Phil Vassar

Contemporary country performer Phil Vassar first built his reputation through a string of chart-topping compositions before securing his own recording contract and stepping forward as a successful artist. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, he earned a track scholarship to James Madison University, the setting where music began to claim his serious attention. After relocating to Nashville he mastered the piano and began performing his own songs at local clubs. A regular patron who admired his work passed a demo tape to his father, the crooner Engelbert Humperdinck, who included the Vassar co-write “Once in a While” on a 1996 release. Momentum followed quickly: Vassar obtained an EMI publishing deal and supplied hits to Collin Raye with “Little Red Rodeo,” Alan Jackson with “Right on the Money,” Tim McGraw with “For a Little While,” Jo Dee Messina with “Bye Bye” and “I’m Alright,” and BlackHawk with “Postmarked Birmingham.” Arista signed him in 1998, and ASCAP named him Country Songwriter of the Year the following year. His self-titled debut appeared in 2000; lead single “Carlene” climbed into the country Top Five, while the next release, “Just Another Day in Paradise,” reached the top spot. “Six-Pack Summer” also landed inside the Top Ten, and “That’s When I Love You” delivered his third Top Five entry by early 2002. The album earned gold certification after moving half a million units. Its successor, American Child, arrived later that year, its title track furnishing another Top Five single. Prayer of a Common Man surfaced in 2008 via Universal South.