“Before the pandemic, I was doing shows nightly and several on the weekends at a variety of restaurants and venues,” Tony Ocean said. “And then, as of last March, zero. Nothing. Everything shut down.”
With the COVID-19 pandemic upending the live entertainment industry, things are beginning to turn around for Tony Ocean.
The veteran singer/entertainer, who has regularly played in the Chicago and Lake Geneva areas, is now seeing more gigs since the coronavirus nearly wiped his schedule clean.
“Before the pandemic, I was doing shows nightly and several on the weekends at a variety of restaurants and venues,” said Ocean. “And then, as of last March, zero. Nothing. Everything shut down.”
Then, the restrictions on bars and restaurants in Wisconsin and Illinois loosened. Now, Ocean is doing at least a couple shows a week.
He also hosts a Facebook program, “Ocean’s Pit.”
“I definitely see a positive vibe from people coming to my shows and from listeners to my Facebook show,” Ocean said. “Nobody is being foolish about things, but with the vaccine rollout and indoor dining even limited, people are starting to emerge from their long hibernations.”
In Wisconsin, Ocean is set to appear April 1 at the Splash Martini Bar in Oconomowoc.
In the Lake Geneva area, Ocean is expected to perform in July and August at Mars Resort in the town of Geneva.
In Illinois, Ocean has regular weekly bookings at Chicago Prime Steakhouse in Schaumburg, and at Shoeless Joe’s locations in Addison and Schiller Park.
For bookings and more information, contact Shark Entertainment, 630-965-7625.
Gallery: Big-time performers who rocked Lake Geneva area
Stevie Wonder
When he was 19, R&B legend Stevie Wonder performed at the Riviera Ballroom in Lake Geneva.
Jazz & more at 'The Pier'
Once known as The Pier, Lake Geneva’s Riviera Ballroom hosted performances by legends in jazz and R&B.
Cheap Trick
In 1994, Cheap Trick played the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn. Then, in 1998, they performed at Burlington’s ChocolateFest.
The Monkees
The Monkees — (from left) Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork — played in and around the Lake Geneva area more than once.
A popular Midwestern venue
Majestic Bandstand was part of Majestic Hills in the town of Linn, where the Stevie Wonder, the Monkees, R.E.O. Speedwagon and others once performed.
Majestic's 1969 concert schedule — Part 1
A page of the concert schedule for the Majestic Bandstand, where big-name artists once performed.
Majestic's 1969 concert schedule — Part 2
Imagine seeing these musicians, in their heyday, at these prices.
Janis Joplin
On Aug. 31, 1969, Janis Joplin was listed as “tentative” on the concert schedule at the Majestic Bandstand. But she played a festival in Texas on Aug. 30.
Monkees, Association & Herman's Hermits
The Monkees, The Association and Herman’s Hermits all performed at the Playboy Club, which is now Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, in the town of Lyons.
The Beach Boys
From the 1960s on through the 2000s, the Beach Boys played throughout the Lake Geneva area. Pictured here are (from left) Al Jardine, Mike Love, David Marks and Bruce Johnston.
Classic rock & country artists in Williams Bay
The Beach Boys performed at George Williams College, in Williams Bay, as did the Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Loggins and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
