Phil Vassar is an award-winning songwriter, who launched his own recording career eight years ago. Last year, he made some changes in both his personal and professional life. As VOA's Mary Morningstar tells us, Phil Vassar poured those experiences into his new release, Prayer Of A Common Man.

Phil Vassar wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 12 songs on his new album, Prayer Of A Common Man. He says many of the tracks were inspired by the changing times in our country, and also his 2007 divorce from songwriter Julie Vassar.

"Three and a half years have passed since my last studio record," he says. "That's a lot of water under the bridge. As you evolve as a human being, it changes your writing style. It changes what's important to you and what you want to write about. I really like where it's [my focus in life] going, and I love where I'm going as a writer."

Phil moved to Nashville more than 20 years ago. Before launching his own recording career, he wrote hits for Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina, and others. Phil's debut album was released in 2000 on Arista Records. His first three albums produced a string of Top 10 songs, including two that reached Number One on the Country chart. His career was overshadowed, however, by superstar labelmates Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. Last year, Phil made the decision to switch to Universal South Records.

Phil Vassar

Prayer Of A Common Man entered the Country Albums chart at Number 2, giving Vassar the highest debut of his career.

Phil is a tireless performer who will stay on the road most of this year to promote his latest album. On June 5, he'll open the CMA Music Festival's daytime concert series in Nashville, Tennessee. Two days later, he'll hold a CD signing and perform at Music City's Country Music Hall of Fame.