1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: Music Saved Me, and you know, are some of my 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:06,440 Speaker 1: heroes like Marl Haggard, And I mean I got to 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:08,720 Speaker 1: meet these guys and hang out with them. 4 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 2: And loved them. 5 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:13,240 Speaker 1: You know, they were just like my friends, and as 6 00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:17,599 Speaker 1: a young songwriter, they were very, very supportive. 7 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:21,080 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Lynn Hoffman. And on today's episode of Music 8 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 3: Saved Me, we welcome a true country music powerhouse, Phil Vasser. 9 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 3: Now for more than twenty five years, Phil's heartfelt songwriting 10 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 3: and energetic performances have made him a beloved figure in 11 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 3: the world of country music, with hits like just Another 12 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 3: Day in Paradise, one of My Favorite music videos, and 13 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 3: American Child resonating with fans across generations. He has racked 14 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:47,560 Speaker 3: up ten number one hits, twenty seven top forty songs, 15 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:51,599 Speaker 3: nine albums, as well as being an award winning singer songwriter. 16 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 3: He's writing hit songs for artists like Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, 17 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 3: Jody Messina and since we're talking about awards, I read 18 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 3: he even won a Best Actor Award and the Long 19 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:04,440 Speaker 3: Island International Film Festival. This man is a triple threat, 20 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 3: and he's known for his signature piano driven country sound, 21 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:13,120 Speaker 3: blending heartfelt storytelling with infectious melodies. Today, Phil shares his 22 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 3: remarkable journey of survival, gratitude, and resilience, and talks to 23 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 3: us about the songs that carried him through his darkest moments, 24 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:24,000 Speaker 3: the faith and community that lifted him up, and how 25 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,840 Speaker 3: his near death experiences have given new meaning to every 26 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 3: lyric he writes in every note he plays. Phil Vasser, 27 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:33,680 Speaker 3: Welcome to Music Save Me. It is wonderful to have 28 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 3: you on the show. 29 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 2: How you doing Lynn, Thanks for having me well. 30 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:40,080 Speaker 3: Thank you for being here. And you know, I read 31 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:43,400 Speaker 3: I want to talk to you about personal connection to 32 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 3: music and how it helped you to heal. But first 33 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 3: I was reading a little something about your past. You're 34 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 3: known for your obviously incredible piano playing, but I read 35 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 3: you actually started your love affair with music on a guitar, 36 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 3: which so how did that end up switching? And was 37 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 3: it always come for music and how did you figure 38 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 3: that connection out? 39 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 2: You know, it was always just music, I think, you know, 40 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 2: back back then. 41 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:10,960 Speaker 1: I mean, of course, my dad was in music and 42 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 1: he loved to sing and do all these things. So 43 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,920 Speaker 1: it was you know, set on my doorstep, you know, 44 00:02:19,919 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 1: when I was young, you know, and I started playing 45 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:25,799 Speaker 1: guitar a little bit, and but. 46 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:29,040 Speaker 2: Then one of my great aunts. 47 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:32,080 Speaker 1: Passed away and gave us this piano and brought it 48 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 1: over to the house. And it's an old eighteen hundred 49 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 1: upright piano. It's really cool and I still have that 50 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 1: in a warehouse somewhere in Virginia somewhere. But I just 51 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 1: fell in love with the piano, and I mean it's 52 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:52,359 Speaker 1: just I just love it. And of course in Nashville, 53 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 1: everybody's like, well, you know, you're a piano player, You're 54 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:56,440 Speaker 1: never going to do anything here. 55 00:02:57,040 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 2: So I mean it was. 56 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 1: I kept getting that all over and over again, and 57 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 1: even from record labels, from of course, from publishing companies, 58 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,000 Speaker 1: and of course, you know, it doesn't matter what you're 59 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:10,680 Speaker 1: right on, you know whatever. It just took me a 60 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 1: while so I couldn't really get a deal. I finally 61 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 1: got a publishing deal, and then I was, you know, I. 62 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 2: Was just sort of frustrated. 63 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:24,520 Speaker 1: So I started playing live, and I had this great following, 64 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:27,960 Speaker 1: you know, I had a great, great live following, and 65 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: then all these record labels and McGraw and Jody Messina, 66 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 1: all these people would come into my bar. Alan Jackson, 67 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 1: even the publishing companies and the record labels started coming 68 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 1: into because it was packed and you know, you just 69 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 1: couldn't get in. 70 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 2: It was one of those things where it was sort 71 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 2: of I really was really. 72 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 1: Blessed because, you know, starting my own bar, and it 73 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 1: was just I was it was work, you know. 74 00:03:57,920 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 3: And what was the name of the bar. 75 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 2: It was called the Hard Day's Hard Day's Nightclub. And 76 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 2: because I was a I'm a big, big Beatles fan 77 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 2: and anyway, so it was. 78 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 3: It was great and you proved them wrong because you 79 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 3: went into country music with a piano, so I did. 80 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:20,719 Speaker 1: And then you know, then all these then Jody or 81 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,320 Speaker 1: whoever would machine it would come in the in my 82 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:24,360 Speaker 1: bar or whatever. 83 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 2: Who did that bye bye song? Or who did I'm 84 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 2: all right. 85 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 1: Or you know, and then thirty you know, my next 86 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,480 Speaker 1: thirty years, all these songs Mike McGraw recorded, and and 87 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 1: it was it was an interesting time and. 88 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:39,479 Speaker 2: It was a it was like I struggled for so long. 89 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,039 Speaker 1: And then it was just like a windfall, you know, 90 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 1: and so I just was really uh, and then all 91 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:49,479 Speaker 1: the record labels wanted to give me a record deal. 92 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 1: You need to do a record. I'm like I've been 93 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 1: trying to do a record for twenty years and you're 94 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:55,039 Speaker 1: and you've you know, now you want me to do 95 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 1: a record or fifteen years or whatever it was. And uh, 96 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 1: but I I couldn't wait. I was glad. And then 97 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:05,080 Speaker 1: of course, you know, Carlene came out just on d 98 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 1: in Paradise and it was a it was a big hit, 99 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: hit record, and you know, so it's been you know, 100 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:16,159 Speaker 1: twenty five years of this craziness, you know, so it's 101 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 1: been great. 102 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 3: I think it's amazing that you proved everybody wrong and 103 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:23,480 Speaker 3: that you were vindicated with wanting to make the album, 104 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:25,920 Speaker 3: because there's nothing there's no better feeling than that, especially 105 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 3: when you're creating art. Really everything's so subjective, right that, Phil, 106 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 3: Can you share a time in your life when music 107 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:38,279 Speaker 3: truly saved you and helped you through a difficult moment 108 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 3: or gave you hope when you needed it most. 109 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 1: Well, I mean when I had my heart attack, you know, 110 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,679 Speaker 1: I was I could always find solace and just walking 111 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:52,279 Speaker 1: over to the piano and playing music, even when in 112 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 1: the craziest times, you know, the worst times, but I 113 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 1: always thinking that was the worst of times. It was 114 00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,600 Speaker 1: the best of times. You know that that that's you know, 115 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 1: but it really was. It was it just blew up 116 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 1: and finally everybody kind of got it. It was like 117 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:13,040 Speaker 1: everybody got the joke right. And then I just started 118 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 1: having hits and hits and hits and hits, and and uh, 119 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:18,920 Speaker 1: you know some of my hero like Alan Jackson, and 120 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,719 Speaker 1: you know some of my dear dear friends, you know, 121 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 1: Kenny Chesney and then. 122 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:26,480 Speaker 2: Uh and uh Tim McGraw, and I mean. 123 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 1: It was just it was sucking Colin Ray and I just, uh, 124 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 1: you know a lot of. 125 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 2: Great things happened. 126 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 1: I mean a lot of things didn't happen, you know, 127 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:38,120 Speaker 1: but but I finally got what I always wanted, and 128 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 1: that was a record deal, and and got a chance 129 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:43,559 Speaker 1: to tour, and that's my favorite. You know, playing live 130 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 1: is always going to be my favorite. I do love 131 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: to write songs, and you know, it can be tenuous, 132 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:53,720 Speaker 1: you know, it's it's sometimes, you know, songwriting, especially if 133 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:56,840 Speaker 1: you're you know, you get stuck on a song. Some 134 00:06:56,880 --> 00:07:00,720 Speaker 1: songs you write it takes years to write it, you know, 135 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:03,159 Speaker 1: and some and and but I always found that the 136 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:06,040 Speaker 1: biggest my biggest hits I always wrote in twenty or 137 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:06,799 Speaker 1: thirty minutes. 138 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 2: You know, it was just always it's. 139 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 1: Like that's okay, this is this is it in my 140 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 1: next thirty years. I mean I could't even write it 141 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:19,040 Speaker 1: fast enough. You know. It was you know, it was 142 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 1: my birthday, right, it was my thirtieth birthday. I was like, man, wow, 143 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 1: you know. So it's like certain things kind of give 144 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 1: you a jolt emotionally, and uh, you know, just in 145 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 1: the in Paradise was one of those songs to you know, 146 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:35,400 Speaker 1: we we wrote that, Me and my buddy Craig Wiseman 147 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 1: wrote that song together and and and we wrote it 148 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 1: and it was so fast and you know, but it 149 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 1: was one of those things where we you know, it 150 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 1: was we I almost didn't get there. I mean it 151 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 1: was one of those days. You know, I had a 152 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 1: house emergency like I always do because I have, you know, 153 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 1: one hundred and three year old houses, you know, and 154 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 1: which I love. I love that, but you know, it's 155 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: it's a labor of love. And but the songs were great, 156 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: and and I had some incredible co writers you know 157 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 1: that I loved in a very small group, right, but 158 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 1: they were my best friends. And I've lost some of 159 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 1: those guys in the last five years. And it's I'm 160 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 1: still heartbroken about it, you know, and and but it's 161 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 1: it's been a it's been a crazy time. 162 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:26,120 Speaker 3: Well you know, during during some of those times that 163 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 3: were a little bit more on the difficult side going through, 164 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 3: did your relationship with music ever change? 165 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 1: I don't know if my relationship with music ever changed. 166 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: And you know, I think once again, I would always 167 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:44,280 Speaker 1: I loved like the Eagles. I loved you know, Glenn 168 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 1: fry and and Don Henley, and I loved like bands. 169 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:51,440 Speaker 2: Like Queen, you know, being back. 170 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 1: I always go went back and listen to the Beatles 171 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: records and some of my favorite songs, and and uh, 172 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:01,679 Speaker 1: you know, it was just it was it was amazing, 173 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:04,679 Speaker 1: you know. But I think music always got me through 174 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:05,559 Speaker 1: tough times. 175 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 2: I found that. 176 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 1: And you know, some of my heroes like More Haggard 177 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 1: and I mean I got to meet these guys and 178 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:15,600 Speaker 1: hang out with them and and loved them. You know, 179 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:19,359 Speaker 1: they were just my friends and and as a young songwriter, 180 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:21,200 Speaker 1: they were. 181 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:22,679 Speaker 2: They were very, very supportive. 182 00:09:23,280 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: And I said, man, you just got to stop listening 183 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,119 Speaker 1: to those you know, those assholes or whatever. 184 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 2: You know. 185 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:31,080 Speaker 1: They would they would always tell me that, you know, said, look, 186 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 1: you got to listen to you. 187 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 2: He said, you're great. So you're great, and you. 188 00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:37,240 Speaker 1: You got to start believing in yourself, you know, blah 189 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:41,200 Speaker 1: blah blah. And it was really it just uh it was. 190 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 1: It just touched me in my soul, right, So I 191 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 1: just said, look, this is I like this. 192 00:09:46,679 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 2: I don't care if you like it. I like it. 193 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: And and uh and I had a great following, and uh, 194 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 1: you know, audiences would come in and hear me do 195 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:58,040 Speaker 1: my own song. They hear me do I'm all right, 196 00:09:58,080 --> 00:09:59,720 Speaker 1: they hear me do bye bye. They hear me do 197 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:04,599 Speaker 1: all the songs, and everybody hate them in town. The publishers, 198 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:08,559 Speaker 1: they hated him and ended up once they got out. 199 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 1: They were huge number one songs. And you know what 200 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 1: it was. It was good to kind of there you go, yeah, exactly, 201 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 1: and it was it was a great time. And you 202 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 1: know what, you can't blame people for being stupid. They 203 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 1: just are sometimes. 204 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,839 Speaker 3: You know, many of your songs are deeply personal, as 205 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:32,360 Speaker 3: you just mentioned some of the names of them, but 206 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:36,599 Speaker 3: they're also super relatable. Do you find that songwriting is 207 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 3: a form of therapy or an emotional rap? 208 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 2: Absolutely? And I swear I think it's for me. 209 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 1: It is you know, for for anybody good songwriter that 210 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 1: I mean, you know of I was going through a breakup. 211 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:49,800 Speaker 1: I was going through a divorce when I wrote above Bye. 212 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:51,840 Speaker 1: I mean just stuff like that. 213 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 2: You know. It's just you know, you know, relationships are. 214 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 1: Hard and we all have we all have them, and 215 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: they're very hard sometimes and they still are, but you know, 216 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:08,080 Speaker 1: you just you just kind of try to I don't 217 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:11,240 Speaker 1: know that it's I could vent with my words and 218 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 1: my songs, you know, and I could do that, and. 219 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:14,120 Speaker 2: That was. 220 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:18,439 Speaker 1: I don't know it was it was I saved my money. 221 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: I've saved a lot of money on therapy. I think 222 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: it did just by just by writing songs and making 223 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 1: money instead of spending it. 224 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 2: You know. 225 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:29,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, And a lot of times people don't know exactly 226 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,280 Speaker 3: who you're writing about and if it's someone else that 227 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:35,559 Speaker 3: you're observing or yourself, but you put a lot of 228 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:38,840 Speaker 3: yourself into your music. Now. The Music Saved Me podcast 229 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:43,000 Speaker 3: is about bringing conversations about mental health, you know, out 230 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 3: of the shadows through music and the healing power of music. 231 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 3: And also I think through these conversations too, realizing that 232 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 3: we're all more alike than we are different and I'm 233 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 3: just curious how you've approached mental health practices in your 234 00:11:57,640 --> 00:12:00,840 Speaker 3: own life and has music always played a role in 235 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:03,720 Speaker 3: your journey in terms of working through things that happened 236 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 3: to you, Because life is ninety or ten percent what 237 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 3: happens to you ninety percent how you deal with it. 238 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:11,720 Speaker 1: Exactly, And I think I think yes, And in a 239 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:14,440 Speaker 1: lot of ways, I mean, I have, you know, my 240 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 1: therapy is my writing my songs. Sometimes I can just 241 00:12:18,240 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 1: I mean, the sadest songs you know, I've ever Rose 242 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:25,200 Speaker 1: Bulk on my first record. I still listen to it 243 00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:28,079 Speaker 1: and it's just like it tears me up because it's like. 244 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 2: It was so emotional writing. You know, a song like 245 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 2: that about. 246 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:35,200 Speaker 1: A relationship, a breakup of divorce is what I was 247 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 1: going and and some you go through all these emotions, 248 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 1: you're so upset when it's new. And then bye Bye, 249 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:44,440 Speaker 1: you know, Bye Bye is a song where I was 250 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:47,400 Speaker 1: finally just like pissed off and it was like, you know, 251 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:49,840 Speaker 1: it was kind of a kiss my ass kind of song, 252 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:54,560 Speaker 1: and and you know, it's just it's very therapeutic, you know, 253 00:12:54,679 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 1: to deal with it in that way instead of you know, 254 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:01,320 Speaker 1: you know, you want to somebody but that's not a 255 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:01,839 Speaker 1: good idea. 256 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:05,840 Speaker 3: No, No, strangling the pen with your fingers is probably smart. 257 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 2: That's the way to do it. 258 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,160 Speaker 3: That's what we do for the piano strangle. 259 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 2: I've beat some pianos to death. I'll tell you that that. 260 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 3: Well, hopefully not the one that your grandmother lives. 261 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:19,720 Speaker 2: No, it's it's a beautiful piano. I'm trying. 262 00:13:19,880 --> 00:13:23,320 Speaker 1: I've got to get it, you know, redone. It's it's 263 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 1: a beautiful old piano. 264 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,240 Speaker 2: And uh, you know, but I. 265 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 1: Have I mean, look, I mean i've got I've got 266 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 1: grand pianos in my bedroom, in my living I mean, 267 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 1: I've got Wow. 268 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:37,559 Speaker 2: But yeah, I mean I would write. 269 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,600 Speaker 1: I mean, i'm very very add I'm way better now 270 00:13:40,640 --> 00:13:41,640 Speaker 1: since I had an art attack. 271 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:42,800 Speaker 2: I can be honest with you. 272 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 1: But I have a lot more patience and and and 273 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 1: all that. But I think, you know, for me, i'd 274 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:51,559 Speaker 1: walk from you know, I've got one over here. I've 275 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:53,560 Speaker 1: got one over here, I've got one in my bedroom. 276 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 1: I've got one of the in my barn. It's like 277 00:13:57,440 --> 00:14:01,160 Speaker 1: I have different places I can go to to sort 278 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 1: of event and yeah, and it's it's cool that way, 279 00:14:06,480 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 1: you know. But I I'm very thankful that I have 280 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 1: an outlet like that, you know, I mean, working out 281 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:14,480 Speaker 1: has definitely been one of my outlets. 282 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:15,880 Speaker 2: And and you know. 283 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:18,800 Speaker 1: That worked out every day, every day, every day and 284 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: then had a heart attack and died. So you know, 285 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 1: it's weird, you know, And and you know, you don't 286 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: know that you're genetically flawed. You know, those things don't 287 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 1: really rear their ugly head until it's it's too late. 288 00:14:32,480 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 1: And but it was, it was I actually did survive it, 289 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 1: and and now I'm very grateful, and I think of 290 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:41,120 Speaker 1: life differently, you know. 291 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:44,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, And I love your idea of basically putting a 292 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 3: piano in every room, so no matter where you turn, 293 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 3: you're inspired and it may be a different setting. I'm 294 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:53,720 Speaker 3: just curious, though, have you ever felt pressured? You know, 295 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 3: you're a celebrity and you're out there in a public figure. 296 00:14:57,880 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 3: Have you ever felt pressure to hide any of the 297 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 3: struggles that you've had in life? And how have you 298 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 3: overcome it? If you if you did feel that pressure. 299 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 1: Well, you know, I think you know, uh, whenever you're 300 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:16,560 Speaker 1: you air your dirty laundry in front of them, you 301 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,840 Speaker 1: know a lot of people would hear about you know, 302 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:22,320 Speaker 1: your I was going through divorce or going through this 303 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:25,360 Speaker 1: or going through that, you know, and it's always it's 304 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 1: always hard, you know, it's hard. It's always hard to 305 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:30,520 Speaker 1: I mean, it's hard to face it anyway. But then 306 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 1: you have people coming at you and asking you questions 307 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: and this and that, and uh, you know, I think 308 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 1: for me, honestly, I would sit in a room dark room, 309 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 1: my bedroom or my whatever, my barn or. 310 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 2: Wherever I'd go. 311 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 1: I always had a place that I could could talk 312 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:50,840 Speaker 1: about things. And my songwriters are my therapists, you know. 313 00:15:50,880 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 1: If I would write with there my not just my friends, 314 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 1: but they're my best friends and they're my deep and 315 00:15:56,960 --> 00:15:58,520 Speaker 1: I've lost a lot a lot of those guys in 316 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 1: the last three or four five years, you know, and 317 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 1: and and I miss them, you know, I miss them 318 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 1: because I had a real like Merle Haggard, and you 319 00:16:06,840 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 1: think about Charlie Black and some of these guys that 320 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:15,560 Speaker 1: they were my I don't know, they're almost my songwriter 321 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 1: soulmate kind of guys. And we had such a great run, 322 00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:22,320 Speaker 1: you know, we had a lot of hits together and 323 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:25,760 Speaker 1: and and you know, we changed each other's lives, you know, 324 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 1: and that's what friends really help you do that, you know. 325 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, they do, they sure do. And speaking of friends, 326 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 3: not that all of your fans are personal friends, but 327 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:39,680 Speaker 3: I've read that you really thrive on having a connection 328 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:43,880 Speaker 3: with your fans, and it's really important to you. Actually, 329 00:16:44,040 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 3: I believe the words were extremely important to you. Why 330 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:49,400 Speaker 3: is the connection with you and your fans so important? 331 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:52,920 Speaker 1: Well, I just think I learned a lot from them. 332 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:56,160 Speaker 1: I get a lot of I get a lot of feedback, positive, negative, 333 00:16:56,280 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 1: all of it, you know, And and you know, sometimes 334 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,600 Speaker 1: you don't want to hear it. But it's not just 335 00:17:01,640 --> 00:17:04,040 Speaker 1: your fans, but it's like they're like your family in 336 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:04,400 Speaker 1: a way. 337 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 2: And I never had a big family, you know. 338 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 1: I have my mother still and my two sisters, and 339 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:17,080 Speaker 1: so it's never very big family, you know. And I 340 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:20,480 Speaker 1: lost my dad young, you know. So I think you just, 341 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 1: I don't know, you find you find your people, you know, 342 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:29,199 Speaker 1: in the world, and it was for me it was 343 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 1: my writers and and you know, you got people you 344 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:36,240 Speaker 1: can really you can talk to and cry with or 345 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:41,000 Speaker 1: you know, whenever you're going through a situation. And I 346 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:46,200 Speaker 1: did a lot through you know, divorce and marriage and 347 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:49,680 Speaker 1: death and all these things that I've you know, I've 348 00:17:49,680 --> 00:17:53,200 Speaker 1: had to, you know, go through life, and that's part 349 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:56,679 Speaker 1: of life, and you know, but you you find folks 350 00:17:56,720 --> 00:17:58,880 Speaker 1: that sort of help you get through. 351 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 3: That, that's for sure. How old were you when your dad. 352 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,919 Speaker 1: Passed, Well, it was before any of my hits, before 353 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:08,600 Speaker 1: you know, he was always you know, I mean I 354 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:12,160 Speaker 1: thought my dad was. He was tough, you know. And 355 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:15,879 Speaker 1: but of course, moving to Nashville to be a songwriter, 356 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:18,520 Speaker 1: you just need to you need to get a job 357 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 1: and do this. 358 00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 3: And oh, he didn't think you were going to make 359 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 3: it work. He had no you know, he didn't. 360 00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:25,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, he was a singer and he wanted to. 361 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 1: I mean, I think I think ultimately when my dad 362 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:33,120 Speaker 1: passed away, I went to the house and to where 363 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:35,920 Speaker 1: my dad was living and then and he had a 364 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 1: cassette tape of my music playing, so he was listening 365 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: to it. 366 00:18:40,960 --> 00:18:43,959 Speaker 2: So, you know, I think I think he was proud. 367 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 2: I really do. 368 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 1: I think he you know, he had a messed up 369 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:51,239 Speaker 1: childhood too. You know, we all come from somewhere and 370 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 1: sometimes it's not very pleasurable, you know, let's just say. 371 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 3: That's for sure. 372 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:59,560 Speaker 2: Yeah we are, you know, and I think that's true. Right. 373 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:02,440 Speaker 3: Well, and again That's the reason why I love doing 374 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:04,479 Speaker 3: the show, because you know, you always find out how 375 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:06,920 Speaker 3: much we all do really have in common with each other, 376 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:10,560 Speaker 3: more than we ever would know. How does it make 377 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 3: your how does it make your you feel when your 378 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 3: fans really, I mean, when you're this source of comfort 379 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,359 Speaker 3: and healing for them with your music. 380 00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:23,879 Speaker 1: Well, it's awesome. You know, you have a relationship with them. 381 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:27,159 Speaker 1: And I've had a twenty five thirty year relationship with 382 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:29,080 Speaker 1: a lot of these folks that I've known for years 383 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:34,560 Speaker 1: and years, and it's very it's comforting to know that 384 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:37,960 Speaker 1: you have those folks too, and I depend on them 385 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:41,919 Speaker 1: more than they know, right, you know. And you know, 386 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 1: the music business is brutal. It's really brutal, you know. 387 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:49,240 Speaker 1: You it's hard when you write something, you pour your 388 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:51,679 Speaker 1: heart into something, even like thirty years, I mean some 389 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: of the biggest hits I've ever had that were like 390 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:55,600 Speaker 1: that soul will never make it. Nobody wants to hear 391 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:58,120 Speaker 1: about turn thirty, you know, and that's a music guy, 392 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:00,200 Speaker 1: you know. And of course I've gotten to tell these 393 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:03,239 Speaker 1: guys just kiss off at some point, and which has 394 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:03,720 Speaker 1: been great. 395 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:05,160 Speaker 2: You know, when when you. 396 00:20:05,240 --> 00:20:07,359 Speaker 3: Well, but that's because you kept going because you kept 397 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:11,399 Speaker 3: you didn't let them stop you from your dream. And 398 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:13,399 Speaker 3: that that's a huge part of it though, because a 399 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 3: lot of people get that said to them and then 400 00:20:15,119 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 3: they just give up. 401 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:18,439 Speaker 1: I know, and they turned they turned their back on 402 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 1: their life, you know. And you can't you can't listen 403 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:22,280 Speaker 1: to people. 404 00:20:22,359 --> 00:20:24,480 Speaker 2: You know. You've got to listen to people that you love. 405 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:27,960 Speaker 1: And you trust, you know, And and uh, that's why 406 00:20:28,080 --> 00:20:30,959 Speaker 1: sometimes like when my dad was like, you don't need 407 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:32,719 Speaker 1: to good to night, I mean, I think he was proud, 408 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:35,639 Speaker 1: but it was hard for him to let go. And 409 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:37,560 Speaker 1: I think he knew how tough it was. He said, 410 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 1: I don't want you to go through that, and in 411 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 1: his way, that was you know. Of course, my mother 412 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:46,120 Speaker 1: has was always my biggest fan, right you know, And 413 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:50,760 Speaker 1: and and having your mother and my sisters, you know, 414 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:54,560 Speaker 1: they've always been there too. It's been great. And you 415 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 1: know it's uh, you just learned to take take advice 416 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:02,760 Speaker 1: from people that really count. You know that that you 417 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:06,080 Speaker 1: know it's good to take that, take listen, take it 418 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 1: and then do your make your decision right. 419 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 3: That's so smart, that's very very smart. I just just 420 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:15,280 Speaker 3: like you. Everybody told me you don't want to get in. 421 00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 3: You've got to be a doctor or a lawyer, or 422 00:21:17,480 --> 00:21:19,959 Speaker 3: you don't want to get into the radio and television 423 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:22,640 Speaker 3: all that. It's so difficult. And I thought, you know what, 424 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:25,600 Speaker 3: that's like lighting a fire under my ass to prove 425 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 3: them wrong, you know, And that was it. 426 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 2: That's it. 427 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 3: So even the ones that love you help you, but 428 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:33,120 Speaker 3: in ways that you wouldn't expect, right, and. 429 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:35,840 Speaker 1: That is inspiring when people tell you. I mean, I 430 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:39,560 Speaker 1: think just proving people wrong is sort of is its own, 431 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:41,159 Speaker 1: you know force. 432 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:42,919 Speaker 2: I knew every day. 433 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 1: I knew I was doing something right when people would 434 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:48,080 Speaker 1: come to my club and you couldn't get in, you know, 435 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:52,080 Speaker 1: you couldn't even you know, you tried, and and it 436 00:21:52,119 --> 00:21:55,119 Speaker 1: was we were succeeding, you know, I was, I was 437 00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 1: doing that. One of my buddies is a of course 438 00:21:57,720 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 1: Italian chef, but had he ran the restaurant and I 439 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:06,520 Speaker 1: did the club, and we'd had Steve Winwood and Donna Summers. 440 00:22:06,560 --> 00:22:08,360 Speaker 1: I mean, all these guys would come into my bar, 441 00:22:09,560 --> 00:22:11,359 Speaker 1: and that was way back in the day, you know, 442 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:14,400 Speaker 1: and before I was, before I'd made it as a 443 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:15,639 Speaker 1: as a writer or an artist. 444 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 2: And they came in, they were. They were supportive and 445 00:22:18,119 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 2: they were so great. 446 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:23,639 Speaker 1: And you know, Nashville was just a really, really cool community. 447 00:22:24,119 --> 00:22:26,480 Speaker 1: And I just knew I made the right decision, you know, 448 00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:28,639 Speaker 1: and that was in the right place. 449 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:31,399 Speaker 3: Yeah, you were. And still I still know Dad is 450 00:22:31,480 --> 00:22:34,359 Speaker 3: smiling down on you like my dad. I know now 451 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:37,720 Speaker 3: that they you know, yeah, they raised us right. I 452 00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:40,160 Speaker 3: could talk to you for hours longer, but I want 453 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:43,240 Speaker 3: to say thank you for all the charitable stuff you 454 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:46,639 Speaker 3: do with musicians on call. I know you go to 455 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:50,240 Speaker 3: the hospitals and play for people and you're very giving 456 00:22:50,280 --> 00:22:54,240 Speaker 3: in that way. And so we love musicians on call. 457 00:22:54,320 --> 00:22:56,800 Speaker 3: We've we've worked with them as well. So thank you 458 00:22:56,840 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 3: for that. Thank you for all you doing. Good luck 459 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:01,320 Speaker 3: with everything in the future. Thank you, and thank you 460 00:23:01,359 --> 00:23:05,360 Speaker 3: for coming on music save me and and please come back. 461 00:23:05,760 --> 00:23:08,720 Speaker 2: Oh well anytime anytime. I love doing it. 462 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:11,439 Speaker 1: And uh, this has been fun today, so you know 463 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:13,600 Speaker 1: anytime you want. 464 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 3: Me all right sounds well, don't say that because I'm 465 00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:16,399 Speaker 3: going to call you. 466 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:17,520 Speaker 2: Well, come on, all right. 467 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:20,200 Speaker 3: Thank you so much, Bill. 468 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:22,439 Speaker 2: Absolutely, and thank you. Thank you