Hello ACR Readers!
Sarah MacDonald here! I have a real treat for our country music fans this week! In light of the upcoming Lotto Max presents Cavendish Beach Music Festival, I was lucky enough to line up some interview with some of the headliners that will be performing on the main stage that weekend! My first interview was over the phone with the immensely talented singer/songwriter, Phil Vassar! Here’s what he had to say! Enjoy!
SM: My first question pertains to your amazing songwriting! Your range can be anything from Love, to love lost, to family! What I would love to know is where your inspiration stems from? Is it something that just comes to you, or do you have to sit down and concentrate in what you want to write about?
PV: My Songs can really come from anywhere. I write a lot of my songs based on personal experiences and things I have gone through. But there are times when inspiration for a song can just hit me. For me, for example, I write a lot when I travel. It’s a great way to pass the time.
SM: You’re known throughout Nashville, and the country music world as a songwriting powerhouse! Whether you release songs on your own, or an artist takes on something you’ve written, given how tough the music industry can be, it must feel like such an amazing accomplishment to not only hear your songs on the radio, but to have them become extremely successful as well.
PV: Oh, absolutely! The music business is really a tough business to be in. So you’re really lucky when your music gets cut, and even better if you can get success with it. It’s something that I am so thankful for and never take for granted.
SM: As I mentioned before, other artists have taken on some you’ve written and ended up being very successful in them! One example that comes to mind is Jo Dee Messina. She’s a great performer and a personal favorite of mine. While researching for this interview I found it really fascinating that you were actually the author of two of her hit songs, “Bye Bye” and “I’m alright”. How did she come to taking on these songs?
PV: Jo Dee actually approached me on taking on “Bye Bye” initially. She really liked that song. At first, I will be honest, I didn’t see her taking this song on but once she got it, she absolutely rocked it! It was great to see her get success in that, and it made me feel great as a songwriter.
SM: Something I really wanted to bring to light was your amazing and extensive time spent with children’s charities. Is there a particular charity or project that stands out in your mind as a favorite for you?
PV: Well, at the moment, I am really heavily involved in a group home in my home town, The Miller Home for Girls (www.millerhomeoflynchburg.org). It is an orphanage for your girls. It gives them the stability of a real family environment. As a result of their experiences in the home, some of the girls have been able to go off to college and become successful in their own lives. Which is so wonderful. I am a father of young girls and they are the inspiration in taking this on. Also, I loved working with Charlie Daniels at his annual “Christmas 4 Kids” charity concert as well. That was a great time.
SM: So, this will mark your first performance of the LottoMax Presents Cavendish Beach Music Festival. As a residence of Prince Edward Island, the province that hosts this amazing annual event, my last question for you is this. Are you looking forward to visiting our little island and playing for us?
PV: I am so pumped to play this festival. I have friends that are playing in the festival this year as well (He mentioned fellow singer/songwriter and Canadian, Carolyn Dawn Johnson who I will have the pleasure of sitting down with later this week!). I have also heard from other artists who’ve played the festival in the past about how great is it to play there and how beautiful Prince Edward Island is. So yes, I am really looking forward to this performance and this experience.
**Phil Vassar will be performing on the LottoMax presents Cavendish Beach Music Festival main stage on Saturday, July 6th.
For ticket information, or further information on Phil Vassar or any of the other amazing acts to play at the LottoMax presents Cavendish Beach Music Festival, please visit www.cavendishbeachmusic.com
See you at the festival!