Phil Vassar Named NSAI Songwriter/Artist Of The Year

Nashville, TN. (NSAI) - In a ceremony on Sunday, one of country music's most distinctive stars, piano-pounding singer/songwriter, Phil Vassar, was honored for his talents and named one of the Nashville Songwriter Association International's (NSAI 2006 Songwriter/ Artist of the Year. The award continues a year of career breaking success which has included the May release of his album, "Greatest Hits Volume 1," that had career-high sales numbers week of release as well as the No 1 single from the record, "Last Day of My Life," becoming the fastest rising single of his career.

Vassar tied with Toby Keith for the songwriter/artist of the year prize. Phil was also named NSAI's 1998 Songwriter of the Year. Earlier this year, he was also nominated as a songwriter for an Emmy Award in the "Outstanding Original Song" category for his compositions "Live For Today" that was used by NBC's Today Show.

His current album reflects Phil's comprehensive career as an artist and as a songwriter. The 15 track collection not only includes his most recent chart-topping single, but also many of his biggest singles - "In A Real Love," "Six Pack Summer," "Just Another Day In Paradise" and "Carlene" - and five tracks that are hits previously recorded by other artists but written by Vassar including "Bye, Bye," "My Next Thirty Years" and "I'm Alright," among others.

His current single, "The Woman In My Life," was inspired by the women in his life. As the only male in the family, he has his mother, two sisters (both of whom have daughters), his wife and his own two daughters.

The NEW YORK TIMES calls Vassar "one of country music's most appealing voices," and the DENVER POST adds, "Vassar has carved out his own distinctive sound." In his live performances, he takes advantage of his grand piano by using it as a platform jumping to and fro, on and off it's lid. The ORANGE COUNTRY REGISTER recently noted, "his performance was a hurricane of sound and the guy is a pro when it comes to connecting with the audience."