Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Godsmack ‘s planned year-long break in the schedule is not only giving frontman Sully Erna a chance to pursue his solo career, but he’s also taking the time to revive one of his other passions — poker. The musician tells ESPN that after stepping away from the card game for a few years, he’s gotten the itch to compete in poker tournaments again. In 2006 and 2007, Erna took part in the World Series of Poker competitions, winning $17,730 his first year and banking another $45,422 the following year. Then he took home $307,325 in the 2007 Five-Diamond World Poker Classic. But Erna says that his mindset wasn’t right to keep it up. He explains, “I was finding that I was very impatient and playing crappy hands. I was losing patience every time I was playing. I had to take a break. [But] I’m making a comeback! I’ve studied the game. I’m getting the itch to play poker again. In fact, I’m in Los Angeles today and I’ll be playing tonight. I need to shake the rust off. I’m ready to go deep and win a lot of money!” Erna says he felt the timing was right to pick up poker again. “I’ve been bouncing around testing out my game,” says the vocalist. “That’s why many of my venues for the solo shows are in casinos. I love that environment. It works to my advantage, also it’s a transient audience. I can’t wait.” Sully has booked a solo tour later this spring, promoting both his ‘Avalon’ solo disc and the works of Godsmack. Check out the tour dates here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/favorite-godsmack-song-readers-poll/” title=”Next: Favorite Godsmack Song – Readers Poll” align=”center”]
Posts Tagged ‘sully-erna’
Godsmack’s Sully Erna Revisits Poker Passion
February 21st, 2013 
Metalkult 
Posted in News 
Tags: a-few-years, diamond-world, game, godsmack-check, news, poker-classic-, readers-poll-, solo, spring, sully-erna, taking-the-time, tour 
No Comments »Godsmack vs. Papa Roach – 2013 Loudwire Rock Bowl, Round 1
January 24th, 2013 Metalkult There’s nothing to get you rocking like a pair of rock anthems, and this 2013 Loudwire Rock Bowl matchup has them. It’s Godsmack ‘s ‘I Stand Alone’ squaring off against Papa Roach ‘s ‘Last Resort’ to see which is the better football anthem. Godsmack’s Sully Erna spells it out for all comers in ‘I Stand Alone’ when he belts “ I’ve told you this once before / You can’t control me / If you try to take me down, you’re gonna pay .” That type of grit and determination is what drives many of the NFL players, and in the end, their ultimate goal to the be the team that “stands alone” at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Godsmack’s competition in this round is Papa Roach who have some strong statements of their own with ‘Last Resort.’ The pounding drums and guitars only strengthen the mood of the track, which is one of back-against-the-wall desperation. And as we all know, desperation can be a powerful motivator. When Jacoby Shaddix unleashes on this song, is there anyone left unmoved? It’s a tough matchup — Godsmack against Papa Roach. Take a listen to both songs below and then vote in our poll to determine who advances in the 2013 Loudwire Rock Bowl. Voting in Round 1 continues through Sunday night (Jan. 27) at 11:59PM ET. To see the next 2013 Loudwire Rock Bowl matchup and vote for your favorite, click on the red button at the bottom of this post. Hear Godsmack’s ‘I Stand Alone’ Hear Papa Roach’s ‘Last Resort’ Sorry, you need to have javascript running to see this poll. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/disturbed-vs-trapt-2013-loudwire-rock-bowl-round-1/” title=”Next Rock Bowl Matchup: Disturbed vs. Trapt” align=”center”]
Posted in News Tags: a-tough-matchup, button-at-the, godsmack, nfl, only-strengthen, papa roach, post, roach, roach-take, spells-it-out, stand-, stand-alone, sully-erna No Comments »Godsmack’s Sully Erna Announces Dates for 2013 Solo East Coast Tour
January 15th, 2013 Metalkult Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Godsmack may be taking some time off , but that doesn’t mean that Sully Erna is slowing down any. The vocalist has just announced six new East Coast solo shows where he’ll continue to promote his ‘Avalon’ solo album. The trek launches March 22 at Atlantic City’s House of Blues and the performances are expected to not only include material from Erna’s solo album, but also tracks from throughout his career. The singer, who was inspired by ’90s world fusion band Dead Can Dance, recruited the band’s percussionist, Niall Gregory, to join his solo outfit. The group also features Erna’s friend and past Godsmack guest vocalist Lisa Guyer. Erna has shown his fondness for the solo effort, continuing to promote it while balancing his Godsmack schedule and going so far as to issue a limited edition five-DVD box set that includes a full live performance of the album. In addition to the wealth of extras associated with the box set, there were also five “golden tickets” that were spread amongst the limited edition releases. Each of the tickets provided the owner to join Erna on a luxury trip to either Napa, Boston, New York, Las Vegas or Catalina Island (aka Avalon). Fans can also enter to win other Erna prizes without having to purchase the box set by visiting the singer’s ‘Avalon’ website here . Check out the full list of Erna’s tour dates below. Tickets for the trek may be purchased here. Sully Erna 2013 East Coast Tour: 3/22 — Atlantic City, N.J. — House of Blues 3/23 — Huntington, N.Y. — The Paramount 3/24 — Uncasville, Ct. — Mohegan Sun 4/5 — Hampton Beach, N.H. — Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom 4/6 — Verona, N.Y. — Turning Stone Resort Casino 4/13 — Niagara Falls, N.Y. — Niagara Casino and Hotel [button href=”http://loudwire.com/godsmack-awake-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Godsmack – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]
Posted in News Tags: a-luxury-trip, atlantic-city, career, dance, dvd, hampton-beach, house, news, singer, sully-erna, tickets No Comments »Daily Reload: Metallica, Anthrax + More
December 7th, 2012 Metalkult Valerie Macon, Getty Images Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: – Metallica say yes to offering their music via Spotify as drummer Lars Ulrich and former Napster foe Sean Parker make peace. [ Loudwire ] – Anthrax have been nominated for the Best Hard Rock / Metal Performance category. Find out what drummer Charlie Benante had to say about it in an exclusive interview. Guitarist Scott Ian has also announced a solo ‘Speaking Words’ tour. [ Loudwire ] – Sully Erna has announced that Godsmack plan to take a year-long vacation throughout 2013. [ Loudwire ] – Our exclusive coverage of the 2012 Shiprocked cruise continues with a recap of Day Four featuring Filter , Korn , Sevendust + more. [ Loudwire ] – Motley Crue singer Vince Neil is set to soar in the new reality TV series ‘Vince Neil Escapes.’ [ Loudwire ] – Metallica christmas light show powered by ‘Creeping Death,’ ‘Battery’ + More. [ Ultimate Metallica ] – Paul McCartney thinks ‘Meat Free Monday’ could help save the planet. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – 43 Years Ago: Rolling Stones Altamont Speedway concert end in homicide. [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – 18 Years Ago: Pearl Jam ‘s ‘Vitalogy’ album was released. [ Diffuser.fm ] – Queens of the Stone Age ‘s Josh Homme discusses “Deeper, Richer, Stranger” new album. [ Rock Music Report ]
Sully Erna Unveils ‘Avalon’ Box Set Details
November 15th, 2012 Metalkult Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Godsmack ‘s Sully Erna showed another side of his musical abilities with the ‘Avalon’ solo album, and now he’s offering fans an expanded version of the release with the upcoming limited-edition ‘Avalon’ box set . The collection includes the double-disc ‘Avalon Live,’ ‘The Making of Avalon Live’ documentary, ‘The Journey to Avalon’ documentary, and a DVD of bloopers and outtakes. The box set also contains a pair of CDs — the original ‘Avalon’ album and the ‘Avalon Live’ show recording. Other items that are part of the collection include an autographed limited edition coffee table book, an updated version of Sully’s personal memoir, ‘The Paths We Choose,’ a limited edition poster from the show at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston, and a limited edition t-shirt, a Sully Erna hat and necklace, a commemorative backstage pass from the 2010 tour, a guitar pick and a custom handmade incense chosen by Erna. The full collection is priced at $249, but the first 1,000 people to pre-order will get it for $199. In addition, Erna has placed five “golden tickets” in the boxes and the winners will receive trips with the vocalist to either Napa, Boston, New York, Las Vegas, or Avalon/Catalina Island. Other prizes such as guitars and handwritten lyrics also may be won with no purchase required by registering at www.sullyernaavalon.com . Look for the exclusive box sets, arriving Dec. 19. ‘Avalon Live,’ the concert portion of the box set, will air on Palladia Nov. 16. A single disc standard and Blu-Ray version of the show will be released on Dec. 18. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/godsmack-awake-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Godsmack – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”]
Posted in News Tags: a-guitar-pick, a-has-placed, avalon, century-hard, collection, dvd, news, such-as-guitars, sully-erna, vocalist, wilbur, wilbur-theatre No Comments »New Music Releases – December 2012
November 15th, 2012 Metalkult Reprise New music releases are usually sparse as the calendar year comes to an end. Despite this, there are still some albums, box sets and other releases to pick up this December. Perhaps the most anticipated album the year’s final month will come Dec. 11 when Green Day complete their trilogy with the release of ‘¡Tré!’ The first two albums of the band’s project, ‘¡Uno!’ and ‘¡Dos!’ were met with critical acclaim, and there’s no reason to expect a different reaction to ‘¡Tré!’ Metallica will be releasing their ‘Quebec Magnetic’ DVD/Blu-ray in December. ‘Quebec Magnetic,’ a double DVD and single Blu-ray disc, was recorded during a two-night stint in Quebec City, Canada, in the fall of 2009 during the ‘World Magnetic Tour.’ Bands such as Chevelle , Hinder , KISS , Sully Erna and the Smashing Pumpkins will also be unleashing material. Check out these upcoming releases for December 2012. New Music Releases – December 2012: Dec. 4: Chevelle, ‘Stray Arrows: A Collection of Favorites’ Hinder, ‘Welcome to the Freakshow’ KISS, ‘The Casablanca Singles 1974-1982′ (Box Set) The Smashing Pumpkins, ‘Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness’ (Box Set) Dec. 11: Green Day, ‘¡Tré!’ Metallica, ‘Quebec Magnetic’ (DVD) Tony Iommi, ‘Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven & Hell with Black Sabbath’ (Paperback) Dec. 18: Sully Erna, ‘Avalon’ Limited Edition Box Set
Posted in News Tags: band, blu-ray, december-, dvd, freakshow, journey-through, magnetic, mellon-collie, news, quebec, quebec-magnetic, sully-erna No Comments »Godsmack’s Sully Erna Pulls Out of Texas Marathon Due to Injury
November 5th, 2012 Metalkult Liz Ramanand, Loudwire After announcing his participation in the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon a couple of months ago, Godsmack frontman Sully Erna has been forced to pull out of the Nov. 11 race as the result of an unspecified injury. Back in August, Erna expressed his enthusiasm about the marathon by writing on his Facebook page: “Started officially training 2 weeks ago for the 26.2 mile Rock N Roll Marathon in San Antonio, Nov. 11th 2012! Hoping to get sponsors and fans to help support me and raise money for children’s hospitals around the country.” Now, a new post on Godsmack’s official site reports, “Unfortunately because of an injury, Sully has chosen to back out of the San Antonio Marathon on Nov 11. He plans on continuing his training as soon as he is feeling better and appreciates all the fan support thus far. Fortunately, there will be other marathons in the near future and he looks forward to participating in one of them. He may have to take a little break for now, but he WILL be back in action very soon!” While the injury was not specified, Erna did have knee surgery within the past year and was seen playing shows with a knee brace. However, he tweeted, “Knee is holding up great so far!” earlier this year. Godsmack are set to play this year’s ShipRocked Cruise with a massive lineup that includes Korn, Five Finger Death Punch, P.O.D., Sevendust and many others. Check out full details of the cruise here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/godsmack-shannon-larkin-talks-shiprocked-uproar-sully-erna-vocal-cords/” title=”Next: Godsmack’s Shannon Larkin Talks ShipRocked, Uproar Tour + More” align=”center”]
Posted in News Tags: a-did-have, a-knee-brace, a-little-break, antonio, finger-death, godsmack, marathon, sully-erna, within-the-past, writing-on-his No Comments »
