Salvatore Paul "Sully" Erna Jr. (born February 7, 1968) is the American vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the American heavy metal band Godsmack. He is also a harmonica player, percussionist and pianist, performing these on albums and at live shows. He was ranked 47th in the Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists by Hit Parader.\n', 'Sully was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He began playing drums at the age of three. His father, Salvatore Erna, was a trumpet player and would rehearse in the basement where Sully would watch and fall asleep in an empty guitar case. His great-uncle was a famous composer in Sicily, where every year they honor his music and his pictures are hung in a museum. At the age of 11, he discovered that it was easier for him to listen to something and play it than read sheet music. He stopped taking lessons and practiced at home, rehearsing to records by Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Motörhead and Rush.\n', 'At 14, Dave Vose became his new instructor. He signed his first record deal in 1993 with a band called Strip Mind. Their debut album What\'s in Your Mouth sold fewer than 50,000 units. Then some of the band members (mainly the singer) and Erna didn\'t get along, and he was booted out. They split-up shortly after. In Godsmack concerts he plays the bongos and a large drum set, staging a drumming duel known as Batalla de los Tambores with drummer Shannon Larkin. This battle has become a staple of the band\'s live show. He is also a harmonica player as present on the Godsmack song "Shine Down." In 2010, Sully released his first solo album Avalon. The album took seven years to complete and differed stylistically from Godsmack. Sully wrapped up his acoustic tour with one final show at The House of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28.\n', '

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