Phil Vassar's Songs from the Cellar

10 Episodes
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By: American Songwriter, Steve Mandile

In 2015, Phil completed his underground wine cellar at his 1929-built Nashville estate. Filled with cocktail favorites, candles and, what else, a piano, the cellar quickly became his favorite place to write, play and hang out with friends. The environment inspired his idea to create a series with his talented friends. Songs from the Cellar was born! SFTC will feature artists, songwriters, entertainers, athletes, comedians and wine enthusiasts will be guests on the show. Each episode will spotlight conversations and collaboration alongside a shared drink (water, coffee, wine, whatever!). Season One guests include Charles Esten, Jessie James Decker, Tommy Shaw, Steve...

Lexie Hayden, Kix Brooks, Vince Gill, & Brothers Osborne - Phil's Phavorites Part II
#7
07/16/2021

The second part of the best-of episodes “Kix” off with a hilarious unreleased story from when Brooks and Dunn opened for The Rolling Stones, told by the man himself, Kix Brooks. Phil introduces one of his favorite up and coming artists in Nashville, Lexie Hayden, as she performs her single, “Relit Cigarette.” They bond over the correlation between personal growth and growth as a songwriter, and how they directly influence the other. Phil flashes back to one of his favorite performances - Brothers Osborne playing their smash hit, “It Ain’t My Fault.” Phil and Vince Gill swap hilarious and humbling n...


Haley Vassar, Tracy Lawrence, Larry Gatlin, & Kellie Pickler - Phil's Phavorites Part I
#6
07/09/2021

The first best-of episode starts off with a never-before-heard, extended interview with Tracy Lawrence talking about his famous tour pranks. Phil then recalls one of his favorite moments of the whole series - getting to hear the behind the music story from Larry Gatlin on how he created one of Phil’s all time favorite songs, “I’ve Done Enough Dying Today.” Next is a special moment for Phil - an interview and performance with his daughter, singer-songwriter Haley Vassar. They talk about her being the inspiration behind Phil’s hit “American Child” and discuss the unique dynamic of cowriting as f...


Jo Dee Messina - Defining Moments
#5
07/02/2021

Country music icon Jo Dee Messina visits Phil in the cellar to tell the stories behind their many hit records. Phil admits to almost making one of the biggest mistakes of his career in initially trying to talk Jo Dee out of recording “Bye Bye”; thinking it wouldn’t be a fitting female song, the track became both of their first #1’s. The two talk about the draining difficulties that come with constant touring and what they have to focus on to give stellar performances. Jo Dee shares what it’s like to tour as a mother and the adventures...


Stephanie Quayle, Parker McKay, Arielle, Kasey Tyndall - Emerging Artists - The Future Is Female
#4
06/25/2021

Phil features an array of his favorite up-and-coming female artists in the cellar. First off, Stephanie Quayle shares the good times had while creating her single, “Whatcha Drinkin ‘Bout.” Singer-songwriter Parker McKay tells Phil about her musical journey that brought her to Nashville and performs her song, “Honest.” Artist and guitar prodigy Arielle talks about meeting and working with her guitarist idols, namely Brian May of Queen, who helped create her signature model BMG guitar. She talks about her quest for the musical magic of the past and describes her old-school recording process before performing her aptly named tune, “Digital Worl...


Matt Ramsey (Old Dominion) - Full Circle
#3
06/18/2021

Country music songwriter and Old Dominion frontman Matt Ramsey comes by the cellar to catch up with Phil and share stories from early in his career. He reminisces on his first trip to Nashville, brought by Phil’s sister, and getting to see some of his songwriting idols perform at The Bluebird before meeting Phil at the same cellar they’re recording this episode in. They connect over the importance of honing the songwriting craft, as the greatest success lies in the greatest songs. Ramsey shares stories of meeting his country music heroes early in Old Dominion’s career, includ...


Tracy Lawrence - Fun On The Road
#2
06/11/2021

Phil’s longtime friend, legendary country singer Tracy Lawrence stops by the cellar to share hilarious tour stories from the 90s, and talk about the differences between both record deals and radio singles having success between then and now. Tracy shares the story of how his hit song “Alibis” was almost a hit record for another “Tracy.” He talks about how he constantly tries to work on and adapt his live show to engage the audience as much as possible. Lawrence rattles off prank after prank that he pulled on the many artists he would tour with. Tracy tells Phil of hi...


Lonestar - Tour Stories
#11
06/04/2021

Country music superstar band Lonestar hangs with Phil in the cellar and share stories of their recent Christmas tour together. They discuss the real life inspiration behind their #1 hit, “Front Porch Looking In” and perform it. They tell the history of their chart topping song “Amazed,” and a few interesting “awards” it has earned along the way. Tons of laughs are had as they recall the time that Lonestar’s lead singer, Richie McDonald, fixed Phil’s broken-down bus on their shared tour. They end their day performing yet another one of their hits, “Walking In Memphis,” as a duet with Phil.

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Vince Gill - Heart Strings
#10
05/28/2021

Legendary country music singer and songwriter Vince Gill visits with Phil in the cellar, where they share stories about their many experiences at the Grand Ole Opry. Vince shares some songwriting tips that were passed down to him, along with how his musical-playing styles directly translate to how he writes lyrics. He also shares how important it is to be authentic as an artist as you form your own sound in search of success. Gill tells a few behind-the-scenes tales about recording his hit, “When I Call Your Name,” and performs it with Phil and Jeff Smith.  Vince tells them...


Kix Brooks - Songs, Wine and Kix
#9
05/21/2021

Brooks & Dunn frontman, legendary radio host, and Phil’s longtime friend Kix Brooks stops by the cellar to share old stories and talk about all things wine. Kix reminds Phil of a story about how the latter’s parents not-so-gently directed him away from becoming a drummer. Brooks shares his process of starting a winery in Tennessee - which used to be the 3rd largest grape growing state before the tobacco boom - and how Arrington Vineyards has been creating 20+ different wines for the past 11 years with a large portion of grapes being grown on their own property. He pivo...


Chingy - The Mashup
#8
05/14/2021

Legendary rapper Chingy visits Phil in the cellar, where they discuss their shared appreciation of blurring the genre lines of music. He shares his love of Nashville, and the overwhelming number of hip-hop fans who live there. Chingy tells Phil of the artists from many genres who influenced him growing up, wo span genres from hip hop, pop, blues, soul, RnB, and gospel. He talks about the wild levels of success from his chart topping hit song, “Right Thurr” and performs a stripped down version with Phil. Chingy talks about the differences in independent artist promotion between his early days...