Phil Vassar is returning to the country music scene after something that changed his life.
Phil has become a star in country music throughout his more than 30-year career.
Phil is ready to share his newfound energy and excitement with the world through new songs and music projects with other artists.
Phil’s Health Battles
Phil Vassar has spoken up about his traumatic health issues, admitting that he “died” twice after having a heart attack and stroke in early 2023.
The 62-year-old singer-songwriter, well known for his smash track “Six-Pack Summer,” told Taste of Country about two instances in which his heart stopped beating for 30 minutes each.
Vassar’s health problems started when he felt tired in the days before his heart attack. He defined it as his genes playing up with him, but he had no idea how severe the effects would be.
Vassar had a heart attack at home, and his heart quit pumping for 30 minutes, leaving him clinically dead. Doctors unexpectedly revived him by doing CPR and shocked his heart 11 times, resulting in cracked ribs.
Vassar had another stroke three days later, causing his heart to cease pumping. He described witnessing his life flashing before his eyes as physicians attempted to revive him.
Given the seriousness of his health, Vassar has made an incredible comeback and is now back on tour, doing what he loves.
He praises modern medicine for maintaining his life, adding that his illness would have been deadly just a few years ago. Vassar’s path displays his hard work and drive.
With a 30-year music career, he has recorded eleven albums and co-written songs for several A-listers, including Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson.
His knowledge has given him a renewed respect for life, and he is delighted to be back doing what he loves.
Phil’s New Beginnings and Musical Synergy
After two close calls with death, Phil Vassar was eager to make the most of his third shot.
He threw himself into his singing, wanting to make something special, after having a fresh respect for life.
Because of this new point of view, he worked with singer-songwriter Jeffrey Steele on the single “Hillbillies in Hollywood,” which came out on June 13, 2024.
Country music fans got to hear a one-of-a-kind performance by Phil Vassar and Jeffrey Steele.
Vassar and Steele are both experienced singer-songwriters from different coasts. It had been talked about for years, but their new song, “Hillbillies in Hollywood,” was the first time they had worked together.
Vassar, who had just recovered from a major heart attack in 2023, said nice things about Steele’s ability and the music they both liked.
He said that growing up on the East and West coasts had shaped their different styles, but that they were very close because they both loved acts like The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Queen, and Merle Haggard.
When the artists met in the late 1980s, they became fast friends that would last. Vassar called it “a real brotherhood.”
The idea for “Hillbillies in Hollywood” came from talking about how their careers were similar, even though they came from different backgrounds.
Steele was playing at The Troubadour in LA while Vassar was playing at The Bayou in Washington, DC.
Because they both had similar experiences and inspirations, the song had a nostalgic tone that made it stand out. Vassar’s health scare in 2023 changed the way he made music in a big way.
He started to think about himself and feel more deeply about things. He wanted to make songs that showed how much he valued life.
“Hillbillies in Hollywood” was his first big hit since the heart attack, and he was excited to show fans how much better he felt.
He said he felt “better than I have in years” and was ready to “throw down” on stage, giving everyone his famous energy.
Vassar’s work with Steele was just the start of an exciting new era that would bring new songs and shows that people will never forget.
Phil Vassar’s Songwriting Legacy
As a songwriter, Phil Vassar wrote the beautiful ballad “I am Already Gone” for Diamond Rio with Annie Roboff. The song is about love that is too strong to ignore.
He also wrote the song “When I Think of You” with Steve Wariner. It is a sad song about a friendship that has become the most important thing in his life.
Vassar wrote “Do not Speak” for Mindy McCready with his wife Julie and Steve Mandile. It is a romance song that captures the intense love between two lovers.
He also wrote the song “Drive Away” with Charlie Black for Sons of the Desert. It is about starting over and relying on a love that will last.
Vassar has also worked with Charlie Black and Rory Bourke on the song “Little Red Rodeo” for Collin Raye. The song made it to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs list.
He wrote “It Is a Beautiful Life” for Kenny Rogers with Black and Jim Collins. It is a simple but sweet song about love and life.
Vassar and Don Sampson also wrote the catchy sadness song “Postmarked Birmingham” for BlackHawk. It was a Top 40 hit on country radio.
He also wrote the song “For the First Time” with Kenny Chesney. It is a sad song about youth and how quickly things can change.
As another example of Vassar’s work with Charlie Black, “Right on the Money” for Alan Jackson is a cool country love song that became a huge hit.
He wrote the song “I am Alright” with Jo Dee Messina. The song was number one on the country charts for three weeks in a row.
Vassar also wrote the song “My Next Thirty Years” with Chesney. The song is about how your views change when you turn 30.
He also wrote the song “Island Boy” with Chesney and Mark Tamburino. The song is about a man who leaves the city for St. Croix to live on an island with salty air and sand.
You can also credit Vassar with writing “Bye Bye” with Jo Dee Messina. It was Messina’s first No. 1 hit.
His song “Sound of a Million Dreams” for David Nail, which has lyrics that sound like they were written by Merle Haggard, Bob Seger, and Bruce Springsteen, was co-written with Scooter Carusoe.
Vassar also wrote the song “For a Little While” for Tim McGraw with Steve Mandile and Jerry Vandiver. The song is a nostalgic look back at a summer fling.
Conclusion
- Phil Vassar’s journey shows how strong he is and how much he loves what he does.
- He is stronger and more enthusiastic about music than ever after a health scare that changed his life.
- His work with Jeffrey Steele on “Hillbillies in Hollywood” is the start of a new phase in his career that will bring him new songs and acts that people will remember.
- Phil is back on top of the country music scene with a new lease on life and a lot of energy.
- Being a country music star is made clear by the fact that he has written a lot of hits for himself and other acts.
- As Phil Vassar starts this new journey, fans can look forward to more of the same catchy tunes and emotional words that have made him famous.
- Phil Vassar’s music business is going to do better than ever thanks to his skills, knowledge, and fresh love for life.
Other Articles
Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff 2024 CANCELLED!