Phil Vassar Opens Up on Heart, Music, and Resilience

Summary

Podcast Summary

Tony Mantor's Almost Live..... Nashville

Episode: Phil Vassar Opens Up on Heart, Music, and Resilience
Host: Tony Mantor
Guest: Phil Vassar
Date: October 7, 2025

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Overview

In this heartfelt episode of Almost Live... Nashville, Tony Mantor sits down with celebrated country singer-songwriter and pianist Phil Vassar. The episode is a candid exploration of Vassar’s life, focusing on his recovery from a near-fatal heart attack, his journey in the music business, the nuances of resilience, and what it truly means to carve your own path in the entertainment industry. The conversation weaves through stories of challenge and triumph, offering not just inspiration but also practical wisdom for aspiring artists and fans alike.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Surviving a Life-Altering Heart Attack

[03:16 – 05:07]

• Phil’s Sudden Health Crisis:
  Vassar recounts the terrifying experience of his heart simply stopping:

  "My heart just stopped beating. And so I didn't have a heartbeat for... 20, 30 [seconds] or so, first time. And then they got me going... I'm a healthy person... it was just, you know, genetic is what they said..." (Phil Vassar, 03:16)

• Aftermath and Recovery:
  He describes waking up in a wheelchair, learning he survived due to his previous healthy habits, and how stress affected him physically:

  “I was struggling just to live, you know.” (Phil Vassar, 03:44)
  “I feel very calm [now]. I was very stressed... I don't know if it was... just physical, I think, mostly." (Phil Vassar, 05:07)

• Learning the Basics Again:
  Phil shares the struggle of having to relearn basic tasks and the slow road back to music:

  “When I came to, I was in a wheelchair... I had to learn how to walk again, play piano again.” (Phil Vassar, 05:07)

2. Music, Healing, and New Perspectives

[05:41 – 08:55]

• Getting Back to Performing:
  The motivating force of music in Phil’s recovery:

  “I really missed playing music... just to be able to... get that feeling that you get when you play music and with your friends. And I feel great now.” (Phil Vassar, 05:59)

• Stage Approach Post-Recovery:
  Phil discusses adjustments to his performance style:

  "I don't do flips or backflips off the piano... Maybe it's better now that I'm a little bit calmer.” (Phil Vassar, 06:37)

• Emotional and Mental Growth:
  The crisis led to a major shift in his perspective on life and career:

  “When you're in the heat of the fight... I had to take control of what I was doing... I learned a lot about the music business during that phase.” (Phil Vassar, 07:15)
  “If I like it and if my fans like what I do... If I feel passionate about a song, it's probably pretty good. I learned to not worry about what everybody else thought anymore.” (Phil Vassar, 08:05)

3. The Realities of the Music Business

[08:33 – 10:27]

• Industry Pressures:
  Discussion on how the music business can be cutthroat:

  “Everybody's out to please someone—the label, the A&R people, the managers... what it really comes down to, you just have to please yourself.” (Tony Mantor, 08:33)
  “These guys are... boneheads. They're not very smart. They don't know a hit from a friggin’... hole in the ground.” (Phil Vassar, 08:47)

• Modern Changes:
  The impact of trends like social media and the pressure to adapt:

  “Now it's about social media and TikTok... but I'm not going to get out there and dress up like a frog or something just to, you know, make somebody happy.” (Phil Vassar, 09:53)

4. Inspiration, Mentorship, and Musical Heroes

[10:44 – 15:16]

• Influences and Collaborations:
  Phil reflects on writing for and with artists like Alan Jackson and his admiration for Billy Joel and Elton John:

  “I always loved the song... Alan, Ian and I are different artists and I'm the biggest Alan Jackson fan you can be.” (Phil Vassar, 11:43)
  “Billy Joel, I still love Billy. Him and Elton John... they're the guys. And I just remember you meeting Elton John for the first time... it was amazing...” (Phil Vassar, 11:46, 12:18)

• Networking in Nashville:
  Vassar emphasizes the serendipitous nature of living and working in Nashville:

  “You just never know who's around the next corner.” (Phil Vassar, 12:44)

• Creating Community:
  Personal anecdotes about his barn studio evolving into a gathering and creative space:

  “It's my studio now... I've got a grand piano up there, and... who knows what might happen?” (Phil Vassar, 13:17)

5. Reflections on Legacy and Change

[15:00 – 19:07]

• Gratitude for the Journey:
  Phil expresses deep gratitude for interactions with country legends, military figures, and industry peers:

  “I've done so many things for the military... played the Bush White House... it was just amazing.” (Phil Vassar, 14:06)
  “I'm just blessed I didn't die when I died...” (Phil Vassar, 21:45)

• Nashville’s Transformation:
  The transformation of Music Row and the loss of iconic studios:

  “All the buildings are different... iconic studios have been torn down just to build condos.” (Phil Vassar, 18:43)
  "That's why I've been wanting to kind of get mine back up and running... I can't wait to get back in and recording again." (Phil Vassar, 18:55)

6. What’s Next for Phil?

[19:07 – 21:35]

• Touring and Writing Plans:
  Phil shares his current focus and future intentions:

  “I’m doing a few more shows... I just want to write and record. You don’t have to wait for approval from anyone...” (Phil Vassar, 19:14)

• Renewed Enjoyment:
  A sense of peace and excitement for the next phase:

  “I think you're in a place now where you can actually do the things that you want to do, not the things that they say that you have to do...” (Tony Mantor, 19:47)

• Life’s Simplicity and Golf:
  Lighthearted talk about returning to the simple joys—like golf:

  “I want to get better at golf again. I want to start playing golf again." (Phil Vassar, 20:03)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Surviving Sudden Death:

  "I'm just blessed I didn't die when I died, you know?"
  – Phil Vassar (21:45)

• On Industry Wisdom:

  “If I like it and if my fans like what I do... I learned to not worry about what everybody else thought anymore.”
  – Phil Vassar (08:05)

• On Playing for Presidents:

  “I played the Bush White House some four times... For the Christmas and it was just amazing.”
  – Phil Vassar (14:06)

• On Creativity and Comfort Spaces:

  “I've got a grand piano up [in my barn studio], and who knows what might happen?”
  – Phil Vassar (13:17)

• On Nashville’s Character:

  “There’s a reason why they call it the music business.”
  – Tony Mantor (09:34)

• On Embracing Change:

  “Now it's about social media and TikTok... but I'm not going to get out there and dress up like a frog or something just to... make somebody happy.”
  – Phil Vassar (09:53)

• On Reflection and Gratitude:

  “I've got time now to think about all the things that have happened... It’s pretty incredible...”
  – Phil Vassar (21:45)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction and Phil’s Health Crisis – 02:33 to 05:07
• Back to Music & Emotional Shifts – 05:41 to 08:55
• Industry Reality & Authenticity – 08:33 to 10:27
• Musical Heroes & Nashville Magic – 10:44 to 15:16
• Legacy, Change, and Studio Talk – 15:00 to 19:07
• Upcoming Projects & Life Outlook – 19:07 to 21:45
• Reflections on Aging & Moving Forward – 21:45 to end

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Tone and Style

The tone throughout the episode is candid, warm, and occasionally humorous. Vassar’s humility and self-deprecating wit shine, while Mantor’s deep respect and camaraderie create an intimate conversation filled with insider stories and universal truths about life in—and beyond—the music business.

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Takeaways for Listeners

Whether you’re an aspiring artist or simply a fan of country music’s golden era, Phil Vassar’s story serves as a moving reminder of the power of resilience, authenticity, and gratitude. Listeners walk away with a renewed appreciation for not only classic country music and its legends but also the value of staying true to one’s self—on and off the stage.

Transcript

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[Tony Mantour]

My career in the entertainment industry has enabled me to work with a diverse range of talent. Through my years of experience, I've recognized two essential aspects. Industry professionals, whether famous stars or behind the scenes staff, have fascinating stories to tell. Secondly, audiences are eager to listen to these stories which offer a glimpse into their lives and the evolution of their life stories. This podcast aims to share these narratives, providing information on how they evolved into their chosen career. We will delve into their journey to stardom, discuss their struggles and successes, and hear from people who help them achieve their goals. Get ready for intriguing behind the scenes stories and insights into the fascinating world of entertainment. Hi, I'm Tony Mantour. Welcome to Almost Live Nashville. Phil Vassar, the celebrated country music singer, songwriter and pianist joins me today for a heartfelt conversation. Known for his hits like Just Another Day in Paradise and Carlene, as well as penning chart toppers for artists like Tim McGraw, Phil's soulful melodies and relatable storytelling have left a lasting mark on Nashville. We'll dive into his remarkable journey, including two years of profound readjustment following a near fatal heart attack, exploring life, music and stories that will give a discussion I think you'll truly enjoy. It's a conversation that I thoroughly enjoyed having and it's a pleasure to have him here. So before we dive into our episode, we'll be right back with an uninterrupted show right after a word from our sponsors. Thanks for coming on.

[Phil Vassar]

Absolutely. Thanks for having me. Yeah.

[Tony Mantour]

Oh, it's my pleasure. So I understand that this year is the 25th anniversary for one of your songs.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah, it's the 25th anniversary of my first record. You know, I was having, I was having hits for years before that, so it's kind of crazy, isn't it?

[Tony Mantour]

Think about to coin a phrase, you go from singer songwriter to actually singer songwriter, only this time on a label as an artist.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah. Right.

[Tony Mantour]

Before we dig too deep into your artistry as a singer songwriter, I understand you had a life altering scare here a couple of years ago. I've heard because of what happened to you, you're a huge advocate now for heart health. Can you expand on a little bit of what you went through?

[Phil Vassar]

I had a, you know, I had a. What's it called? Sudden death. I think that's what it was. My heart just stopped beating. And so I didn't have a heartbeat for. For a long time. For 20, 30 or so, first time. And then they got me going and, you know, I'm a healthy person. I worked out every day and I never ate fried food or anything like that. I mean, I'm just telling you, it was just, you know, genetic is what they said, you know, and so I.

[Tony Mantour]

Heard that you said you died twice on the table. So how are you feeling now?

[Phil Vassar]

I feel great now. I feel wonderful singing better and all that stuff. I was really, really. I was struggling just to live, you know.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah. And I'm so glad that you're doing well now. Quick question, though. You didn't have the heartbeat and you said that you had died twice. Did you have any out of body experience like some have?

[Phil Vassar]

You know, I've been asked that a lot and I don't remember anything. So it's. I have nothing. I didn't talk to Jimi Hendrix or anybody or, you know, which would be cool. You know, I just. I just was really, really struggling. You know, I was having a hard time breathing, having a hard time, you know, in general, I was always had this puffer. I'm just like, I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I was tired all the time, struggling, you know, so it was just so severe that it took me having a heart attack dying to really fix everything. You know, they cleaned up everything. And my doctor was great. I mean, I went to Vanderbilt, of course. And we're lucky to have great hospitals in Nashville.

[Tony Mantour]

We are. We have great doctors, great hospitals. So we're very, very fortunate.

[Phil Vassar]

Oh, you're not kidding. So it was great. I mean, I mean, it went great for a while that I was at shepherd center for a while in Atlanta five or so, five, six months, whatever, and then came back home.

[Tony Mantour]

I heard after you got through all that you had to learn how to walk again, play piano again, and get back into the regular things.

[Phil Vassar]

Well, it was just. I didn't do anything, really. When I came to, I was in a wheelchair, of course, and they were kind of explaining to me what happened. And I was going, what? You know, what happened? I said, how did I have a heart attack? I said, you know, I worked out and I did all this stuff, and my doctor's like, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. Bad genetics. And he said you were in, you know, probably good enough shape just to survive the. The onslaught. I don't know. But I feel. I feel different now. I feel very calm. You know, I was. I was very stressed. And I don't know if it was. It was just physical, I think, mostly.

[Tony Mantour]

Well, we are talking about the music.

[Phil Vassar]

Business, and there's that.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah, that's for sure. So how did you handle it mentally? I mean, you had to rebuild, you had to re. Learn things. How did that whole process work, and what kind of a journey was it for you?

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah, it was. It was. It was interesting. And I think I didn't really. I didn't try to rush back or anything, you know, I just. I really missed playing music, you know, I really did. So I was kind of excited just to the same year, at the end of the year, I got to play some shows, play a few shows, and just to be able to just. I don't know, you just need that feeling that you get when you play music and with your friends. And I feel great now. I feel better and, you know, every day I'm just kind of feeling better.

[Tony Mantour]

That's just so good to hear that you're doing that well now, after you got back to working, performing, how did that change or did it change anything in the way that you performed?

[Phil Vassar]

Well, I think, you know, on stage, I think I'm pretty much the same. I. I don't do flips or backflips off the piano or any of that anymore. But, I mean, I still run around and I think I was so. So ganked up. I didn't know. I didn't. I was kind of jumping around, jumping off pianos and doing flips. And so it's. Maybe it's better now that I'm a little bit calmer.

[Tony Mantour]

How's your emotions now? Because when you went through all that, you almost lost everything. Now you've gained a new lease on life, so to speak.

[Phil Vassar]

Yes.

[Tony Mantour]

Your attitude and the perspective and the perception of what you thought must have changed some.

[Phil Vassar]

I. I think so. I mean, I do. I think, you know, when you're. When you're in the heat of the fight, you know, you're. I was writing every day, you know, back in the 90s or whatever. I couldn't get anybody to like what I did. I had to kind of take control of what I was doing. I had to take control of. I mean, I. I opened my own club. I opened a restaurant. I did that Stuff I. So I'd have a place to play and I didn't have to deal with sleazy club owners, you know.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah, we've all dealt with those, for sure.

[Phil Vassar]

You know, I learned a lot, and I learned a lot about my songs and my music. I mean, whenever I would write a song, I'd play it that night, you know, I'd say, I got a new song, you know, and test it out, and you'd finish, and they'd show their approval, you know, they liked it a lot. I mean, I would play not my next 30 years or I'm all right or Bob, all these songs. I liked them, but, you know, of course, you know the music. I learned a lot about the music business, too, during that phase, too. I was just like, man, these guys are. Most of them are just boneheads. They're not very smart. They don't know a hit from a friggin, you know, hole in the ground. They don't know. That was one thing. I just kind of said, look, if. If I like it and if my fans like what I do and they like the song, then it's okay, you know, and if I. If I feel passionate about a song, it's probably pretty good. I learned to not worry about what everybody else thought anymore. It just made me. Give me confidence like I'd never had before.

[Tony Mantour]

That's just so good, you know, That's a huge step here in Nashville. Everybody's out to please someone. The label, the A and R people, the managers, and everyone else. And what it really comes down to, you just have to please yourself.

[Phil Vassar]

Right?

[Tony Mantour]

When you hit that comfort level, all the noise goes away and you can start really doing good work.

[Phil Vassar]

That's the truth. That really is the truth. And I think that's a good way to put it because I think, you know, you do. You have all these people in your ear and they. I'm telling you, they. They think they know, but they don't know. Nobody knows, you know. Really?

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah. And they're always pushing for that next big hit because without it, they don't make any money.

[Phil Vassar]

Right.

[Tony Mantour]

A lot of them could care less about you because they do care if you live or die, but other than that, they don't care because that's the only way they make their money.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah. Yeah. It's a lot of selfish people. I mean, I know there's a bunch of great people in our business there. There really are.

[Tony Mantour]

Oh, yeah. I know a lot of good people.

[Phil Vassar]

Here, but I wouldn't say there's a Majority.

[Tony Mantour]

I tell a lot of people that are not here from Nashville, but some that are here in Nashville, there's a reason why they call it the music business.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour]

You have to jump through all these hoops and books and books of papers before you even can get on the stage to do what you do.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah, it really is. And something I learned, it was, was I just, I. I do love my job. I love to play and I love to write songs. I do. I like that. And the business part, somebody telling me this or you need to do this or do that, and especially some of the stuff, because now it's about social media and TikTok or this or that, I'm just going, you know, it just seems like it's a different time, you know, I mean, I know you have to adjust and grow. I mean, that's a good thing to do, but. But I'm not going to get out there and dress up like a frog or something just to just to, you know, make somebody happy. It's just that, you know.

[Tony Mantour]

So it appears like you found yourself in a good comfort zone and. And you found yourself more at ease.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour]

By finding that, did you find yourself looking at everything a little bit differently than you had before?

[Phil Vassar]

Absolutely. Absolutely. And it's funny too, because, you know, I've been on the road for so long, for decades right now, 25 years of my first record. You know, I was having hits number one songs that I wrote ten years before that. So, I mean, I do like to pull out the songs I wrote. I did Right on the Money I wrote for Alan Jackson last night, and they loved it. And the band was like, let's do it. Let's do the money or let's do. You know, you just pull out songs that. I don't know, I just. I just loved it. I always loved the song. But of course, Alan, Ian and I are different artists and I'm the biggest Alan Jackson fan that you can be. I love him. I think he's just a. He's an amazing, you know, not just his voice, but his songs are just always been. I was a label mate with Allen, you know, at Arista for a long time, decade. It was just awesome. You know, I always listen to his records and I mean, there's some artists, you just go. But I was really. I always really looked forward to hearing what he's doing, you know. But I think the people that you really respect, I mean, Billy Joel, I still love Billy. Him and Elton John are my.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah, they are both great. I love them. Too.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah. You know what I'm saying? They were. They're the guys. And. And I just remember you meeting Elton John for the first time. And, I mean, he was just great, you know, and this was before I had any cuts or record deal, but I was planning in my bar, and I had such a following, and. And Nigel Olson, of course, came and played with me one night and sat in with me several. Several nights, and it was just. I'm like, what in the world? But he was such a great guy, and. But when Elton did his concert in Nashville for D. Murray, when he passed away, he. He did a thing at the Opry House, and. And Lisa Olson, Nigel's wife, was. Was a fan, Come see me play and all that. And so you got to meet Elton. You've got to meet. And he'll. He'll love it. So when I met him and went backstage and hung out with him, and it was amazing, you know, system moments. You forget about. You go, did that really happen? Right.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah. That's the beauty of living in Nashville.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour]

Working, networking. You just never know who's around the next corner.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah. And there's so many in Nashville now because it's become kind of this, you know, with everybody kind of left la, really. You know, Steve Dorff, who I write with, is a dear friend, and we've written a bunch, and matter of fact, he got married in my barn back here. You know, it's just so great. And it's kind of funny because Steve Cropper, you know, been a dear friend forever, but his daughter, she's getting married in my barn, too, coming up. So, I mean, it's kind of funny that I built this barn for some reason. It's my studio now, but I like to go back there and just kind of. I've got a grand piano up there, and I just get. I go up there and I just sit down, and who knows what might happen?

[Tony Mantour]

You know, that's the beauty of being able to find your comfort zone, your comfort space, and have the ability to just sit down and let things flow naturally with no pressure of having to do it.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah. Yeah. You know, you think. You think about, like, back in the day when we all had publishing deals and doing all this stuff. I mean, you know, it was all about getting the next cut. I don't know. Everything worked out. It's just I. I still. Still process it sometimes. Like. Like, you know. You know what I'm saying?

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah. The music business has been very good to both of us. I mean, I've had The same situations where I've been in the same rooms with five star generals and so many different people and they want to know what I do when I want to know what they're doing. So. Yeah, it's just great.

[Phil Vassar]

It's so crazy and it's wonderful.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah, it is.

[Phil Vassar]

You know, I mean, I. I've done so many things for the military is very important to me and I've got so many dear friends and of course I, you know, I've got to meet Clinton and I played the Bush White House some four times, I think, you know, and for the Christmas and it was just amazing.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah, that's great. Which Bush father or the son?

[Phil Vassar]

I met dad and. But for. For w. I played the White House several times. I did several events for them and. And I got to meet Herman Walker, of course. He was just great. I loved him, always wanted to. I never met Reagan and I always wanted to meet him, you know, but anyway, it was just such a great. I got to meet Clinton at a Humana event. He was speaking and I was playing and anyway, he was. I thought he was going to play sax with me, but at the last minute he didn't get. He said, I got to get out of here. But y' all have a great. Anyway, he was great.

[Tony Mantour]

That's the beauty of this business. You get to meet people that want to meet you and you want to meet them. It's just the beauty of this business.

[Phil Vassar]

It is great. It is. You know, I never take it. I never take it for granted, that's for sure. I mean, I'm looking at that Glenn Campbell book over there. I mean, Glenn was one of my heroes growing up listening to Galveston and I mean, all the. He was just the best, you know, and.

[Tony Mantour]

Oh, he was. And for those that don't know what you're talking about, I have a book called Life with my father, Glenn Campbell, on my shelf behind me. And it was written by his daughter Debbie, who I produce.

[Phil Vassar]

I mean, and how great I did meet her and. But I got to play golf with Glenn and some tournaments, I mean, we talked about. It's just. It was the greatest. I'm just sit. Going, man. I am. I think actually me and Toby, me and Toby Keith and Glenn Campbell played golf. It was really fun. I mean, you know, people, we all come and go, but Glenn Campbell's man. I listened to some of his records. I mean, I don't know, man. Maybe two or three weeks ago, I just kind of listened to some of.

[Tony Mantour]

His greatest hits, you know, the beauty of this music is sometimes just the simplicity of it is what makes it so great. I mean, go back to 1975 and Rhinestone Cowboy. I mean, it was just super.

[Phil Vassar]

It's best. I love it. That was one of my. One of our dear friends. I lived with him. He was one of my roommates when I first moved to Nashville. But he's a cop, but he's a great, great guy. He died of cancer, I don't know, maybe five or six years ago. He had melanoma, but, man, he loved it. And he always mispronounced everything, and he called it Rhymestone Cowboy. And I just. It was the greatest thing I said, man. But Glenn was such a. Such a pure singer and player. I mean, it was. I mean, what he did with the Beach Boys and everybody. I mean, what a musical resum. Me.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah. I mean, he was great. I mean, he was the one everyone looked at for a very long time.

[Phil Vassar]

Wow.

[Tony Mantour]

He was just so good.

[Phil Vassar]

No, he was. Of course, I always wanted to, but I always ended up. I never could play guitar very well. Just. I guess I just never tried. But I just. I just was such a piano fishado, you know, I just loved the Billy Joel, Elton John, and I love Charlie Rich, how he played. And I loved all those guys. And Ronnie Milsap was just such a sweetheart of a guy. He's greatest.

[Tony Mantour]

Wow. Ronnie Millsap. I met him back when Tom Collins was producing him. Really nice guy.

[Phil Vassar]

And like, Tom. Is Tom still around?

[Tony Mantour]

I'm not sure where he is now. He's about in his 80s, I think.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah. Because Tom, I mean, you know, music grows so different, you know, now, of course. I mean, Bob Beckham. Remember Bob? Do you remember him at all?

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah, I sure do.

[Phil Vassar]

I mean, it was the greatest. I. I would just. And he turned me on to, like, the Billy Swan records. And he played me. He played me all this stu. He said, you gotta. You gotta hear this. And he'd take me back when. I mean, just. It was just so great.

[Tony Mantour]

I mean, I think you've had a very similar experience to, like, I have. You grew up with all these icons. Then you have them reaching out to you, whether they're calling you or their management's calling you, saying, you know what? We have to do a project together sometime.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour]

I mean, it really doesn't get much better than that.

[Phil Vassar]

Isn't that great?

[Tony Mantour]

It is.

[Phil Vassar]

I just think of, like, my dad play me B.J. thomas. For what? A singer, right? All the Burt Bacharach and Hal David stuff that. That he sang On. And I think about it years later, and I'm playing golf with bj, you know, of course. You know, hanging out in Nashville. Whenever he'd come, we'd play golf. This is so great.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah. One of my good friends was his band leader right up until he passed a few years ago.

[Phil Vassar]

Oh, really? We'd play. Me and him and Cropper. Steve Cropper, and all this. We'd all play golf. We'd play golf up at Nashboro Village and still can't believe it. You know, it was just. But on a human level, they were so great. Always so nice.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah, they were great guys. And now, of course. Have you been down on music roll lately and seen how drastically that's changed?

[Phil Vassar]

It's so weird. I mean, it's really weird. I mean, you know, and all the buildings are different, and some of the.

[Tony Mantour]

More iconic studios have been torn down just to build condos.

[Phil Vassar]

It's unbelievable. I mean, there really aren't anymore. You know, now it's. You know, that's why I've been wanting to kind of get mine back up and running. I built this barn in the back of my property, and I'm just. I can't wait to get back in and recording again.

[Tony Mantour]

You know, it's always great to be in the studio. So what's coming up? What's on your agenda right now?

[Phil Vassar]

Well, I'm doing a few more shows this year. I've got, you know, I'm out touring again, which I love. I mean, I'm not touring as much as I want to, but I guess next year, next couple years, I'll. I'll get back into it. But, you know, I mean, for me now, I just want to write and. And record. You know, I think it's kind of fun to, you know, you don't have to wait for approval from anyone, you know, well, that's a good song. Or this isn't. Yeah, well, this. You don't. It's just all these guys that, you know, whatever. They have opinions.

[Tony Mantour]

You know, you've been here long enough, you've done so many great things. I think you're in a place now where you can actually do the things that you want to do, not the things that they say that you have to do, so that way you can sit back and enjoy what you're doing.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah, you know, it is a good point, you know, I think. And I've gotten to travel all over the world with my job. Right. You know, you're playing Europe and Australia, and we're, you know, England Ireland, Scotland. You know, I've been to. I've been to Ivy Road. Right. You know, I've gotten to sit there and, you know, meet Ringo and. And Paul and. I mean, all these guys. It's just, you know, you think about, you know, we just. Stuff we talked about when we were kids. Right. You know, but now it's just, you know, I want to get. I want to get better at golf again. I want to start playing golf again.

[Tony Mantour]

And I was never any good at it.

[Phil Vassar]

Do you play at all?

[Tony Mantour]

I mean, no. I've hit a few golf balls, and then I went to a driving range. I sliced most all of them into the trees, so I'm really not all that good.

[Phil Vassar]

That's what we all do. I don't care who you are, you're gonna. A member of my club. For years I haven't played it, but now it's been three years, and we're gonna go tonight and actually hit some balls, play nine holes. So I'm excited about that. That.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah. That's awesome. Wow. This has really been good. Great conversation, great topics. I mean, we've covered so many different things. Anything that you want to let people know that you think is important, that they hear anything that you've got coming up or just whatever.

[Phil Vassar]

Well, heck, I don't know. I mean, I. I can't think of anything. You know, I'm just coming back from, you know, a couple of years of hell. I do feel. I feel great. I feel great now. I feel better and. And once I get my. Myself back in shape and I get my drive down, I have to say.

[Tony Mantour]

You sound really good. So relaxed and so comfortable. And that's a really good thing considering everything you've been through in the last two years.

[Phil Vassar]

Yes, I know, man, because I was. I didn't realize, you know, my arteries were so clogged genetically. Right. You know, and that's something you don't think about. But I didn't. Didn't feel well, and. But I do feel so much better and relaxed. And I've got time now to think about all the things that have happened that have transpired over the last 40 years or 35. And it's pretty. It's pretty incredible, you know, to get to. To get to. I mean, I'm just blessed I didn't die when I died, you know?

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, we get to a point in our lives where we have friends that have been with us for so long, and we just take it for granted that they'll always be there and Then one day, they're gone.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour]

Over the years, our lives just change so much. I mean, my mother just lived to four months short of 100. I remember one day she was saying, I don't have any friends. And I was like, oh, yeah, you've got all kinds of friends. Her response, well, you may think so, but they were all gone. Right now, I'm looking around, I'm understanding everything she said, because a lot of my friends are gone now as well. All we can do is hope. We get up every morning, take our lives day by day.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour]

And just keep moving forward.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah. It's the truth. And I think it's. You know, and I think everything happens for a reason. I really believe that. And. And it has slowed me down, you know, this year and where I'm only doing 30, 40 shows, you know, and. And it's giving me time to reflect on a lot of things, you know, what that had happened and. And even remember them, you know, it's like, you know, you can be thankful. I can definitely be for that.

[Tony Mantour]

Absolutely. We all have something to be thankful for. And, you know, we all think we're invincible until we're not.

[Phil Vassar]

I know.

[Tony Mantour]

Then when we find that we're not invincible, it brings reality into our lives. Then when we start thinking about that reality, hopefully we can learn and evolve from that so that we can just keep moving every single day.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah, it's. It's. It is pretty crazy. Are you from. Are you from Pennsylvania or.

[Tony Mantour]

No, I'm originally from Maine.

[Phil Vassar]

Oh, Maine. Okay. I was. I was. I heard a couple things you said. You sounded like, like, around Pittsburgh or. I knew it was up there somewhere. I love Maine.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah. I was born and raised in Maine. I traveled back and forth recording here in Nashville during the time I was working with Ronnie. And then ultimately before I moved here, I don't know. Do you remember Bob Millsap and Gary Paxton?

[Phil Vassar]

Of course. Yeah.

[Tony Mantour]

I was working with them. They were producing me, and Bob became my mentor of them. That's when we had a conversation, and they talked me into. And it was a good move of moving to Nashville. That's when I got into production, development and management, and ultimately my record label.

[Phil Vassar]

Right.

[Tony Mantour]

Bob was a huge help. He got sick and moved away, and he told me, just remember one thing. You can use my name to get through any door, but when you close it, you're on your own. Nashville has been very good to me. I cannot complain one bit.

[Phil Vassar]

Cool, man. I mean, Nashville is a fun town. I mean, of course, it's grown so much. It's hardly recognizable.

[Tony Mantour]

But it's the mini la.

[Phil Vassar]

Yeah. Good grief. I was hoping to never be that. But I mean, it's like I said, of course a lot of my buddies are from la, have moved to Nashville, so it's good. I mean, at least I don't have to go there.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah, that's for sure. I always hate it when I go to la. Well, this has been great, great conversation, just laid back and I've really enjoyed this.

[Phil Vassar]

I know, man, I love it, I tell you, it's just. But anyway, let's do it. Let's stay in touch and I think I'm going out this week. I don't have many shows right now, so I'm just, I'm just, I'm around.

[Tony Mantour]

Yeah, that sounds great. When you get back, let's touch base.

[Phil Vassar]

That sounds wonderful. I love it, buddy.

[Tony Mantour]

Well, it's been great. I really appreciate you coming on.

[Phil Vassar]

Well, thanks brother. And we'll talk soon.

[Tony Mantour]

Absolutely. Thanks again. Thanks for joining us today. We hope you enjoyed the show. This has been a Tony Mantour production. For more information, contact medialatomusic.com.

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