Erik Avakian is an established ASCAP songwriter, arranger, producer, and recording engineer. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Erik has toured the country with some of the most successful bands in the business. In the early part of his career Erik was the keyboardist and one of three co-lead vocalists for the top New England touring band Sunshyne, which not only had a number one hit on Boston radio stations, but was comprised of some of New England's most talented and successful players including Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch and Mary J. Blige drummer Pookie Coles. In the early 90's, Erik moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and was the keyboard player and backup vocalist for the successful Central Pennsylvania modern rock band, and Sony recoding artist Fuel. As one of Fuel's original founding members, Erik toured with the band extensively throughout the United States from coast to coast and has shared stages with some of the most influential artists and bands in music including the Goo Goo Dolls and Sponge. Erik collaborated and recorded tracks on several of Fuel's originals including the Top 10 Billboard hit song "Shimmer". His background vocals and keyboards have been prominently featured and credited on many of the tracks from the pre-Fuel release "Small the Joy" up to and including Fuel's next two releases. He has recorded lead vocal, background vocal, and keyboard tracks in recording studios with some of the most influential musicians of our era including Nicko McBrain, the drummer for Iron Maiden. A songwriter at heart, he spends much of his time these days writing and recording his own material in his state-of-the-art recording studio.