Alan Peppard

Ever since my colleague Gromer Jeffers broke the news that Fred Baron paid to relocate John Edwards' mistress, Rielle Hunter, the Dallas attorney has probably heard from every major news outlet in the country.

But following a story in the Sept. 1 People magazine, Fred might be hearing from Forbes to ask about his net worth. It's no secret that Fred has done well financially, particularly from representing plaintiffs who've been exposed to asbestos or toxic chemicals. But even he might be surprised to learn that he's a billionaire.

The new People quotes a Democratic campaign adviser saying of Fred, "He is a billionaire and he would do anything to save Elizabeth the heartache."

The more one finds out about Rielle Hunter, the more fascinating the tale becomes. First of all, her birth name is Lisa Druck. Second, she used to date novelist Jay McInerney (Bright Lights, Big City ) who based his character Alison Poole on her in the roman à clef, Story of My Life. (Jay has since moved on to much greener pastures, marrying publishing heiress Anne Hearst, sister of Patty Hearst .)

Now, Inside Edition is coming out with an interview with game show host Chuck Woolery, who says Ms. Hunter was a contestant on his show Lingo on the Game Show Network.

On that program, Ms. Hunter claimed that she did a lot of yoga and chanting.

"She was a chanter and a yoga person when I saw her," Mr. Woolery tells Inside Edition. "Apparently there's more to that chant than meets the eye."

For fans of heavy metal, Ronnie Dio is close to a deity. In 1979, he replaced Ozzy Osbourne as the vocalist for Black Sabbath and now tours with his Sabbath bandmates under the moniker Heaven and Hell (the title of their first album without Ozzy). Singer-actor Jack Black and bandmate Kyle Gass even recorded a tribute, "Dio," on their Tenacious D album.

Mr. Dio and the band were in town for Friday's Metal Masters Tour at Superpages.com Center at Fair Park.

Ronnie was immediately recognized when he walked into Al Biernat 's restaurant for dinner Thursday night. With a little pleading, longtime Biernat's waitress Ellen Savage successfully got assigned to his table. And it paid off. Dio provided her with tickets and backstage passes.

"I think that makes her a groupie," says Biernat's manager Brad Fuller.

That same day, Mr. Biernat and his wife, Jeannie, got a new granddaughter, named Lark Saylor, compliments of their daughter, Angelica. Mr. Dio happily signed a napkin as a gift for the newborn.

"Back when Angelica was born, Al had Donna Summer sign a napkin to her," says Brad. "So the napkin tradition continues."