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 FustukianBryan Fustukian website. Retrieved 2014-12-07. and pop music as Vik Armen.Vic Armen website. Retrieved 2014-12-07.
History
Bryan Fustukian was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and spent his childhood in Edmonton, Alberta.Biography of Bryan Fustukian; fustukian.com. Retrieved 2014-11-22. 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.
Under the name Vik Armen, Fustukian was a radio station disc jockey in Winnipeg (CKRC), Edmonton (CHED and CJCA), Lethbridge (CHEC), Ottawa (CKOY), Toronto (CKEY) and Providence, Rhode Island.Larry Delaney, Vinyl Flashback - Fustukian , August 26, 2008. Retrieved 2014-11-24.
As Vik Armen, Fustukian released a number of pop music singles in the 1960s. He would record his songs in the radio station studios where he was employed. One of his songs, "I'm Not In Your Dreams Anymore", released as "Not In Your Dreams" and recorded while he was a morning disc jockey at CJCA in Edmonton, became a number 1 local hit. The single was issued by Remlap Records, an independent label co-owned by Fustukian and a partner, who worked for Decca Records. Subsequent singles were released on Apex Records, which was then the Canadian label for Decca Records. One such release was "Kiss Me Quick", which was produced by Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico, backed by Wes Dakus and The Rebels.
In 1965,Uncredited, Vox Jox, Billboard, September 25, 1965, p. 61. Retrieved 2014-12-07. 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. Fustukian became a concert promoter, in addition to his radio association. Concerts produced by Fustukian included performances by Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Al Martino, Buck Owens, The Who,As a concert promoter in the United States, Fustukian did not downplay his Canadian origins. A concert featuring The Who and Blood, Sweat and Tears was produced by "Vik Armen and Alberta Prod.". Poster collection of Vik Armen-produced concerts; www.vikarmen.com. Retrieved 2014-12-11. Blood, Sweat and Tears, The Rascals, Vanilla Fudge, The Mothers of Invention and Van Morrison.Museum of Canadian Music , Biography of Bryan Fustukian. Retrieved 2014-11-22.Poster collection of Vik Armen-produced concerts.; www.vikarmen.com. Retrieved 2014-12-08. Among Fustukian's notable productions was the last live concert of Cream performed in North America, prior to the breakup of the band. Fustukian also produced and managed certain local artists during this period, working in part with New York producer Warren Schatz.Undated and uncredited, The Petrified Forrest (a.k.a. The Offbeats). Rip It Up R.I.: Rhode Island garage rock & roll bands from the 1960s. Retrieved 2014-12-07.
Fustukian initially left radio work in 1970, to devote himself exclusively to his music career. Fustukian returned to Canada in 1972, settling in Edmonton and recommencing his radio associations. During this period, he was associated with Edmonton radio stations CFRN, CKUA and CJAX-FM. Fustukian also commenced playing country music regularly, throughout Alberta. As of the mid-1970s, Billy Cowsill, formerly of The Cowsills, joined Fustukian's band as a guitarist and co-lead singer.Gerry Wand, The Bryan Fustukian Band, With Billy Cowsill: Hair-Trigger Cowboys, On Occasion; June 12, 2012. Retrieved 2014-11-27. 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. In 1976, one of Fustukian's songs, released under the title "Singin' Lonesome Cowboy Songs", was released by Nashville recording artist George Kent.George Kent Discography. Retrieved 2014-12-05.
Fustukian released his first album, Fustukian, in 1979, on Vera Cruz Records. The album was co-produced by Bryan Fustukian and Wes Dakus. He had previously released a single "Phyllis (Wait for the Wagon)", on Casino Records which had been a top 20 RPM single in 1976, and which was included on his 1979 album debut.
As of 1981, Fustukian commenced appearing in various films.IMDb, Bryan Fustukian Filmography. Retrieved 2014-12-02.
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.Edmonton Broadcasters Club, Profile of Vik Armen ; www.edmontonbroadcasters.com. Retrieved 2014-11-24.
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 CountryPeak chart positions for singles charting on RPM Country Tracks:
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 TownWith the Gerry Dere Orchestra and Chorus(HYE) Vik Armen 2010 (HYE) A Tribute to Tin Pan AlleyThe Vik Armen Show, with Wayne Feschuk and His Orchestra(HYE) Vik Armen Sings Again (HYE), 1999Particulars of Vik Armen Sings Again; www.indie-pool.com. Retrieved 2014-12-08. Vik Armen 1963-1967 (HYE)
Singles
It Takes A Lot Of Work, AirPlay Direct, 2014Details of It Takes A Lot Of Work; www.airplaydirect.com. Retrieved 2014-12-11. The Girl Who Never SmiledMuskmellon's Blog, The Girl Who Never Smiled 45 by Vik Armen, June 11, 2009. Retrieved 2014-12-07./Don't Wait 'Til Summer Comes AroundMuskmellon's Blog, Don’t Wait ‘Til Summer Comes Around 45 by Vik Armen, July 24, 2010. Retrieved 2014-12-07.(WPN).A label started by Warren Schatz. Kiss Me Quick/When My Little Girl Is Smiling Apex, 1964Discogs, Vik Armen Discography. Retrieved 2014-12-07.Singles Discography for Apex Records; www.globaldogproductions.info. Retrieved 2014-12-08. Really Terrific/Last Summer Apex, 1963 Not In Your Dreams/Without Your Love Remlap,45cat, Particulars of Vik Armen single. Retrieved 2014-12-07. 1963
Filmography 1981 - Silence of the North 1984 - Isaac Littlefeathers 1984 - Draw! (TV Movie) 1985 - Birds of Prey 1986 - LoyaltiesAs lead singer in background band. Allmovie, Credits for Loyalties. Retrieved 2014-12-02. 1987 - The Gunfighters (TV Movie) 1994 - Road to Saddle River 1994 - Lonesome Dove: The Series (TV Series. Episode: "Ballad of a Gunfighter")
References
External links as Fustukian as Bryan Fustukian as Vik Armen