Phil Vassar serves up ‘Six-Pack Summer’ fun at Festival of the Bells
Lead Summary
By
Caitlin Forsha-crforsha@gmail.com
Festival of the Bells concert series headliner Phil Vassar closed the annual festivities Saturday night, bringing a mix of country music hits and classic rock favorites to a huge crowd in Hillsboro.
Prior to the concert, it was announced that Vassar came with “no set list.” Fans were encouraged to tweet song requests to Vassar throughout the show, for which Vassar obliged, singing some of his lesser known songs as well as many of his top hits, including “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “Carlene,” “Six-Pack Summer” and “In A Real Love.” Vassar’s guitarist even fulfilled several song requests, singing Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” and The Outfield’s “Your Love.”
In addition to his own singles, Vassar covered some of the top hits he wrote for other country artists, such as Jo Dee Messina’s “Bye Bye” and “I’m Alright” and Tim McGraw’s “For A Little While” and “My Next Thirty Years.”
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Vassar covered his first number-one song, Collin Raye’s “Little Red Rodeo,” then segued into a cover of Prince’s “Little Red Corvette.” Vassar also covered other classic rock songs, including “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers, and perhaps most appropriately “Piano Man” by Billy Joel,” as Vassar played the piano for most of the concert.
The three-day Festival of the Bells concluded Saturday with a variety of activities, including the annual Pet Parade, sponsored by Merchants National Bank, and Baby Parade, sponsored by US Bank, held Saturday morning. The Hillsboro FFA also hosted a cornhole tournament, and a car show sponsored by the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association was held in uptown Hillsboro Saturday.
Vocalists Becky Goble and Sheri Smith opened for Vassar, performing several country music duets as well as solos. Among their covers were singles by Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss, Sugarland and Maddie & Tae. Joshua Goble also played guitar for their performance of “How Great Thou Art.”
Prior to the concert, it was announced that Vassar came with “no set list.” Fans were encouraged to tweet song requests to Vassar throughout the show, for which Vassar obliged, singing some of his lesser known songs as well as many of his top hits, including “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “Carlene,” “Six-Pack Summer” and “In A Real Love.” Vassar’s guitarist even fulfilled several song requests, singing Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” and The Outfield’s “Your Love.”
In addition to his own singles, Vassar covered some of the top hits he wrote for other country artists, such as Jo Dee Messina’s “Bye Bye” and “I’m Alright” and Tim McGraw’s “For A Little While” and “My Next Thirty Years.”
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Vassar covered his first number-one song, Collin Raye’s “Little Red Rodeo,” then segued into a cover of Prince’s “Little Red Corvette.” Vassar also covered other classic rock songs, including “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers, and perhaps most appropriately “Piano Man” by Billy Joel,” as Vassar played the piano for most of the concert.
The three-day Festival of the Bells concluded Saturday with a variety of activities, including the annual Pet Parade, sponsored by Merchants National Bank, and Baby Parade, sponsored by US Bank, held Saturday morning. The Hillsboro FFA also hosted a cornhole tournament, and a car show sponsored by the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association was held in uptown Hillsboro Saturday.
Vocalists Becky Goble and Sheri Smith opened for Vassar, performing several country music duets as well as solos. Among their covers were singles by Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss, Sugarland and Maddie & Tae. Joshua Goble also played guitar for their performance of “How Great Thou Art.”