Track Listing

1. This Is My Life
2. Around Here Somewhere
3. My Chevrolet
4. Love Is A Beautiful Thing
5. Prayer Of A Common Man
6. I Would
7. Why Don't You
8. It's Only Love
9. Let Me Love You Tonight
10. Baby Rocks
11. The World Is A Mess
12. Crazy Life

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #336 in Music
• Released on: 2008-04-22
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition

About the Artist
Born, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Phil Vassar grew up in a home where his mother stayed at home caring for him and his two younger sisters, and his father was a singer who enjoyed local and regional success, performing in a restaurant he owned and at outside venues. Although intrigued by music as a child, Vassar's interests began leaning more towards playing ball than playing scales. In high school, he began running track, which helped him land an athletic scholarship at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

Vassar arrived in Nashville in 1987. He found a furnished apartment outside of town, got a job bartending at night to pay the rent and began knocking on the doors of Music Row during the day. He saved his money and, in 1995, bought the restaurant and club where he had been performing. A patron of the club asked Vassar to send him a tape of a couple of his songs. He sent a demo that included "Once in a While," which he had written with another bartender. The song became his first cut when the patron's father, Engelbert Humperdinck, recorded it.

Suddenly, things began to surge for Vassar. He began writing with well-known Nashville songwriters that would frequent his club to perform. That attracted music industry professionals, including publishing executive Greg Hill. Hill eventually signed Vassar to a publishing deal with EMI. Penning hits for Alan Jackson ("Right on the Money"), Collin Raye ("Little Red Rodeo"), Tim McGraw ("For a Little While" and "My Next Thirty Years") and Jo Dee Messina ("I'm Alright" and "Bye, Bye"), Vassar was named ASCAP's songwriter of the year in 1999.

Vassar landed a solo deal with Arista Records and released his self-titled debut album in 2000. The album's first single, the up-tempo "Carlene," broke into the Top 5 on the Billboard country singles chart. The follow-up, "Just Another Day in Paradise," became Vassar's first No. 1 hit as a performer. Just three weeks later, McGraw's "My Next Thirty Years" claimed to the top spot. Vassar's second album, American Child, arrived in 2002. His third, Shaken Not Stirred, led to the No. 1 hit, "In a Real Love," in 2004.

Vassar now take a creative step by signing with newly restructured Universal Records South. "I have admired Mark Wright and his production for years," says Vassar. "I am excited to be able to work with Mark both as my label president and producer."

Wright adds, "Phil has written, for himself and others, songs that have shaped the sound of country music as we know it today. His live performance and incredible vocal abilities round out the triple threat it takes to be a superstar."

Vassar's single, "Love Is A Beautiful Thing" is currently climbing the radio charts with his forthcoming album, Prayer of a Common Man, set for release April 22.

Album Description
Phil Vassar has gained much attention through his knack for hit songwriting and his compelling and highly entertaining skills on the piano. The Chicago Tribune writes, "Phil Vassar has the talent of a legend." He has sold millions of records both on his own and for other artists such as Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina, and Colin Raye with his chart topping penmanship.

His first Universal Records South release is co-produced by Vassar with Universal Records South President and noted producer, Mark Wright (Gretchen Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack). Vassar's heart-swelling embrace of life's richest blessings is also apparent, especially on lead single "Love Is A Beautiful Thing." At the same time, his writing has grown more introspective and personal, as "This Is My Life" and the title track can attest. The new album may show Vassar's serious side, but he hasn't forgotten how to have fun. "My Chevrolet," "Why Don't Ya" and "Baby Rocks" rank among his best toe-tappers and are already getting warm receptions at his heralded live shows. Even on the love songs, Vassar shows his uncommon charm, wit and playfulness, be it "Around Here Somewhere" or "It's Only Love." And he's not shy about taking strong emotions head on with "I Would" or on the stunningly raw "Let Me Love You Tonight."

His songwriting is fueled by his hard-charging touring schedule. "People ask me why I still do so many shows, but you work your whole life just to get to the point where people want you to come play," he says.

Customer Reviews

Common Man's Prayers are answered!
This common man's prayer was answered when Phil Vassar released another CD! Vassar isn't a household name (yet), but is an incredibly talented singer/song writer who has written songs for Chesney, McGraw, McBride, and many other A-list country stars. The tracks on this CD exemplify Phil's ability to take snippets from his life and turn them into runaway smash hit songs. Whenever I hear a Vassar song, I listen while the song plays out like a video in my head. This is a great work that belongs in your music collection

"Prayer" is what it is
Phil will probably never be the best vocalist out there in the world of country music, but he will always be regarded as one of the best songwriters.

This album showcases his wonderful skills yet again. There are some downers (as with the other albums he's released) but majority of the songs are very heartfelt.

His version of "Love is a Beautiful Thing" is very similar to that of Paul Brandt's but the song is beautiful in itself so kudos to him for not changing anything too much. The title track of the album is a very emotional song - it is what it is, the prayer of a common man.

I like the album enough to give it a 4. It's worth the listen and worth the price.

Great CD! Phil doesn't disappoint!
I love this CD! Several break-up themed songs, but only one is really sad-"Let me Love You Tonight". Phil always sings about things that mean something to him, and since he has recently gotten divorced, he has written several songs that reflect that. Don't get me wrong though. This CD is not a downer! The duet with Los Lonely Boys "Why Don't Ya" is my favorite. Crazy Life is another favorite. "Around Here Somewhere" is a great song, and my Chevrolet is also a favorite. I like the whole CD. The only song I'm not crazy about is "This is My Life". Other than that this CD is a long awaited nice surprise.