Sully Erna (born Salvator Paul Erna February 7 1968 in Lawrence, Massachusetts), is both the vocalist and primary songwriter for the hard rock/heavy metal band, Godsmack. Erna plays the guitar and drums, both on albums and during live shows. He has a daughter named Skylar Brooke Erna and an older sister named Maria.

Early life

Sully began playing drums at the age of 3. His father, Salvatore Paul Erna, was a trumpet player and would rehearse in the basement where Sully would go to sleep in the empty guitar case. His great grandfather was a famous composer in Sicily, where every year they honor his birthday and his pictures are hung in a museumFact: date=March 2008. At the age of 11 it was discovered that it was easier for him to listen to something and play it than read sheet music. He stopped taking lessons and sat at home rehearsing to records by Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Motorhead, and AmereImage.

Music career

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 less than 50,000 units. The band self-destructed shortly after. He was also in Meliah Rage (drums on the album "Unfinished Business") and The Fighting Cocks. In Godsmack concerts he plays the bongos and an entire 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 skilled harmonica player as present on the Godsmack song Shine Down. It was recently announced that Sully will work on a solo record due out sometime in 2008, and it will stray away from the hard rock sound of Godsmack. Sully wrapped up his acoustic tour with one final show at The House of Blues in Chicago, IL on June 28th.

Religion

Sully Erna is a devout Wiccan.

His book, The Paths We Choose, does mention in a brief passage the key parts of Wicca, but does not go into full detail.

He has announced in several interviews that the type of Wicca he practices is Celtic Wicca.

The Paths We Choose

Erna released a memoir entitled The Paths We Choose on his birthday February 7, 2007. The book details his struggles during the first 30 years of his life, up until the time Godsmack landed a record deal. The book sold 100,000 copies in its first month of release, and to date has shifted 300,000 copies worldwide.

Car accident

Godsmack frontman Sully Erna was quite shaken up from the three-car chain-reaction accident in Methuen, Massachusetts he caused when his Hummer H3 rear-ended another car on April 11 2007, resulting in the serious injury of its back-seat passenger. "He's deeply concerned for the girl who was hurt in this unfortunate accident," said his manager, Paul Geary, in reference to 25-year-old Chelmsford resident Lindsay Taylor. "Sully's thankful he got out with a split lip and some aches and pains, but he's traumatized about the girl," according to the April 17, 2007 Boston Herald.