Phil Vassar - "I Would"

[someguy]

Too bad that this is done. It seems like it's always one step forward, one step back for Phil. While he's faded a bit in terms of quality from his debut album (in my opinion, of course), he's still one of my favorite male artists in the genre. Too bad he has never really broken through to that next level.

[kw9461]

^ I would agree with that, although I thought the single choices were the only thing wrong with Shaken Not Stirred. But even by Phil's standards, this is quite a failure. Since his debut (which yielded 3 T5 singles), his T5 singles have been followed with songs that peaked at #17 (This Is God), #17 (Hot Tub Song), #20 (The Woman In My Life), and now #26. The big difference with this song, is that most of us agreed it was the logical 2nd single (or at least quite a few of us did), and yet it still failed miserably. I really don't know where Phil should go from here, b/c while his album is very solid, I'm not sure there are any sure fire hits to be found. Let Me Love You Tonight is probably the best song, but I don't think it would fare well as a single. My Chevrolet and Around Here Somewhere are both solid songs, but I don't think either is a strong as I Would, so I don't know how they would fare. My personal fave is Prayer Of A Common Man, but I know it's had quite a bit of opposition on here, and I think it could be a very hit or miss song with radio (T10 return or miss the T40 clunker). If this had made the T20 I would've guessed that ARS would be next, but I think they may go with POACM and hope it catches on.

[Marv]

That's a very solid assessment; one of my many peeves with country radio is that stars such as Phil who have created a solid body of work for almost a decade should theoretically have no problem hitting the top ten with song after song, including this one, but too many PDs program their stations based upon the national charts, which is not their job, and downright stupid.

I'm also pulling for POACM to be the next single as well, although 'My Chevrolet' and 'Around Here Somewhere' are also solid singles IMHO.

[zaclord]

"Let Me Love You Tonight" next please!

i hate that this flopped. i love this.

[austin]

I had my doubts about this one from the beginning. I'm a little surprised it didn't make Top 20, but I was certain it would miss the Top 10. It's a GOOD song, not GREAT and it wasn't really radio-friendly or overly catchy. I just don't think it was the right choice.

"Let Me Love You Tonight" is his best shot, in my opinion.

[bigbluenote]

I don't know what to say about Phil. I have loved his music from the beginning and still do.

I think it's a travesty that he's not up there throwing out hit after hit. It has always disgusted me how his career never took off, even after releasing very good songs, all of which are better than most of the stuff on radio. He needs to be up there with Blake Shelton and MG as the ones FINALLY being consistent.

"I Would", in my opinion, was a solid top 10 hit, nothing more. As mentioned already, if this song didn't do it for Phil, then this album is done for.

Where does he go from here?

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Dec 3, 2008 1:56:17 GMT -5 bigbluenote said:

Where does he go from here?

Hopefully to another label. I honestly don't see Universal South lasting much longer, unless Randy Houser suddenly takes off.

[kw9461]

Dec 3, 2008 10:22:34 GMT -5 Ten Pound Hammer said:

Dec 3, 2008 1:56:17 GMT -5 bigbluenote said:

Where does he go from here?

Hopefully to another label. I honestly don't see Universal South lasting much longer, unless Randy Houser suddenly takes off.

They still have Joe Nichols as well, don't they? (although that's not saying much these days)

[ontheroadwith]

I don't think the album is done. There are some solid songs left and even though I Would only peaked in the 20s...I heard it on the radio all the time. It is funny how much money can be made if a song sits in the 20s long enough. It was getting at least 1000 spins a week for half of it's run.

I agree though. He is one of the more talented under appreciated artists around. I just hope that sooner or later his publishing company will allow him once more to pitch his songs to other artists. I know that when he was on Arista, he was not allowed to.

[Marv]

Are you really sure about that?

If that's the case, is that also why he left Arista, or was there something else to his departure?

Thanks!

[ontheroadwith]

I am sure about that! When he was with Arista part of his deal was that they controlled his publishing which meant that they kept all of his songs for him. The proof is shown by that fact that as soon as he signed, no other artist cut his songs. The only person who did was Jo Dee on her Greatest Hits Album...and that song "Wishing Well" had already been recorded by Jessica Andrews so it was nothing new.

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Dec 5, 2008 13:26:03 GMT -5 ontheroadwith said:

I am sure about that! When he was with Arista part of his deal was that they controlled his publishing which meant that they kept all of his songs for him. The proof is shown by that fact that as soon as he signed, no other artist cut his songs. The only person who did was Jo Dee on her Greatest Hits Album...and that song "Wishing Well" had already been recorded by Jessica Andrews so it was nothing new.

That doesn't sound right. Phil had already been with Arista over a year when Tim cut "My Next 30 Years" and when Marshall Dyllon cut "Live It Up".

[ontheroadwith]

You have to remember how long it takes from cutting a song to actually getting it out there. Those were already arranged before the deal was struck. Just trust me...it's my job.

[Marv]

I certainly don't think that this CD is done; single #4 should be going to radio pretty soon.

Does anyone know if he had any 'disagreements' with his label regarding the singles from his stellar debut CD, not counting the flat-out wonderful 'Rose Bouquet?'

When Lon Helton published a list of the 18 most-played artists at country radio so far this year in late August in Country Aircheck, Phil didn't make that list, which I had expected but which I found disappointing nonetheless.

[ontheroadwith]

Hey Marv - I do not believe he had any disagreements until the second record when they decided to cut This Is God and re-release the album. I know that besides the publishing that he wanted to switch labels to have more control over which singles were released and how many. He wanted to go five deep into a few of his records, but wasn't permitted. That being said should prove that this CD is not done.

[Marv]

Thanks for all of this very fascinating info; I purchased his debut CD earlier this year based on the numerous words of praise in various threads, and it is a wonderful piece of work.

Label execs always have to utilize a law of diminishing retuns when it comes to releasing singles; if a CD is loaded with singles, how many do you release?

It will be very interesting to see which track will be Phil's next single; my choices for singles #4 & #5 would be 'Prayer Of A Common Man', followed by 'My Chevrolet', which sounds better & better the louder I play it!

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Is it just me or has he sounded tinny on the last two singles? I noticed it on the first part of "Love Is a Beautiful Thing" and he sounds even more so on "I Would".

[Marv]

Has anyone heard anything about a new single from him?

[zaclord]

i hope its "Let Me Love You Tonight". that seems like a hit to me

[Kanenrá:ke]

Seems like "Let Me Love You Tonight" is on mediabase with a few spins maybe it's going to be that.

[Marv]

I didn't see anything in last night's edition of Country Aircheck regarding a new single for Phil, so maybe next week.....

[kw9461]

^ I'm not sure what the holdup is. Universal South only has a few artists on their roster to begin, and Joe Nichols' career is in a holding pattern (is he in rehab or something?), so they should really be focusing on Phil, he's the biggest artist they got. Hopefully we'll have the single announcement soon.