Tony Mantor's : Almost Live..... Nashville - Phil Vassar Opens Up on Heart, Music, and Resilience

Episode Date: October 7, 2025

Country music star Phil Vassar shares his remarkable journey of survival and rebirth after experiencing a near-fatal heart attack that stopped his heart for nearly 30 minutes. We explore his profound two-year recovery process and how this life-altering experience transformed his approach to music, creativity, and the entertainment industry. • Phil had to relearn basic functions including walking and playing piano after his "sudden death" episode • Despite being physically fit with healthy eating habits, Phil's heart attack was attributed to genetic factors • The recovery process included months at Shepherd Center in Atlanta followed by continued rehabilitation at home • Phil now feels more calm, focused, and confident in his musical choices after facing mortality • The health crisis shifted Phil's perspective from pleasing industry gatekeepers to creating authentic music he loves • Phil's illustrious career includes writing hits for Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson and meeting legends like Elton John • Nashville's Music Row has changed dramatically with iconic studios being replaced by condominiums • Phil is building a recording studio in his barn to create music on his own terms • The conversation touches on memorable encounters with Glen Campbell, BJ Thomas, and performances at the White House • Phil expresses gratitude for his second chance at life and the opportunity to reflect on his 35+ year career I'm doing fewer shows this year - only about 30-40 - which has given me time to reflect on everything that's happened. I really believe everything happens for a reason, and I'm definitely thankful to be here Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

My career in the entertainment industry has enabled me to work with a diverse range of talent. Through my years of experience, I've recognized two essential aspects. Industry professionals, whether famous stars or behind-the-scenes staff, have fascinating stories to tell. Secondly, audiences are eager to listen to these stories, which offer a glimpse into their lives and the evolution of their life stories. This podcast aims to share these narratives, providing a series. information on how they evolved into their chosen career. We will delve into their journey to stardom, discuss their struggles and successes, and hear from people who help them achieve their

goals. Get ready for intriguing behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the fascinating world of entertainment. Hi, I'm Tony Mantor. Welcome to Almost Live Nashville. Phil Vassar, the celebrated country music singer-songwriter and pianist, joins me today for a heartfelt conversation, Known for his hits like Just Another Day in Paradise and Carleen, as well as penning chart toppers for artists like Tim McGraw. Phil's soulful melodies and relatable storytelling have left a lasting mark on Nashville. We'll dive into his remarkable journey, including two years of profound readjustment following a near-fatal heart attack, exploring life, music, and stories

that will give a discussion I think you'll truly enjoy. It's a conversation that I thoroughly enjoyed having, and it's a pleasure to have him here. So before we dive into our episode, we'll be right back with an uninterrupted show right after a word from our sponsors. Thanks for coming on. Absolutely. Thanks for having me. Oh, it's my pleasure. So I understand that this year is the 25th anniversary for one of your songs.

Yeah, it was the 25th anniversary of my first record. You know, I was having, I was having hits for years before that. So it's kind of crazy, isn't it? Think about. To coin a phrase, you go from singer-songwriter to actually singer-songwriter, only this time on a label as an artist. Yeah, right. Before we dig too deep into your artistry as a singer-songwriter,

I understand you had a life-altering scare here a couple of years ago. I've heard because of what happened to you, You're a huge advocate now for heart health. Can you expand on a little bit of what you went through? I had a, you know, I had a, what's it called, sudden death? I guess who it was. My heart just stopped beating. And so I didn't have a heartbeat for a long time for 20, 30 minutes or so,

first time. And then they got me going. And, you know, I'm a healthy person. I worked out every day. And I never ate fried food or anything like that. I mean, I'm just telling you. It was just a, you know, genetic is what they said. you know and so I heard that you said you died twice on the table so how are you feeling now I feel

great now I feel wonderful singing better and all that stuff I was really really I was struggling just to live you know yeah and I'm so glad that you're doing well now quick question though you didn't have the heartbeat and you said that you had died twice did you have any out-of-body experience like some have you know I've been asked that a lot and I don't remember anything I have so I have nothing I didn't talk to Jimmy Hendricks or anybody or you know which would be cool you know I just I just was really really struggling you know I was about having a hard time breathing having a hard time you know in general I was just always had this puffer I'm just like I can't breathe I can't breathe I was tired all the time and struggling you know so it was just so severe

that it took me having a heart attack dying to really fix everything you know they cleaned up everything and my doctor was great I mean I went to Vanderbilt of course and we're lucky to have great hospitals in Nashville. We are. We have great doctors, great hospitals, so we're very, very fortunate. Oh, you're not kidding. So it was great. I mean, it wasn't great for a while, but I was at Shepard Center for a while in Atlanta,

five or so, five or six months, whatever, and then came back home. I heard after you got through all that, you had to learn how to walk again, play piano again, and get back into the regular things. Well, it was just, I didn't do anything. really when I came to was in a wheelchair of course and they were kind of explaining to me what happened and I was going what you know what happened I said how did I have a heart attack I said you know I worked out and I did all this stuff and my doctor was like it doesn't matter it doesn't matter bad genetics and he said you were in you know

probably good enough shape just to survive the the onslaught I don't know but I feel I feel different now I feel very calm you know I was I was very stressed and I don't know if it was, it was just physical, I think, mostly. Well, we are talking about the music business. And there's that. Yeah, that's for sure. So how did you handle it mentally? I mean, you had to rebuild, you had to re-learn things.

How did that whole process work? And what kind of a journey was it for you? Yeah, it was, it was interesting. And I think I didn't really, I didn't try to rush back or anything. You know, I just, I really missed. playing music, you know, I really did. So I was kind of excited just to the same year at the end of the year. I got to play some shows, play a few shows, and just to be able to, just, I don't know, you just need that feeling that you get when you play music and with your friends. And I feel

great now. I feel better. And, you know, every day I'm just kind of feeling better. That's just so good to hear that you're doing that well. Now, after you got back to working, performing, how did that change or did it change anything in the way that you performed? Well, I think, you know, on stage, I think I'm pretty much the same. I don't do flips or back flips off the piano or any of that anymore, but I mean, I still run around. And I think I was so, so ganked up. I didn't know.

I was kind of jumping around, jumping off pianos and doing flips. And so maybe it's better now that I'm a little bit calmer. How's your emotions now? Because when you went through all that, you almost lost everything. Now you've gained a new lease on life. so to speak. Yes. Your attitude and the perspective and the perception of what you thought must have changed some.

I think so. I mean, I do. I think, you know, when you're in the heat of the fight, you know, I was writing every day, you know, back in the 90s or whatever. I couldn't get anybody to like what I did. I had to kind of take control of what I was doing. I had to take control of, I mean, I opened my own club. I opened a restaurant.

I did that stuff. So I'd have a place to play. have to deal with sleazy club owners, you know? Yeah, we've all dealt with those for sure. You know, I learned a lot. And I learned a lot about my songs and my music. I mean, whenever I would write a song, I'd play it that night. You know, I'd say I'd got a new song, you know, and test it out.

And you'd finish them. They'd show their approval, you know, they liked it a lot. I mean, I would play my next 30 years or I'm all right or all these songs. And I liked them. But, you know, of course, you know, the music. I learned a lot about the music business, too, and during that phase. I was just like, man, these guys are, most of them are just boneheads. They're not very smart.

They don't know a hit from a friggin, you know, hole in the ground. They don't know. That was one thing I just kind of said, look, if I like it, and if my fans like what I do and they like the song, then it's okay, you know? And if I feel passionate about a song, it's probably pretty good. I learned to not worry about what everybody else thought anymore. It just made me, hit me confidence like I'd never had before. That's just so good.

You know, that's a huge thing. step here in Nashville, everybody's out to please someone, the label, the ANR people, the managers, and everyone else. And what it really comes down to, you just have to please yourself. Right. When you hit that comfort level, all the noise goes away and you can start really doing good work. That's the truth. That really is the truth. And I think that's a good way to put it, because I think, you know, you do, you have all these people in your ear. And I'm telling you, they think they know, but they don't know. Nobody. what he knows, you know, really.

Yeah, and they're always pushing for that next big hit, because without it, they don't make any money. Right. A lot of them could care less about you, because they do care if you live or die, but other than that, they don't care because that's the only way they make their money. Yeah.

Yeah, it's a lot of selfish people. I mean, I know there's a bunch of great people in our business. They really are. Oh, yeah, I know a lot of good people here. But I wouldn't say there's the majority. I tell a lot of people that, are not here from Nashville, but some that are here in Nashville, there's a reason why they call it the music business. Yeah. You have to jump through all these hoops and books and books of papers

before you even can get on the stage to do what you do. Yeah, it really is. And something I learned was I just, I do love my job. I love the play and I love to write songs. I do, I like that. And the business part, somebody telling me this or you need to do this or do that. and especially some of the stuff because now it's about social media and TikTok or this or that. I'm just going, you know, it just seems like it's a different time, you know. I mean, I know you have to adjust and grow. I mean, that's a good thing to do, but I'm not going to get out there and dress up like a frog or something just to, you know, make somebody happy.

It's just that, you know. So it appears like you found yourself in a good comfort zone and you found yourself more ease. Yeah. By finding that, did you find yourself looking at everything a little bit differently than you had before? Absolutely. Absolutely. And it's funny too because, you know, I've been on the road for so long for decades, right? Now, 25 years of my first record. You know, I was having hits, number one songs that I wrote 10 years before that. So, I mean, I do like to pull out the songs I wrote. I did Riding the Money. I wrote for Alan Jackson last night. And they loved it. And the band was like, let's do it. Let's do run of the money. Or let's do, you know, you just pull out songs that,

I don't know, I just, I just loved that. I always loved the song. But of course, Alan and I heard, Alan and I are different artists. And I'm the biggest Alan Jackson fan that you can be. I love him. I think he's just, he's an amazing, you know, not just his voice, but his songs are just always been, I was a label made with Allen, you know, that heirs for a long time, decade. It was just awesome, you know, I always listened to his records. And I mean, there's some artists, you just go, But I was really, I always really looked forward to hearing what he's doing, you know. But I think the people that you really respect, I mean, Billy Joel, I still love Billy. Him and Elton John are my, yeah, they are both great.

I love them too. Yeah, you know what I'm saying? They were, they're the guys. And I just remember meeting Elton John for the first time. And, I mean, he was just great, you know. And this was before I had any cuts or record deal. But I was playing in my bar. And I had such a following.

And Nigel Olson, of course, came and played with me one night and sat in with me several, several nights. And it was just, I'm like, what in the world? But he was such a great guy. But when Elton did his concert in Nashville for DeMurray, when he passed away, he did a thing at the opera house. And Lisa Olson, Nigel's wife, was a fan, come see me play and all that. And so you've got to meet Elton. You've got to meet, and he'll love it. So when I met him and went backstage and hung out with him.

It was amazing, you know. It's just the moments you forget about, you go, did that really happen, right? Yeah. That's the beauty of living in Nashville. Working, networking. You just never know who's around the next corner. Yeah, and it's so many in Nashville now because it's become kind of this, you know, with everybody, kind of left L.A., really.

You know, Steve Dorf, who I write with his dear friend, and we've written a bunch. And, in matter of fact, he got married in my barn back here. You know, it's just so great. And it's kind of funny because Steve Kropper, you know, been a dear friend forever, but his daughter, she's getting married in my barn too coming up. So, I mean, it's kind of funny that I built this barn for some reason. It's my studio now, but I like to go back there and just kind of, I've got a grand piano up there, and I just go up there and I just sit down and who knows what might happen, you know.

That's the beauty of being able to find your comfort zone, your comfort space, and have the ability to just sit down and let things flow naturally with no pressure. of having to do it. Yeah. Yeah. You know, you think about, like, back in the day when we all had publishing deals and doing all this stuff, I mean, you know, it was all about getting the next cut. I don't know, everything worked out.

It's just like, I still process it sometimes. Like, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, the music business has been very good to both of us. I mean, I've had the same situations where I've been in the same rooms with five-star generals and so many different people. and they want to know what I do when I want to know what they're doing. So, yeah, it's just great. It's so crazy.

And it's wonderful. Yeah, it is. You know, I mean, I've done so many things for the military is very important to me. And I've got so many dear friends. And, of course, I've got to meet Clinton. And I played the Bush White House four times, I think, you know, and for their Christmas. And it was just amazing. Yeah, that's great.

Which Bush, father, or the son? I met Dad and. But for W., I played the White House. house several times I did several events for them and I got to meet Herman Walker of course he was just great I loved them and you know I always wanted to I never met Reagan I was wanted to meet him you know but anyway it was just such a great I got to meet Clinton at a Humana event he was speaking and I was playing and anyway he was I thought he was going to play sax with me but at the last minute he didn't get east I got to get out here but y'all have a

great anyway he was great that's the beauty of this business you get to meet people that want to meet you and you want to meet them, it's just the beauty of this business. It is great. It is, you know, I never take it. I never take it for granted, that's for sure. I mean, I'm looking at that Glenn Campbell book over there. I mean, Glenn was one of my heroes growing up, listening to Galveston. I mean, all the, he was just the best, you know.

Oh, he was. And for those that don't know what you're talking about, I have a book called Life with my father, Glenn Campbell, on my shelf behind me. And it was written by his daughter, Debbie, who I produce. I mean, and how great I did meet her, but I got to play golf with Glenn and some tournaments. I mean, we talked about it's just, it was the greatest. I'm just sitting here going, man, I am. I think actually me and Toby, me and Toby Keith and Glenn Campbell played golf.

It was really fun. I mean, you know, people, we all come and go, but Glenn Campbell's, man, I listened to some of his records. I mean, I don't know, man, maybe two or three weeks ago. I just kind of listened to some of his greatest hits. You know, the beauty of this music is sometimes just the simplicity of it is what makes it's so great. I mean, go back to 1975 and Rhinestone Cowboy. I mean, it was just super. It's best. I love it. That was one of my, one of our dear friends. I live with him. He was one of my roommates when I first moved to Nashville, but he's a cop. He was a great, great guy. He died of

cancer, I don't know, maybe he's five or six years ago. He had melanoma. But, man, he loved, and he always mispronounced everything. And he called it Rhymstone Cowboy. And it was the greatest thing. I was that, man, but Glenn was such a pure singer and player. I mean, what he did with the Beach Boys and everybody? I mean, what a musical resume. Yeah, I mean, he was great. I mean, he was the one everyone looked at for a very long time. Wow.

He was just so good. No, he was, of course, I always wanted to, but I always ended up, I never could play guitar very well. I guess I just never tried, but I just, I just was of such a piano, know, Fisianado, you know, I just loved the Billy Joel and Elton John. And I love Charlie Rich how he played. And I loved all those guys. And Ronnie Millsap was such a sweetheart of a guy. He's greatest. Wow. Ronnie Millsap. I met him back when Tom Collins was producing him. Really nice guy. Like Tom. Is Tom still around? I'm not sure where he is now. He's about in his 80s,

I think. Yeah, because Tom, I mean, you know, music grows so different, you know, now, of course. I mean, Bob Beck, I remember Bob? Do you remember him at all? Yeah, I sure do. I mean, it was the greatest. I would just, and he turned me onto like the Billy Swan Records. And he played me, he played me all this stuff. He said, you've got to hear this.

And he'd take me back when, I mean, it was just so great. I mean, I think you've had a very similar experience to like I have. You grew up with all these icons. Then you have them reaching out to you, whether they're calling you or their management's calling you, saying, you know what? we have to do a project together sometime. Yeah. I mean, it really doesn't get much better than that. Isn't that great?

It is. I just think of like my dad playing me BJ Thomas for it. What a singer, right? All the Burt backerack and Hal David stuff that he sang on. I think about it years later and I'm playing golf with BJ, you know, of course, you know, hanging out in Nashville whenever he'd come, we'd play golf. This is so great. Yeah.

One of my good friends was his band leader right up until he passed a few years ago. Oh, really? We'd play me and him and the Kropper, Steve Kropper, and all this. We'd all play golf. We'd play golf up at Nashville Village and still can't believe it, you know, it was just a, but on a human level, they were so great, always so nice. Yeah, they were great guys. And now, of course, have you been down on music role lately and seeing how drastically that's changed? It's so weird. I mean, it's really weird. I mean, you know, and all the buildings are different and some of the more iconic studios have been. torn down just to build condos. It's unbelievable. I mean, there really aren't anymore.

You know, now it's, you know, that's why I've been wanting to kind of get mine back up and running. I built this barn in back of my property. And I'm just, I can't wait to get back in and start recording again, you know. It's always great to be in the studio. So what's coming up? What's on your agenda right now? Well, I'm doing a few more shows this year.

I've got, you know, I'm out touring again, which I love. I mean, I'm not touring as much as I want to, but I guess next year, the next couple of years, I'll get back into it. But, you know, I mean, for me now, I just want to write and record, you know. I think it's kind of fun to, you know, you don't have to wait for approval from anyone.

You know, well, that's a good song. This isn't, yeah, well, this, you don't, it's just all these guys that, you know, whatever, they have opinions. You know, you've been here long enough. you've done so many great things. I think you're in a place now where you can actually do the things

that you want to do, not the things that they say that you have to do, so that way you can sit back and enjoy what you're doing. Yeah. You know, that is a good point. You know, I think, and I've gotten to travel all over the world

with my job, right? You know, you're playing Europe and Australia and where, you know, England, Scotland. You know, I've been to Ivy Road, right? I've gotten to sit there and, you know, meet Ringo and Paul. And, I mean, all these guys, it's just, you know, you think about, you know, the stuff we talked about when we were kids, right, you know. But now it's just, you know, I want to get better at golf again.

I want to start playing golf again. I was never any good at it. Do you play at all? I mean, no, I've hit a few golf balls. And then I went to a driving range. I sliced most all of them into the trees. So I'm really not all that good. That's what we all do.

I don't care who you are. I remember my club for years, I haven't played it, but now it's been three years that we're going to go tonight and actually hit some balls, playing out holes. So I'm excited about that. Yeah, that's awesome. Wow, this has really been good. Great conversation, great topics. I mean, we've covered so many different things.

Anything that you want to let people know that you think is important that they hear, anything that you've got coming up or just whatever. Well, heck, I don't know. I mean, I can't think of anything. You know, I'm just coming back from, you know, a couple of years of hell. I do feel, I feel great. I feel great now. I feel better. And once I get my myself back in shape and I get my drive down. I have to say you sound really good, so relaxed and so comfortable. And that's a really good thing, considering everything you've been through in the last two years. Yes. I know, man. Because I was, I didn't really. realize that you know my arteries were so clogged genetically right you know and that's something you don't think about but I didn't didn't feel well and but I do feel so much better and relaxed and I've got time now to think about all the things that have happened that have transpired over the last 40 years

or 35 and and it's pretty it's pretty incredible you know to get to to get to I mean I'm just blessed I didn't die when I die you know yeah absolutely I mean we get to a point in our lives where we have friends that have been with us for so long, and we just take it for granted that they'll always be there, and then one day, they're gone. Yeah. Over the years, our lives just changed so much. I mean, my mother just lived two full months short of 100.

I remember one day she was saying, I don't have any friends. And I was like, oh, yeah, you've got all kinds of friends. Her response, well, you may think so, but they were all gone. Right. Now, I'm looking around. I'm understanding everything she said because a lot of my friends are gone now as well. All we can do is hope we get up every morning, take our lives day by day, and just keep moving

forward. Yeah, it's a truth. And I think it's, you know, and I think everything happens for a reason. I really believe that. And it has slowed me down, you know, this year and to where I'm only doing 30, 40 shows, you know, and it's giving me time to reflect on a lot of things, you know, that it has. happened and even remember them. You know, it's like, you know, you can be thankful.

I can definitely be thankful for that. Absolutely. We all have something to be thankful for. And you know, we all think we're invincible until we're not. I know. Then when we find that we're not invincible, it brings reality into our lives. Then when we start thinking about that reality, hopefully we can learn and evolve from that so that we can just keep moving every single day.

Yeah, it's, it is pretty crazy. Are you from, are you from Pennsylvania? No, I'm originally from Maine. Oh, Maine, okay. I was, I heard a couple things you said, you sounded like around Pittsburgh or North, and it was up there somewhere. I love Maine.

Yeah, I was born and raised in Maine. I traveled back and forth recording here in Nashville. During the time I was working with Ronnie, and then ultimately before I moved here. I don't know. Do you remember Bob Millsap and Gary Paxton? Of course, yeah. I was working with them. They were producing me, and Bob became my mentor. And because of them, that's when we had a conversation and they talked me into.

And it was a good move of moving to Nashville. That's when I got into production, development, and management, and ultimately my record label. Right. Bob was a huge help. He got sick and moved away. And he told me, just remember one thing. You can use my name to get through any door. but when you close it, you're on your own.

Nashville has been very good to me. I cannot complain one bit. Cool, man. I mean, Nashville is a fun town. I mean, of course, it's grown so much. It's entirely recognizable, but... It's the mini-L.A. Yeah, good grief.

I was hoping to never be that. But, I mean, it's... Like I said, of course, a lot of my buddies are from L.A. have moved to Nashville, so it's good. I mean, at least I don't have to go there. Yeah, that's for sure. I always hate it when I go to L.A. Well, this has been great. Great conversation, just laid back, and I've really enjoyed this.

I know, man. I love it. I tell you, it's just, but anyway, let's do it. Let's stay in touch. And I think I'm going out this week. I don't have many shows right now. So I'm just, I'm around. Yeah, that sounds great. When you get back, let's touch base. That sounds wonderful. I love it, buddy. Well, it's been great. I really appreciate you coming on. Well, thanks, brother. And we'll talk soon. Absolutely. Thanks again. Thanks for joining us today.

We hope you enjoyed the show. This has been a Tony Mantor production. For more information, contact media at plateaumusic.com.