While writing for stars like Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, and Jo Dee Messina over the years, Phil Vassar also crafted his own promising career in music thanks to hits like “In a Real Love.” Continuing to explore a career in country music, tragedy struck back in 2023 when Vassar helmed a Christmas tour with Deana Carter. Suffering a heart attack and stroke while on the road, the singer recently discussed the entire ordeal and how first responders needed to shock him back to life 11 times.
Recalling the incident with Fox News Digital, Vassar couldn’t thank the first responders enough for saving his life. “The lifesaving crew, these guys… what they do is just amazing. They could have given up… but they just kept going. They blasted me back to life.” Although grateful, the singer explained how he didn’t remember much of the incident. “I wish I could tell you more about it, but I don’t know. I just remember I wasn’t feeling well and… just something wasn’t right.”
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While the details surrounding his heart attack are a little hazy, Vassar considered himself blessed. “I’m very blessed to be alive. God has blessed me immensely. Especially these times you really count on your faith to kind of pull you through. I don’t know how many times I was sitting in a room, in the dark, or not knowing what was going on and… you pray.”
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Phil Vassar Learned To Walk And Play The Piano All Over Again
Although Vassar survived dying twice, the recovery brought a plethora of new challenges for the singer. “It was definitely slow… learning how to walk again and getting back… on the treadmill.” And when it came to music, he also needed to learn to play the piano once again. Thankfully, there was one nearby. “They brought a piano in my room at rehab and I just sat and looked at it for a while… they said, I just started playing… it kind of came back, and I was very, very, glad to have that happen.”
While looking back, Vassar also looked ahead to his future. And according to the country star, “I feel great, I feel physically wonderful, and mentally I’m just kind of getting back to normal.”
(Photo by Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images for REAGAN Movie)