Rick Tomassi, DPM of Eerie, has always enjoyed good music. As a second-generation Italian American, Tomassi grew up listening to all the old classics, including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He developed an admiration for this style of music.

So when his local radio station, Gannon University WERG, had the contents of his favorite songs compromised, he knew he needed to do something. Dedicated to ensuring that these classics be heard by him and the listeners in his area, he placed his personal content on a disc and dropped it off at the station. Before you knew it he was asked to host a show. After a few times he finally decided to give it a go, hosting what came to be now known as “The Italian Hour.”

Time flies, and fifteen years later, “Festa Italiana,” the official name of the show, is enjoyed by the listeners in Eerie and in other areas. Dedicated fans tune in on the first and second Sunday of every month. The “hour” is a bit longer, as the show airs from 9 am–noon. Technology has made it possible for those who are not local to enjoy the show by streaming it on the internet or accessing wergfm.com through Gannon University.

Tomassi, a long-time member of PPMA, says that it is well-known that he is a local podiatrist hosting a show that is appreciated by an area with a large Italian-American population. Tomassi tells PPMA that while he has recently sold his practice, BayCity Associates in Podiatry, Inc., but is still working, both podiatry and the show has provided him much enjoyment in life. Both podiatry and hosting Festa Italiana have provided him with the opportunity to connect with others in his community.

His biggest listener may be his younger sister, Dana Russo, who says, “He is the best DJ in the world!”

PPMA Members can learn more about Tomasi’s show at WERGFM.com and https://eriepodiatrists.com/