July 25, 2025 • 17 mins
On this episode of Takin’ a Walk, we invite you to step into the creative world of Phil Vassar—celebrated singer, songwriter, and piano man behind some of country music’s most beloved hits. Known for “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “Carlene,” and dynamic live performances, Phil is now sharing a new chapter in his musical journey.
Join us as Phil opens up about:
• The inspiration and stories woven into his latest music
• The process and passion that keep him writing and performing
• Memorable collaborations and pivotal moments from his career
• Life on the road and what makes a great song
Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Phil’s music for the first time, this episode delivers heartfelt conversation, laughter, and a peek behind the curtain at what drives one of Nashville’s most enduring talents.
Lace up and listen—you’ll walk away inspired.
Support the show: https://takinawalk.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Taking a Walk Well on Buzz's Night, the host of
the Taking a Walk podcast, and we love hearing the
stories from musicians, their inspiration and the fascinating voices that
they have and entertainment. Today, we're going to be joined
by Phil Vasser, the acclaimed singer songwriter whose great performances
and lyrics have made him a mainstay in country music.
(00:24):
Before we get to the episode with Phil Vasser, though,
want to bring in our correspondent for Taking a Walk
in Nashville and she'll tell us more about the great
Phil Vassar. Hello, Sarah Harrelson.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Hi Buzz, Thank you. Yes, I think everyone will be
very interested in tuning into today's conversation. I can't believe
myself that it's already been twenty five years since Phil
Vassar's breakout hit, Just Another Day in Paradise, and he
has been celebrating it with his twenty five Years of
(01:00):
Paradise tour. And Phil has always been one of my
favorite singer songwriters in country music, with ten number one hits,
always accompanied with his piano and authentic lyrics. And he
recently released a new single this past May called All
(01:22):
American Summer. It's a great jam if you haven't heard
it already, I got to see Phil perform at the
Riverfront Stage at cmafest about ten years ago here in Nashville.
Such a great performer to see live, and I think
everyone's going to be really excited to hear this conversation
(01:43):
today and hear about what Phil has been up to
lately and what is next for him in his career. So,
without further ado, back to you.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Buzz, Thanks Sarah.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
So hang out for a couple of minutes here as
we pay the bills, and we'll be back on Taking
a Walk with Phil.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Vassar Taking a Walk.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Mister Phil Vasser, welcome to the Taking a Walk Podcast.
Taking a Walk, Well, since we call this this show
taking a Walk, let me ask you, Phil, if you
could take a walk with somebody, uh, living or dead.
Someone may be affiliated in the side of music, doesn't
(02:31):
have to be, but that's always nice. If you've got
a music person in mind, who would you take a
walk with? And and where would you take that walk?
Speaker 4 (02:40):
Good greed Man, it's uh, there's a lot of people
I'd like to take a walk with. My dad would
be great at this point, you know, I mean, you know,
there's a heroes you know, you think about, you know,
so I mean I could, I could. I've got a
big list, you know, but a lot of a lot
of my musical heroes, you know.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
I tell you.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
I always loved I mean not King Cole, I mean
I loved him. I was a huge fan. My grandmother
listened to that music and I was such a fan.
And I always I was like, man, he's amazing. And anyway,
I listened to him all the time. I mean, you know,
it kind of picks me up and makes me feel good.
(03:24):
You know, that's kind of music I love.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
And what an icon he certainly.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Was in what a career he built, And I think
I think it would be fascinating kind of understanding not
only his creative process, but certainly the trials and tribulations
that he that he went through as well.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Absolutely, And and he was brilliant, man, I mean, the
guy spoke like six languages fluently. And I'm just you know,
it's inspired me. He's very inspired even to the day.
I think about what he's done and what he did,
you know, especially at that time in this country, you know,
and and you know it's been We've seen a lot
(04:07):
go go on in the last you know, two hundred
and fifty years of this just this country, you know,
and it's it's uh. And I grew up of course,
you know you're on the East Coast. I guess right,
you're here in so I mean I grew up in
Virginia and my my I grew up next to you know,
Thomas Jefferson's house, I mean in my neighborhood right when
(04:30):
it was you know, it was very very cool to
just always thought a lot about history. I was kind
of a history buff and you know, Jamestown and all
that stuff.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
I mean, we used to go see that stuff when
we were kids.
Speaker 4 (04:45):
And of course I went to James Madison University and
and uh, and it was it was such a I
don't know, it's it's I'm blessed that we got to
do that. I mean, there's too many different parts of
the country. But I loved being kind of an East
Coaster because you know, all that old history and I
loved it.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Well, we're going to talk about the live show and
the tour in a little bit twenty five years of
Paradise Tour, and we're going to also talk about, you know,
some of the other things going on for you in
twenty twenty five. But I do want to ask you, Phil,
many of your songs they captured really everyday life and family.
(05:29):
Where do you find the inspiration for such relatable lyrics?
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Well, for my family, my kids, you know, it's so funny,
you know how of course I've got a twenty one
and twenty five year old daughters, and they're my life.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
You know, it's just so weird.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
And of course they were they were born in the
middle of all this craziness, you know, of my career.
But I mean, I wouldn't change, you know, for anything.
I just now, you know, I had my health scare
and that was a rough couple of years. But now
that I'm feeling better, I love now that I can
(06:13):
kind of talk to them as adults, you know, that
we can be you because it was such a you know,
whenever you're raising children, of course, it's very tumultuous and
and you know, you don't really have time to sort
of stop and smuggle roses, you know, And and I
really do appreciate it now.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
You know.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
You started out as a songwriter in Nashville. You had
hits for Tim McGraw and Jody Messina, among others. Can
you recall what it was like hearing your songs on
the radio for the first time sung by somebody else.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Well, I'll tell you one thing it was. It was incredible,
you know. Of course, I think my first huge hit
was Colin Ray Little Red Rodeo, and I never forget
how how stupid they thought the song was the record
label and Colin really had to go to bat for
that song. And you know, it's just amazing our business.
(07:13):
I think about all these people that are in power,
you know whatever, and they're just they couldn't freaking tip.
They couldn't smell ahead if it was on there sitting
on their freaking nose. I mean, they just couldn't. And
it's like, you know, you have to deal with all
these I mean, I don't have a negative attitude.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Well yeah I do.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
I mean, it's just it's just a you know, and
a lot of people say, yeah, I miss that, might
say you're an idiot. You know, that's what you are,
You're an idiot. So and then I've gotten to say
that pro to a lot of people, you know, I mean,
not at all hate them, but I say, I mean,
what is wrong with you? You can't hear you know,
you know this song was a number one song, a
huge number one song, or this song was I'm all right.
(07:55):
Nobody would cut that, you know, my next thirty years.
They talked about how stupid it was, how nobody wanves
to talk about turning thirty.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
I'm like, they don't why, you know?
Speaker 4 (08:06):
So anyway, it was, you know, I wrote the song
on my thirtieth birthday. I wrote it that day, played
it that night in a bar, and everybody went crazy,
and I knew it was I knew it was.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Good right then. That's how you get I was lucky.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
I got to play my my club and and I
got it sort of.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
I got to know whether it was good or not.
You know. That was always what I said.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
I said, you know, I'd play the song and then
if somebody went plays of skinner, I was like, okay,
and mark that one off, that one good hit.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
No but.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
H I mean, and then you know, then i'd do
a song you'd like I'm all right. Or finally I
had to do it every night, or do it two
times a night or whatever. Everybody's singing along. And that's
what I loved. I loved that. I loved that that's
uh sort of it in gratification, right, you know, you know,
(09:02):
whether it's good or not.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
You know, one of the things that's so cool is
how fans just absolutely adore your covers of Billy Joel
and Elton John. What draws you to their music? And
do you have a favorite song by them that you
love to perform?
Speaker 4 (09:22):
Well, I mean Billy Joel, El Ellen John, there a
my and uh and and even you know Queen who
I loved, you know, was you know, such a you know,
such a great piano player too. I mean that for
some reason, that piano spoke to me. And that's what
I loved about Matt king Cole. I mean I could
(09:42):
rock a piano. He was a freak show. I mean
how he could play, and you know, I just loved it.
I love Jackson Brown and you know it was but
also I really loved James Taylor. I mean, James Taylor
was one of my music you know. And and so I
(10:02):
just think that you you know, I grew up with
the Eagles and and you know Don Henley and Glenn
Fry and those guys weren't just I mean I listened
to him yesterday.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
I just I still just go what in the world.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
You know, we were so lucky to be part of that,
you know, growing up listening to hearing that, you know,
and and the be and of course the Beatles and
you know, and I've gotten to, you know, hang out
in Abbey Road. And I was there when when George
Martin passed away. I was in England doing my European tour.
I was in London that day and everybody was bringing
(10:39):
flowers to to Abbey Road and and uh it was
very moving, you.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Know, as as you were telling me about these amazing influences.
And I'm going back to to Billy Joel again here,
who you know, has his own health scare that he's
he's dealing with. If you could speak directly to Billy
Joel right now, which who knows, maybe someone's turning him
(11:05):
on to this podcast because they're a fan of Phil Vasser's,
what message would you send to Billy about what he's
going through.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
I sure hope he gets better soon. Billy.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
I love you man, You're my hero and you're why
I do what I do. I mean, so songs like
Summer Highland Falls, and I mean, he's not just piano manners,
you know.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
I try to pay homage to you know, my.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Heroes, which are Billy Joel, you know, James Taylor, Elton John,
some of these guys, but but none more than than
Billy Joel. He changed my world, changed my life, and
I think put me on that path.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
It was like it's like a professor.
Speaker 4 (11:44):
Right, you know, you you learn from a teacher, and
and he was my teacher. He was, and I could
ever think him enough, really, you know, and I think
he's just incredible and and you know, and being such
a humongous star are going through senior life played out
through all these you know, Cristy Brinkley and the things
(12:06):
that you go through. I mean, I kind of in
such a small, smaller way, I've kind of played that
out in my own life, you know, going through divorces
publicly and all this stuff. It's just it's tumultuous, you know,
it's very I don't know, it's very humbling.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
You know.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
That's what you know. I think that's what the world does,
and that's what life does. It definitely humbles you. And
you learn a lot from it, you know, from your
tribulations and your trials. And I think that's man. And
you write a lot of songs because of all.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
So you'll be heading out on the road twenty five
years of Paradise Tour. It's going to have obviously a
lot of the great covers from Legends and everything. You'll
be changing the set lists set lists regularly as well,
which I know you're you're proud of. Talk about how
exciting it is going out out on the road connecting
(13:02):
with your fans in person.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
Well, I mean that's your that's that's your gratification, and
that's when you just you're very thankful for that because
you you you know, it's you work so hard, you know,
you do all this stuff, and you lay the groundwork
for all these things, for these records, and then you
get to then you record the records, and some of
them just flop, and some of them are huge, and
(13:27):
there's stuffing you can do about that stuff. But the
fans are loyal, you know, from the beginning to the
to the end. And and uh, I love meeting these
folks and seeing them on the road, and I can't
wait to get get out in the next couple of years.
And and I don't know, kind of thank them for that.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
And you're going to be creating some new music in
conjunction with going out from time to time as well.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
You know what we are.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
We've been in the studio actually, you know, cutting about
eight eight or nine new songs and some of the
songs that I did record and never got a chance
really and I've kind of revisited those songs and and uh,
you know, seeing what everybody thinks about it. You know,
I now at this point, you don't have to do
what somebody says. I mean, you, well, you've been going
(14:14):
to cut this, right, do you know? You always had
somebody telling you what to do. Now I don't, And uh,
it's pretty it's pretty freeing. And uh, I really appreciate
my life now now that I don't have to worry
about what somebody that doesn't know anything about anything is
telling me what to do.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Oh I love that.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
That is such a special feeling for sure. Talk about
how important Phil it is for you to be mentoring
young songwriters and giving back to the music community.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Well, I think you know, as a now I'm in
an elder statesman. It's like what happened?
Speaker 4 (14:54):
I was always the kid, right, you know, And but
you know, bringing these guys like like the old dominion
guys and seeing them, you know, from their inception to
the you know, to bringing them to Nashville and helping
them all. You know, just they're flourishing. They're just thriving
and they're blowing it up and so successful. And I'm
(15:15):
proud of them, you know, and you know, I'm just thankful,
thankful for that.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
In closing, I love this quote of yours and I
want you to reflect on it because I think it's
so beautiful about music and what you do and what
you do so well. Your quote, if a song sparks
a reaction, that's all you're looking for.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
It's true. I mean, that's what you whether it can
be good or bad, you know, right, I mean, I
think and that's what music is about. It.
Speaker 4 (15:46):
It's, you know, you're trying to convey an emotion. You know,
you're you're trying to reach someone, you know, whether it's
about you know, your song about your dog or your kids,
or your wife, or your girlfriend or your pop, all
of takes. It could be anything, you know, and that's
a really cool thing because you you, when you play
(16:06):
a song in a live concert situation, you know, you
get reaction, and that's that's the it's the best, you know,
that's what that's when you know, really, I mean, that's
when you know, if this song really grabs somebody and
and pulls pulls emotions out of them, you know.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
And I think that's what we're We're very very blessed
to real to do that.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Oh man, I'm blessed to talk to you on Taking
a Walk, Phil, and we are so grateful for the
music that you have given us through your incredible career
and that you continue to give us. And thank you
for being with us on the podcast.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
Phil Vasser, It's my pleasure, my friend. Thank you so much.
And let's do it against them. I love this. This
is great. Thanks for listening to this episode of the
Taking a Walk Podcast.
Speaker 4 (16:58):
Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow
us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk
is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever
you get your podcasts.
Taking a Walk Well on Buzz's Night, the host of
the Taking a Walk podcast, and we love hearing the
stories from musicians, their inspiration and the fascinating voices that
they have and entertainment. Today, we're going to be joined
by Phil Vasser, the acclaimed singer songwriter whose great performances
and lyrics have made him a mainstay in country music.
(00:24):
Before we get to the episode with Phil Vasser, though,
want to bring in our correspondent for Taking a Walk
in Nashville and she'll tell us more about the great
Phil Vassar. Hello, Sarah Harrelson.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Hi Buzz, Thank you. Yes, I think everyone will be
very interested in tuning into today's conversation. I can't believe
myself that it's already been twenty five years since Phil
Vassar's breakout hit, Just Another Day in Paradise, and he
has been celebrating it with his twenty five Years of
(01:00):
Paradise tour. And Phil has always been one of my
favorite singer songwriters in country music, with ten number one hits,
always accompanied with his piano and authentic lyrics. And he
recently released a new single this past May called All
(01:22):
American Summer. It's a great jam if you haven't heard
it already, I got to see Phil perform at the
Riverfront Stage at cmafest about ten years ago here in Nashville.
Such a great performer to see live, and I think
everyone's going to be really excited to hear this conversation
(01:43):
today and hear about what Phil has been up to
lately and what is next for him in his career. So,
without further ado, back to you.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Buzz, Thanks Sarah.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
So hang out for a couple of minutes here as
we pay the bills, and we'll be back on Taking
a Walk with Phil.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Vassar Taking a Walk.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Mister Phil Vasser, welcome to the Taking a Walk Podcast.
Taking a Walk, Well, since we call this this show
taking a Walk, let me ask you, Phil, if you
could take a walk with somebody, uh, living or dead.
Someone may be affiliated in the side of music, doesn't
(02:31):
have to be, but that's always nice. If you've got
a music person in mind, who would you take a
walk with? And and where would you take that walk?
Speaker 4 (02:40):
Good greed Man, it's uh, there's a lot of people
I'd like to take a walk with. My dad would
be great at this point, you know, I mean, you know,
there's a heroes you know, you think about, you know,
so I mean I could, I could. I've got a
big list, you know, but a lot of a lot
of my musical heroes, you know.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
I tell you.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
I always loved I mean not King Cole, I mean
I loved him. I was a huge fan. My grandmother
listened to that music and I was such a fan.
And I always I was like, man, he's amazing. And anyway,
I listened to him all the time. I mean, you know,
it kind of picks me up and makes me feel good.
(03:24):
You know, that's kind of music I love.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
And what an icon he certainly.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Was in what a career he built, And I think
I think it would be fascinating kind of understanding not
only his creative process, but certainly the trials and tribulations
that he that he went through as well.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Absolutely, And and he was brilliant, man, I mean, the
guy spoke like six languages fluently. And I'm just you know,
it's inspired me. He's very inspired even to the day.
I think about what he's done and what he did,
you know, especially at that time in this country, you know,
and and you know it's been We've seen a lot
(04:07):
go go on in the last you know, two hundred
and fifty years of this just this country, you know,
and it's it's uh. And I grew up of course,
you know you're on the East Coast. I guess right,
you're here in so I mean I grew up in
Virginia and my my I grew up next to you know,
Thomas Jefferson's house, I mean in my neighborhood right when
(04:30):
it was you know, it was very very cool to
just always thought a lot about history. I was kind
of a history buff and you know, Jamestown and all
that stuff.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
I mean, we used to go see that stuff when
we were kids.
Speaker 4 (04:45):
And of course I went to James Madison University and
and uh, and it was it was such a I
don't know, it's it's I'm blessed that we got to
do that. I mean, there's too many different parts of
the country. But I loved being kind of an East
Coaster because you know, all that old history and I
loved it.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Well, we're going to talk about the live show and
the tour in a little bit twenty five years of
Paradise Tour, and we're going to also talk about, you know,
some of the other things going on for you in
twenty twenty five. But I do want to ask you, Phil,
many of your songs they captured really everyday life and family.
(05:29):
Where do you find the inspiration for such relatable lyrics?
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Well, for my family, my kids, you know, it's so funny,
you know how of course I've got a twenty one
and twenty five year old daughters, and they're my life.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
You know, it's just so weird.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
And of course they were they were born in the
middle of all this craziness, you know, of my career.
But I mean, I wouldn't change, you know, for anything.
I just now, you know, I had my health scare
and that was a rough couple of years. But now
that I'm feeling better, I love now that I can
(06:13):
kind of talk to them as adults, you know, that
we can be you because it was such a you know,
whenever you're raising children, of course, it's very tumultuous and
and you know, you don't really have time to sort
of stop and smuggle roses, you know, And and I
really do appreciate it now.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
You know.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
You started out as a songwriter in Nashville. You had
hits for Tim McGraw and Jody Messina, among others. Can
you recall what it was like hearing your songs on
the radio for the first time sung by somebody else.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Well, I'll tell you one thing it was. It was incredible,
you know. Of course, I think my first huge hit
was Colin Ray Little Red Rodeo, and I never forget
how how stupid they thought the song was the record
label and Colin really had to go to bat for
that song. And you know, it's just amazing our business.
(07:13):
I think about all these people that are in power,
you know whatever, and they're just they couldn't freaking tip.
They couldn't smell ahead if it was on there sitting
on their freaking nose. I mean, they just couldn't. And
it's like, you know, you have to deal with all
these I mean, I don't have a negative attitude.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Well yeah I do.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
I mean, it's just it's just a you know, and
a lot of people say, yeah, I miss that, might
say you're an idiot. You know, that's what you are,
You're an idiot. So and then I've gotten to say
that pro to a lot of people, you know, I mean,
not at all hate them, but I say, I mean,
what is wrong with you? You can't hear you know,
you know this song was a number one song, a
huge number one song, or this song was I'm all right.
(07:55):
Nobody would cut that, you know, my next thirty years.
They talked about how stupid it was, how nobody wanves
to talk about turning thirty.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
I'm like, they don't why, you know?
Speaker 4 (08:06):
So anyway, it was, you know, I wrote the song
on my thirtieth birthday. I wrote it that day, played
it that night in a bar, and everybody went crazy,
and I knew it was I knew it was.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Good right then. That's how you get I was lucky.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
I got to play my my club and and I
got it sort of.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
I got to know whether it was good or not.
You know. That was always what I said.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
I said, you know, I'd play the song and then
if somebody went plays of skinner, I was like, okay,
and mark that one off, that one good hit.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
No but.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
H I mean, and then you know, then i'd do
a song you'd like I'm all right. Or finally I
had to do it every night, or do it two
times a night or whatever. Everybody's singing along. And that's
what I loved. I loved that. I loved that that's
uh sort of it in gratification, right, you know, you know,
(09:02):
whether it's good or not.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
You know, one of the things that's so cool is
how fans just absolutely adore your covers of Billy Joel
and Elton John. What draws you to their music? And
do you have a favorite song by them that you
love to perform?
Speaker 4 (09:22):
Well, I mean Billy Joel, El Ellen John, there a
my and uh and and even you know Queen who
I loved, you know, was you know, such a you know,
such a great piano player too. I mean that for
some reason, that piano spoke to me. And that's what
I loved about Matt king Cole. I mean I could
(09:42):
rock a piano. He was a freak show. I mean
how he could play, and you know, I just loved it.
I love Jackson Brown and you know it was but
also I really loved James Taylor. I mean, James Taylor
was one of my music you know. And and so I
(10:02):
just think that you you know, I grew up with
the Eagles and and you know Don Henley and Glenn
Fry and those guys weren't just I mean I listened
to him yesterday.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
I just I still just go what in the world.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
You know, we were so lucky to be part of that,
you know, growing up listening to hearing that, you know,
and and the be and of course the Beatles and
you know, and I've gotten to, you know, hang out
in Abbey Road. And I was there when when George
Martin passed away. I was in England doing my European tour.
I was in London that day and everybody was bringing
(10:39):
flowers to to Abbey Road and and uh it was
very moving, you.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Know, as as you were telling me about these amazing influences.
And I'm going back to to Billy Joel again here,
who you know, has his own health scare that he's
he's dealing with. If you could speak directly to Billy
Joel right now, which who knows, maybe someone's turning him
(11:05):
on to this podcast because they're a fan of Phil Vasser's,
what message would you send to Billy about what he's
going through.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
I sure hope he gets better soon. Billy.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
I love you man, You're my hero and you're why
I do what I do. I mean, so songs like
Summer Highland Falls, and I mean, he's not just piano manners,
you know.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
I try to pay homage to you know, my.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Heroes, which are Billy Joel, you know, James Taylor, Elton John,
some of these guys, but but none more than than
Billy Joel. He changed my world, changed my life, and
I think put me on that path.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
It was like it's like a professor.
Speaker 4 (11:44):
Right, you know, you you learn from a teacher, and
and he was my teacher. He was, and I could
ever think him enough, really, you know, and I think
he's just incredible and and you know, and being such
a humongous star are going through senior life played out
through all these you know, Cristy Brinkley and the things
(12:06):
that you go through. I mean, I kind of in
such a small, smaller way, I've kind of played that
out in my own life, you know, going through divorces
publicly and all this stuff. It's just it's tumultuous, you know,
it's very I don't know, it's very humbling.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
You know.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
That's what you know. I think that's what the world does,
and that's what life does. It definitely humbles you. And
you learn a lot from it, you know, from your
tribulations and your trials. And I think that's man. And
you write a lot of songs because of all.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
So you'll be heading out on the road twenty five
years of Paradise Tour. It's going to have obviously a
lot of the great covers from Legends and everything. You'll
be changing the set lists set lists regularly as well,
which I know you're you're proud of. Talk about how
exciting it is going out out on the road connecting
(13:02):
with your fans in person.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
Well, I mean that's your that's that's your gratification, and
that's when you just you're very thankful for that because
you you you know, it's you work so hard, you know,
you do all this stuff, and you lay the groundwork
for all these things, for these records, and then you
get to then you record the records, and some of
them just flop, and some of them are huge, and
(13:27):
there's stuffing you can do about that stuff. But the
fans are loyal, you know, from the beginning to the
to the end. And and uh, I love meeting these
folks and seeing them on the road, and I can't
wait to get get out in the next couple of years.
And and I don't know, kind of thank them for that.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
And you're going to be creating some new music in
conjunction with going out from time to time as well.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
You know what we are.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
We've been in the studio actually, you know, cutting about
eight eight or nine new songs and some of the
songs that I did record and never got a chance
really and I've kind of revisited those songs and and uh,
you know, seeing what everybody thinks about it. You know,
I now at this point, you don't have to do
what somebody says. I mean, you, well, you've been going
(14:14):
to cut this, right, do you know? You always had
somebody telling you what to do. Now I don't, And uh,
it's pretty it's pretty freeing. And uh, I really appreciate
my life now now that I don't have to worry
about what somebody that doesn't know anything about anything is
telling me what to do.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
Oh I love that.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
That is such a special feeling for sure. Talk about
how important Phil it is for you to be mentoring
young songwriters and giving back to the music community.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Well, I think you know, as a now I'm in
an elder statesman. It's like what happened?
Speaker 4 (14:54):
I was always the kid, right, you know, And but
you know, bringing these guys like like the old dominion
guys and seeing them, you know, from their inception to
the you know, to bringing them to Nashville and helping
them all. You know, just they're flourishing. They're just thriving
and they're blowing it up and so successful. And I'm
(15:15):
proud of them, you know, and you know, I'm just thankful,
thankful for that.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
In closing, I love this quote of yours and I
want you to reflect on it because I think it's
so beautiful about music and what you do and what
you do so well. Your quote, if a song sparks
a reaction, that's all you're looking for.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
It's true. I mean, that's what you whether it can
be good or bad, you know, right, I mean, I
think and that's what music is about. It.
Speaker 4 (15:46):
It's, you know, you're trying to convey an emotion. You know,
you're you're trying to reach someone, you know, whether it's
about you know, your song about your dog or your kids,
or your wife, or your girlfriend or your pop, all
of takes. It could be anything, you know, and that's
a really cool thing because you you, when you play
(16:06):
a song in a live concert situation, you know, you
get reaction, and that's that's the it's the best, you know,
that's what that's when you know, really, I mean, that's
when you know, if this song really grabs somebody and
and pulls pulls emotions out of them, you know.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
And I think that's what we're We're very very blessed
to real to do that.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Oh man, I'm blessed to talk to you on Taking
a Walk, Phil, and we are so grateful for the
music that you have given us through your incredible career
and that you continue to give us. And thank you
for being with us on the podcast.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
Phil Vasser, It's my pleasure, my friend. Thank you so much.
And let's do it against them. I love this. This
is great. Thanks for listening to this episode of the
Taking a Walk Podcast.
Speaker 4 (16:58):
Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow
us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk
is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever
you get your podcasts.
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