Betty Clooney

Betty began singing professionally with her sister, Rosemary Clooney, on the radio at the age of 13. The Clooney Sisters then went on the road for a few years as featured vocalists with band-leader Tony Pastor and his orchestra. When Rosemary was offered a solo record deal with Columbia, Betty conceded to break up the act. Still just a teenager, Betty went back to her hometown in Cincinnati where she became a television pioneer on the city's first station, WLWT. Not only was she a featured singer on the stations main program (called The 50-50 Club and broadcast on TV as well as radio), she also hosted her own shows called "Teen Canteen" and "Boy Meets Girl". She was the first Pop artist signed to local legendary R&B label, King Records, releasing several singles. After a move to New York and the start of a nightclub career, she appeared on countless variety shows in the 1950's where she sang, danced and acted in skits that showcased her beautiful voice and brilliant sense of humor. She recorded for several more record labels including RCA's X label, Decca's Coral label (where she had a minor hit with the song "Sin And Satin") and Columbia's Children's Records. She also filmed several Soundies of popular hits. Although Betty recorded the hit song "Sisters" from the film White Christmas (1954) with Rosemary for Columbia's single release, in the movie Vera-Ellen's singing voice was dubbed by singer Trudy Stevens. Not one to really seek fame, she subsequently retired from showbiz to raise her family appearing only sporadically on television until her death.