Bryan Fustukian

Bryan Fustukian (born in Saint Boniface, Winnipeg) is a Canadian country music singer and songwriter. He is also notable as a former radio broadcaster and concert promoter. Under the stage name of Vik Armen, Fustukian initially developed his music career in pop music. He continues to perform and record country music as Bryan Fustukian and pop music as Vik Armen.

History

Bryan Fustukian was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and spent his childhood in Edmonton, Alberta. Fustukian's first career was in radio. After appearing as a guest singer at an Edmonton all-night radio show, he was encouraged to become a radio broadcaster and to choose a new name to do so. He became Vik Armen. Fustukian moved to WPRO in Providence, Rhode Island, eventually becoming the music director at that station. During his tenure at WPRO, Fustukian was voted in Downbeat Magazine, for two consecutive years, as the most influential disc jockey on the Eastern Seaboard. Blood, Sweat and Tears, The Rascals, Vanilla Fudge, The Mothers of Invention and Van Morrison. Among Fustukian's notable productions was the last live concert of Cream performed in North America, prior to the breakup of the band.

Fustukian initially left radio work in 1970, to devote himself exclusively to his music career. Cowsill's childhood had been spent in Rhode Island, where Fustukian was a well-known radio personality. The two reconnected in Canada, where Cowsill chose to spend the majority of his life, and developed the balance of his career in music. It was also during this period that Fustukian signed with Jim Reeves Enterprises, as a songwriter and producer.

Fustukian released his first album, Fustukian, in 1979, on Vera Cruz Records. The album was co-produced by Bryan Fustukian and Wes Dakus.

In 1999, Fustukian commenced performing again as Vik Armen, releasing Vik Armen Sings Again, as well as Vik Armen 1963-1967, his collected singles from the 1960s.

Subsequent to his radio career and in addition to his songwriting, performing and music production, Fustukian became the president of a voice over production studio, based in Edmonton.

Discography

As Bryan Fustukian

Albums

How the West Was Won (Fustukian and The Albertans) Dynasty, 2012 Fustukian 2010 A Fustukian Christmas 2008 Road Work Fustukian 1973-1993 Railroad Songs and Songs of The West Live at the Cook County Saloon (Fustukian and The Battle River Band) Always Battle River, 1980 Fustukian Vera Cruz, 1979

Singles

Year Single Peak chartpositions Album CAN Country CAN AC 1976 "Phyllis (Wait for the Wagon)" 21 — Fustukian 1978 "Red River Valley" — 50 "You Win Again" 61 — 1979 "Lonesome Cowboy Song" 60 — 1982 "Always" 45 — Always "—" denotes releases that did not chart

As Vik Armen

Albums

It's A Lonesome Old Town (HYE) Vik Armen 2010 (HYE) A Tribute to Tin Pan Alley (HYE) Vik Armen Sings Again (HYE), 1999 Vik Armen 1963-1967 (HYE)

Singles

It Takes A Lot Of Work, AirPlay Direct, 2014 The Girl Who Never Smiled /Don't Wait 'Til Summer Comes Around (WPN). Kiss Me Quick/When My Little Girl Is Smiling Apex, 1964 Really Terrific/Last Summer Apex, 1963 1963

Filmography 1981 - Silence of the North 1984 - Isaac Littlefeathers 1984 - Draw! (TV Movie) 1985 - Birds of Prey 1986 - Loyalties 1987 - The Gunfighters (TV Movie) 1994 - Road to Saddle River 1994 - Lonesome Dove: The Series (TV Series. Episode: "Ballad of a Gunfighter")