Tony Lucca performs at OU’s Family Day

A musical performance by Pontiac native and NBC’s “The Voice” contestant Tony Lucca, Oct. 5, highlighted Family Day at Oakland University’s Weekend of Champions.

An ice cream social, provided by the Center for Student Activities, preceded the performance by the singer/songwriter at the Pioneer Food Court in the Oakland Center.

Lucca performed songs from his 2013 EP “With The Whole World Watching,” as well as acoustic performances of Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time” and the “Bed Intruder Song” by Antoine Dodson and The Gregory Brothers.

Between songs, Lucca talked about his experiences on “The Voice” and being able to play a coffee shop musician in an episode of NBC’s “Parenthood.”

Lucca spoke of last being at OU about 20 years ago, when he was just starting out as a musician. He also spoke of the respect he has for college students.

“I tip my hat to those that go to college, that’s pretty noble,” Lucca said.

Lucca grew up in Waterford and attended Clarkston Community Schools.

As a teenager, Lucca was part of the TV show “The Mickey Mouse Club” with other celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

After being on the show for four seasons, Lucca went to Hollywood to continue his acting career but soon after came back to Michigan and began his music career.

Lucca’s discography includes seven albums, two EP’s and one single. He recently signed with Adam Levine’s 222 Records, which produced his latest EP.

Lucca moved to Nashville, Tenn., this past summer, and is “real glad to call it home now.”

This week Lucca heads out to California for his With The Whole World Watching West Coast Tour. The tour includes performances in San Diego, Calif., Hermosa Beach, Calif., San Francisco, Calif., Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash.

Lucca has recently played at many college campuses in the Northeast. It is there that students are able to talk to him about starting their own music careers.

Lucca stresses that while you should follow your passion, you must also be realistic and responsible.

“Make sure you find people you can surround yourself with that will hold you accountable, people that you respect,” Lucca said.

Being a Detroit area native, Lucca has nothing but respect for fellow musicians that have come from the area, artists such as Kid Rock, Bob Seger, and Eminem.

“It’s hard to deny the talent that has come out of Detroit,” Lucca said.

While the musical culture of Detroit may not be what it used to represent, Lucca believes there is something very special about area and the artists that come from it.

“There is something about this area that inspires greatness,” Lucca said.

When he isn’t touring, Lucca sets aside time at home or while he is alone to write songs but says that as an artist he is constantly thinking of ideas for songs.

You can learn more about Tony Lucca at his website tonylucca.com, which is celebrating it’s 15 year anniversary this year. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter at @Luccadoes, and on Instagram at @luccadoes.