NASHVILLE, TN. (Arista Nashville) - Last Week, award winning singer-songwriter
Phil Vassar took the stage among an all-star cast of musicians gathered together for a private party thrown by Yamaha. The USC Marching Band opened the show and the evening went on with performances by Gavin DeGraw, pedal steel player Robert Randolph, John Ondrasik (Five for Fighting), Jon Anderson (Yes), blues-rocker Beth Hart, Earth Wind & Fire, pianist AJ Croce and Al Green. The house band was put together with some of the best touring and session musicians including Nathan East, as musical director and on bass (Barry White, Eric Clapton), Greg Phillinganes, on keyboard (Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson) and Tim Carmon, also on keyboard (Babyface, Eric Benet).
Phil, who is sponsored by Yamaha, played from his current Arista Nashville album, "Shaken Not Stirred," his hit singles "I'll Take That As A Yes (The Hot Tub Song)" and the No 1 song "In A Real Love." He ended with another number one single, "Just Another Day In Paradise."
"In everything I've ever done this was the coolest thing I have been a part of," Phil said of his experience. "To be there with my musical heroes and great musicians was really indescribable."
Vassar began his career performing his growing repertoire of original songs at his Nashville club-restaurant. Before embarking on his solo career, which has produced more than half a dozen Top 10 hits (including his break out No 1 single "Just Another Day In Paradise"), Vassar penned hits for a number of top artists including Tim McGraw ("My Next Thirty Years"), Alan Jackson ("Right on the Money"), and Jo Dee Messina ("Bye Bye"). He has earned numerous songwriting awards as well as new artist distinctions from Academy of County Music (ACM), Country Music Association (CMA), R&R Magazine and Gavin. Vassar is also one of three celebrity judges on the USA Network's talent search series "Nashville Star."
In addition to his corporate sponsorship with Yamaha, Phil works with Prilosec OTC in a promotional campaign that includes national print and television advertisements that feature Phil and his upcoming single "Good Ole Days." His newest original composition, "Live for Today," was chosen out of hundreds of submissions to become the theme song for NBC's Today Show segment of the same name. The regular segment began airing in May. Phil's current tour schedule keeps him out on the road presenting his energetic performances that have earned fan support and widespread critical acclaim.
