Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Chicago crooner Tony Ocean started a daily internet talk show after the pandemic closed many of the area venues at which he performed. The program, “Ocean’s Pit,” was recently named Internet Show of the Year at the Josie Music Awards, a ceremony that celebrates the contributions of the independent music industry.
“We’re thrilled with this honor,” Ocean says. “The show was our way of reaching out to people during a time when we couldn’t perform in person, and it continued to grow, even after things opened up.”
“Ocean’s Pit” can be heard Monday through Friday on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. The show features a variety of guests and allows listeners to ask questions and make comments via the chat function. Episodes are occasionally broadcast from local restaurants, and Ocean’s wife, Laura, serves as co-host on Thursdays.
Ocean has made a name for himself singing the music of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Bobby Darin and Tom Jones, and he achieved national acclaim playing the part of Dean Martin in the popular, long-running revue “The Rat Pack Is Back.” He has performed more than 8,000 shows at hundreds of venues around the country during his 30-year singing career. (tonyoceanmusic.com)
