Phil Vassar @ Joe's bar.

Friday night April 9Th was the first of two scheduled shows and the one i went to. Anyone who reads what i write here on a regular basis knows that i prefer music from Texas over Nashville so i was a bit skeptical about seeing a mainstream Nashville country artists who lugs a grand piano to every show. Now i would recommend anyone who gets a chance to see Phil in concert not to miss it.
After a short acoustic opening set by last season's CMT "Can you Duet" contestants O'Shea opened the show the stage was rearranged for Phil and his band.
O'Shea is a group i really don't know much about except that they are husband and wife and are from Australia where they have had success as songwriters in their country as well as Europe.
Seeing Phil upstairs before the show i could tell he was full of energy and he never let up, i don't know how he does it especially with another sold out night the next day.Phil started things off with "Life" off his latest album "Traveling Circus" on which Phil decided to use his own touring band on the record for the first time. Obviously these guys were talented enough for him to go that route, and obviously they have been with Phil for a long time and they sure have fun on stage and off. Phil's boundless energy never let up and he kept the crowd involved throughout the show by engaging them face to face, borrowing a video camera from his crew and standing on top of his piano. He also surprised me by leaving the stage, running upstairs to the VIP area and tapping me on the shoulder while i was talking to Kyle, Joe's production guy and then running back to the stage to finish the song.
Phil continued to run through his hits like "American Child" and "In a Real Love" and also "Another Day in Paradise" and many more plus he also performed a medley of songs from the 70's and 80's that his band had a fun time performing. I had a great time hanging out with some of the Shiner beer reps from Illinois and San Antonio and Phil was kind enough to pose for a few photos with us. Click here for more photos of the show.