At the tender age of 3 Sully Erna was beating on drums. Erna's father, Salvatore Erna, played the trumpet and his great grandfather was a celebrated Sicilian composer. He began playing penny poker with his dad as a youngster. Now Sully Erna is the frontman for Godsmack - a hard rock band whose last 2 albums have debuted at number one.
Music came naturally to Erna who shunned traditional sheet music by age 11 to master his ability to play by ear. Not only is he a virtuoso of many instruments and a potently talented singer - he's also a skilled poker player. Erna confesses that making time for poker is a priority despite a busy tour schedule. He played in the local tournaments after Godsmack returned from touring with Metallica. Erna was among several celebrity participants at the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event. He earned $17,730 and placed 713th in a field of 8,773 at that ESPN aired event. He plays tournaments, cash games, and online poker. He recently played the WPT's Main Event at the Foxwoods Resort Casino. Erna has managed to fit 4 WPT events into his grueling schedule. He's widely recognized as the lead singer for an intensely hard-core rock band - yet he doesn't use this persona to intimidate when he's at the table. He considers himself a low-key, reserved player who doesn't put on a front. Erna realizes he's fortunate to have the financial freedom to play without any big fear of losing - he simply enjoys the sport. Erna prefers playing No Limit cash games and occasionally stud. Although he's got scores of his own fans - Erna is a fan of Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, and Phil Laak. He admits that he cannot stand watching Phil Hellmuth play and detests those who cannot keep poker a fun, enjoyable game when they resort to childish behavior and whining. Watch for Erna on March 14th, 2007, when VH1 airs a poker special filmed in November 2006 featuring other poker greats and music celebrities.
