Coming from a musical family, Justin Avery knew early on the career path he’d take.

But little did the Traverse City-raised keyboardist know that he’d one day be touring with legendary performer Meat Loaf. “He’s amazing,” says the soft-spoken Avery of the headlining rock musician. “It’s so extraordinary to work with him. He’s such a showman and really knows how to win an audience over.”

Avery’s parents, Larry and Dianne Avery, were members of the Schussycats, entertaining thousands of Schuss Mountain visitors during the ’70s. Larry later ran Dill’s Olde Towne Saloon, where the highlight was the Golden Garter Revue, a revolving team of talented waiters/entertainers that he directed for many years.

Young Justin hung out at rehearsals and was mesmerized by the college-age entertainers. That musical environment also rubbed off on Justin’s younger brother Kyle, who plays drums in funk-rock band, Egon.

“Being in Dill’s as a youngster and hearing and seeing all those talented musicians and singers, it was amazing,” recalls Justin, who graduated from Traverse City West in 1999.

By then a serious musician, Avery went to Western Michigan University where he majored in Jazz Studies. In 2005, a year after graduating, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career. He soon landed session work with artists like Katy Perry and Billy Ray Cyrus, and formed his own band, The Population Game. Last year he performed on national TV, accompanying “Fame” vocalist Natari Naughton on “Good Morning America.”

So how did the Meat Loaf gig come about?

“Dave Luther, another Traverse City guy, had been playing sax in Meat’s band for a few years,” recalls Avery. “[Dave and I had] played together years ago and kept in touch. One day I got a call from him saying that Meat Loaf was looking for a keyboard player, and Dave thought of me first.”

Avery sent in a YouTube video of a performance, then auditioned live. He killed it.

“We put in a 26-year-old piano player named Justin Avery and have never seen anything like him,” Meat Loaf told reporters at the time. “He has left musicians of incredible caliber with their mouths hanging open. He is going to leave people in awe of what he does. So you can expect a full show, and we won’t be coming out doing a mellow ballad acoustic set, I can tell ya that!”

The band went on tour last May. Since then the Traverse City native (along with TC friend Luther) have performed some 50 to 60 shows with Meat Loaf. “I’ve always considered myself a homebody,” says Avery. “So I was kind of skeptical of going on the road. But it’s been amazing. I’m so grateful to be where I am and what I’m doing. It’s such a blessing.”