Album brings success to local singer

After 35 years, the hard work and sacrifices are finally paying off for Mark O'Toole.

The singer, who has been performing in local lounges for more than 20 years, has gotten some attention since launching his album "The Crooner" in August.

And this, O'Toole says, could be his big break.

"It's probably the biggest achievement of my life so far," says O'Toole, who has been playing Ravello Lounge at M Resort since last year. "I'm finally getting recognition in town. It's a great feeling because I feel after all these years, people are finally respecting me. I'm just enjoying it because I do work hard."

The crowds have been building in recent weeks, O'Toole says, but at some point, he knows he will have to leave his gig to promote his album. The opportunity is too good to pass up. There's even talk about him doing some PBS specials.

"This is my time to shine. I'm going to have to take the ball and run with it," he says. "I want to make sure my music gets out and gets heard."

O'Toole, whose musical style is similar to performers such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and others, has remade himself several times during his career. He settled on his current genre in 2009.

After being named "Star Search" vocalist champion in 1994, he went country. When country died out, he put together a baby boomer band. That lasted about six years, until 2007, when he felt a bump under his chin. That bump was lymphoma. For two years, he was in and out of the hospital receiving treatment for a cancer he was told he wouldn't survive. He decided that, if he recovered, he would reinvent himself.

Standards, he decided, were the way to go.

"A good love song never goes out of style," he says.

His recent success validates his career decision.

"To overcome the odds at this stage in my career is a huge blessing," O'Toole says. "I cannot believe it's finally here and finally out for the public. This is the best work and best representation of what I do. I'm just totally blown away that it's me."

O'Toole performs from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays at Ravello Lounge at M Resort, 12300 Las Vegas Blvd. South. His CD is available on iTunes, Amazon or his website, markotoolemusic.com.

-- By SONYA PADGETT