass player Mike Sharfe, who toured with Clooney. Harmonizing with James will be composer Janet Yates-Vogt, co-writer of a new musical about
Rosemary Clooney titled "Tenderly," which is scheduled to open at Dayton, Ohio's Victoria Theatre this fall.
"One of my favorite quotes about Rosie was that she was one of the best friends a song ever had," James said. "She understood lyrics and gave a voice to songs in a way that most other singers could not. She was a major influence on me, and I am honored to be paying tribute to her."
"Nancy James Sings
Rosemary Clooney" will take place June 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1028 Scott Boulevard, Covington, Kentucky 41011. Individual tickets are $19; $16 for Carnegie members and Enjoy the Arts members. Tickets can be ordered at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 957-1940.
Information about the
Rosemary Clooney Museum is available at
http://www.rosemaryclooney.org.
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