Country music star Phil Vassar will be on stage at the Performing Arts Center on Oct. 25. Courtesy photo

NASHUA – After a heart attack and stroke nearly took his life two years ago, country music star Phil Vassar is back in the saddle and will take the stage at the Performing Arts Center on Oct. 25.

In December 2022, Vassar and fellow country artist Deana Carter had just completed their Coming Home For Christmas Tour. The 14-show tour left Vassar feeling haggard and unwell. It would also be the last thing he remembered.

In early-2023, Vassar suffered a heart attack at his home in Nashville, Tenn.

“If I didn’t have anybody there, I wouldn’t be here,” he said, adding that he relies on what others have told him about the ordeal.

Vassar also said he never smoked, drank or did drugs.

“I was a healthy guy, I worked out a lot,” he said.

However, the situation was dire when Vassar was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

“I had no heartbeat for 30 minutes,” he said, adding that a defibrillator was used 11 times to shock his heart back into rhythm.

Three days later, while still in the hospital, he suffered a stroke and was out of commission for the next four months.

However, Vassar knows he is fortunate to be alive.

“You’re not always that lucky,” he said.

He later learned that the heart attack was caused by a genetic heart disease.

“You can’t outrun your genetics, but you can take care of yourself,” said Vassar. “I’m way calmer now than I used to be, I’ve learned to enjoy the moment.”

Born in May 1962 in Lynchburg, Va., Vassar, now 63, was influenced by music icons such as Billy Joel, Elton John and Queen.

“I grew up with all that stuff,” he said, adding that his father was also a singer. “It was a family thing.”

Vassar attended James Madison University on a track and field scholarship and moved to Nashville in 1987 to pursue a music career.

“Nashville was so small then,” he said.

Following a stint in songwriting, Vassar signed with Arista Nashville in 1999 and released his debut single “Carlene.” The song ultimately became number five on Billboard Magazine’s Hot Country Songs chart and was ranked 45th on Billboard’s Hot 100.

The following year, Vassar released “Just Another Day in Paradise,” which became his greatest hit. The song was number one on the Hot Country Songs chart and also peaked at number 35 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

In 2004, Vassar released “In a Real Love,” which also topped out at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart and reached number 38 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

More recently, Vassar released “This Is Where the End Starts” in 2020 as part of his album, Stripped Down. He co-wrote the song with his daughter, Haley, an accomplished country singer in her own right.

“You have to immerse yourself in the business,” said Vassar. “When I go on stage, the world fades away and it’s just about having fun and connecting with the fans. I just want to keep doing what I love, enjoying the ride and leaving behind songs that people can hold onto.”