Carboblog.com Writes about Rona Barrett

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carboblog.com
By Mark Carboni

April 24, 2010

Today, from the mystery wake-up files of Carbo, I was thinking of Rona Barrett.

For my five faithful readers who may not recognize the name, she was the first voice of gossip in 1957 with her own column, later tv reports and radio spots. She is coined the “first name in entertainment journalism”. I only remember her from late evening tv snippets on WOWO radio in the late 70’s.

I remember a radio that my grand parents purchased for me. Reason, I am not clear, but it had numbers that flipped over and was illuminated by an orange light. This radio was a blessing, because it had a timer on top so I could listen to the radio for a set number of music as I drifted off to bed. I would have to ask for permission to have music time and most nights I did.

It seems like it was nearing the 830 pm time frame when Rona Barrett would dish the latest stories of Hollywood on WOWO. I found that world fascinating. I could hear about the latest of people I had never heard of but it always sounded so glamorous. Sometimes I would hear a name I knew and felt as if it was something of elevated importance.

I guess later in life, I realized that gossip was not news but it was sure a foundation or portion of my passion for radio, music and the stature of fame.

I truly am uncertain why the name Rona Barrett was the first thing I thought of today, but it was. She currently leads the Rona Barrett Foundation – which focuses on support for senior citizens.