Country artist making comeback after recent health scare, hopes to visit Idaho soon
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IDAHO FALLS – After a recent health scare that temporarily took his life, Phil Vassar has a new perspective.
The 62-year-old country singer behind hits like “Carlene,” “In a Real Love,” “Bye Bye” and many more had a heart attack and stroke in 2023. The medical emergency, which was a result of genetic heart disease, caused him to die twice.
Vassar tells EastIdahoNews.com he’s never been a drinker and has worked out daily for years. At the time of his heart attack, he had 3% body fat, so his health was not in question. He says long periods of time with little sleep and constant stress were contributing factors in his brush with death.
Today, Vassar embraces a much calmer lifestyle that includes getting more sleep and eating better.
“I feel blessed to be alive,” Vassar says. “It’s been a rough couple of years, but everything is good now.”
He’s grateful to be on tour again. So far, there are no stops planned in Idaho or neighboring states, but his publicist, Jessica Bonner, says that could change. The Virginia native did a benefit concert in Twin Falls last April, a stop of which he speaks highly. He’s played in Boise multiple times over the years and would love to visit the Gem State again.
“I definitely want to get back out there. It’s just beautiful and I love getting out West,” says Vassar.
This year marks 25 years since Vassar’s breakout hit “Just Another Day in Paradise.” Reflecting on this milestone, Vassar sums it up with few words.
“It’s crazy, isn’t it!?” he says. “It’s been quite the journey.”
‘We don’t give record deals to piano players’
Vassar got his start in the music industry as a songwriter. He moved to Nashville in 1987 after graduating from college. Though he had a degree in business administration, he was looking for a more creative outlet.
His piano-playing ability proved to be an obstacle initially in his efforts to land a record deal in the country music genre.
“I was told, ‘You need to pick up a guitar. We don’t give record deals to piano players in this town,'” Vassar says, noting Ronnie Milsap had 42 No. 1 songs.
Vassar and a partner opened a restaurant in Nashville in 1995, where Vassar eventually started performing for customers.
Engelbert Humperdinck’s son ate there one night and Vassar’s performance caught his attention.
Humperdinck took a demo tape to his dad. Vassar later wrote a song for the British pop star. “Once in a While” helped launch Vassar’s songwriting career.
He wrote for many country artists during this time, including Jo Dee Messina, Colin Raye, Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson. Most of the songs became hits and Vassar went on to record some of them after landing a record deal.
“Right on the Money,” a song Vassar wrote for Jackson but never cut, became the Georgia native’s 25th No. 1 hit. Vassar shares how it came about.
“I was with my buddy, Charlie Black, who we lost a few years ago,” Vassar recalls. “We were talking about the difference between men and women and how a relationship changes you. I had this shuffle beat … and we whipped this song out.”
Jackson was cutting a record at the time, and was looking for new songs. Vassar played the song for Jackson and his producer.
“Alan doesn’t say much. He’s a quiet guy, but he nodded his head and said, ‘I like it!'” says Vassar.
This was one in a long line of songs that Vassar says gave him credibility to record labels. Several years later, Vassar accepted the award for the Academy of Country Music’s top new male vocalist and Jackson was in the front row cheering for him. It’s a moment Vassar says he’ll never forget.
Vassar is proud to still be doing what he loves 25 years later. His “25 Years of Paradise” tour is coming to 50 cities in 2025. Visit his website for tour dates and other details.
His daughter, Haley, is working on her first album as a country artist. Vassar also has six new songs he hopes to release individually or as part of a new album later this year.
WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH VASSAR IN THE VIDEO ABOVE.
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