Country Artist Phil Vassar

Award-winning singer-songwriter @Phil Vassar has penned hits for himself  - as well as stars like @Tim McGraw, @Alan Jackson, @Jo Dee Messina  & Collin Raye, but he had to jump a few hurdles to be accepted as a piano man in the guitar playing city of Nashville. In this episode of Conversations, Phil sits down with Michelle to share his story of breaking into the business, what it feels like to see his daughter follow in his musical footsteps, new projects on the way, and how he's been bitten by the acting bug.

#philvassar #countrymusic #timmcgraw #alanjackson #jodeemessina #country #singersongwriter #nashville #livemusic #hayleyvassar #pianobar #pianoman #piano #celebrityinterviews #entertainment #celebrityinterviews 

Transcript

0:07

I can't wait to bring on my next guest because I love getting a chance to see him. I'm actually gonna be seeing him in person in just a few weeks, which I can't wait to see him, but I can't wait for you to see and maybe even hear. Him tonight because he is a big deal, like anchorman kind of a big deal. He's a big deal. So he is a Nashville superstar, singer songwriter. He is what I call the piano man of country music, Phil Vasser's piano bar. You can see it there. So he is not only super Uber talented. He's had hit songs for Tim McGraw, Jody Messina, and. Big hits for himself and he's just an all around really good guy. And I am so proud and honored to be able to call him a friend. So please welcome my buddy, Phil VA. Yay. Hi, how are you? I'm great. It's so good to see you. I'm I'm great. It's uh, been too long. That's all I can say. It's uh, I can't wait to get back up to Jersey, I guess I'll see you in a couple weeks or so. Right. So yeah, it it's coming soon, but let's start off with the burning question because I think this is always cool for people to hear what was. Your first memory, if you can think of, of, of music, uh, the piano, because I mean, you really are as, as I call the piano man of country music now. So do you recall when that, that passion kind of started? I mean, I mean, I it's, it's always been in, in my soul. I think, you know, I've listened to music my whole life. I mean, of course my dad was a singer and had a band and all that. So, I mean, I've been, I grew up around music and, you know, especially, um, songwriters singers, of course my dad, you know, my mom, dad, the Beatles, you know, all the way to. You know, George Jones and I mean, it was very diverse, you know, and I had two sisters, that one was a really big country. She was always the Hank junior and the George Strait, uh, fan. And then my other sister, Terry was iron maiden and AC C. So I mean, I was in the middle. I had, I, I liked all of it. Earth, one and fire. And Billy Joel and Elton John. Jackson brown and, you know, and you know, all that stuff. I mean, Merl Haggard was my very first concert. And so, I mean, when it was just something about like, when I saw me Haggard, he, you know, he was a, uh, a great songwriter and I was just, and it just, I've always been intrigued by guys that wrote songs. And of course, Billy Joel and, and, um, was, uh, was my hero. Right. And Bruce Springsteen and all that. I mean, I grew up, um, you know, when, when I went to high school, went to college and I was at James Madison and all my buddies were from New Jersey and, uh, you know, Philly and a lot of those guys and, and they, they really, really turned me on to, to Bruce Springsteen, you know? So I'm like, holy crap. You know, this is, you know, it's a real ed. more of a edgy, sort of a it's rock and roll country, sort of it's this fusion of all these different kinds of music. And I just love it all, you know, so I'm pretty, um, I'm pretty blessed, you know, that I got to hear James Taylor and, and folks like that at a young age, you've got tribute to Billy Joel there on the, the hat there. So songwriting. Yeah, I do have my Billy Joel hat on today about that, you know? Yeah. And. You know, which I sort of random, I, I just, uh, but of course, I dunno if Billy has his Phil VA hat on today, but I don't even know. I'll have to find out I'll call him. We'll have to check in with him after I know, but he is, uh, he has definitely, uh, been one of my biggest inspirations, you know, for him and Elton John and, and, uh, but Billy, especially, it's like, you know, whenever you, whenever I heard Billy and, um, I could feel like I was in New York, you know, it's like that, you know, of course, coming from Virginia, I didn't. And I, you know, I was talking about that with Jeff the other day we were talking about growing up, um, you know, the world was, you know, our little oyster here, you know, I was in Virginia, but we watched, uh, James Bond movies and we were in, you know, they should, we were in Europe or Bahamas or wherever and, and our music and never listened to Billy Joel. I was in, I was in New York city or Bruce een and I was. You know, I was in New Jersey or I was in California when listened to the beach boys. And I think music was a big, huge part of that. You know, you, you grew up and, and, uh, and, and Bruce Hornsby did a great job of, of having that, that Virginia feel or whatever that, that, um, I, I don't know what it is about music, man, but short really transported me at that. Big for me and you two I'm. Sure. Right? Y yeah. Well you two, literally inva like the band, you two you feel like you might be in Ireland, but just as a side note when you said that, but that's the truth. I love them. I mean, that was, that was a thing that was my first concert. You too. I mean, come on. Does it get any better than that? I saw too, before they blew up there, I saw 'em in a theater. Um, wow. In Indiana, Pennsylvania, it was unbelievable. It was like, whatever I had just heard of him. I just heard like Sunday, bloody Sunday and all that. And of course, you know, I'm whatever I was, I was, it was very young and I, I was like, man, this, it was inspiring. I mean, I was just, I mean, I knew they were gonna blow up and be massive and, and they. Yeah, that stadium doesn't even exist anymore. That's where I saw 'em in Philadelphia and it's just, it, it is life changing that experience, you know, I I'd still real, right. Think that they're gonna tour again, because what an experience. So you mentioned the songwriting that you were really drawn in to Merle's songwriting and you are such an amazing songwriter. And that's why I think, you know, my mom, just a little side note here. I hated country music. Hated, but I did no country music and that was the thing. My mom was like, you should listen to country. I was like, I don't love that. Now lost my dog. I lost my wife, lost my house and that's not all country music. I mean, there's some songs like that. So she convinced me to, to listen to country music and one of the biggest things of why I was always drawn to it ever since then, because you tell stories. Right. And it's such a really cool aspect. So let's talk about something though. You are the musician, the consummate professional you've always had that love. It runs in the family. You are an amazing piano player. Ridiculous, amazing songwriter. But you really, I would think, would find in Nashville that you're going against the grain of what those typical big artists are doing, their guitar playing cowboy hat, wearing performers. Right. So what was that like? Well, it was hard because it was, everybody was always like, you know, You need to play guitar and wear a hat. That's what we do here in Nashville. And I, and I mean, that's what I said. You mean like everybody else, why have I gotta be like everybody else? I mean, and, um, I mean, individuality is really a, I mean, even now it's like, you know, it sounds, um, you know, you go through phases of music where, you know, you try to break the mold a little bit and. And the business, people here have nothing to do with that. They don't want you, they want everything to sound the same, every song, I mean, and it, and it's, we're kind of that way, again, it goes through phases and it's cyclical, and then you'll, somebody will come along and go, what is that? That's cool. Right. And then, um, you know, but I think Nashville's always been more, you gotta stay between these, you gotta stay between that. You know, this is what you do. This is as far, right. And this is far left as you can. And, uh, you know, I think things are changing a little bit, but I think that's probably because, um, you can, you, you can do things without record labels now, you know, and I think that's, you know, there's, those, uh, gatekeepers are now kind of falling by the wayside. Kind of like the Meister burgers, you know, in the L Santa Clauss come into town movie, you know, they're just football to follow fall onto the wayside, but it's. Yeah, you have a lot of fun and you really put yourself into these shows. I wanna talk about that in just a moment, but before I do, let's talk about the writing aspect because you, you managed to break in, you've got some huge songs for yourself. It's just. Another day in prioritize where there's no, I'd be angel, gotta music play. Let the preacher get to preach the two. And you've got hits like my next 30 years for Tim McGraw by by love for Jodie Messina, can you pick a favorite? If you were forced to back against the wall or is that like trying to pick your favorite child? Well, it is in a way, you know, I think, I think, you know, you get asked that, but I think every night, you know, when you're playing some, one of your songs will hit you different, you know? And you know, you've always gotta do just under the, in paradise or I've always gotta do whatever and I'm alright. Or, or, uh, you know, whatever, some of the songs that even I wrote. Whoever Alan Jackson or whoever, but my band is great. And that's what I love because I have a band that I can just call out any one of 150 200 songs, and they're just gonna go, okay. Which is, you know, it's a real, it's a real gift because you know, not everybody, um, can ha has that. And a lot of people stick to a script or a set list, and I never have one. We, we walk on. We never know what we're gonna start with. The band never knows. And I never know. I mean, until I walk out and say, man, this is a fun crowd. I'll start with this. We'll start with that. Or, you know, some, some nights are in a theater, you're more subdued and I'll walk out by myself and I'll play, um, black and whites or something like that. So every show's different and that's what I like about it. It just keeps it interesting for me. If somebody that's a D D , you know, let's talk about the shows because you. 110%. I mean, you're jumping on pianos. You are like giving it all. You're doing it depending on the stretch of time for. 3 4, 5, 6 nights in a row sometimes. I mean, you're nonstop. So not only do you have that full performance, which it's so intense, the energy that's needed to be on stage like that, which if you've never performed it, it's just, it's incredible what you need. I guess good old friends with me, man. And I sound doing all, but then on top of that, you've got that grueling traveling schedule in between all of those dates. So what is it that keeps you going back? What's the most rewarding part about being exhausted? I would think night after night after night, what makes it worth. well, you know, I think it's the show. The show itself is the fun part, you know? And it's like, it's like, we've always said, you know, we don't get, we get paid for the 22 hours that we're not on stage. That's what we get paid for. Right. And I. That's kind of it and, and, you know, getting to go out there and, and play your songs, play your music and, and see your, see folks that have, have done whatever stop what they're doing to come to see you play. I mean, it's an honor. I mean, it really is. We are so blessed to be able to do what we do. And, and have fans after 20 plus years that keep coming to our shows and, and, and I mean, it's, it's, it's, I'm having more fun now than I ever have. I think it's just, I think even with COVID and not being able to play for 18 months, which was a horrible thing that never, ever better happen again. Um, but I think that that was, um, a real eye opening experience for all of us, you know, um, In all genres, you know, I've talked to a lot of my rock and roll buddies and, and I think so, um, um, I mean, I've talked to Tommy Shaw, my buddy from sticks and he, he and I, I mean, he they're having one of the biggest years they've had since 85. I mean, it's in, it's incredible. And, and I'm telling you, they're, they're just, they're better than they ever were. And I, and I think. I think we all have this renewed vigor, you know that, thank God. I mean, I think the fans are gonna really get, um, a real, you know, or a real gift, you know, because it's like, we, I don't think any of us are taking it for granted anymore. You know what, I'm Michelle it's, it's just, you know, it's, it's been hard. It's been a hard time. Tell me about the actual traveling aspect, because I think. Few people can understand what it's like and you're traveling in close quarters. Um, do you have any, any stories that you can share of, of a little snippet? No. You're not allowed share any stories. thinking like I'm not, I know them Michelle, but I'm not allowed to talk about yeah, I know. Yeah. I'd have to, you'd have to, yeah. You'd have to take me out. No, but I mean, it is fun. I mean, I think that's the one thing. Um, about traveling on tour buses and stuff, you know, you really, I mean, I, my band, um, you know, and I have a girl, Patty is, uh, in my band, she's a saxophone keyboard player and she's been with for four years now. And, and I love her. And I mean, it's a, it's a different dynamic, you know, it's a bunch of, um, you know, you just look out for each other. It's. Fraternity house on wheels is kinda what it is, but you know, it's definitely, it's a lot different than it was 25 years ago for all of us, you know, because you know, we've all at least got a little bit sense, a little bit of sense now , it's just, you know, that we didn't have 25 years ago, but it's so much more fun and. And, um, you know, it is hard. You go from time, you have bus issues, you know, your bus will break down, you get into a show and you ha it's, there's always something, you know, every night on stage two is different. You know, it's like never the same. It's it's, um, you know, it's not like, you know, you go, um, you go, you do the same job every day. It's I mean, every show's different, which is great. Thank God. Do you still have those pinch me moments after all these years that you're like, do I really get paid to do. Yes. every day, you know, I really do. I think of myself as that kid that, you know, wanted to learn how to play piano or do whatever. Right. Just to, I said, I wanna write songs. And I wrote a lot of just horrible songs. Right. You know, and I'm like, God, this is terrible. And then one day I think sort of a, a light bulb went off and I was like, you. Wait a minute. I know how to do this. I think I can do this. And, and, you know, and then you're, then you have your first cut. Then you have, you know, your first single, then all of a sudden you have your first hit song or your first number one song, and then you have, you know, it it's, it's, there's so many, um, You know, moments in, in my life and my career that I just go, I did, did that really happen? Am I playing the white house again or whatever, you know, it's, it's crazy. You've got, uh, a daughter, Hailey who is in the music business and obviously growing up listening. Oh yeah. And hearing daddy do all of his, his wonderful, fabulous composition in playing. So what is it like for you now to see your daughter get into that? I've tried to talk her out of it for years, Michelle. I mean, I really have, but no, I mean, you know what? I I'm kidding, but she, she can write. I mean, she's ever since she was a kid, um, and, and her sister too Pressley, who is younger, she's only 18 now, but they could always write, they were really good writers, you know? And I'm like, wow, like these stories, they come up with all these things. I'm like, you know, they're six years old and they're doing, I. Where do you come up with that? Where does that come from? You know, so I've always been intrigued by their talents and they had their, their own gifts, you know, and, and, um, you know, it's, it's, uh, but as you know, I mean, our, our business is so you've gotta have a motor. I mean, if you don't have a motor, um, that, that can just grind through the, you know, everyday minutia of the business, right. Because it's every day. I mean, you're just, you're just going, holy crap. And you know, you get beat down, you knock down and people hate your songs. I had more people hate my music and, and you know, then, then at see him after I'd had the, a bunch of hits or like, I always knew you were gonna, I'm like, no, you didn't, you were always an idiot, you know? So don't even gimme that, you know? So I, I know I I've got a good memory, you know? Yeah. I remember. Absolutely. I've got your comments right here on this piece of paper. I kept them all too. So I heard. Uh, I thought a little bit of a piano sound. Did I hear that? Do you happen to have a, a musical instrument in front of you? Right now? I'm actually in my room sitting. That's just ridiculous. isn't it crazy when, when, uh, that's the one thing I can, I can have a grand piano in my room now, so I have that. And then, but, um, I mean, you know, I, I, um, I I'm, so as you know, you've known me for a long time, but I am very, very, I, my mom is like, you know, a I'm the add poster child I've always been called because I'm, I'm very, you know, course creative and, and, and, uh, but I, I. You know, I I'll write songs and I go from one piano and then I get, I'll write in here for about 15 minutes. And I go into my Florida room when I write on the piano in there, or I have four different pianos in my house. So it's like, I go from different. I know it's dumb, but it works for you. No, it's fantastic. It's like a dream come true. Are you kidding me? I feel like that's awesome. It's so weird, but I'm, I'm always, um, um, and, and I'm a, I'm that guy, I can't walk by a piano without playing something, you know, it's like today I was just going, I was going, how does that help? John's go. Right. Right. You know, so anyway, I'm just thinking. Because what cuz it's my piano bar tour this year. So I'm trying to do a bunch of the covers. What's that your film? I know. I, I see that piano bar tour. I know. I, I love that. You're the, you're the sweetest. This is, I'll tell you. And, and you didn't even know that I had this shirt and I'll tell you what it is. So fabulously, comfortable, so soft. I love it. That's one of my favorite t-shirts now. So yeah, let's talk about this tour. It looks great on you. Thank you. Thanks. So let's talk about this tour because it's chockful, as you said of, you never know what to expect. You've got the tour going through when, because you're all over the country, you happen touring all summer and then you get something really special happening for the holidays. Right? So tell us about that. Well, you know, D Carter is one of my oldest dearest friends in town as matter of fact, Dean and I have known each other since, I mean, the beginning when I first moved to town, um, and I just started playing piano. Right. I just, I had a piano and I would carry it to these little club, these little bars. And I would actually go in and they're like, we don't have entertainment here. I said, well, you do now. Cause I'm gonna come in tonight and I'm gonna play , I'm bringing my piano and they're like, you are, I'm like, yeah, I'm gonna come in here and I'm gonna sit up in this little corner and I'll play some music. And, and I was a big golfer back then, you know, I mean, I was a really good golfer back in that in the day. And, and I would bring all my golf buddies, I would tell 'em I say, look, I'm playing over at. Club tonight, come show up, you know, and they're like, you, are you, you? What? They didn't even know. I played music. So, so I said, yeah, so they all would come. And of course all my friends drink a lot. So the bars were, would be packed. Yeah. And I would just sit up in this corner and then everybody, that's how I started in bars, playing piano bars, playing Billy Joel, playing Elton John playing band Morrison or playing brown eye girl or buffet or whatever. I did all that stuff. And, and over the pandemic. I would just do these little cover things. These little I did about five or six of these, um, piano bar things where I would just do all covers and it kind of took me back. I said, man, that's what I wanna do when I go back out on tour. I wanna like pay homage to, to Bob Seger or to Tom petty or some of these artists, the Eagles, um, Billy and, um, you know, artists that I, I grew up listening to and, and really basically supported me for the first, you know, 10, 15 years of my career until I got my, I had my own hits, you know, and, and I love it. I'm having so much such a fun time. So I keep coming up with these songs. Oh, my God. I forgot about, you know, this, this song or that song. And then, and I just learn it and, and the guys are like, every day I go, Hey, can you learn, uh, Daniel by, by Elton, John are like, oh my God. they're like every day, it's like a whole different, we'll do a different song. Yeah. But that's what keeps it so real because it, it's not, as you said, I don't have a set list. I, I don't have like, okay, we're gonna go to this song and then we're gonna go back from that. It's just real. It's authentic. You read the crowd. You're so good with reading the crowd and you really give people an experience. I mean, it's not. we're gonna go listen to somebody, play songs. You feel like you are part of the show. It's very interactive. Even if you're sitting in your seats, you feel like you're a part of, it's very intimate. You share a lot of really cool details about some of the songs. And I wanna ask you about that because having four pianos throughout your house, which is so awesome, but where does that inspiration come from? Because I would think. That at a moment's notice you talk about, you know, I feel like I'm undiagnosed ADHD, but like my husband all the time will like squirrel nut. Like I just, all of a sudden I'm gone. He's like, stay with me. I get it. How do you bring that all together? Where does it happen? Do you have notes? Do you keep them in your phone? Do you write things? I know Coldplay. They used to write notes on their piano and after they finished every album, they would have the piano repainted. So what's your process of how you get those songs to come to life and, and how do they come? For the most part. You know, they just do. I, I think, you know, for me for a couple years, I mean, it's funny because I, I didn't write anything for, you know, cause I, I think, you know, from the time I was whatever here, when I came to Nashville as a, as a young man, you know, right. Just basically fresh outta college. And then I just said, you know, so I just kept writing and trying to find your voice. You're trying to, you're writing a billion, different songs and different styles. You're just trying to. Your thing. And I think what I, I think when I, Bruce Hornsby was an inspiration on, on, in that end because he, he said, you know, when I was in LA man, they were trying to get me to write, pop, getting, write all this stuff. And then, and then, um, one day I just figured I just, I just started writing my own thing. And, and I think when I heard him say that, of course, that first album of Bruce has really inspired me, you know? And. I think that's when I, I said, you know what, man, you gotta write about stuff, you know about. It's like, I don't write any songs about, you know, physics because I don't know anything about physics or anything. Or I was a, um, I was a failed history historian. I mean, that's where Carlene, the last stuff really comes from. Although history was my best subject, you know, but. It just rhyme. I was lousy, man. Build your story. And Carlene was Valenti Victorian. I was go back in the back of the, she was, but I think you just write about things. Life love your friends, your relationships, you know, heartbreak. I mean, which, you know, I'm a king of that. I think I'm a really good, my favorite songs are my best song probably is when I, when I go through a breakup, cuz I do that all the time. And then, uh, it just seems like I write I'm a good way. I tell you what I, you never, never make piss off a songwriter cuz they'll write a song of. Ask Taylor Swift's boyfriends. All of them. Oh yeah. Right. All of them, you know, Dina and I just, uh, we just cut two brand new songs, two brand new songs. We just wrote for Christmas with Steve Dorf, who is, uh, uh, a genius songwriter, um, a hall of fame guy. We, we all got together and wrote these. Two, two killer songs. And, um, I can't wait. We're gonna put 'em out of course for Christmas. And, um, so I mean, we are just, we're pumped up. I talked to Dina for a long time yesterday about the set list and how we're putting the show together. And, and, um, but I mean, it's, it's kind of cool. I'm working on a new record to put out next year. Um, I'm, I'm just kind of getting in that creative mode again and I mean, I've. So much fun. I mean, I talked in to a bunch of my, my artist buddies, my songwriter friends, and they're just like, dude, it's about time. I'm like, yeah, man. I'm I'm ready. I'm come back like with a vengeance. Yay. What about songs from the seller? We too busy for that right now. You know what we did three seasons of that. And I, I tell you what, that it's great. Um, it's so good, Phil. Uh, the answer. Your name so much fun. You know, we did that and the, but I'm actually getting ready to shoot a new one. Um, the beginning of next year. Um, I don't think I can get, we, we're gonna try to start it in the fall, but I don't think we can get to it in time, but it's, uh, you're not building this new barn. Um, this big piano barn is what I'm calling it. Phil's piano barn. from a. Huh. So it's in the back of my property down here, but we're gonna start shooting some stuff. I mean, I've talked to a lot of my Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob, a lot of my friends and, and, um, I'm, it's gonna have actors and music and athletes and, um, man, we're so excited about it. It's gonna be killer. You're just so cool. Like I can't even believe I know you're cool. You're like a, whatever. You're cool to me. You're gonna be cool. You guys are gonna come down and have some fun with us, but I mean, it's, it's fun. I really love the TV stuff. I, I love doing it and, and acting. We did a, you know, a little short film, um, you know, a couple years ago. So big enough to put the house in, put the front in the backyard in sidewalk where I taught him how to ride his bike or that little place down the street where you got him his first. The field where you hit that home, run, hid in a closet just in case. But, and I want to do more of that. As a matter of fact, I was on phone Coley last night and we're talking about some stuff, you know, working on some things and, and, uh, I, I just really like it. Fits into my a D D it's like I can't do. It's like I do this for a bit. And then I go over here and I would've been a good ER, doctor triage. Would've probably did my thing, you know, just that's right. Fix the guy. The next one, here we go. The next one, if you could have like a dream job, cause you're talking about, I mean, you have a dream job now. I mean, obviously you love what you do and you love your fans and they are very loyal fans. I mean, they just adore you, but if you could pick a dream pet project, What would it be? Who would it be with? Would it, would it be acting, singing who would be involved like the, the big dream, like I I've always wanted to work with, so and so, or always wanted to do this fill in the blank? Well, I mean, there's so many, you know, I mean, like I said, my heroes and I've named a bunch of 'em today, you know, and, and, um, you know, kitty Rogers was one of my dear friends and so. Merl Haggard, you know, we became out, like I said, you know, you were my first concert, so I don't, then we ended up doing all these shows together and I'd get to the bit, he'd go Philly, what are you doing? Come on over. So, I mean, he he'd call me, I'd come sit and talk to Merl Haggard for three hours. I mean really before the show. And he goes, and, and I, there would be situations where, of course, you know, I would be opening for Merl or whatever and or whatever, vice versa on some of these different festivals or concerts or, and he he'd just go, I. And he was supposed to headline that night. He goes, I wanna gut you headline tonight. He goes, I wanna go on early so I can go to bed. And I'm like, you got it. I mean, he was just, you know, I, I think, you know, him and buck Owens and of course George Jones and these, you know, when I first got to town and got to meet Conway, Twitty, and I mean, and, and, you know, on, I mean the list goes on and on, right. So I got to meet all these guys and it. It was so humbling, Johnny Cash. I mean, walking in a room with Johnny Cash, I just remember going, oh my God, it's Johnny Cash. Let you do. And, and he was so nice, Michelle, these guys were so nice. George Jones was so nice. He was, you know, and he was, and he was full of advice. And I think that's what the thing, you know, here, I'm a 20, you know, something year old kid and these guys are like, listen, man. Don't, you know, George was always like do, as I say, not as I did., you know, He was always the first to say stuff like that. And then, um, and then I ended up buying the store bus when he passed away, you know, so that was it. Right. So, I mean, when he passed Nancy called and, um, and said, Hey, I'm still on George's bus. Do you want it? And I, my bus had just been totaled, um, about a two weeks before that. And I said, yes, ma'am so, so, um, I mean, I actually watched George's Memorial service from the bus, from his bus and which is pretty amazing. So, um, if you, if you'd have told me. All this was gonna happen. I'm like no way, you know, I mean, I remember when Garth and I met in the 80 whatever and, and I'm like, Garth, I'm giving him, I'm like, Garth, what, what kinda name is Garth? You know, whatever. We're just giving him art, knowing. And, uh, you know, he was just always this driven and, uh, I mean, I just knew he was gonna do something, you know, it's like you knew. And all of our, you know, me and Alan Jackson and McGraw and Cheney, all of us were all in this little, you know, of course, a lot of these guys compl I mean, blew up and became this, you know, then a lot of them didn't, you know, a lot of guys that we hung out with, I don't even know where they are today, you know? And so I, I just really do count my blessings every day, too, that I have my dream. I really do. You know? And, and, um, I I'm just blessed. Thank God. I really am. I'm just going, thank you. And let me work longer because my daughters need it need shoes, you know, anyway, it's just well, we are blessed to have your talents out there because I mean, I'm, I'm not saying just because we've become friends and, uh, just to make you feel good, but I mean, your songs really. They touch so many people. And you can tell the process that goes into them, that, that you care about what you do. And they really come from the heart. As you said, you know, one too many breakups. And, and those, those love Lauren songs that, you know, but you really, you put out all of your emotion in there and it it's so relatable to so many people who are going through. And not only that, I love the fact, this is my favorite thing that I find in songwriters that they can make you laugh. And they can make you cry. And there are few that can do that because you know, sometimes it's just, it's one, it's all, everything is just so sad. And then the people that make you laugh, but it's a beautiful blend. Um, I'm just, I love you. I love your music. I love the fact that you don't just do it to put on the show and it's about, you know, business for you. It's really, it comes from the heart and you really do care about what you're doing. You care about the people. That you're doing it for. And that's why people, I think are coming in droves to see you, speaking of which you've got tons of dates. So people no matter where you are across the country, um, be sure to check out Phil vaser.com because you really are traveling all over. You've got this big tour coming up with Dina Carter, and I was so excited and two new Christmas songs. And then I'm excited for songs from a seller because hopefully we'll see that in the new year. And then I wanna see these acting gigs. I mean, Tim McGraws in all these movies and shows now I. You need to follow any it's fun. You know, it's like, I love doing it. It's like I've done four, like probably four movies, you know, had parts. And, and I just did a short film and you know, I've done some TV, you know, whatever TV, but I think it's really fun. I think it's for, for guys like, and, and Tim's really good at it, you know, it's like, I's like, man, Tim is, you know, I'm like, man, this, I think he's really found his snitch, you know? And. And of course, faith too, you know, but I think, you know, there's trace, Atkins's doing all this stuff and a lot of the guys are, are really, really good at it. So it's. It's a lot of fun and it gives us another outlet for our, our artistic, you know, I don't know, need to be, do doing something right. Yeah. Something art, you know, and I'm excited about doing more of it. So we'll see what happens in the new year in pump. Yeah. I'm excited. So I will ask you once and you can say no. Can you sing a few bars of something first? If not, I'm just gonna play something, but if you wanna sing it it's what do you, what do you wanna, what do you want? Anything, anything you wanna play? Um, or should I give you something specific? How about you do I don't another day in paradise kids, screaming phone ringing, dog barking at the mail man, bringing that stack of bills overdue. Good morning, baby. How are you half? A shower, take a drink of milk up milks called sour. My face. It makes you laugh. I twist the top on and I put it washing. I promise I'll fix it long about a million other things. It's our case. It's so nice. It's just Aing and paradise. There's no place that I'd rather be. Yeah, go it's two hearts and one dream. I wouldn't trade it for anything and I, the Lord every night. Whoa. Yeah, for just another day in paradigm. All right. That's about all I got for you. I dunno. Oh no. I took you off. I tried to play the applause. I took you off. Cause that applause, I needed applause button. I needed an applause button for my show. That's what I need. Yes, you have. It's the best thing ever. Fake applause is fantastic. I love it, Phil. Always, always love seeing him excited to see you in soon. So go to Phil vaser.com to find out all about his shows. He is all over. You're still touring all across the country. You've got the Christmas show coming up. You've got, um, merchandise there. Get your Phil Vaser P I love it, man. I love it's. It's so comfortable. It is like the best. It's my new favorite t-shirt um, and be on the lookout for all the new projects that we talked about. Yay. I'm so excited to have you here. It's always, you know, I love having you and, uh, I can't wait to see you in person. I'm gonna have to bake. I always bake you cookies or cake. I think we we're gonna do cookies this time. Can you do carrots or, uh, cauliflower or something this year? Cause I'm trying to work out a little bit more and maybe do better. And I'm just kidding. Carrot cake. We'll do carrot cake. Ooh, carrot cake. Do you like carrot cake? I love carrot cake. Yeah. Well, you can give me what your favorite is. Yeah. We'll banana pudding and carrot cake are really to my top, my top two, I have banana bread with chocolate chips right now that I just made two days ago, which isn't too shabby. I will tell you, but I'll come up with something special. Do you remember you probably don't remember. Do you remember the piano cake I made too? Of course. I remember it, of course, but I stacked Oreos up for like the, the legs of the piano, cuz I'm like, how am I gonna get it to stay? That was so great. He always gets treat. I mean, you don't just sing. You're also a creative baker. I like it. Yeah. Not, not so much, uh, time to do that as anymore. I mean more like the shortcut cook. Let's take the, the cookies out of the bag and put 'em on a plate, but it works. We do have to do thank you, Phil. I'm so happy you could join me and I'm looking forward to see you in person and please go Phil vaser.com to the website to see all the things that Phil's involved with, but, you know, I love you. And, uh, we'll see soon. I love you too. Give everybody my love. Will you please? I will. Thanks. And that's what keeps it, so, um, well, um, got some Mascar that's what? Spontaneous. See it right there. That's what keeps it so re see it. Yeah, I don't look too good. Uh, I forgot my ma care today. For more conversations, visit Michelle bog, moony.com.