On Sept. 6, journalism students had a sit-down interview with country music legend Phil Vasser. Vasser is known for his hit song “Another Day in Paradise” and wrote many songs like “My Next 30 Years” for Tim McGraw and “Bye Bye” for Jo Dee Messina.
Vasser expresses the journey for him to get recognized and how he kept going all these years to get to where he is today.
“I was rejected by everybody you know, every label, every publisher” Vasser revealed,” You have to kind of believe in what you do, so if you believe it then someone will believe it.”
Vasser also explained how he struggled to get a record deal and how he had to get creative with ways to get his music out there.
“I opened my own bar, I opened my own restaurant, and it blew up,” Vasser explained, “And it was like, everybody would come see me play.”
Vasser is known for his signature piano driven country sound and he owes it all to his influences like Billy Joel, Elton
John and Jerry Lee Lewis. Going into the country music scene as a piano player is intimidating.
“If it’s different everybody is afraid of it,” Vasser expresses, “So you got to do your thing, and I did.”
Vasser influenced a new generation of artists by pursuing through and going with his gut and keeping with the piano.
Vasser expresses how music influenced his life growing up with Motown, gospel, bluegrass and classic rock.
“I was just a sponge,” Vasser voiced, “I listened to all that music, and it just had a blast, and I loved it.”
Vasser had been on the road for the majority of his career and with a health scare in 2023, this time around on tour he is doing it not because he has to, it is because he wants to.
“I can still get to play because I love it,” Vasser shared. “You know I don’t have to do it; I want to play; I love playing music.”
Vasser left with advice for the young generation of aspiring musicians as he continues to follow this advice.
“Just do something you love,” Vasser shared, “If you do something you love, then you never work a day in your life.”
Tracy High Journalism expresses thanks to Phil Vasser and his team, and the Grand Theater for making this interview possible.
